John and James Murray Mason Papers 1798-1847

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

Summary

Creator:
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Mason papers consist of 26 items, 1798-1847, chiefly correspondence between General John Mason, one time Superintendent of the Indian Department and his son, James Murray Mason(1798-1871), the U.S. Senator and Confederate diplomat, on personal and financial affairs. Six of the letters are from John Mason's friend, Richard Rush(1780-1859), in London, England, as minister to Great Britain, discussing political affairs in Londonand the United States, including frequent mention of the American Colonization Society, the African Institution, William Wilberforce, and Sir Charles McCarthy. One letter, dated March 13, 1813, is from Ely Magruderin Barbados, West Indies, to James Madison, answering charges that he acted as a secret agent of the United Statesgovernment and commenting on wartime conditions there. Another from Senator John Taylor of Caroline, 1803, requests information on a Virginia-Maryland boundary dispute; and three 1847 letters discuss the collection of a debt by John Jordan Crittenden. There is also a facsimile of the Non-Importation Resolutions of 1765.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased by the Library from Mrs. Laura Lee Dorsey of Charlottesville, Virginia, on May 7, 1955.
Physical location:
Physical description:
26 items