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Across the continent by overland stage in 1865

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 501

Scope and Contents

In this autographed reminiscence, Colfax describes his stagecoach trip from Missouri to California in 1865. It is likely he made the trip in his capacity as chair of the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads. Account includes his detailed observations regarding trail terrain, arable lands, mining, and the people he encountered. Colfax also indirectly considered the issue of the transcontinental railroad. He spent a few days in Salt Lake City and met Brigham Young, president of the Mormon Church. Colfax praised Salt Lake City but had little good to say about the Mormon religion. In spite of this, he expressed his respect for their right to worship as they pleased. Colfax also visited Oregon and the mining towns of Nevada. The diary includes an assemblage of locations not mentioned by most overland travelers. The wealth Colfax observed led him to predict that the United States would soon be called "the treasury of the world." Colfax left San Francisco by steamer and crossed the Isthmus of Panama by railroad.

Dates

  • Creation: 1865

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Across the continent by overland stage in 1865 must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical / Historical

Journalist; helped found the Republican Party, 1854; member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1854-1869; Speaker of the House, 1863-1869; Vice President of the United States, 1869-1873.

Extent

1 volume ((41 leaves) + 1 typescript) : handwritten bound

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

Christie's Auction House, 502 Park Avenue, New York, New York, 10022.

Appraisal

19th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts.

General

Purchased, 1988.

Related Names

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Register of Across the continent by overland stage in 1865
Author
Leslie Evens
Date
2011 October 28
Description rules
Appm
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Physical Storage Information

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

http://sc.lib.byu.edu/
Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States

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