DATE: 1854-04-05
CREATOR: Gray, A. B. (Andrew Belcher), 1820-1862
EXTENT: 1 letter written in the back matter of 1 monograph (call number MERC RARE HE 2791 .T351 1856)
SCOPE: This collection consists of one manuscript transcription by Gray of a letter written previously to the Secretary of State of the United States on the 5th of April, 1854. The letter is transcribed into the back of Gray's own copy of his work, Survey of a Record for the Southern Pacific R. R. on the 32nd Parallel for the Texas Western Pacific R. R. Co., and describes Lake Guzman, the Santa Maria River, relations with Mexico, and the ideal route of the Texas Western Pacific R. R. Co. Specific detail is given to the bodies of water - their locations, usefulness to travelers and settlers, salinity, etc.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: A. B. Gray was a surveyor that was born in Virginia and later became a resident of the Republic, and then State of Texas. He then served to survey the U. S. - Texas border, and later the U. S. Mexico border, once Texas joined the United States. In 1852 Gray joined the Texas Western Railroad to lead a survey from San Antonio to California. The results of this survey were published as the Survey of a Record for the Southern Pacific R. R. on the 32nd Parallel, in 1856. The Mercantile Library's copy of this survey was Gray's own copy, which includes in the back matter the transcription of the manuscript letter that makes up this collection. Gray joined the confederacy during the Civil War and was killed in a boiler explosion aboard a steamboat in 1862.
ACCESS: This is collection M-376. This collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page.
RESTRICTIONS: None
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is “From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.”
