Copy of letter signed John F. Darby, St. Louis, Missouri, to Montgomery Blair, Washington City. Outraged by unwarranted slurs and attacks of Mr. Wallace, reporter of decisions of U.S. Supreme Court, in statement of the case published in the 18th volume of Wallace’s reports, in case of Boatmen’s Savings Institution vs Tiffany trustee. Recounts Darby’s education, career, and friendships with various prominent figures, including Webster, Clay, Crittenden, Lincoln, Fillmore, and U.S. Grant. Recounts Darby’s former wealth and failure in business relating to Civil War, and his loss of $700,000. Account of transactions involved in the Supreme Court case involving Knox and Brotherton. Darby may wish to consult with Blair about Darby’s course of action to defend himself. Copy is followed by apparent draft of Darby’s letter. (2 items) [filed in 1874 Sept-Dec], 1874 Sept 22

Item — Box: 4, Folder: 9

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This collection consists largely of the papers of John F. Darby and his wife Mary F. Darby, and relates mostly to the political, social, and business history of St. Louis. The papers also include family correspondence with relatives in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Missouri, and correspondence regarding legal and business matters. Of special note are the minute books of the Jefferson Society and the St. Louis Debating Club (1827-1828), both regional debating societies of which Darby was a member; letters of Mary F. Darby; correspondence with Montgomery Blair, William T. Sherman, and George Caleb Bingham; and fragments of a history of the Mormons by John Corrill, dated 1839.