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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03587.21 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of letters to John Cripps, General Gadsden's Secretary |
| Title | William Wallace Handlin to James Gadsden thanking him for all his kindness and help while he was living in Mexico City |
| Date | 24 August 1856 |
| Author | Handlin, W. W. (William Wallace) (1830-1911) |
| Recipient | Cripps, John S. |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Thanks Gadsden for all his kindness and help while he was living in Mexico City. Discusses his professional prospects and describes Los Angeles' climate and environs. Thinks that Buchanan will carry California in the next election as he is very popular among her residents. Unpopular among Californians is the Pacific Railroad. Hopes that the project will be funded by the Democratic Party. Mentions a possible move to Nicaragua. Handlin was a lawyer who studied in Mexico City until 1851. His successful law career began in 1857 in New Orleans. |
| Subjects | Latin and South America Global History and Civics Immigration and Migration Geography and Natural History American West Election President Politics Government and Civics Railroad Democratic Party Law |
| People | Gadsden, James (1788-1858) Handlin, W. W. (William Wallace) (1830-1911) |
| Place written | Los Angeles, California |
| Theme | Government & Politics; The Mexican War |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Gadsden was a railroad promoter and advocated a Southern rail system, the purpose of which would be to control the trade of the South and the West, thereby freeing those regions from their dependency on the North. To further this end he promoted Southern commercial conventions, and at a convention in 1845 he boldly urged the construction of a railroad to the Pacific. In 1853, when Jefferson Davis was Secretary of War in Pierce's cabinet, Gadsden was appointed minister to Mexico to negotiate for territory along the border. The result was the Gadsden Purchase. He was recalled in 1856 for exceeding his instructions. Handlin was a lawyer who studied in Mexico City until 1851. His successful law career began in 1857 in New Orleans. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |