Manuscript Resources on Politics

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh). Letters, 1860 November 14, December 1. 2 items. Location: Location: Misc:S, Vault:1, Vault MRDF 4. Soldier, president of Louisiana State Seminary of Learning, and Union general in the Civil War. Letters to his adoptive father, Thomas Ewing. The first letter states that Sherman's position in Louisiana is stable and that he will remain. A second letter reflects the political environment in Louisiana just prior to the Civil War. He comments that secession is imminent, and he states that he will not act inconsistent with his allegiance to the United States government" (Dec. 1, 1860). For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 3253.

Shields, Joseph D. (Joseph Dunbar), 1820-1886. Papers, 1802-1960 (bulk 1843-1897). 1802-1960 (bulk 1843-1897). 712 items, 4 ms. Vols., 2 printed vols. Location: T:37-T:44; 99:S; Vault; OS: S. Resident of Natchez who was a judge, legislator, planter, and author. His son Joseph Dunbar Shields, Jr., served under J. E. B. Stuart in the Civil War and was killed at Culpepper, Virginia. Papers consist of personal, political, financial, Civil War, and plantation management correspondence and papers; historical, literary, legal, and political manuscripts; and printed items, documenting three generations of the Shields family. Includes letters from Joseph Dunbar Shields while attending the Univeristy of Virginia and drafts of his writings. Plantation papers relate to the family's plantation Pecano, in Waterproof, Tensas Parish, Louisiana. Available (with some omissions) on microfilm: University Publications of America Records of Southern Plantations from Emancipation to the Great Migration, Series B, Part 4, Reels 12-15, or Southern Women and Their Families in the 19th Century: Papers and Diaries, Series E, Reel 34. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 390, 1526, 1542, 1709, 1821, 1996, 2053.

Short Kenneth R. M. Lantern Slide and Motion Picture Film Collection, circa 1895-1960 (bulk: 1914-1916). 710 items, 1.5 linear feet. Location: 145:18-20; 146:12. This collection consists of 710 lantern slides contains series covering World War I, Ireland, Politicians, Life, and a few entertainment series such as Puss and Boots, Reynaud the Fox, and St. George and the Dragon and a series of long, hand-painted "story" slides. The motion picture film component contains five series with fourteen distinct titles most of which may be considered propaganda. Mss. 4849, 5091.

Shreveport city items, circa 1889. 2 items. Location: Misc.:S. Incomplete draft, possibly written by Charles J. Randall, protests to the repeal of the existing city charter of Shreveport, La., Shreveport city attorney writes to the mayor and city council expressing his opinion on the legality of converting to cemetery land purchased for a public park (undated). Mss. 2264.

Shropshire, Charles A. Papers, 1943-2018 (bulk 1996-2002). 1.5 linear ft. Location: UU:335-336, OS:S. First African American district attorney of Louisiana in the 20th Judicial District (East Feliciana Parish and West Feliciana Parish). Papers include correspondence, newspaper clippings, other printed items and ephemera, genealogical items, certificates, awards, plaques, a scrapbook, a guest book, daily planners, photographs, negatives (35mm film strips), six VHS tapes, one floppy disk (3.5-inch), and other materials documenting Charles A. Shropshire's personal life and professional career as an attorney, an assistant district attorney, and a district attorney. Topics covered include Shropshire's 1996 campaign and election as district attorney for the 20th Judicial District of Louisiana; his 2002 re-election campaign; and his involvement in African American churches and professional organizations in Greater Baton Rouge, East Feliciana Parish, and West Feliciana Parish. Collection unprocessed but open for use. Mss. 5393.

Shute, Dora. Autograph book, 1804-1918 (bulk 1862-1865). 1 vol. Location: J:5. Volume of inscribed and inserted autographs of Confederate military and political leaders and others, apparently compiled mostly in New Orleans from 1862-1865. Volume also includes several Civil War letters collected by Shute and two addressed to her. Available on microfilm 5750: University Publications of America Southern Women and Their Families in the 19th Century: Papers and Diaries Series E, Reel 31. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 791.

Simmons, Samuel S. Speech, 1840. 2 items. Location: Misc.:S. Alabama legislator from Autauga County. Speech gives Simmons' views on the political issues of the 1840 presidential campaign to his constituents. He denounces advocates of the Bank of the United States and favors the independent treasury bill. Simmons also comments favorably on the congressional policy of preemption of public lands and expresses condemnation for southern leaders not upholding states' rights principles. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 1684.

Sims, Frank. Letter, 1898 Sept. 25. 1 item. Member of the band, 1st Louisiana Volunteers, in the Spanish-American War. Letter to Governor Murphy J. Foster, from Sims, requesting permission to forward endorsements to fill a vacancy. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 893.

Sims, Robert Nicholls. Address, 1903. 1 item (typed transcription). Location: MISC:S. Louisiana educator and public official, and New Orleans banker. Address given at the ground-breaking services for Alumni Hall on the old campus of LSU. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2347.

Skelton, James R., 1897-1986. Oral history interview, 1980. 2 sound cassettes (1 hour), Index (2 pages). Location: L:4700.0025. Born in Dallas, Texas, and moved to Brownsville, Texas, in 1911 where he took over his father's land abstract company in 1934. Skelton discusses his family background; life on the Texas-Mexico border in the early 1900s; the Mexican Revolution in 1911; President-elect Warren G. Harding's visit to Brownsville in 1920; mistreatment of Mexicans; and crimes and trials in Brownsville. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4700.0025.

Skillin, Francis M. Letters, 1862-1863. 12 items. Location: Misc:S. Soldier and cook in the 15th Maine Volunteers, Butler's Expedition. Skillin served in Florida at Camp Cobarn in Washington and Camp Arnold in Pensacola, and then in Louisiana at Camp Parapet in Carrollton and Matagorda Isle. Letters to family describe his activities, the meals he prepares, working with African American kitchen workers, and the African American units in the area. He also comments on contact with Confederate soldiers and his views on politics. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4667.

Skipwith, Fulwar, 1765-1839. Records and account book, 1794-1815 (bulk 1794-1799). 3 items, including 1 vol., 1 mf reel. Location: Vault, Mss.Mf:S. Consul to France during the French Revolution and later a planter in Baton Rouge. Account book contains official and personal accounts while Skipwith was consul in Paris, France. Entries report names of American ships, descriptions of cargo, and accounts of individuals including James Monroe and Thomas Pinckney. Two loose items are a record of the import and sale of American cotton in the 1790s and a deposition dealing with the sale of cotton in 1815. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2000.

Skipwith, Fulwar, 1765-1839. Correspondence, 1797-1826. 37 items, 1 mf reel. Location: Vault:22, Mss.Mf:S. Consul to France during the French Revolution and later a planter in Baton Rouge. Most of the correspondence is addressed to Skipwith at Montesano Plantation near Baton Rouge, and relates to political and civic matters, and financial affairs. Collection also includes an account book (1795-1797). For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2024.

Skipwith, Fulwar, 1765-1839. Document, 1807. 1 item. Location: Misc:S.. Consul to France during the French Revolution and later a planter in Baton Rouge. Official letter from the director of the General Liquidation of the Public Debt of France. In French. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 1257.

Skolfield, Samuel. Letter, 1848 July 29. 1 item. Location: Misc.:S. Samuel Skolfield in Baton Rouge, La., writes George W. Chase in Lewiston, Me., discussing business matters, the upcoming presidential election, his own brief conversations with Zachary Taylor, and news of local deaths, including a man who became drunk and died from a fall from his horse. Mss. 3973.

Slidell, John, 1793-1871. Letters and miscellany, 1844-1861. 145 items. Location: UU:17. Louisiana politician, lawyer, businessman and diplomat for the United States and the Confederate States of America. Papers reflect Slidell's political and diplomatic careers, including his involvement in negotiations to resolve the Mexican-American War. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2029, 2311, 2478, 2483, 2533, 2539, 2675, 2942.

Slocum, John, Papers. 5 items, 1967. Location: Misc.:S. Letters from congressmen and others, and an essay pertain to the controversy over the Central Arizona Project, its environmental consequences, and general aspects of water shortages in the Colorado River Basin. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2980.

Smith, James Monroe. Papers, 1924-1939. 0.5 linear ft. Location: R:15. President of LSU (1930-1939). Collection contains personal accounts, photographs, correspondence, invitations and announcements, scrapbook materials, newspaper clippings, and diplomas. Two accounts of Monroe's family history and career at LSU. One account describes meetings with Huey Long regarding LSU and the other discusses the controversy over the misappropriation of LSU grant money, and the ensuing investigation by Governor Richard Leche. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4490.

Smith, Moses. Letter, 1847 Feb. 12. 1 letter. Location: Misc. Moses Smith of Holden, Mass., writes to his cousin Melinda Powers in Pittsford, Vt., regarding financial matters and antislavery sentiment over the annexation of Texas and the Mexican War, suggesting the free states ought to separate themselves from the slave states. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4013.

Smith, Philander. Letter, 1806 April 27. 1 item. Resident of Natchez, Mississippi. Letter from Smith to his brother Jedideah Smith of Massachusetts, relating his economic status, political views, and cost of living conditions of planters. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 634.

Smith, S. F. Letter, 1875. 1 item. Location: Misc.:S. Insurance agent for the Independent Insurance Agency of Syracuse, New York. Letter sanctions the conduct of General Philip Henry Sheridan during the political disturbances in New Orleans, Louisiana. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2290.

Smith, Willie Sargent. Civil War cartoon album, 1861. 1 volume., 1 microfilm reel. Location: Vault:5, Mss.Mf:C. Bound volume of 400 envelopes with printed caricatures of the South from the Northern point of view. Willie Sargent Smith collected the envelopes, which depict such subjects as politics, finances, trade, warfare, morals, race relations, and political leaders such as Jefferson Davis and General G. T. Beaugregard. Most cartoons show the printer's name. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 3411.

Snee, J. E. (Joseph Emmett), 1895-1966, Photograph collection. 1914-1944. 41 items (35 are photographic copies, 6 are photocopies). Resident of Baton Rouge, employee of the Standard Oil Company, and director of the Stancola Refinery Band. Photographs made or collected by Snee of LSU students, Governor Ruffin G. Pleasant's inauguration, World War I military service, Baton Rouge landmarks, and Standard Oil Company. Collection also includes two band programs and other ephemera. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4069.

Snyder, Alonzo. Papers, 1779-1919 (bulk 1800-1861). 3,534 items, 6 volumes. Location: R:38-40, J;7, OS:S. Cotton planter, judge, and Louisiana senator from Madison and Tensas parishes, Louisiana. Snyder's business, official, and personal papers consist of letters, land records, financial papers, and legal record books that reflect legal cases, state laws, politics, plantation management, secession, the Civil War, public health, and his family. Snyder served as attorney for the estate of Jacob Bieller of Concordia Parish, Louisiana, and these files include correspondence and reports from Natchez, Mississippi, businessmen. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 655.

Society of Tammany, Papers. 3 items. Location: Misc.:S. New York political organization for the Democratic Party. Printed materials distributed by the Society of Tammany, or Columbian Order, including a description of the origin of the Liberty Cap with a picture of that emblem of the Society, and an extract from the first inaugural address of Thomas Jefferson. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2600-73.

Sommer, Jacob. Sommer-Hyman Papers, 1829-1857 (bulk 1831-1843). 27 items. Location: B:139. Coachmaker of Baltimore, Maryland. William B. Hyman was an attorney of Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Letters to Sommer from family members including his father, Leonard Sommer, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, concerning family matters. Also letters to William B. Hyman from family in Williamston, North Carolina, and New York City, discussing family news. In an 1857 letter R. C. Martin of Albemarle Plantation comments on the Democratic Party's accepting renegades from the American Party. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 1202.

Soule, Pierre, 1801-1807. Letter, 1855. 1 letter. Location: MISC:S.Pierre Soule was a New Orleans attorney, United States senator from Louisiana, and United States foreign minister to Spain (1854-1855). This letter is written by Pierre Soule? to Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, regarding Soule?'s position as Minister to Spain. The letter discusses the United States acquiring Cuba and Soule?'s dispute with the Secretary of U.S. Legation in Madrid, Horatio J. Perry, regarding Perry's secret correspondence with Secretary of State William L. Marcy. Mss. 5115

Soule, Pierre, 1801-1870. Papers, 1850-1901 (bulk 1850-1864). 22 items. Location: A:35, H:17. New Orleans attorney, U.S. senator, and U.S. foreign minister to Spain (1854-1855). Letters pertaining principally to the proposed acquisition of Cuba by the U.S. and to Soule's activities in American political affairs. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 401, 1044, 1085.

