- Collection:
- Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842
- Title:
- Letter, 1837 Feb. 21, Newport, Rhode Island to Governor William Schley, Milledgeville, Georgia / James Stevens
- Creator:
- Stevens, James, fl. 1837
- Date of Original:
- 1837-02-21
- Subject:
- Cherokee Indians--Land tenure
Railroad --Design and construction
Creek War, 1836 - Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
- Medium:
- job applications
letters (correspondence) - Type:
- Text
- Format:
- text/html
image/jpeg - Description:
- This is a letter from James Stevens of Newport, Rhode Island, to Governor William Schley (Governor of Georgia, 1835-1837) requesting an appointment as principal Engineer for the Mississippi and Atlantic Railroad or any other railroad in which the state of Georgia has an interest. Stevens mentions Schley's delay in correspondence on this matter and assumes it to be due to state relations with local Indian populations. He attributes it to either Schley's duties relative to the "Creek War" or to "agitation" among the Cherokees that would hamper the railroad project since operations would occur in the vicinity of the Cherokee Nation.
Digital image and encoded transcription of an original manuscript, scanned, transcribed and encoded by the Digital Library of Georgia in 2001, as part of GALILEO, funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. - Local Identifier:
- tcc601
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc601
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc601#item
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc601/presentation/manifest.json
- Language:
- eng
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: [title of item], Telamon Cuyler, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries, presented in the Digital Library of Georgia
- Extent:
- 2 pages/leaves
- Original Collection:
- Manuscript held by the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries, Telamon Cuyler, box 50, folder 14, document 01.
- Holding Institution:
- Hargrett Library
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
Newport, Rhode-Island,
21st. Feb. [February] 1837.
Sir
Your letter of the
22. Sept [September] last, I have but recently received, it having been forwarded to me by private conveyance which mistook the place of my operations.
The explanation given by your Excellency of the misdirection of your letters &c [et cetera] is perfectly satisfactory. Prior to the receipt of your last letter, I had attributed your silence wholly to your continual engagement in the more ardent and important duties of the field during the Creek war: and as the Cherokees did not appear to be entirely free from agitation and the scene of our operations would lie in the vicinity of that nation, I had concluded that your Excellency had postponed the whole business, to a future and more tranquil period.
I have just been informed, that the Executive of Georgia has the power of appointing the principal Engineer on the Mississippi and Atlantic Rail Road, (or, some other rail road) in which the State is interested: if this information be correct, I would take the liberty of offering my services to the State as Engineer for this work, or, if it be a private enterprise, to solicit the influence of your Excellency, in procuring for me the appointment.
Last Spring, I resigned a lucrative employ in Canada, with a view of coming to Georgia; and for the greater part of the subsequent season, would not engage in any business, but such as was of Short duration, or which could be left without detriment at any time.
I have just finished an examination of a route for a rail road from this place to Boston, and after making a report and estimate thereon, shall be at liberty to engage in any other business in the line of my profession.
I have the honour [honor] to be with the highest
respect and regard your Excellencys
most obt [obedient] Servant &c &c [et cetera et cetera]
[Signed] James Stevens
To His Excellency William Schley Governor of Georgia Milledgeville, Ga.
Page: [2]
New Port RI [Rhode Island]
Feb [February] 22
A postmark appears in the upper left of the page.
25
To His Excellency William Schley Governor of Georgia Milledgeville Ga.
Letter
James Stevens
Engineer
21st. Feby [February] 1837
Rail Roads
James Stephens
Engineer