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Thomas L. Kane correspondence on the Mexican War, 1846 June-1846 December

 Sub-Series
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 4 Sub-Series 1

Scope and Contents

Contains Kane's correspondence relating to the Mexican War, focusing on his efforts to gain a military commission. Materials dated from June to December 1846.

Dates

  • 1846 June-1846 December

Creator

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Kane family papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.

Biographical History

Thomas L. Kane (1822-1883) was a lawyer, abolitionist, Civil War soldier, frontiersman, and Mormon advocate.

Thomas Leiper Kane was born January 27, 1822 in Philadelphia to Judge John Kintzing Kane and Jane Duval Leiper. He attained the bar in 1846, after studying law with his father. He served as clerk in his father's court until 1850, at which point he resigned due to a moral conflict with the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. He went on to become an active member of the Underground Railroad. Kane became interested in the Mormon migration to the West, and was crucial in securing government aid for the movement. His friendship with Brigham Young is credited with the non-violent resolution of the Utah War. At the advent of the Civil War Kane organized a volunteer Union Army regiment known as the "Bucktails" and served as lieutenant-colonel of that outfit. He later was brevetted the rank of major-general for his service at Gettysburg. After his military service he retired to found the town of Kane, Pennsylvania. In 1853 Kane married Elizabeth Dennistoun Wood, and together they had four children: Harriet Amelia Kane (1854-1896); Elisha Kent Kane (1856-1935); Evan O'Neill Kane (1861-1932); and Thomas Leiper Kane, Jr. (1863-1929). Kane died of pneumonia in Philadelphia on December 26, 1883.

Biographical History

George Bancroft (1800-1891) was an American historian and the 17th US Secretary of the Navy.

George Bancroft was born October 3, 1800 in Worcester, Massachusetts to Aaron and Lucretia Bancroft. He studied at Phillips Exeter Academy before entering Harvard College at age 13. At age 17, he graduated from Harvard and went to study in Germany, where he studied various subjects, particularly literature. Upon returning to the United States, Bancroft began working as a Greek tutor at Harvard. Additionally, he wrote political and historical pieces, and worked as a translator. He began writing his 10-volume History of the United States in 1834, an endeaver which would span the next 40 years and cause him to be referred to as the "father of American history." In 1837, Bancroft was appointed by Martin Van Buren as Collector of Customs of the Port of Boston. He was the Democratic candidate for governor of Massachusetts in 1844, but was defeated. He entered James K. Polk's cabinet as Secretary of the Navy in 1845, serving until 1846. For one month of that time he served as acting Secretary of War. By 1850 Bancroft had established his reputation as the country's leading historian. He died January 17, 1891 in Washington, D.C.

Biographical History

Lewis Cass (1782-1866) was an American military leader and politician.

Lewis Cass was born October 9, 1782 in Exeter, New Hampshire to Jonathan Cass and Mary Gilman. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hapshire before moving to Ohio with his family. During the War of 1812 he served as a brigadier general, and was appointed Governor of Michigan Territory by President James Madison as a reward for his military service. He served as Secretary of War under President Andrew Jackson from 1831 to 1836. He represented Michigan in the United States Senate from 1845 to 1848. From 1857 to 1860 he served as Secretary of State under President James Buchanan. He resigned in 1860. Cass died June 17, 1866 in Detroit, Michigan.

Extent

2 folders

Language of Materials

English

Other Finding Aids

File-level inventory available online. http://files.lib.byu.edu/ead/XML/VMSS792.xml

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States