Southern Filibusters. Collection, 1851-1914, undated. 18 items. Location: B:13, OS:S. Collection comprises manuscript and printed items pertaining to the activities of southern expansionists in Latin America. Also known as southern filibusters, the expansionists hoped to bolster southern power and influence by acquiring Baja California, parts of Nicaragua, and Cuba as U.S. territories where slavery and the slave economy could be perpetuated. Collection includes letters, articles, speeches, and newspapers pertaining to southern filibusters. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2260.

Southern States Woman Suffrage Conference. Circular, circa 1913. 1 item. Location: E:Impritns. Four page circular includes a map of the United States showing distribution of woman's suffrage by state; a statement to southern governors; a list of signatures of women's suffrage advocates in southern states; and a "declaration of principles. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 3620.

Sparrow, Edward, Portrait, circa 1860-1882. 1 item [photographic copy]. Location: E:69. Louisiana politician, state congressman, and Confederate congressman from Louisiana. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2900.

Spyker, Leonidas Pendleton, 1818-1867. Collection, 1856-1932 (bulk 1856-1860). 1 vol. [typed copies]. Location: Mss. Mf.:S. Resident of Hard Times Plantation and New Hope Plantation, both in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana. Records include the plantation diary of Leonidas Spyker; a list of family names appearing in the diary; a sketch of the family of Sarah Mildred Gilmer, wife of Spyker; and a list of persons buried in the Spyker family vault in New Orleans. Included is a letter from Mrs. Theodore Wilkinson to Cecilia Egan describing a raid on New Hope Plantation by Union soldiers in the Civil War. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 589.

St. Bernard Parish memorial, 1805. 1 item [copy]. Location: Misc.:S. Memorial from inhabitants of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, to Governor W. C. C. Claiborne. In Spanish. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 1257.

St. Charles Parish document, circa 1854. 1 item. Location: Misc.:S. Specifications drawn up by a committee of St. Charles Parish Police Jury, with Samuel McCutchon as chairman, for the construction of a new courthouse. The courthouse was completed in December 1854. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 1062.

St. Landry Parish ordinances, 1879. 1 pamphlet (31 pages). Location: E:Imprints. Pamphlet titled "Ordinances of the Police Jury of the Parish of St. Landry, relative to public roads and bridges, and the height of inclosures and fences, and roving animals and the sale of unbranded stock, and estray animals." For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 1178.

St. Mary Parish document, 1820. 1 item. Location: Misc.:S. Petition submitted to the Louisiana legislature, signed by residents of the Parish of St. Mary, concerns the proposed bill for improving the navigation of Bayou Plaquemine. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 381.

Stanton, Edwin L. Papers, 1866-1875. 23 items. Location: A:122. Son of Edwin McMasters Stanton, Secretary of War under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Correspondence of Stanton to Edward Pierrepont. Lettrs refer to court cases, including one involving William Weed and Stanton's father. They discuss the election campaign of 1868 and rumors regarding possible Ulysses S. Grant cabinet appointments. Included are two letters by Ellen H. Stanton, wife of Edwin McMasters Stanton. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 3835.

Stanton, Edwin McMasters. Engraving, circa 1862-1868. Location: E:65. Secretary of War (1862-1868) under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson. Engraving of Edwin McMasters Stanton. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2309.

Stanton, Edwin McMasters. Letter, 1842 Feb. 26. 1 letter. Location: MISC:S. Attorney General under President James Buchanan and Secretary of War under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Letter from Stanton to someone in Stuebenville, Ohio in which he relates his pleasure at the passage of the addressee's bank bill in the House of Representatives and the positive response to the resumption bill. Mss. 3880.

Stanton, Edwin McMasters. Letter, 1858 Jan. 24. 1 letter. Location: MISC:S. Attorney General under President James Buchanan and Secretary of War under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Letter to attorney John B. Knox of Philadelphia, Penn., discusses the case of Erie and North-East Railroad v. Casey that was before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 3775.