SCOUT

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This collection houses correspondence, ledgers, and bank records documenting the lives of several members of the Park family in Knoxville, Tennessee and Galleighan, Ireland. Among the topics discussed are family news, national politics, and land holdings that the Parks are renting out.

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Tennessee Governor Willie Blount wrote this letter to Henry Newman, Jr. in Boston on December 10, 1811. In it, he expresses his hope that the United States will teach the indigenous people on the Wabash and their [foreign] aiders and abetters, that we are not only united but determined to be free and independent of all nations. He also discusses family and personal business, including Judge Hugh L. White and his family.

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This collection houses 29 letters written to Tennessee businessman and politician David Burford between 1820 and 1860.

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William Dunlap sent this three-page letter of extravagant prose to the citizens of Roane and Morgan Counties in order to tell them about his positions during a campaign for state legislator.

Abstract This collection contains a bill submitted to the Tennessee State Legislature that offered a solution to the "problem of the great number of unmarried men." The document declares all unmarried men aged 30 and over to be bachelors and requires the Sheriff of each county to make a yearly list of these bachelors and levy a 25% tax on each man's property. Any bachelor who is eligible to pay the tax more than three times shall be deemed to be an incorrigible bachelor and will be subject to a 50%...

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Felix Grundy had this circular printed in order to inform the voters of Rutherford, Williamson, and Davidson counties of his political views as he aspired to be the "Representative of a free and enlightened people."

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Sam Houston wrote this letter from Carthage, Tennessee to Colonel Francis Ramsey in Knoxville, Tennessee. Houston tells Ramsey that he has been engaged in matrimonial affairs and discusses business he has conducted with the old chief and others.

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This petition asks the Tennessee Legislature to pass a law that will free the state's enslaved peoples and their descendants. The petition is signed by 75 residents of Bedford County, Tennessee.

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In this letter, W. B. Lewis relates news about several friends and family members, mentions that cholera is still afflicting Nashville and the surrounding areas, asks Jackson to pass some news to Ralph E. W. Earl, and complains that [t]imes in Nashville are exceedingly dull and hard. He closes by asking after General Eaton (who he thinks should come to Nashville because the Foster and Grundy parties are waxing very hot) and sending his respects to Jackson's family.

Abstract Governor Newton Cannon published this circular to present his position and objectives in the current race for governor. This document is addressed to Mr. John Rhea in Marshall County, Tennessee. In it, Cannon supports a national bank, deplores Van Buran’s profligacy, refers voters to his record in office, anticipates supporting the Whig/Republican candidate in the presidential campaign two years hence, and opposes a large standing army and government support of West Point. Cannon closes...

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Clement W. Nance had this circular printed during the campaign for circuit court clerk in order to respond to prejudicial statements being made about him by Major R.B. Turner. In the document, he recounts the events leading to Turner's abuse, lists the specific financial misdeeds he had uncovered over the past year, and gives a history of his own service to the county. At the bottom of the back side, someone has worked several arithmetic problems in ink.

Abstract In these two letters to Andrew Johnson (then serving Tennessee in the U. S. House of Representatives), J. L. Edwards of the U. S. Pension Office officially establishes the conditions under which old Mrs. Curtis and the heirs of the late Sarah Hawley would be eligible for government pensions. Johnson forwarded both items to Blackston McDannel in Greeneville, Tennessee with a handwritten note assuring McDannel that he is doing the best he can to get the pensions approved, although it appears...

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In this letter (marked Private) to W. I. Whitthorne, S. H. Laughlin discusses local and national politics. He touches on the possible adjournment of the U. S. House of Representatives, the state of the Native American Democratic ticket and the Whig Party, and his own efforts to promote the Democratic Party and fight the Whigs in Tennessee. He ends with a plea for funds to support his work.

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In this letter, John S. McNutt solicits support from Colonel John C. Gaut for his candidacy for Attorney General. He wants Colonel Gaut to persuade the local citizens to support his candidacy as well.

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In this document Andrew Roberts, administrator of Adam Clapp's estate, petitions the Knox County Court to allow the sale of an enslaved person named Roy so that the proceeds may be divided among Clapp's eight heirs.

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H.F. Cummins published this four-column broadside from Paris, Tennessee in order to share his political goals, should he be elected to the state legislature.

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This long broadside is addressed To the Freemen of the Third Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Greene, Cocke, Sevier and Blount. In it, Lloyd Bullen addresses the reasons he should be reelected to the Tennessee state senate. Amidst many insults to his opponents, he promises to vote against renewing corrupt bank charters and to abolish the expensive Chancery Courts. He then requests that the voters choose him in the election to be held the following Thursday.