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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03587.02 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of letters to John Cripps, General Gadsden's Secretary |
| Title | James Gadsden to John Cripps regarding a commission to repair Mexico City |
| Date | 30 May 1853 |
| Author | Gadsden, James (1788-1858) |
| Recipient | Cripps, John S. |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Writes to his Secretary residing in Napa, California, after receiving Cripps' commission to repair Mexico City from Secretary of State Marcy. Says he will meet with Cripps sometime in July. In case Cripps arrives first, Gadsden instructs him to secure comfortable lodging and together they will find more permanent housing. Suggests obtaining a good cook and translator. Feels inclined to take Cripps' mother along to Mexico as a companion for Mrs. Gadsden, but says that, instead, they will both see him off at the port. Imprint in upper left corner depicts a galleon below the word "Paris." Envelope postmarked 6 June, New Orleans. |
| Subjects | American Statesmen Government and Civics Treaty Diplomacy Latin and South America American West Mexican War Military History Politics Global History and Civics Children and Family Women's History |
| People | Gadsden, James (1788-1858) Cripps, John S. (fl. 1820-1875) |
| Place written | Charleston, South Carolina |
| Theme | The Mexican War |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Gadsden was a railroad promoter and advocated a Southern rail system, the purpose of which would be to control the trade of the South and the West, thereby freeing those regions from their dependency on the North. To further this end he promoted Southern commercial conventions, and at a convention in 1845 he boldly urged the construction of a railroad to the Pacific. In 1853, when Jefferson Davis was Secretary of War in Pierce's cabinet, Gadsden was appointed minister to Mexico to negotiate for territory along the border. The result was the Gadsden Purchase. He was recalled in 1856 for exceeding his instructions. Cripps was General Gadsden's Secretary and a sawyer by profession. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |