Guide to the Henry Marie Brackenridge and Family Papers, 1816-1889 DAR.1937.03
Arrangement
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Henry Marie Brackenridge and Family Papers
Creator
Brackenridge family
Collection Number
DAR.1937.03
Extent
1.67 Linear Feet(4 boxes)
Date
1816-1889
Abstract
Henry Marie Brackenridge, eldest son of Hugh Henry Brackenridge, was a prominent statesman and writer involved in the politics of South America, Mexico, Louisiana, Florida, and Pennsylvania. The collection mainly focuses on correspondence concerning Henry Marie Brackenridge's political career. It contains letters from notable politicians of his day including Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, and William Henry Harrison, among others. Also included are letters to and from Brackenridge's wife, Caroline, as well as other family and friends, which provide a context for traveling, health, and life at that time. Digital reproductions of this collection are available online.
Language
English
.
Author
Matthew Strauss
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital reproductions of this collection are available online.
Biography
Henry Marie Brackenridge was born on May 11, 1786, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Brackenridge's varied career as a lawyer, judge and diplomat would take him to locations throughout the Western Hemisphere and led to contacts with many notable politicians of his day. Henry Marie's travels began early when his father, writer and judge, Hugh Henry Brackenridge, sent him to Louisiana to receive a French education. Taking after his father, Henry Marie pursued an education in law, eventually returning to his hometown to attend the Pittsburgh Academy. After gaining admittance to the bar in 1806, Brackenridge worked as a lawyer in Baltimore, Maryland; Somerset, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri.
Brackenridge returned to Louisiana in 1811 as district attorney general for the Orleans Territory. When Louisiana entered the Union the following year, he helped shape the new state's legal code. During the War of 1812, Brackenridge provided intelligence to the Madison administration concerning developments in Louisiana. He later wrote a book on the subject, History of the Late War, between the United States and Great Britain, published in 1816.
In 1817, President James Monroe selected Brackenridge to participate in a fact-finding mission to South America, in order to report on the rebellious Spanish colonies. The Monroe administration hoped the mission would help decide the matter of whether or not to officially recognize any independent governments that should form after these conflicts. Brackenridge's resulting publication on the trip, Voyage of South America, Performed by Order of the American Government in the Years 1817 and 1818, expressed views largely in favor of the colonies establishing their independence. The work found an ardent supporter in Speaker of the House Henry Clay and explored ideas that are thought to have influenced what would later become known as the Monroe Doctrine.
Upon returning to the United States, Brackenridge was elected to the Maryland State Legislature. Along with another representative, he introduced a bill that would grant Jews the right to vote. The proposed legislation proved unpopular but revealed Brackenridge's belief in the importance of the separation between church and state.
A chance meeting with Andrew Jackson in 1821 led to Brackenridge's employment as the general's Spanish translator and secretary for a mission to the Florida territories. Through Jackson's influence, Brackenridge was appointed judge of West Florida. He presided over the region during its transition from a Spanish holding to a United States territory. In 1827, Brackenridge married Caroline Marie, a family friend whom he had known since childhood. The difficulties of frontier life and the potential for outbreaks of yellow fever kept the couple apart, with Caroline remaining in Pennsylvania while Brackenridge continued his tenure in Florida.
Following his dismissal as judge of West Florida in 1832, Brackenridge wrote a series of public letters criticizing the Jackson administration. Jackson responded, and the dispute continued in various newspaper editorials. Brackenridge argued that Jackson had replaced him with a political ally of the administration and accused the president of radically expanding the powers of the executive branch.
Brackenridge returned to Pennsylvania and settled into his wife's land near Pittsburgh, where the family established the towns of Natrona and Tarentum. In 1840, he was elected as a Whig to the United States Congress, replacing Richard Biddle. His attempt at re-nomination failed, but he was later elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Brackenridge continued to write and express his views until his death in 1871.
Scope and Content Notes
The focal point of this collection is the professional career of Henry Marie Brackenridge. There are also letters and documents written by and pertaining to the Brackenridge family. While the collection contains some published documents, approximately sixty-five percent of the papers consist of handwritten correspondence with Brackenridge. Also represented are some of Caroline Marie Brackenridge's personal papers and correspondence.
Henry Marie Brackenridge's professional correspondence encompasses letters from various notable contemporaries, including John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and William Henry Harrison. The letters relate to Brackenridge's various professional activities, which took him to South America, Florida, and Washington, D.C. Other discussions cover controversial topics of the day, including America's role in the colonial wars of South America, corruption in the Jackson administration, and the legal status of slavery in newly admitted American states.
The Brackenridge family correspondence incorporates a number of letters between Henry Marie and Caroline, detailing the difficulties of their long separations. Letters from other family members are also represented, including Henry Marie's son, Benjamin Morgan, his brother, Alexander Brackenridge, and sister, Cornelia Brackenridge. All of these letters relate to some aspect of the Brackenridge family. Typically the letters address the health and well being of friends and family members. Education, attire, and careers are topics also covered within the correspondence. Family members writing to Henry Marie, especially Cornelia, often chided him for his lack of timely response to their letters, as well as for his long absences from home.
Henry Marie Brackenridge's speeches and essays contain drafts of various writings with handwritten corrections. Also included are newspaper clippings of articles by Brackenridge, along with editorial notes written in the margins. Items of note include copies of several speeches Brackenridge delivered at various Independence Day celebrations and a review of Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Miscellaneous items consist of obituaries, legal papers and handwritten copies of literary works by other authors. Researchers may be interested to note that three of Brackenridge's memorandum books are included in this series. The books contain notes that were clearly used in his published works detailing his work in Florida and criticisms of Andrew Jackson.
The locations of the sender and recipient have been noted when possible. Item level scope and content notes are provided for each folder in Series I, II, and III. Jane Honeycutt's dissertation on the letters of Henry Marie and Hugh Henry Brackenridge provided useful information in the creation of the notes as did the initial cataloging by the Darlington Memorial Library staff. The original catalog cards have been included in the folders when available. For matters of convenience, Brackenridge's name has been abbreviated to H. M. Brackenridge at the series level.
Arrangement
The order of these documents from the letter book has been noted through the inclusion of a letter book number (e.g. LB#01). See custodial history for more information. The collection is arranged into four series:
Series I. Henry Marie Brackenridge Professional Correspondence, 1817-1868
Series II. Brackenridge Family Correspondence, 1821-1857
Series III. Henry Marie Brackenridge Speeches and Essays, 1818-1864
Series IV. Miscellaneous Items, 1857-1889
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
The Darlington Memorial Library acquired the collection as gifts in 1937 and 1956.
Custodial History
The first gift mainly consisted of letters between Brackenridge and his wife, Caroline Marie. In 1956, Mrs. Helen Brackenridge Painter gave the University of Pittsburgh a letter book containing Henry Marie's political correspondence. This second gift housed approximately 130 items. The letter book was taken apart in 1970 and placed into individual folders. The two acquisitions were combined in 2006 to provide improved access to this comprehensive collection. Some of the correspondence was originally contained in a letter book, which was disbound by the Darlington Memorial staff upon its acquisition. The order of these documents from the letter book has been noted by the inclusion of a letter book number (e.g. LB#01).
This collection was located in the Darlington Memorial Library in the University's Cathedral of Learning until 2007 when it was moved to the ULS Archives Service Center for processing, storage, preservation and service. However, it remains in the custodianship of the ULS Special Collections Department.
Preferred Citation
Henry Marie Brackenridge and Family Papers, 1816-1889, DAR.1937.03, Darlington Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
Henry Marie Brackenridge and Family Papers, 1816-1889, DAR.1937.03, Darlington Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Crystal Hanna in June 2006 and Matthew Strauss in September 2006.
Copyright
No copyright restrictions.
Related Materials
Hugh Henry Brackenridge and Andrew Watson Papers, 1790-1827, DAR.1937.04, Darlington Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Papers of the Brackenridge Family, 1796-1963, MSS #160, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
Bibliography
Honeycutt, Jane. "The Letters of H. M. and H. H. Brackenridge in the Pittsburgh Archives, 1796-1868." PhD diss., University of California Davis, 1986.
Keller, William F. The Nation's Advocate: Henry Marie Brackenridge and Young America. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1956.
Subjects
Personal Names
Brackenridge, Benjamin Morgan
Brackenridge, Caroline Marie
Brackenridge, Cornelia
Brackenridge, H. H. (Hugh Henry)
Brackenridge, H. M. (Henry Marie)
Family Names
Brackenridge family
Geographic Names
Pensacola (Fla.)
Pittsburgh (Pa.)
Natrona (Pa.)
Tarentum (Pa.)
Brackenridge (Pa.)
