Scope and Contents The William H. Ashley Collection consists of his diaries, drafts of letters, and some business papers. Ashley made several journeys to the Rocky Mountains from 1821 to 1826. The collection contains a draft, or copy, of his later account and his diary for the journey made in 1824 and 1825. At one time Ashley’s diary was mistaken for that of William Sublette. This has been corrected but is still evident on the typescript of the diary (folder 5). The...

Scope and Contents Papers contain the following four items: typescript copy of diary of Benjamin Clapp, dated 1811-1821, which contains accounts of his travels as a fur trader in the China trade and his experiences in the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812 (40 pages); undated mimeographed memorial sketch of Benjamin Clapp (2 pages); military pass granting John McKittrick permission to travel from St. Louis to Illinois, dated November 8, 1861; and typescript genealogical notes on the Clapp and Kennett families...

Scope and Contents

Papers consist primarily of business correspondence of Kenneth Mackenzie; correspondence of Mackenzie with his wife, Mrs. Mary Marshall Mackenzie; and correspondence of Jane Marshall with her daughter, Mrs. Mary Marshall Mackenzie.

Scope and Contents The collection consists of one autograph letter signed by Joseph A. Sire to Pierre Chouteau, Jr. regarding competition in the fur trade. The letter is in French and is dated May 6, 1852. With the letter Sire transmitted returns from agents in the field to Chouteau, which are not present. He commented upon the low volume of furs reported by not only their agents but also by its competitors: "It would seem that our opponents must be doing a very...