SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION
The collection consists of seven detailed letters written by Richard Washington, Hastings, Minnesota, to his father, Lawrence, Oak Grove, Westmoreland County, Virginia, and one letter (1860) to "Dick" from "L. Washington," Washington, D.C. The letters contain a wealth of information on life in Minnesota; his real estate ventures; agricultural production; his financial situation and investments; jury duty in St. Paul; and his comments on the coming 1860 presidential election. The letters are briefly described below. Note that photocopies have been made of letters with fading ink.
August 31, 1856. Tells of his monetary and real estate investments in Minnesota and mentions that he lived in St. Paul in the winter of 1855-1856. (Includes photocopy.)
August 6, 1857. Describes the harvesting of crops in Minnesota, the prices received for farm produce, and the positive effects of a proposed canal to be constructed between Georgian Bay and the St. Lawrence River in Canada. Also describes the Minnesota Constitutional conventions and states his opinions of Minnesota's political leaders. (Includes photocopy).
November 25, 1857. Includes data on his real estate ventures in Minnesota, and describes the bad economic conditions in the state.
October 19, November 9, 1858. Has information on his financial condition and real estate ventures; the visit of a Mr. Pickett of Virginia; and his engagement to Ellen Center [?], stepdaughter of the Reverend Timothy Wilcoxson, Episcopal minister in Hastings, Minnesota. (Includes photocopies).
June 3, 1859. Much of this letter describes the growing of ginseng, with comments on his hopes to grow and market the plant. Also mentions that his wedding date will be June 28.
October 6, 1859. Contains a letterhead of the Fuller House, St. Paul. At the time Washington was in St. Paul on jury duty. He discusses some of the recent criminal trials in St. Paul; economic conditions; real estate matters; and politics, giving his opinion that the Republican Party will control Minnesota after the 1860 election, and expressing his hopes that Stephen Douglas will not get the Democratic nomination for president.
February 5, 1860. Washington to "Dear Dick" contains information on "Cousin Cynthia's" real estate affairs in Superior, Wisconsin; a legal case affecting the family's Minnesota investments that was brought before the United States Supreme Court; and the recent activities of the United States Congress.