United States -- History -- War of 1812
United States -- Territories and possessions
Pennsylvania -- Politics and government -- 1775-1865
Maryland -- Politics and government -- 1775-1865
Florida -- Politics and government -- 1821-1865
Louisiana -- Politics and government -- 1803-1865
United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century
Other Subjects
Judges -- Florida
Lawyers -- Pennsylvania
Lawyers -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
Missouri compromise
Diplomats -- South America
Container List
Scope and Content Notes
This series contains letters written by or sent to Brackenridge family members. The majority of the letters are written by H.M. Brackenridge to his wife, Caroline Marie Brackenridge, during long periods of separation. The letters make numerous references to their fluctuating moods and various illnesses, including depression. The letters dealing with Benjamin Morgan Brackenridge, H.M. Brackenridge's son, concern his education as well as his health. Much of the correspondence written to H.M. Brackenridge served to keep him informed of the activities of his family and friends while he traveled. There are also letters written by H.M. Brackenridge's sister, Cornelia and his brothers, Alexander and William. Cornelia's letters are particularly enlightening about social activities and include suggestions of suitable women for marriage. Represented as well are letters from cousins John Cabell and Robert Breckinridge. There are also letters written to Caroline and Benjamin Morgan Brackenridge from several of their friends. The letters are arranged into groups, according to family member. Letters between family members are grouped according to the writer.
Arrangement
The order of these documents from the letter book has been noted through the inclusion of a letter book number (e.g. LB#01). See custodial history for more information.
Alexander, writing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Baltimore, Maryland, speaks of family matters. He also praises H. M. Brackenridge's speech delivered about Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. 2 p. A.L.S.
Benjamin Morgan, writing from Tarentum, Pennsylvania, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, describes a difficult trip across Pennsylvania, during which there was an accident going up an inclined plane. 2 p. A.L.S.
Rulon, writing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Tarentum, Pennsylvania, shares news of mutual friends. Rulon mentions that the celebration of a friend's birthday lasted until 11 o'clock, a time he thought "was rather late hours for Quakers." 2 p. A.L.S.
Benjamin Morgan, writing from Niagara Falls, New York, to Tarentum, Pennsylvania, thanks his father for the money sent to him and describes the beauty of the falls and his adventures while there.
Rulon, writing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Tarentum, Pennsylvania, relays the wishes of Benjamin Morgan's mother concerning her clothing and personal belongings. [The letter was written soon after Caroline's death in 1852.] 2 p. A.L.S.
Writing during a stay in New York, New York, Benjamin Morgan recounts a recent illness and describes a ball which he attended. He offers his opinion on the clothing of others who were in attendance. 4 p. A.L.S.
Margaret Ann Overton, writing from Pensacola, Florida, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, speaks of efforts to raise money for a church. She also notes H. M. Brackenridge's return to Florida. 2 p. A.L.S.
In this letter from May Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Caroline requests H. M. Brackenridge to send word about their impending trip to Washington, D.C. She complains of her weak nerves, lack of appetite and insomnia. She also fears that Benjamin Morgan might be contracting the measles from the children of the family with whom they are visiting. 1 p. A.L.S.
Caroline, writing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Freeport, Pennsylvania, apologizes for not previously sending a letter from Washington, D.C., as she was unable to make the journey. She relays that she has been sick most of the winter and that Morgan has the mumps. 2 p. A.L.S.
Caroline, writing from Tarentum, Pennsylvania, to Washington, D.C., provides an update on domestic matters and informs H. M. Brackenridge of her travel plans. 2 p. A.L.S.
Alexander, writing from Washington, D.C., to Tarentum, Pennsylvania, offers news of a boarding house in which she and Caroline used to live. 4 p. A.L.S.
Burrough, writing from the Philadelphia area, to Tarentum, Pennsylvania, describes in this series of letters two of their mutual friends' deaths and the events leading up to them. She also details the condition of various family members and their travels around the East Coast.
The Rulons, writing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Tarentum, Pennsylvania, inform Caroline about a potential visit the following summer. 2 p. A.L.S.
Fletcher, writing from West Chester, Pennsylvania to Tarentum, Pennsylvania, speaks of a nephew who is planning to visit Caroline and her family. Fletcher also describes family matters and recent activities. 2 p. A.L.S.
Caroline, writing from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offers an account of how her winter was spent. She spent four weeks in Philadelphia, prior to going to Harrisburg. 2 p. A.L.S.
Cornelia, writing from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to Baltimore, Maryland, chides her brother for not writing. She also mentions various family friends. 2 p. A.L.S.
