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Preferred Citation:

Robert Stevens, Jr. Letter, Special Collections Resesarch Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information:

Acc. 2013.032 was received by Special Collections on 1/31/2013.

Processing Information:

Accessioned and minimally processed by Steven Bookman, University Archives Specialist, in February 2013.

Biographical Information:

Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .

Scope and Contents

One letter written by Robert Stevens, Jr. to his parents in Newport, Rhode Island concerning an attempted slave revolt and a devastating storm in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 19, 1812. The first part of the letter concerns a plan by a white man, with the help of several slaves, to set fire to the town, rob the banks and inhabitants, and murder those that stood in their way. The attempt was discovered before it was carried out and those involved were taken to prison. The rest of the letter concerns a wind storm that destroyed houses, trees, fences, and caused massive flooding. A transcript of the letter provided by the seller can be found with the letter.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Letters (correspondence)
• Louisiana--History--19th century
• New Orleans (La.)--Description and travel
• Slavery--Louisiana--History
• Weather (New Orleans, La.)