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Collection Reference Number GLC03587.16
From Archive Folder Collection of letters to John Cripps, General Gadsden's Secretary 
Title James Gadsden to John Cripps reporting having received a letter from Washington discussing angry correspondence
Date 7 May 1856
Author Gadsden, James (1788-1858)  
Recipient Cripps, John S.  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Writes about his voyage back to Charleston and how the sea air reminds him of home. Reports having received a letter from Washington discussing "angry correspondence on both sides-this must either be Marcy or Pickett." Asks Cripps to store his belongings. Encloses letters for Mrs. Monk (Cripps' mother) and Mr. Cavallier (not included). Imprint in upper left corner reads "G&F, Vera Cruz."
Subjects American Statesmen  Government and Civics  Treaty  Diplomacy  Latin and South America  American West  Mexican War  Military History  Politics  Global History and Civics  Travel  
People Cripps, John S. (fl. 1820-1875)  Gadsden, James (1788-1858)  
Place written Vera Cruz, Mexico
Theme Government & Politics; 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. Pickett was the U.S. Consul at Vera Cruz, Mexico. Marcy was Secretary of State.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859