]> http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms006047 Edward Bates An Register of His Papers in the Library of Congress Prepared by David Mathisen Revised by Brian McGuire Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
2004

Contact information: http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/mss/address.html

Finding aid encoded by Library of Congress Manuscript Division, 2006 Finding aid written in English. Collection Summary Papers of Edward Bates 1818-1904 (bulk 1861-1864) MSS12039 Bates, Edward, 1793-1869 311 items 2 containers .6 linear feet 2 microfilm reels Collection material in English Manuscript Division Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Lawyer, politician, and United States attorney general. Correspondence, diary, newspaper clippings, printed matter, and other material reflecting Bates’s career in Missouri state politics and the United States House of Representatives and as United States attorney general. Selected Search Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.

 Names: Bates, Edward, 1793-1869 Fritsch, C. R.--Correspondence Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Correspondence Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891--Correspondence Subjects: Statehood (American politics) Missouri--Politics and government United States--Politics and government--1815-1861 United States--Politics and government--1861-1865 West Virginia--Politics and government--1861-1865 Occupations: Cabinet officers Lawyers Politicians Administrative Information Provenance:

The papers of Edward Bates, attorney general and representative from Missouri, were deposited in the Library of Congress by Helen Nicolay in 1925 and converted to a gift in 1947. Additional gifts were received from Edward T. Stuart in 1931 and Duane Mowry in 1932.

Processing History:

The papers of Edward Bates were processed and prepared for microfilming in 1987. The finding aid was revised in 2004.

Copyright Status:

The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Edward Bates is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

 Microfilm:

A microfilm edition of these papers is available on two reels. Consult a reference librarian in the Manuscript Division concerning availability for purchase or interlibrary loan.

 Preferred Citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container or reel number, Edward Bates Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Biographical Note Date Event 1793, Sept. 4 Born, Belmont, Va. 1814 Moved to St. Louis, Mo. 1816 Admitted to Missouri bar 1820 Member, Missouri Constitutional Convention 1820-1822 Missouri attorney general 1822 Member, Missouri house of representatives 1823 Married Julia Davenport Coalter 1827-1829 Member, U.S. House of Representatives 1830-1834 Member, Missouri senate 1847 President, River and Harbor Improvement Convention, Chicago, Ill. 1850 Declined appointment as secretary of war 1860 Candidate for nomination for president, Republican Party national convention 1861-1864 U.S. attorney general 1869, Mar.25 Died, St. Louis, Mo. Scope and Content Note

The papers of Edward Bates (1793-1869) span the years 1818-1904, with the bulk of the material dating from 1861 to 1864. The papers consist primarily of correspondence, a diary, and newspaper clippings. Of particular interest are memoranda read to President Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet, Bates’s opinion on the admission of West Virginia into the Union, and his statement entitled “The Present Condition of the Country.”

The correspondence includes a handwritten copy of a letter from Abraham Lincoln and letters from C. R. Fritsch and William T. Sherman.

 Arrangement of the Papers

This collection is arranged by type of material and therein chronologically .

 Container List

Available on microfilm. Shelf no. 19,769

 Container Contents 1 1 Correspondence, 1861-1864, 1904 1 1 Opinions, memoranda, and notes, 1861-1863, n.d. 1 1 Envelopes, 1861-1864, n.d. 1 1 Printed matter, 1818, 1861-1865, n.d. 1 1 Clippings, 1859-1864 2 1-2 Diary 2 1-2 1859, Apr.-1861, Feb. 19 2 1-2 1861, Feb. 26-1862, Nov. 5 2 1-2 1861, Nov. 1-1862, June 4 2 1-2 1862, Nov. 7-1863, Sept. 30 2 1-2 1863, Oct. 15-1866, July 31