Smith, Israel (1763-1821) to Jedediah Smith
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04601.04 Author/Creator: Smith, Israel (1763-1821) Place Written: Natchez, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 November 1808 Pagination: 4 p. : address ; 31.5 x 19.5 cm Order a Copy
Writes that he was very happy to hear from him since almost two years have past since their last correspondence. Discusses a Colonel Trash who traveled to Jedediah's area (Massachusetts) but did not bring back word. He is sorry to hear Jedediah has suffered some family misfortune. Reports on family news and states their brother, Philander, has been elected to the legislature again. Another brother, Calvin and himself are in the military. Comments upon the divided state of politics in the Mississippi territory where he lives. There are Tories, Burrites, and Democrats but the democrats are losing ground. Mentions the practice of rabble rousing to win elections and fears the effects Jefferson's embargo might have on their area. Mentions the weather and the cotton crops. Removal of the seal has resulted in some text loss on 3rd and 4th page.
Jedidiah Smith (1726/27-1776), a minister from Granville, Massachusetts, left New England in 1776 with 11of his children. They became one of the first settler families of colonial Natchez, Mississippi territory. A member of the Smith family, Philander Smith, served as foreman on the grand jury trying Aaron Burr for conspiracy. Jefferson passed the Embargo Act on 22 December 1807, which prohibited virtually all exports and most imports and was designed to coerce British and French recognition of American rights. Although it failed and was repealed in 1809 by Jefferson, it greatly enhanced America's industries. Forbidden to trade, Americans had to make their own products.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.