Alta California : embracing notices of the climate, soil, and agricultural products of northern Mexico and the Pacific seaboard : also, a history of the military and naval operations of the United States directed against the territories of northern Mexico, in the year 1846-'47 : with documents declaratory of the policy of the present administration of the national government in regard to the annexation of conquered territory to this union, and the opinion of the Hon. James Buchanan on the Wilmot Proviso, &c
Description of area: p. 9-12; history and documentation: p. 13-64.
Anti-annexation tract.
Summary
The 1847 publication briefly address climate soil and agriculture in Alta and Baja California in chapter I. The following eight chapters consist of communications from the U.S. Government consisting of instructions in the event Mexico declared war, justification of and motives for war, various reports to Washington, communications with Mexican officials in Alta California, accounts of the military operations in California, the articles of capitulation entered into at Rancho of Cowanga on January 13, 1847, all of which are interspersed with personal observations and comments by the author. The final chapter deals with the question of whether slavery would be allowed in California, the policy of the South and its motive for a slave market and emigrants to California and Northern Mexico [from California State University's Digital Commons]
The Revolutionary War Collection contains a variety of materials from and about the Revolutionary War in Lancaster County and Pennsylvania. The original records include correspondence, military pay certificates, court records, and an orderly book kept by Lt. Col. Adam Hubley, Jr. during the Sullivan Campaign of 1779. There are also research notes and secondary sources, including a list of prisoners of war, a list of males in Lancaster County in 1776, Continental Hospital Returns 1777-1780, articles, information on soldiers buried in Lancaster County, and an article about John Paul Jones.
Harmful Language Warning: LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this orderly book reflects the racial prejudices of the era and the violence perpetrated against the Haudenosaunee Confederacy during the American War of Independence. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content. This volume contains language that is offensive, oppressive, graphic, and may cause distress. LancasterHistory does not condone the use of this language.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
The army and navy of America: containing a view of the heroic adventures, battles, naval engagements, remarkable incidents, and glorious achievements in the cause of freedom, from the period of the French and Indian Wars to the close of the Mexican War; independent of an account of warlike operations on land and sea
An abridgment of the laws of Pennsylvania, from the year one thousand seven hundred, to the second day of April, one thousand eight hundred and eleven. : With references to reports of judicial decisions in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Published by Farrand, Hopkins, Zantzinger, and Company. Fry and Kammerer, printers.,
Date of Publication
1811.
Physical Description
xxxi, [1], 637, [1] p. ; 24 cm.
Notes
Copyright Oct. 25, 1811 by Farrand, Hopkins, Zantzinger and Company.
Last page blank.
"The Constitution of the United States of America."--p. [vii]-xviii.
"The Constitution of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania."--p. [xix]-xxxi.
"Report of the judges of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania of the English statutes, which are in force in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and of those of the said statutes which, in their opinion, ought to be incorporated into the statute laws of the said commonwealth."--p. [562]-585. Signed on p. 585: Wm. Tilghman. J. Yeates. Thomas Smith. H.H. Brackenridge. December 14, 1808.
The General Thomas Welsh Family Papers is a collection of original correspondence, official documents, and ephemera. Many of the papers were created by or directed to Thomas Welsh between approximately 1843 and his death in 1863. They provide glimpses into his youth, his experiences in the Mexican War, his life in Columbia between the wars, and his rise in rank to Brigadier General during the Civil War.
The collection contains correspondence with his wife and family from 1861-1863. There are also official correspondence and documents related to Welsh's military service, autobiographical pieces, correspondence following his death, obituaries, and family papers into the early twentieth century. Other items in the collection include genealogy pages from the family bible, photographic images of Thomas Welsh and family members, two scrapbooks, newspaper issues and newspaper clippings, written notes from recollections of one of Welsh's daughter, and a biographical sketch of Welsh written by his son.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men.
Welsh lost his father at the age of 2, and went to work to support his family at age 8. He had very little formal schooling, and was largely self-educated. In 1843, at age 19, he left Lancaster County for Washington City, then went west as an itinerant carpenter/laborer to Cincinnati, Little Rock, and Fort Smith.