Cornelia, writing from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to Baltimore, Maryland, mentions Miss Mary Hamilton, a woman she thinks H. M. Brackenridge should consider marrying. She also laments her lack of free time. 2 p. A.L.S.
Writing from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to Baltimore, Maryland, Cornelia speaks of H. M. Brackenridge's book on the history of the War of 1812. She offers her opinion on H. M. Brackenridge's marital status. 2 p. A.L.S.
Writing from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to Baltimore, Maryland, Cornelia expresses her wish to receive a visit from H. M. Brackenridge. Also provided are updates on friends and family. 2 p. A.L.S.
Cornelia, writing to Annapolis, Maryland, describes a trip to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she stayed at the Governor's Mansion. She recounts a speech she heard their brother Alexander give. 2 p. A.L.S.
Cornelia, writing from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to Baltimore, Maryland, discusses family matters and relays information about mutual friends. She also offers her opinion on two local women as potential wives for her brother. 2 p. A.L.S.
Cornelia, writing from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to Baltimore, Maryland, speaks of being sick for several months and a visit to Mr. Ramsay's sulfur springs. 2 p. A.L.S.
Writing from Carlisle, Pennsylvania to Pensacola, Florida, Cornelia chastises her brother for not keeping in touch. She mentions Alexander's current interests in traveling. She also requests an update from H. M. Brackenridge concerning his travels. 2 p. A.L.S.
H. M. Brackenridge, writing from Washington D.C., to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, expresses the importance of learning the fundamentals of education. He also describes the state of fashion in the nation's capital. 2 p. A.L.S.
H. M. Brackenridge, writing from Washington D.C., to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, recounts different speakers he has heard in front of the House of Representatives, including Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. He also includes a math problem for his son to complete. 3 p. A.L.S.
H. M. Brackenridge writes to discourage a trip to visit Washington, D. C., which was planned for Benjamin Morgan and Caroline. He thinks the chaos of the city will be bad for Caroline's nerves. He also mentions a cabinet filled with stones he bought for his son. 2 p. A.L.S.
In this series of letters, mostly from Florida, H. M. Brackenridge notes his desire to be able to spend more time with Caroline. He includes some description of life in Florida, including a lengthy account of a local murder, and the death of a friend's young son. He also offers advice related to matters of health.
In this group of letters, H. M. Brackenridge describes the difficulties of living in Florida. Fever is rampant and has claimed several friends. He often expresses his desire to leave Florida, but admits reluctance to forfeit his position. Most of the letters were sent from various locations in Florida. Several were written during the arduous trip between Florida and Pennsylvania. Of much concern to H. M. Brackenridge is finding a boarding house where he and Caroline can find some privacy. Caroline's mental state is another recurring topic. H. M. Brackenridge worries about her aversion to meeting new people.
Some of these letters were sent during a sea voyage H. M. Brackenridge embarked upon during a return trip to Florida. The rest were written in various locations in Florida. Topics discussed in this series of correspondence include the sale of land in Florida, opinions on several acquaintances, and the strain of living far from Pennsylvania.
These letters were all sent from various locations in Florida. H. M. Brackenridge wrote of plans to return to Pennsylvania for the summer, the weather, and financial matters. He also mentions having written to Andrew Jackson concerning an appointment in Pittsburgh. The health of Caroline and Benjamin are recurring concerns in these letters.
H. M. Brackenridge wrote these letters from Florida. He describes plans for a house to be built along the Allegheny River, Benjamin's health problems, and his property in Florida.
These letters were written from a variety of locations during a trip to the north H. M. Brackenridge took via river boat. Several letters were sent from Washington, D.C., and convey his thoughts on corruption in the Jackson administration. H. M. Brackenridge suspects that several acquaintances had recently lost their positions to political allies of the administration and wonders if this fate awaits him as well. Also noted are H. M. Brackenridge's repeated attempts to meet with Jackson and the Secretary of the Navy.
This series of letters was written from Florida and is filled with references to various acquaintances, health concerns, and descriptions of life in Florida. H. M. Brackenridge often relates advice on how to properly raise Benjamin. Also described is the condition of the orange trees on his land.
H. M. Brackenridge sent these letters from several different towns in Florida. Included are updates on the construction of his house in Tarentum, thoughts on parenting, and preparations for a trip north.
H. M. Brackenridge wrote most of these letters during a trip from Florida to Pennsylvania. They discuss preparations for inhabiting the newly built house in Tarentum, Pennsylvania.
