PREFACE

In the Burton Historical Library, Detroit has a possession of very great historical value, unapproachable so far as the history of Detroit and Michigan is concerned, and of great value for the history of the Old Northwest. Containing as it does a large collection of printed material and many rare volumes and pamphlets, its chief value to the student and historian lies in the mass of manuscripts which many years of untiring industry, intelligence and liberal expenditure have co-operated in bringing together.

A few instances will illustrate the character and value of the papers bearing on the early history of Michigan and the Old Northwest.

His

Solomon Sibley came to Detroit from Ohio in 1796. As lawyer, judge and public official in other capacities, he was an important factor in Detroit and Michigan, socially and politically. papers, collected and arranged, are of great interest and historical importance, containing many letters from high public personage's, letters from Senator Worthington, W. H. Harrison and others, throwing light on the creation of the Territory of Michigan, documents of the estate of James Henry (of which he was administrator) relating to business conditions, and other legal documents.

William Woodbridge came to Michigan from Ohio in 1814. A capable lawyer of large practice, he was Secretary of the Territory, Collector of Customs, Governor of the State, United States Senator, and influential citizen in general. He kept all papers and letters which he received, and made drafts of many of his replies, and together his papers form a large depository of inestimable value in showing the political, social and economconditions in Michigan from 1817 to 1866.

ical

Many unpublished photostatic copies of letters and documents from the War Department at Washington relating to Michigan, General Hull, the War of 1812, General Harrison and other subjects have recently been added.

With this mine of historical wealth Detroit owes a duty to itself to do something to make known some portion of its richness to historical students. While the Library was owned by Mr. Burton he made it free to all historical investigators and now that it has become a part of the Public Library of Detroit the same policy is pursued, and the project of Mr. Burton to draw the attention of the interested public by printing some of the Library's unused and unknown documents seems highly desirable.

W. L. JENKS,

Member Michigan Historical Commission.

Vol 450 p 88

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON TO EDWARD COLLINS

Dr. Sr.

I have made a purchase of the Bearer Mr. Lodowick Castlemans land, at Stoneraby Cont. of 280 acres or thereabouts for £200, and now I hear there is a Mortgage upon it for £70 wh I would desire the favour of you to enquire Strictly into. I hear it is to Robt. Roseboom in Albany-if so you can easily know it. I doubt I cant go down soon wherfore would desire the favour of you to get a good firm Deed drawn for Sd. Land, and send it up to me p first Safe hand. You will see his Writeings, which he has along with him, and he will tell you the Names of the Lotts I have the Mill with all belonging thereto in the Bargain Also whatever Moveables he does not take along with him as you will see by the inclosed kind of a memorandum wh. I had him to sign, and paid him in part 70 pounds. You'l please to send me p bearer the amount of that Sum wh. he was arrested for, together with all the charges thereto belonging that I may settle with him er'e he goes. if you have any News shall be obliged to you for it I wish you would send me the last Acts of Assembly, or at least that relating to the Duty of Showds and Rum wh, was altered last Session. Yr. kind Compliance together with all former favours will vastly oblidge

Sr. yr. Unfeigned friend & Humble Servt.

My kind respects to Mrs. Collins. Feby. the 27th 1754-5.

To Edward Collins Esqr.

at Albany.

WM. JOHNSON*

STEPHEN DANFORD TO ELIPHIELET HARDY

Crown Point July ye 16 1762

onered sir. I take this opertonety to wright to you hopeing these few Loynes will find you all in as good helth as they Leave me at this time Blessed b god for the Same i would

1738.

Sir William Johnson, born in Ireland in 1715, came to America to manage in state of his uncle, Sir Peter Warren in the valley of the Mohawk, New York, In 1746 he was made commissary of New York for Indian affairs and a German girl who soon died leaving him a 1755 superintendent of the Six nations. Upon first coming to America he married son John, knighted in 1765 and two daughters. His second wife was a daughter of an Indian chief. After her death Je married Molly Brant, sister of the famous chief Joseph Brant, Johnson died at

Johnstown, N. Y., July 11, 1774.

enform you that Daniel is not hear he is at work at Putmons Point a Cuting timber for the fort i have receved a Leter from him this Day and he is in good helth But did not know that he Could Send a Leter home by this man and i thought it proper to send a line to you and i hop you will not take it a mis i would enform you that all the Bradford men ar in good helth at this time and it is as helthy a time as ever was nown Mr Elliott is in Good helth and Remembers his love to you all

Daniel Mulken* is in good helth and Desires to be Remembered to his mother and all that ask after him Remember my Love to uncel Sameuel Parker and his wife and to Eliplielet hardy and wife and all that ask after me

So no more at Present Bout i remeing

I hope you will send a Letor

by this men to Daniel for I think much of him

Addressed:

to Capt Eliplielet hardy

Liven in Bradford

with Care and Sped

Your humble Servant

STEPHEN DANFORD

ELIPHELET HARDY TO DANIEL HARDY

Daniel Hardy my Son

Crown Point

these few loines com to you to let you Know how it is with us at hom we are in trouble we have bured two of our Children with the canker Rebeckah and Phines and Ednar is not wel but the rest of us are wel at present and we desire to Bles god for it and we hop these few Lins will find you in good helth we would have you send us word hou you do as ofen as you can we have received two leters from you we have sent three leters to you i desire to be Remembred to all that ask after me and i would in form you that the season of the year hes ben very dry which hath cut short the crops

*Daniel Mulken (Mullicken, Mulliken) was a private in Capt. Nath. Gage's minute men. He fought at the Lexington Alarm, April 19, 1775 and also at Bunker Hill.