When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, he enlisted in a Kentucky regiment, and was severely wounded at the battle of Buena Vista (1847) from which he never fully recovered. Returning home to Columbia, he re-enlisted as a second lieutenant, assigned to the 11th U.S. infantry regiment in Mexico City. Within days of his arrival in Mexico City, he was declared unfit for service on account of his battle wound, and sent home again.
Back in Columbia as a civilian, he dabbled in politics, and received a patronage job in the Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works (the rail and canal system connecting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). After several years, he opened up a grocery and dry goods store in Columbia's canal basin. He also became an insurance agent. In 1857, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and his reputation grew as a community leader. By 1860, he was president of the Borough Council, a founding member of the Columbia Board of Trade, Vice President of the Columbia Cricket Club, and a canal boat operator, in addition to a dry goods merchant, insurance agent, and Justice of the Peace. He had a wife, 5 surviving children, and legal guardianship of his sister's 4 children.
When Confederate forces shelled Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the Civil War, Thomas Welsh raised and organized the first company of volunteers from Lancaster County, and took them into the field as their Captain. Within days, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, which served out its 90-day enlistment in the Shenandoah Valley.
Returning to Harrisburg, he was appointed Commandant of Camp Curtin, the problem-plagued processing center for new recruits. In short order, Welsh cleaned up the camp's poor sanitary conditions, improved the health of the camp, and implemented soldierly discipline and training.
In October 1861, he resigned from his camp duties, and as Colonel of the 45th Pennsylvania, led his regiment into the field. After brief service outside of Washington, they were sent to South Carolina in December, where they were posted to Otter Island. After the battle of James Island, they were recalled to Newport News, in July 1862, then sent to guard Aquia Creek.
In September, now in brigade command in Burnsides' 9th Corps, Welsh chased Lee's Confederate army west into central Maryland. His brigade broke the enemy line in Fox's Gap, on Sept. 14, then 3 days later achieved the furthest Union advance at Antietam, reaching the edge of Sharpsburg, and nearly cutting off Lee's only avenue of escape. Welsh's gallantry earned him a field promotion to brigadier general, which Congress confirmed on March 13, 1863.
The 9th Corps (Welsh now in command of the 1st Division) was sent west in the spring of 1863, then dispatched south to support Grant's investment of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg fell, they turned east and defeated Confederate General Johnston at the Battle of Jackson. Welsh contracted malaria in the southern swamps, and died in Cincinnati upon their return north. One of his men later recalled, "Had he lived, Welsh would undoubtedly have attained a much higher command. 1
1. Beauge, Eugene, in Albert, Allen D., Ed., History of the Forty-Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865, Williamsport, PA: Grit Publ. Co, 1912, p. 79.
System of Arrangement
The collection is arranged in series:
Series A Thomas Welsh before the Mexican War
Series B Mexican War, 1846-1848
Series C Between the Mexican War and the Civil War, 1848-1861
Series D Civil War
Series E Post-Civil War
Series F Miscellaneous Family Papers
Series G Papers from the families of Gen. Thomas Welsh and Blanton C. Welsh
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pa.
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Almost all of the papers have been passed down through successive generations of Welsh's descendants, from Thomas Welsh's wife and children to his granddaughter, Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin, to her daughter Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend. After Nancy Townsend's death, her son Charles Townsend passed them on to his cousin, Richard Wiggin (grandson of Emilie Benson Wiggin) in 2015.
A few papers passed out of the family's possession and found their way into other collections. Richard Abel of Columbia, PA began collecting Welsh papers and artifacts some years ago, and subsequently transferred this collection of Welsh materials to Richard Wiggin in 2012.
