Call Number:

C1716

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

0.25 linear feet (1 box)

Language:

English

Date:

circa 1830

Creator:

Davis, Matthew L. (Matthew Livingston) (1773-1850)

Abstract:

Consists of material Matthew L. Davis (1773-1850) kept while researching his Memoirs of Aaron Burr (New York: Harpers & Bros., 1837).

Matthew L. Davis was an author, journalist, and politician from New York City who edited multiple Democratic-Republican newspapers including the New York Evening Post. Davis was a close confidant of Aaron Burr and one of Burr's political lieutenants in the state election campaigns. He published Memoirs of Aaron Burr in 1837. Many of Burr's private papers were left to Davis.

The collection includes material Matthew L. Davis (1773-1850) kept while researching his Memoirs of Aaron Burr (New York: Harpers & Bros., 1837), including 22 manuscript pages of notes, 7 letters, 1 legal agreement, and a scrapbook of newspaper and magazine clippings, some with annotations and comments, and a few hand-written notes and ephemera.

The notes are dated 1832 Feb 17 at the beginning and describe personal meetings and conversations with Burr including mentions of Hamilton and an anecdotal account of Burr on his deathbed; the notebook has, pasted in at the front, a review and excerpts from Davis's "Memoirs of Aaron Burr, with Miscellaneous Selections from His Correspondence" which was published by Harper & Brothers in 1837, the following page states "This volume belongs to H. W. Eastman of Rosyln, Long Island, Presented to him by H. M. Weiterio[?]", followed by clippings, some pasted, some loose, dating from Burr's death through the early 1900s, with about 6 pages of handwritten notes, loose clippings and a few handwritten pages of notes, one marked "notes from Burr's Trial"; also includes a 19 July 1800 legal agreement between Burr and Roger Strong turning over occupancy of some New York offices to Strong, but signed only by Strong; letter 2 Nov 17[?]83 addressed to Burr in Albany but begins "Dr.Brothers" signed "S. Delism"[?] with references to a Captain Thomas Barrow and Mr. Van Rensellaer; letter addressed "The honble. Aron Burr Esquire Vice President of the United States Washington" 23 Feb 1802, from John Sanders asking for Burr to speak to the President on behalf of a Mr. Anderson in regard to an appointment to a new military post; letter addressed to "Aaron Burr Vice President, Washington" 10 Dec 1803 from Charles Staudinger and George Rhoda looking to purchase additional plots of land adjacent to a recent purchase; letter addressed to Burr in New York, 3 Mar 1821, signed "Lewis" referencing travel, poor food and waiting for Congress; letter 1814 addressed to Wm Van Vechten Esq. with return address including "A.B." but possibly written on behalf of Burr, as it begins "Mr. Burr is very desirous of disposing ... "; undated note addressed "To Col Burr Reed Street" and signed "Ogden Edwards" referencing attending church; undated note, possibly a child's, addressed "Merss Burr" and starting "Dear Cousin", signed "LB" and referencing "Uncle Burr has moved."

Materials are arranged in the order in which they were received.