U.S. Office of Commissary General of Prisoners circular

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

This collection is minimally processed and open for research.

Preferred citation:

MSS 16548, U.S. Office of Commissary General of Prisoners circular, Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
.04 Cubic Feet 1 legal sized folder
Creator:
Mason, John, 1766-1849
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

MSS 16548, U.S. Office of Commissary General of Prisoners circular, Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains a circular manuscript, single sheet - two pages, signed by John Mason, Commissioner General of Prisoners during the War of 1812, regarding returned American prisoners of war. The circular is written to to Joseph Whipple Esqr., Collector of the Customs, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Written from Washington D.C. on May 27, 1813.

Biographical / historical:

John Mason (1766-1849) was an American merchant, banker, soldier, planter, scion of the Mason family of Virginia, son of Founder George Mason. MAson was appointed by Thomas Jefferson as the first commanding general of the District of Columbia militia in 1802. He held that position until 1811., and through that role he became Commissioner General of Prisoners during the War of 1812. When the British invaded and burned Washngton D.C., Mason helped President Madison and other officials escape to Virginia. Mason wrote to President Madison on March 23, 1816, resigning his post as Superintendent of Indian Trade,and offering to wind up the Office of Commissary General of Prisoners

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased from Howard S. Mott, Inc. by the Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia on July 21, 2021.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard