TALIAFERRO (JAMES G.) LETTERS

(Mss. 1562)

Inventory

Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections

Special Collections, Hill Memorial Library

Louisiana State University Libraries

Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University

Reformatted 2003

Revised 2011

CONTENTS OF INVENTORY

SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... 3

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE ...................................................................................... 4

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE ................................................................................................... 4

LETTER DESCRIPTIONS ............................................................................................................ 5

INDEX TERMS ............................................................................................................................ 10

CONTAINER LIST ...................................................................................................................... 11

Use of manuscript materials. If you wish to examine items in the manuscript group, please fill out a call slip specifying the materials you wish to see. Consult the Container List for location information needed on the call slip.

Photocopying. Should you wish to request photocopies, please consult a staff member. The existing order and arrangement of unbound materials must be maintained.

Publication. Readers assume full responsibility for compliance with laws regarding copyright, literary property rights, and libel.

Permission to examine archival materials does not constitute permission to publish. Any publication of such materials beyond the limits of fair use requires specific prior written permission. Requests for permission to publish should be addressed in writing to the Head, Public Services, Special Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803-3300. When permission to publish is granted, two copies of the publication will be requested for the LLMVC.

Proper acknowledgement of LLMVC materials must be made in any resulting writing or publications. The correct form of citation for this manuscript group is given on the summary page. Copies of scholarly publications based on research in the Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections are welcomed.

SUMMARY

Size.	79 items on 1 microfilm reel

Geographic locations.	Catahoula Parish, Louisiana; New Orleans, La.

Inclusive dates.	1852-1876

Bulk dates.	N/A

Language.	English.

Summary.	Microfilm copy of typewritten and handwritten copies of letters from James G. Taliaferro principally to his daughter, giving information of political, legal, and personal matters.

Organization.	Arranged chronologically.

Restrictions on access.	If microfilm is available, photocopies must be made from microfilm.

Related collections.	James G. Taliaferro and Family Papers, Mss. 1001, 1047, 1565 Zachariah and James G. Taliaferro Papers, Mss. 237 James G. Taliaferro Papers, Mss. 3327

Copyright.	Copyright of the original materials is retained by descendants of the creators in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Citation.	James G. Taliaferro Letters, Mss. 1562, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La.

Stack location(s).	Mss.MF:T

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE

James G. Taliaferro was born in Amherst, Virginia, in 1798 and moved to Catahoula Parish, Louisiana in 1815. He practiced law in Harrisburg, La., served as a judge in Catahoula Parish, was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1852, and a member of the Secession Convention in 1861. Taliaferro was strongly opposed to secession. He served as associate justice in the Louisiana Supreme Court, 1866-1876.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The microfilm contains copies of typewritten and handwritten letters from Taliaferro, principally to his daughter. Letters discuss Taliaferro's involvement with the Secession Convention (1861); politics during the Civil War (1865); the work of the Louisiana Supreme Court (1866-1874); Louisiana politics and government (1861-1874); flooding of the Mississippi River (1874); fires, cholera, and economic conditions in New Orleans; the visit of the Emperor of Brazil to New Orleans (1876); and matters pertaining to the management of Taliaferro's plantation and local affairs in Catahoula Parish.

LETTER DESCRIPTIONS

Date	Contents

Dec. 24, 1852	Harrisonburg, La., to his daughter, mention of “Santa Claus.”

Sept. 4, 1855	Harrisonburg, sick with the prevailing disease, use of homeopathic remedies.

Mar. 9, 1861	New Orleans, to daughter, giving instruction to send Taliaferro [apparently Alexander] to LSU.

June 24, 1865	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses political situation, appointments by the governor, talks with Federal men from Washington.

July 3, 1865	Shreveport, Henry Bullard Taliaferro to his father, regiment being sent to San Antonio, Texas, comments on Civil War: “most outrageous act on the part of those who began it . . .”

July 15, 1865	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses political situation.

Aug. 1, 1865	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses political situation.

Nov. 1, 1865	On board the steamer Ruth at Natchez, to daughter, mentions his name placed on ticket as candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor; saw General Sherman at St. Louis: “. . .He is a staunch and powerful friend of our family. . .”

Jan. 5, 1866	New Orleans, to daughter, comments on work for court.

Mar. 2, 1866	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses family finances.

Mar 3, 1866	New Orleans, to daughter, affairs of Holt’s Estate, advice to Katy; discusses political situation.

Aug. 2, 1866	Monroe, to son (Bullard), discusses family affairs, reference to Harper’s Weekly.

Aug. 7, 1866	Harrisonburg, comments on crop conditions, expresses interest in fruit cultivation.

Aug. 16, 1866	Natchitoches, to son (Bullard), discusses work of the court; description of Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Nov. 7, 1866	New Orleans, to daughter, principally concerning plantation supplies.

Mar. 23, 1867	New Orleans, to daughter, letter of thanks for eggs and sausage.

May 1, 1867	New Orleans, to Taliaferro [?], discusses family finances.

Date	Contents

Date	Contents

Date	Contents

Date	Contents



June 7, 1867	Catahoula Prairie, from H. Bullard Taliaferro to father, plantation affairs.

Dec. 7, 1867	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses personal affairs.

Feb. 6, 1868	New Orleans, to daughter, mentions severe cold weather, tropical fruit trees perished, and various family matters.

Dec. 25, 1868	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses family affairs.

Feb. 4, 1869	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses condition of his health and plantation affairs.

Feb. 20, 1869	New Orleans, to daughter, advised planting of sugarcane as it is better than cotton, discusses machinery invented for grinding, mentions that the yield in an acre of sugar and molasses is worth more money than whole place cultivated in cotton.

Feb. 27, 1869	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses plantation supplies.

Mar. 2, 1869	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses his health, homeopathic practice, and plantation supplies.

Mar. 16, 1869	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses his health, plantation supplies, personal financial matters, busy court work.

Mar. 19, 1869	New Orleans, to daughter (2 copies) discusses politics in the South: “…southern people are reaping the bitter fruits of their wanton, reckless folly…”

Mar. 28, 1869	New Orleans, to daughter, principally concerning his health.

Oct. 29, 1869	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses personal and plantation matters.

Dec. 10, 1869	New Orleans, to daughter, long letter concerning Bob (his son?).

Jan. 7, 1870	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses Bob and plantation matters.

Mar. 22, 1870	New Orleans, to daughter, mentions the legislature.

May 25, 1870	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses plantation and family affairs.

July 10, 1870	Monroe, to daughter, mentions son of J. W. McDonald admitted to the bar.

Dec. 10, 1870	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses the duty of the Taliaferros to improve the character of the Parish and its local government.


Feb. 25, 1871	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses family matters, requests books from his library: Trial of Dr. Clapp and oration delivered by John Quincy Adams at Cincinnati on Astronomy.

Mar. 1, 1871	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses plantation supplies.

Apr. 3, 1871	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses prospect in business affairs.

Jan. 2, 1872	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses personal and financial matters.

Feb. 1, 1872	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses plantation supplies.

Mar. 2, 1873	New Orleans, to daughter, mentions new judge on bench.

Mar. 8, 1872	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses plantation matters.

Mar. 14, 1872	New Orleans, to daughter, complaints about the mail delivery in Catahoula Parish.

Mar. 30, 1872	New Orleans, to daughter, concerning daughter’s health.

Apr. 19, 1872	New Orleans, to daughter, principally concerning financial conditions.

May 24, 1872	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses financial matters.

June 5, 1872	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses family matters.

Nov. 24, 1872	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses family matters.

July 13, 1873	Monroe, to daughter, discusses family matters.

July 15, 1873	Monroe, to daughter, mentions cholera mostly among the African Americans.

Jan. 2, 1874	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses financial matters.

Jan. 19, 1874	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses political affairs; financial situation somewhat relieved, bill to be passed releasing old warrant.

May 2, 1874	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses Mississippi River flood, Boston gives money to feed survivors.

June 2, 1874	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses the flood, frequent fires in the city, shipment of plantation supplies.

June 20, 1874	Harrisonburg, to daughter, discusses personal matters.



July 9, 1874	Monroe, to daughter, invites her to “Monroe House,” where conditions are better.

Dec.17, 1874	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses court business, military matters involving Grant, political matters.

May 19, 1875	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses order from Washington releasing Taliaferro from judgment on Bob’s bond.

Apr. 14, 1876	New Orleans, to daughter, mentions sermon by Dr. Hale of Boston, Unitarian minister.

Apr. 28, 1876	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses family matters, overflow of Mississippi River in northern part of state.

May 10, 1876	New Orleans, to daughter.

June 10, 1876	Opelousas, to daughter, comments on his arrival in Opelousas.

June 24, 1876	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses medical treatment for surgical operation to dilate the urethra.

July 5, 1876	New Orleans, to daughter, more about his health, wrote an article for the Republican titled “Centennial.”

July 12, 1876	New Orleans, to daughter, more about his health and that of his son, Bullard.

July 14, 1876	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses family matters, trip to celebrate the Centennial.

July 20, 1876	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses family matters.

July 23, 1876	New Orleans, to daughter, comments on trip home.

May 27, 1876	New Orleans, to daughter, mentions scarlet fever epidemic in city, visit by Emperor of Brazil.

Dec. 20, 1866	New Orleans, to daughter, describes work for Supreme Court; living quarters, other matters in New Orleans, concern for family financial matters.

Mar. 1, 1866	To sister, from Bullard Taliaferro, mentions the veto of the Freedman’s Bureau Bill by the President.

Mar. 15, 1866	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses cholera and plantation supplies.



Mar. 17, 1866	New Orleans, to daughter, asks her to look after the house in Harrisonburg.

Jan. 13, 1866	To daughter, discusses family affairs.

June 23, 1866	New Orleans, to daughter, mentions some information on the schedule for the Supreme Court, and plantation supplies.

Jan. 10, 1869	New Orleans, to daughter, discusses plantation matters.

INDEX TERMS

Catahoula Parish (La.)--History.

Cholera--Louisiana.

Floods--Louisiana.

Louisiana. Supreme Court.

Louisiana--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives.

Louisiana--Politics and government--1865-1950.

Mississippi River.

New Orleans (La.)--Economic conditions.

New Orleans (La.)--History.

Plantations--Louisiana--Catahoula Parish.

Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)--Louisiana.

CONTAINER LIST

Stack Location	Reels	Contents (with dates)

Mss.MF:T	Reel 1	James G. Talliaferro Letters (1852-1876)