Scope and Contents The letters consist of thirteen letters, eleven written by George W. Featherstonhaugh to Col. John J. Abert and two written by Thomas Fitzpatrick to Lt. James W. Abert. The letters relate to geological findings, land explorations, and dealings with Native Americans. The letters written by George W. Featherstonhaugh from various locales (such as Detroit, Green Bay, Prairie du Chien, North Carolina, and Quebec) for the most part detail his explorations; geological reports; descriptions of...

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...