H. M. Brackenridge sent these letters from Florida, mainly from Pensacola. They cover real estate matters, concerns for the health of his family, and future plans.
These letters were written when H. M. Brackenridge was in Washington D.C., during his time as a U.S. representative. H. M. Brackenridge writes of life in Washington D.C., and his activities in Congress.
H. M. Brackenridge explains to his grandchildren his wishes concerning the use of a spring on family land. H. M. Brackenridge also recounts a speech he gave on the occasion of the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. 4 p. A.L.S.
Breckinridge, writing from Washington, D.C., to Tarentum, Pennsylvania, mainly discusses their common ancestry. [ Vice President Breckinridge, in the Buchanan administration and a general in the Confederate army, was the grandson of Hugh Henry Brackenridge's brother.] 4 p. A.L.S.
Breckenridge, writing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Tarentum, Pennsylvania, outlines a plan for a "civilized state in the tropiks" and another for "universal freedom." He also mentions the common origin of both of their families. 1 p. A.L.S.
William, writing from Indiana, Pennsylvania, to Baltimore, Maryland, informs H. M. Brackenridge that he will seek subscriptions for H. M. Brackenridge's projected history of South America. He also notes his dislike for politicians. 3 p. A.L.S.
Scope and Content Notes
The secries of the collection contains a sample of H.M. Brackenridge's essays and speeches. H.M. Brackenridge was a prolific writer whose articles were printed in a number of different publications. The articles are a mix of book reviews, biographies, political essays, and travel accounts, which reflects H.M. Brackenridge's varied interests. Editorial notes are included in the margins, suggesting that H.M. Brackenridge continued to rework his writings after their publication. Many of the speeches were given in various towns in western Pennsylvania on the occasion of the 4th of July. The dated works in this collection cover a period of four decades, from 1818 to 1864, though some of the material is undated. The collection also contains some political essays and speeches commenting on his career and disagreeing with contemporary political movements. [Please note that folders 1-9 contain the various essays written by H.M. Brackenridge, and folders 10-17 contain his speeches.]
Arrangement
The order of these documents from the letter book has been noted through the inclusion of a letter book number (e.g. LB#01). See custodial history for more information.
This folder contains some of H. M. Brackenridge's published works, along with comments written in the margins. Topics include the life of William Henry Harrison, the history of the Federalist party, and the political career of Martin Van Buren.
Contains both a handwritten draft and a published version (in the form of a newspaper clipping) of H. M. Brackenridge's essay about the Harriet Beecher Stowe abolitionist novel.
This travel account seems to have been intended as an appendix to one of the public letters addressed to Andrew Jackson after H. M. Brackenridge's dismissal as judge in Florida. It recounts a rushed trip H. M. Brackenridge embarked upon in order to attend a court date.
This is a copy of a speech given by H. M. Brackenridge to the Maryland House of Delegates. Also included is a copy of an exchange between H. M. Brackenridge and John Young on the topic. 7 p.
H. M. Brackenridge's speech focuses on the shortcomings of Andrew Jackson. Also included are his thoughts on the history of the Democratic and Federalist parties. 17 p.
Handwritten copy of a speech given by H. M. Brackenridge. In the speech, H. M. Brackenridge recounted the founding of the United States and voiced criticisms of the current state of politics. 20 p.
Copy of a speech, with H. M. Brackenridge's corrections. The speech details economic problems and the rise of central banking in the United States. 14 p.
Printed copy of a speech given to the House of Representatives, explaining H. M. Brackenridge's dissatisfaction with the Treasury Note Bill. Though the country had serious financial troubles, H. M. Brackenridge thought the problems could be solved without the use of Treasury notes. 16 p.
In this speech, H. M. Brackenridge reflected upon the principles on which the United States was founded. He also described the history of the United States and Great Britain. 8 p.
Published account of H. M. Brackenridge's speech. The case revolved around the question of whether or not vacant land could be employed for public use. 22 p.
An essay on a tax concerning residents of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. 1 p.
Scope and Content Notes
The personal papers of H.M. Brackenridge are an assortment of documents including copies, presumably in his hand, of several literary works of popular authors (although one is dated after his death and may have been copied by another family member). The papers include obituary notices for H.M. Brackenridge and his daughter-in-law, Phillipine Brackenridge and guardianship papers for the children of Benjamin Morgan Brackenridge. This series also includes a clarinet that belonged to Brackenridge.
Arrangement
The order of these documents from the letter book has been noted through the inclusion of a letter book number (e.g. LB#01). See custodial history for more information.