Item 12: Letter from Simon Cameron to George M[atson]. Hollenback, 1837 September 22
Item — Box: 11, Folder: 12
Dates
- Created: 1837 September 22
Creator
- Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter
Condition Note:
Good
Measurements:
10 in. x 7 ⅞ in.
Description:
This is a letter from Simon Cameron to George Matson Hollenback on September 22, 1837. This letter is in regards to various company financial affairs which may have included information about subscriptions. Cameron was an American politician and businessman, born in Pennsylvania in 1799. He went on to become a U.S. Senator and even served under President Abraham Lincoln as Secretary of War.
George Matson Hollenback was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA on August 11, 1791. He was a merchant, banker, and legislator. His father was Judge Mattias Holenback who came from Lancaster County to Wilkes-Barre, PA in 1770 under Captain Lazarus Stewart, who brought a colony of emigrants to the Wyoming Valley under the Susquehanna Company to defend the land. His only son was George M. and providing his education and business experience, Mattias and George Hollenback led one of the most successful mercantile businesses in the Wyoming Valley. Their business establishments included manufacturing of lumber, trade, flour, paper, and mining, agriculture, and branches of mechanical industry. Under the 1837 treaty with the Winnebago Indians, Cameron asked James Buchanan if he could help him secure a federal position. In 1824 and 1825 George M. represented the county of Luzerne in the general assembly of the state. This was at the commencement of the system of internal improvements and inland navigation where he devoted every energy of mind and body to the accomplishment of this scheme. And in years after he contributed over a hundred thousand dollars, in cash, to the construction of the junction canal, at the New York line, in order to complete a northern outlet for the north branch Pennsylvania canal. He also subscribed liberally to the Susquehanna canal, to make an outlet to tide-water. The canal system was one of his pets, and he never tired in furnishing money liberally, and bestowed much of his time at the sacrifice of his private affairs.
Location:
Middletown; Port Deposit, Maryland
Transcription:
Middletown Sept. 22, 1837.
Dear sir
I intend being at Port Deposit [Maryland], on the 28th and will cheerfully and in carrying out your wishes, unless some reason which I cannot at present imagine should be given against such a cause. There has been such an entire change in the monied affairs of the country since our subscriptions were made, that scarcely any man can meet heavy engagements made at that time, and common Justice would seem to dictate such a cause on the part of our company as you suggest. It is I think much better for the company to have six hundred shares in good substantial hands, than to forfeit 1300 in the hands of a friend whose original subscription aided in organising (sic) and giving existence to the company.
Very respectfully your friend
Simon Cameron
Geo[rge]. M[atson]. Hollenback, Esq.
Creator
- Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu