Found 3 collections related to New York (N.Y.) -- Politics and government -- 19th century

Fernando Wood was an American Democratic politician who served as mayor of New York City; United States Representative; and Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means in both the 45th and 46th Congress. This collection consists predominantly of correspondence addressing personal, financial, and political matters. Letters concerning political matters relate both to Wood's tenure as mayor of New York City, and to his term in Congress, and include an 1859 letter from the Clerk of Common Council certifying his mayoral election; a letter from A. Oakey Hall which discusses the two men 'burying the hatchet,' and letters from R. M. Blatchford concerning the operation of Central Park. Other prominent correspondents include judges Charles P. Daly and George Shea; Augustus Schell, A. W. Randall, John T. Hoffman, Hamilton Fish, Royal Phelps, Robert B. Minturn, Jr., and the Archbishop of New York. Also included are miscellaneous autographs and franks, and documents signed by Wood. less

Jesse Hoyt was a counsellor at law and Collector of Customs for the port of New York City. He wrote these letters to Edward Curtis, U. S. Representative from New York, in 1837 and 1838. The letters relate to politics, the New York Customs House, personal matters, and other subjects less

William Peter Van Ness (1778-1826) of Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York and New York City was a lawyer, U.S. District Court judge, author, and Columbia College graduate. He was active in Democratic-Republican politics and served as Aaron Burr’s second in his duel with Alexander Hamilton. The collection consists of approximately 100 letters, most written to Van Ness at Kinderhook, New York City and elsewhere, from friends, political figures and lawyers, and from his brothers John P. Van Ness and Cornelius P. Van Ness. The bulk date from 1801 to 1819 and concern state and national political affairs, especially party politics in the Hudson River Valley region and New York City, and the electoral strategies of DeWitt Clinton and his supporters. Political appointments or offices for Van Ness and others are also discussed. Correspondents include Peter Irving, Isaac Mitchell, John Swarthout, Matthias B. Tallmadge, Daniel C. Verplanck, and other New Yorkers. Letters from his brother John in Washington, D.C., and a lesser number from Cornelius in New York and Vermont pertain to personal, family and political matters. Van Ness’ relationship with Aaron Burr is seen primarily through John’s letters, questioning his brother’s public support of Burr. A small number of letters written by Van Ness include four to his father Peter Van Ness while a student in New York City, 1795-1796, as well as a letter to Richard Riker, July 17, 1810, accusing Charles Holt of spreading lies, with Holt’s response to Richard Riker. Also present are some undated legal notes and voting tallies. less