Letters to George Nicholas Sanders, 1842-1873
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Letters to George Nicholas Sanders, 1842-1873
- Creator
- Various Friends and Political Figures Related to George Nicholas Sanders
- Extent
- 11 pieces.
- Subjects
- Johnson, Hershel V., 1812-1880.
- Sanders, Mary Mackell Bowie Johnson.
- Johnson, Richard M. (Richard Mentor), 1781-1850.
- Johnson, Reverdy, 1796-1876.
- Porter, William David, 1809-1864.
- Preston, William, 1816-1887.
- Sanders, George Nicholas, 1812-1873.
- Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886.
- Governors--Correspondence.
- Vice-Presidents--Correspondence.
- Legislators--Correspondence.
- Kentucky--Politics and government--1792-1865.
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
- United States--Politics and government--1849-1877
- Arrangement
- Chronologically arranged.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Diplomat, Confederate agent, Political activist. Sanders, a native of Lexington, Ky, rose quickly to national prominence as a political promoter, making numerous enemies along the way. In the early 1850's, he became the leader of the wing of the Democratic party known as "Young America" and acquired the DEMOCRATIC REVIEW in order to further publicize the beliefs of the faction. In 1853 Sanders was appointed to the London consulship by President Franklin Pierce, but was not confirmed by the Senate because of his controversial actions. During the Civil War Sanders served as a Confederate agent in Europe and Canada. Some of his daring exploits included grand schemes to conquer the Federal blockade and attending the Niagara Peace Conference in 1864 disguised as a Welsh miner.
- Scope and Content
- These are chiefly letters received by George Nicholas Sanders from personal friends and political figures. The letters are written by Richard M. Johnson, the ninth Vice-President of the United States; William Preston, Congressman from Kentucky and Confederal General; Hershel V. Johnson, governor of Georgia; Reverdy Johnson, famed constitutional lawyer, U.S. Senator and diplomat; Sanders wife Mary Mackell Bowie Johnson; William D. Porter, a U.S. naval officer; and John White Stevenson, governor of Kentucky, 1867-1871. The letters mostly concern politics and public affairs. Of particular interest is Richard Johnson's letter concerning his gratitude to the electorate for his thirty-seven years spent in public life and Hershel Johnson's note, apparently addressed to Sanders's daughter, in which he thanks her "for the Flag device and Motto."
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Table of Contents
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
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Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
