A Guide to the Papers of the Burwell Family 1796-1893 Burwell Family Papers 4400-b

A Guide to the Papers of the Burwell Family 1796-1893

A Collection in
The Special Collections Department
Accession Number 4400-b

Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
USA
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Reference Request Form: https://small.lib.virginia.edu/reference-request/
URL: http://small.library.virginia.edu/

Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Special Collections Department

Repository

Special Collections, University of Virginia Library

Accession number

4400-b

Title

Papers of the Burwell Family, 1796-1893

Physical Characteristics

This collection consists of 68 items.

Language

English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Papers of the Burwell Family, Accession #4400-b , Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection is a gift of T. Bowyer Campbell.

Scope and Content Information

There are three letters to Wm. A. Burwell. One from Wm. H. Crawford, Minister to France, describes the war in Europe and its possible effect on the fight by America against Britain in 1813. A second letter from John B. Nicholson, a naval officer, contains illuminating material on the status of the navy in 1821 and the need for foresight by Congress. The bulk of the collection is letters to Wm. M. Burwell. Of note is correspondence in the 1840's and 1850's regarding Whig politics in Virginia and the influence of the slavery issue on Whig fortunes. There is also a letter from W.C. Rives on the role of the Know-Nothing party in Virginia in 1855. Another letter from (?) John M. Wyn in Mexico City describes the activities of rival American groups seeking transit rights across the Isthmus of Tehauntepec in 1853. Among the chief correspondents are: Robert Toombs, John B. Floyd, W.C. Rives, W.B. Preston, and Roger A. Pryor. There is also one letter from Judah P. Benjamin regarding the Tehauntepec transit affair. This collection contains numerous clippings of articles written by Wm. M. Burwell, as well as various manuscripts he wrote. There are several items of special interest. In one manuscript and one letter Burwell analyzes the place of the Negro in the South's economy in the 1870's and 1880's. There is also a letter from Burwell to the Republican party of Louisana which discusses strategy for the elections of 1884.