='--\ -~ ~ .("\.. · A CALENDAR OF THE PAPERS OF JAMES ROOD DOOLITTLE, 1815-1897 a holding of the Library of the State Historical Society of Colorado processed by Virginia A. Fowler September 1969 ~ r- ri "' PREPARED BY: THE WESTERN BUSINESS HISTORY RESEARCH CENTER STATE MUSEUM BUILDING DENVER, COLORADO 80203 DIRECTOR: Lee Scamehorn STAFF: Rebecca Pritchard Elizabeth Helbig Virginia Fowler Ann Mecherle \._ r I} r\ TABLE OF CONTENTS Page FOREWORD 1 CHRONOLOGY 2 BIOGRAPHY OF JAMES ROOD DOOLITTLE 3 CORRESPONDENCE 4 DOCUMENTS 9 MISCELLANEOUS 10 '\. ,:r--. f't 0 FOREWORD Significance - James R. Doolittle served twelve years as a United States Senator from Wisconsin, winning much aclaim for his ability and readiness to speak. During his term as a United States Senator, he acted as Chairman of a Special Congressional Committee on Indian Affairs, and a committee member working for reconciliation between the North and the South. Due to the kindness of Mr. Mowry the committee members of the Special Congressional Committee on Indian Affairs are provided. They were William Higby, William Windom, J. W. Nesmith, A. W. Hubbard, L. W. Foster and Lewis Ross. Provenance - The collection of letters and copy of a treaty from James R Doolittle's private collection were given to Mr. Dawson, historian and curator of the Colorado State Museum in 1923. The papers were received from Mr. Duane Mowry of the Citizens Civic Council of Milwaukeee because of Senator Doolittle's Chairmanship of the Special Congressional Committee to investigate Indian Affairs. During this investigation the committee took an extensive trip to the West and Southwest investigating and negotiating with the Indian Tribes of these areas. The Colorado Historical Society has acquired these papers because of letters from people closely related to this area and Indian Tribes well known to this area, Important among this collection are the letters of Kit Carson from Fort Garland. 1 r-- "' "' CHRONOLOGY 1815 Born in Hampton, New York 1834 Master of Arts, Hobart College 1837 Doctor of Law; Admitted to New York Bar; Married Mary Cutting 1847-50 District Attorney (Wyoming County) 1853-56 Elected Judge of the First Judicial Circuit Court of Wisconsin 1857-69 United States Senator of Wisconsin Acting President of Chicago University Professor of Law 1897 Died in Edgewood, Rhode Island 2 (-...... (') 1"\ BIOGRAPHY OF JAMES ROOD DOOLITTLE b. Hampton (Washington County) New York January 3, 1815 d. Edgewood, Rhode Island July 27, 1897 m. Mary Cutting 1837 c. Six children James R. Doolittle served as Senator of Wisconsin for twelve years, proving to be one of the readiest and strongest speakers of the Senate. Son of Reuben and Sarah Doolittle, James was raised in Hampton New York and gained his Master of Arts from Hobart College in 1834 and his Doctor of Law in 1837. From there he was admitted to the New York Bar. He then served four years as District Attorney in Wyoming County, New York and participated in political affairs. During this time he introduced the 11 Cornerstone11 resolution upon which the Free Soil Party was formed in 1848. By 1853 he was elected Judge of the First Judical Circuit of Wisconsin and served until 1856 when he was elected United States Senator of Wisconsin. During his years in the Senate he served as one of thirteen members of a committee attempting to arrange a compromise bebieen the North and the South. And he was Chairman of a Special Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to investigate and negotiate with Indian Tribes of the West and Southwest. In 1866 he presided over the Union National Convention in Philadelphia and in 1872 gave one of his most effective speeches at the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore at which he nominated Sammuel J. Tilden. Later in life he served as trustee and acting president of the University of Chicago and as a professor of the Law School. During his lifetime, he wrote, an epigram about Lincoln, (after his election) which lias, 11 I believe in God and Under Him Abraham Lincoln", and one book called the United States in the Light of Prophecy. J. R. Doolittle is also noted in David J. Brewer's The World's Best Orations for two of his Senatorial Speeches. James R. Doolittle, died in Edgeliood, Rhode Island on July 27, 1897 and was buried at Mound Cemetery, Racine, Wisconsin. 3 ~~ ,....-...., 1""\ CORRESPONDENCE FF NO TO FROM PLACE DATE FORM DESCRIPTION 1 1 Doolittle, J.R. J. P. Usher Washington 2/19/63 LS Expressing opposition to the payment of Certificates of Indebtedness because of im­ provements made for the Sac & Fox Indians from the funds of said tribes. 1 2 Usher, J.P. W. P. Dole " 3/7/64 LS 2pp Enclosure of a memorial made by Comm. of Ind. Aff. John Ross, Prin. Chief and three delegates of the Cherokee Nation setting forth their present conditions and wants. 1 3 Coffin, W. G. Dole II 3/8/64 LS Enclosure from the Sec. of Int. Supt. of Indian Aff. COPY of letters and samples of poor flour sent to refugee Indians at Fort Gi bson. Investigation to follow. 1 4 Doolittle Usher n 4/4/64 LS Enclosure of letter from the Commi ssioner of Indian Affairs concerning conditions and wants of the Cherokee Indians. 1 5 Doolittle Darius Charles, Red Spring, Sachem, Counselors of Shawno County 7/1/64 ALS 2pp Asking Congress to help relocate Stockbridge Tribe Wisconsin Stockbridge Tribe of Wise. west, if Oneida Indians will not sell land. 1 6 Doolittle M. D. Bourassa Arenac Bay 2/8/65 LS 2pp Anxious to know what Congress is l-1ich doing about the Treaty of Oct.'6• with the Chippewas of Saginaw, Mich; want treaty ratified or 4 rejected due to the land involve• Calls himself a Red Man. i~ r"\ 1\ FF NO TO FROM PLACE DATE FORM DESCRIPTION 1 7 Usher Dole Washington 2/28/65 ALS Recommending that Congress pay COPY Ponca Indians for horses and mules stolen by the Sioux Ind. $11,330. 00 and property taken by U. S . Troops $750.00. 1 8 Doolittle Usher II 3/1/65 LS Asking Congress to appropriate $12,080 . 00 for the relief of the Ponca Indians . 1 9 Superintendents Dol e II 3/13/65 LS Notification to Supts and Agents of Indians COPY of appointment of Congressional Committee to inquire into the present conditions of the Ind. and treatment by civil and military authorities of U.S. 1 10 Doolittl e J. W. Nesmith College Hill 3/28/65 ALS Acknowledging the receipt of Ohio Treas. Warrant for $2,500.00 and copy of General Orders No . 36 from the War Dept, also instructions from the Comm. to the Supt. and Agents. Will sail for Pacific April 13th. 1 11 Doolittle Dole Washington 4/11/65 LS Compliance of request for list o. Supt and Agents in Kansas , Indiat Territory, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah for use by the Congress· ional Committee. 1 12 Doolittle 0 . W. Dennis Washington 4/14/65 ALS 2 pp Concerning need for civil law in B. of Military War Dept. Natches, Savannah, Charleston, Justice Wilmington, etc.; along with the reconstruction policies in the South. 5 .r--.., {") \ 1\ FF NO TO FROM PLACE DATE FORM DESCRIPTION 1 13 Doolittle L. L. Foster Norwich, Conn. 4/26/65 ALS 2 PP Member of the Congressional Committee opposed to taking trip to far west this summer; wants tc examine conditions of the tribes in Kansas first. Remarks on the "terrible blow which has fallen upon the Nation", probably re~ £erring to the assasination of President Lincoln. (Foster, President protempore of U.S . Senate) 1 14 Doolittle Maj. Gen. G. Sykes Ft. Leavenworth 6/10/65 ALS 5 PP Answers questions from Doolittle concerning Indian life and treat­ ment; advocating army control instead of civil. 1 15 Doolittle Oscar M. Brown Ft. Marcy 7/4/65 LS 4 PP Information pertaining to expense Santa Fe of maintaining a Cavalry Regiment in west. 2 1 Doolittle Capt. L.G. Murphy Ft. Sumner 7/20/65 LS 2 PP Papers sent by request of Doolittle about Court Martials and Indian Agents; requests Indian Agents post. 2 2 Kit Carson Asst. Adj. Gen. Santa Fe 8/5/65 ALS Special orders from Brig. Gen. Carlton COPY Carleton to Carson to investigatE Indians living on and south of the Arkansas River and try to abate their hostility. Requestec by Senator Doolittle. 2 3 Carleton Kit Carson Ft. Union 8/8/65 [LS] Kit Carson's acceptance of order~ N.M. COPY sent to Sen. Doolittle. (Written and signed by unknown clerk at Ft. Union). 6 /.-....... f'i ,.,) FF NO TO FROM PLACE DATE FORM DESCRIPTION 2 4 Doolittle Col. Leavenworth Cow Creek Ranch 8/23/65 ALS 5 pp Letter informing Doolittle of summer events and success with Indians. Agreements made with Arapahoe and Cheyenne. Treaty with Apaches, Comanches & Kiowas. 2 5 Doolittle W. T. H. Brook Pithole City 9/10/65 ALS Requesting statement of criticisr of his administration about the Ft. Defiance Affair. 2 6 Doolittle W. F. Arny Santa Fe 10/4/65 ALS 2 pp Enclosure of 3 copies of article! Sec. of Int. of on the resources of New Mexico; Terr. of N .M. gives his point of view on what should be done with the Indians. 2 7 Doolittle John Ward Santa Fe 11/30/65 ALS 3 pp Inquiry if his report had been received; opinion given on what should be done with the Navejos; placed on reservations and provided schooling. 2 8 Doolittle D. N. Cooley Washington 12/15/65 LS Informing Doolittle of Leaven worth's treaty with the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians; Maj.