Letter signed T.M. Thomas, St. Louis, to L. Parker. Yours of the 2nd just received, and I am not a little surprised at the contents of it. I know of no right you have to annul a contract made by Lane Knox & Co., which you have undertaken to do, by the statement to Mr. McKnight “that you should ship no more lead on account of the U.S. until next March, because you were of the opinion it was not wanted at St. Louis” by the U.S. I would beg leave to remark that I am the supt. of the U.S. lead mines, that I made the contract and that I am the sole and only judge of the measures to be taken with the rents[?] of the mines, whether they shall be placed in depot at St. Louis or elsewhere. The step you have taken is totally disapproved by me and one which, upon reflection, you will see is calculated to prevent another contract being made with L.K. & Co., and to cause me to be censured., 1828 Sept 17

Item — Box: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection contains family and business papers, estate papers, passports, and deeds of the families of Lemon Parker, William Russell, and James Russell (St. Louis, Washington County, and Franklin County, Mo.). Included are a travel journal of Lemon Parker, Sr.; land records from Howard County, Mo.; records relating to the firm of Ward & Parker and to the Galena Mining Company; and reminiscences of Anne Clendennin Russell (wife of Silas Bent Russell, son of Russella Russell Parker’s brother Charles Silas Russell) about St. Louis life from 1861-1947, written ca. 1947.