The history of this collection is not known. However, Edgar T. Welles was a member of the Connecticut Historical Society, so it is very possible these came to the library at the time of his death, 1914. The collection consists primarily of letters written to Edgar by such people as Robert Todd Lincoln (1868, 1877-1884), Yung Wing (about shipping four guns to Canton, 1874), Edwin L. Stanton, James R. Hawley, William B. Franklin (1884), Gustavus V. Fox (1867), and Charles R. Hale (1867). They have been arranged chronologically. Most of the missives request letters of introduction or Welles’ help in getting someone a government position or admission to the Naval Academy. Another large portion is requests and thank you notes for information or publications. The letters dated 1858 are largely individuals writing to provide Welles with an autograph. Scattered among these rather routine letters are business correspondence (mostly investments, some handled by Robert Todd Lincoln), correspondence about Navy investigations into discharges and misbehavior, communications from commanders of various Naval vessels in foreign ports and a letter detailing the prize lists of union vessels—Confederate vessels captured by the Union. There is also a letter concerning Welles’ portrait, painted by Matthew Wilson, 1883. In assorted documents are found an 1887 memorial card, a 1900 program, and Welles’ certificate of appointment as a notary public, 1899. John A. Welles’ incoming correspondence is from an individual in the Navy Department. Three letters addressed to Mrs. Welles could be to Edgar’s wife, or to his mother. Isabella Hooker is the author of one undated letter. The collection also includes two free-franked envelopes, one inscribed by Gideon Welles, and a sample of boxwood, identified as having been collected at Mount Vernon in 1868.
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