Trial of Frederick Eberle and others, at a nisi prius court, held at Philadelphia, July 1816 before the honorable Jasper Yeates, justice. For illegally conspriing together by all means lawful and unlawful ... to prevent the introduction of the English language into the service of St. Michael's and Zion's churches, belonging to the German Lutheran Congregation, in the city of Philadelphia. Taken in short hand by James Carson
A geography of Pennsylvania : containing an account of the history, geographical features, soil, climate, geology, botany, zoology, population, education, government, finances, productions, trade, railroads, canals &c. of the state : with a separate description of each county, and questions for the convenience of teachers : to which is appended, a travellers' guide, or table of distances on the principal rail road, canal and stage routes in the state
Bound with Oration on masonry: delivered at St. John's church in the city of Philadelphia, at the request of the right worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, on St. John's day, June 24, 1811, by James Milnor. Philadelphia: J. Maxwell, 1811 -- Proposals, by Farrand and Nichholas for publishing by subscription ...The American Review of history and politics. Place not identified: publisher not identified, 1810 -- Proposals for publishing by subscription, a translation from the French, of. LeSages's historical genealogial chronological and geographical atlas. Philadelphia: Jane Aiken, 1819 -- A description of the chain bridge; invented by Judge Finley, of Fayette County Pennsylvania...Uniontown, Pa: William Campbell, 1811 -- The pioneeer, vol. I, no. IV, May 5, 1812 -- The Port folio (new series) by Oliver Oldschool, Esq. Philadelphia, Saturday, March 12, 1808 -- Annual discourse, delivered before the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts on the 13th of November 1810 by Joseph Hopkinson. Philadelphia: published by Bradford and Inskeep; Inseeep and Bradford, New York: and William M'Ilhenry, Boston, Sweeny & M'Kenzie, printers, 1810 -- Reply to Mr. Burke's invective against Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Watt, in the House of Commons on the30th of April, 1792, by Thomas Cooper. London: printed for J. Johnson, in St. Paul's Church Yard; and M Falkner and Co., Manchester, M,DCC,XCII (1792) -- Narrative of the proceedings against Thomas Cooiper, exquire, president judge of the eighth judiciary district of Pennsylvania, on a charge of official misconduct. Lancaster: printed by William Hamilton, 1811; -- [Narrative on the title of West Florida]. Place not identified:published not identified. date not identified -- Observations on the conduct of our executive towards Spain. Place not identified:published not identified. date not identified -- Letters, addressed to the people of Pennsylvania respecting the internal improvement, of the commonwealth; by means of roads and canals by William J. Duane. Philadelphia: printed by Jane Aiken, No 71, North Third Street, 18ll --An address of the members of theHouse of Representatives, of the Congress of the United States, to their consitutents, on the subject of the war with Great Britain. Philadelphia: printed at the office of the United States' Gazette, date not identified; Documents and facts, relative to military events, during the late war by Jno. P. Boyd. Place not identified:published not identified. date not identified-- Darstellung des in Baltimore am 27 und 28sten Julii, 1812, gemachten Angriffs auf die presfreyheit, und das leben der Bertheidiger defelben. Philadelphia: gedruct bey Conrad Zentler, in der Zwenten Stresse, unterhalb der Regs Strasse, 1812 -- Plan of an improved system of the money-concerns of the Union by Erick Bollman, M.D. Philadelphia: printed for the auther. Wiliam Fry, printer, Walnut, near Fifth Street, 1816; Articles of the Farmer's Bank of Lancaster. Place not idenifiied: Printed by Hugh Hamilton, date not identified.
The modern practice of the High Court of Chancery : methodized and digested in a manner wholly new : interspersed with variety of the most approved and modern forms of practical precedents incidental to every suit in the progress of it, from the original bill to the decree, comprising a system of practical knowledge, according to the course of the Court as at present established
Letter from Col. James Wood to George Read regarding British prisoners of war and the overcrowded conditions of the barracks at Lancaster
Description
Letter from Col. James Wood in Lancaster to Joseph Reed, President of Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council, regarding British prisoners of war and the overcrowded conditions of the barracks at Lancaster. Col. Wood provides an estimate of the number of soldiers with the British Army, as well as women and children traveling with them that must be accommodated; expresses the need for lumber for temporary shelters and a hospital; detail regarding the Continental and militia troops onsite as guards and who will be moving seamen to a barracks in Philadelphia; and requests instructions from Read on how to proceed.
George Steinman Papers, Series 1 (MG0184_S01) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/786b3ffc-7908-40de-9362-817467455650
George Steinman Papers, Series 2 (MG0184_S02) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/6c7e11c6-f3ca-469c-891a-145832196710
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), George Steinman Papers (MG0184), Series 2, Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-184, Series 2
Other Number
MG-184, Series 2, Folder 15, Insert 2, Item 4
Classification
MG0184
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Added to database 11 May 2024.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # C980002119, 2021-2024.