Edward Coles Papers

Coles, Edward (1786-1868)

Edward Coles was born on December 15, 1786 into one of the oldest Virginia families. When he inherited his family's estate in 1808, Coles felt somewhat conflicted about slavery. After serving as President James Madison's private secretary from 1809-1815, Coles purchased land in Illinois with the intention of eventually moving his estate west. In 1816 Madison sent Coles to Russia for diplomatic purposes, and Coles spent the next two years traveling in Europe. When he returned to the United States, Coles arranged to move to Illinois, which had adopted an anti-slavery stance. On the way to his new home, Coles told his assembled slaves that they were free, giving each documents of emancipation and each family 160 acres of land. In 1822, Coles was elected governor of Illinois in a tightly contested and somewhat controversial election. For the next two years, the slavery debate remained in the forefront, and in 1824 the state held a referendum. Coles, the only anti-slavery elected official in the Illinois government devoted himself to the referendum, and, after record voter turn-out, the anti-slavery movement won. Never truly popular in mid-western society, Coles retired to his farm in Edwardsville after his term as governor, and then eventually moved to Philadelphia in 1832. Coles lived to be 82 years old, long enough to see the Emancipation Proclamation. He passed away on July 7, 1868 in Philadelphia.

Madison, James (1751-1836)

James Madison was a statesman and the fourth president of the United States. Born in 1751 in Port Conway, Virginia, he studied history and government at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where he graduated in 1771. Madison was active in the framing of the United States Constitution in 1776, and served in the Continental Congress and the Virginia Assembly. His collaboration with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay on the Federalist essays contributed to the eventual ratification of the Constitution, and helped to shape the Bill of Rights and to enact the first revenue legislation. Madison served as President Thomas Jefferson's secretary of state and was elected president in 1808. Under his administration, the United States prohibited trade with Britain, leading to the War of 1812 and the eventual collapse of the Federalist party. He stepped down from the presidency in 1817 and died in 1836. Madison was first engaged to Catherine Floyd; and on September 15, 1794, he married Dolley Payne Todd, who was a Quaker and a widow with one son.

Included are Coles' written and collected notes on slavery; his highly personal correspondence with James and Dolley Madison covering over 30 years; a remarkable letter (1814) by Thomas Jefferson presenting his views on abolishing slavery; a Russian passport (1816); a contemporary copy of Madison's will; Madison's "Advice to my Country," a 1-page manuscript in the hand of his wife, Dolley; and various letters of political significance by Martin Van Buren, Henry Clay, James Monroe, John Tyler, Winfield Scott, and Daniel Webster. Other correspondents include Nicholas Biddle, Albert Gallatin, Elbridge Gerry, Lafayette, Richard Rush, and Jared Sparks.

The following standard abbreviations, or their variations, are used to identify materials in this collection: ALsS = autograph letters signed, LS = Letter Signed.

Gift of Marie R. Barlow, George A. Robbins '20, Edward G. Robbins '22, James M. Robbins '26, and Oliver W. Robbins.

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This collection was processed in 1994. Finding aid written in 1994.

Biography written by Alyxandra Cullen, '09.

In 2022, restrictions on three Thomas Jefferson letters where researchers were required to use surrogates were lifted as part of a restrictions review project.

In 2023, Adrienne Rusinko enhanced metadata to prepare materials for digitization, including updates focused on improving description of formerly enslaved people.

No appraisal information is available.

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Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Edward Coles Papers, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Publisher

Manuscripts Division

Date

1998

Creator

Coles, Edward (1786-1868)

Subject

Slavery -- Illinois -- History -- Sources

Slavery -- United States -- History -- Sources

Slavery -- Virginia -- History -- Sources

Enslaved persons -- Emancipation -- United States

People

Madison, Dolley (1768-1849)

Madison, James (1751-1836)

Place

Europe -- Description and travel -- 19th century -- Sources

Illinois -- Governors -- 19th century

Illinois -- History -- 1778-1865 -- Sources

Soviet Union -- Foreign relations -- United States -- 19th century

United States -- Foreign relations -- Soviet Union -- 19th century

Occupation

Abolitionists -- United States

Presidents -- United States -- 19th century

Presidents -- United States -- Wives -- 19th century

Language

English

Form

Passports -- Soviet Union -- 19th century