Zachary Taylor Letters, 1836-1848

Collection

Identifier: MC-1964-203

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

These papers are all letters dealing chiefly with Indian affairs. In a letter written from Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien, July 19, 1836, and addressed to Capt. William M. Boyce, U.S. Army, he remarks about the deplorable condition of the Indians, calling them ". . . miserable naked and half-starved Indians who have been driven to desperation by the most villainous acts of the greatest set of harpies that ever existed, and who have been countenanced by the govt in cheating, swindling & I may [say] robbing said Indians of the small pittance allowed them by treaty stipulations ..." He goes on to say that he is of the opinion that removing them from their homes to the West is tantamount to, if not worse than, annihilation.

In another letter, from Fort Smith, October 15, 1842, he relates the massacre of William Vore and others by the Starr brothers.

Dates

Creation: 1836 - 1848

Creator

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Access is by appointment only.

Biographical / Historical

Zachary Taylor (1784-1850), a military man, fought against the Indians in the South and West, became a Mexican War hero and, ultimately, the President of the United States. He died in the White House before his term of office could be completed. He was succeeded by Millard Filmore.