Box 1

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Three letters written from Tudor to his family from London. Among the subjects about which he writes include the fruit and vegetable bushes and seeds he is sending to Rockwood, the family estate, as well as his impressions of London society and weather. He also writes about political issues, including the Napoleonic Wars, unification in Ireland, and the challenges of being an American in trade in England.

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Four letters written from Tudor to his family while he was traveling in France in 1800 and 1802. In two letters, he describes in detail his capture by a French privateer aboard the ship Minerva in the spring of 1800. He also discusses the business activities of "Mr. C" (John Codman), his employer. Tudor additionally describes the French countryside and the impact of the French Revolutionary Wars on the cities.

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Five letters written from St. Pierre, Martinique, include updates on Tudor’s attempts to secure exclusive commercial rights to import ice to the island, as well as his ideas for storing ice and methods of storing cargo onboard a ship.

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Two letters written from St. Pierre and Les Trois-Îlets, Martinique; in the latter Tudor discusses the recovery of his cousin and traveling companion James Savage, who had fallen ill. He also describes the conditions of enslaved people slaves on several local estates and plantations

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Four letters written from St. Pierre, Martinique, Basseterre, Guadalupe, and St. Barts. In one letter written over a number of days, he describes extensively his travels in Antigua, and the various people he met, including Captain William Jarvis. He also details his meeting with Ralph Payne, 1st Baron Lavington, the governor of the Leeward Islands, regarding the prospects of importing ice.

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Four letters written from Gardiner, Maine, describing the activities of the family and comings and goings of the Tudor siblings. Several allude to the financial difficulties of Tudor’s sister, Delia, while her husband was at sea. One letter includes a missive from Robert Hallowell Gardiner.

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Four letters written from Gardiner, Maine, in which Mrs. Tudor comments on the marital troubles between Delia and Charles Stewart, and general happenings at Oaklands.

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Three letters written from Gardiner, Maine, discussing the movements of Tudor’s sister Delia, disposing of the late William Tudor’s clothing, and the activities of her grandchildren.

Scope and Contents: Five letters sent from Gardiner, Maine, Boston, and New York. In several, there are messages included from Emma and Robert Hallowell Gardiner. One letter includes anectdotes regarding the late William Tudor and the American Revolution. One letter written to Tudor while he was chargé d’affairs in Rio de Janeiro relates news that his brother, Henry James (Harry), was setting up a salt-making business; it also includes a message from Delia, anticipating his return to the United States. Two...

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One letter written from London in which Tudor teases his brother for not writing him more often. A letter sent several months later chastises Frederic for his delay in entering college.

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Three letters written while Tudor was in the West Indies attempting to gain exclusive rights to import ice.

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Four letters written from London in which Tudor details his efforts to obtain licenses to export ice to Jamaica and Barbados from the British Board of Trade. He also comments on the Napoleonic Wars and the Monroe–Pinkney Treaty.

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In this letter written to his youngest brother from London, Tudor promises when he returns to America, he will protect him from their siblings if they have been picking on him.

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One letter written to Tudor from Ligorno, Italy, criticizes the contents his correspondence as containing a "dull, vapid succession of sentences"; it also contains a message to their mother regarding his extensive travels in Europe. One letter written from New Orleans addresses their brother Frederic’s health, and his ice business in Cuba and the West Indies.

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One letter written from Rotterdam describing Tudor’s difficult voyage at sea, and one letter written from London addressing John’s plans after college, in which Tudor quotes Voltaire.

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Two letters in which Tudor carefully debates the merits of careers in law versus mercantilism, and discusses the business prospects of several young merchants, a journey Tudor took with his brother, Frederic, throughout New England, and the state of politics, including the election to Congress of James Otis, and Thomas Jefferson’s prospects for the presidency.

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This lengthy letter, written to the elder William Tudor while he was in England, describes Tudor’s plans following his graduation from Harvard and provides updates on the activities of his siblings and the management of the household in Boston and family estate, Rockwood. He also writes about local culture, describing the plans of a Boston theater to put on a play called "Bunker Hill."

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Four letters written from France in which Tudor reflects on the Coup of 18 Brumaire and expresses his admiration for Napoleon Bonaparte, writing, "Europe cannot at present boast so great a character, his indefatigueable industry, the prompt decision and austerity of his character are necessary joined to his eminent and various talents for the arduous situation he is placed in." He also details his travel plans and his activities with his employer, John Codman.

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Three letters written from Paris and Bordeaux. Tudor again writes of his approval of Bonaparte, and offers observations on the weather, crops, and culture of France.

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Two undated letters written while Tudor was traveling to Washington, D.C., which include news of friends and his general impressions of the atmosphere and economy of the capital. He also comments on President Thomas Jefferson’s informal manner of greeting visitors: "The present administration leaving the childish etiquette of the last have gone into the other extreme.... he receives the foreign ministers in his slippers."

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Two letters written from Paris, and three letters sent from London discussing his travel plans and financial situation, as well as business and political matters.

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Three letters written from London. In one, Tudor describes a debate he attended in Parliament regarding the Orders in Council and the escalating tension between the United States and England. One undated letter is missing pages, but appears to have been written some time in 1808. In it, Tudor writes at length about his unmarried sister Delia’s prospects.

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Three letters written from Birmingham, England, New York, and Gardiner, Maine. In one letter he discusses the ongoing war with England. One letter written from Gardiner addresses financial matters; the letter includes a note to his mother, as well, reflecting on his sister Delia’s character and providing other local news.

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Letter from an A. Dickason in London addressing Delia’s health and spirits. Also included are notes to Delia and her sister Emma from both "A.D." and "M.D."

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Letter written in French from "M.D.," presumably the same "M.D." who signs an earlier letter to Delia.