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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03587.17 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of letters to John Cripps, General Gadsden's Secretary |
| Title | James Gadsden to John Cripps talking about politics and most current issues in Washington |
| Date | 23 May 1856 |
| Author | Gadsden, James (1788-1858) |
| Recipient | Cripps, John S. |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Writes to his Secretary about his longer-than-expected journey from Vera Cruz. Discusses his family and personal news. Mentions an upcoming lecture given by Dr. Lynch on the Toleration of Catholicism. Mentions the possibility, and fear, of a war with Great Britain. Talks about politics and the most current issues in Washington: Nicaragua, Mexico, and the Democratic National Convention of which President Pierce should be watchful. Imprint in upper left corner depicts a coat of arms surrounded by laurels, above "Paris." |
| Subjects | American Statesmen Government and Civics Treaty Diplomacy Latin and South America American West Mexican War Military History Politics Global History and Civics Travel Children and Family Religion Catholicism Election Democratic Party President |
| People | Cripps, John S. (fl. 1820-1875) Gadsden, James (1788-1858) |
| Place written | Charleston, South Carolina |
| 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. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |