DATE: 1859
CREATOR: Robinson, Matthew
ABSTRACT: Four letters written by Matthew Robinson to his mother, Mary L. Forest, in Baltimore, Maryland, concerning his steamboat journey in 1859.
SCOPE: In these letters, Robinson describes his steamboat journey from Baltimore to Cincinnati, Louisville, New Orleans, and Galveston. The letters are dated from November 22, 1859-December 14, 1859. Robinson traveled from Baltimore to Benwood, West Virginia via the Ohio River, and then continued to Cincinnati by train. He then traveled from Cincinnati to Louisville via the steamboat Superior on the Ohio River. In Louisville, he boarded the steamboat Atlantic and travelled to New Orleans via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In the final letter, Robinson states that he is traveling from New Orleans to Galveston via steamboat on the Atlantic Ocean.
Throughout the letters, Robinson discusses the other passengers, the cost of travel and land in the areas he is visiting, and landmarks he passes.
EXTENT: Four letters, four envelopes
ACCESS: This is collection P-132. 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.
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is "From the collections of the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library at the University of Missouri - St. Louis.”
