Thomas Law Incoming Correspondence, 1791-1805

The Thomas Law Family Papers span the years 1791-1834. The collection is made up almost entirely of pieces of correspondence with the exception of a selection of manuscript and published writings of Thomas Law. The correspondence throughout the collection is fairly consistent, there being no grossly apparent gaps or areas of great abundance. However, Thomas Law does figure more prominently in this collection than do either of his sons, John or Edmund.

The collection is broken down into three distinct sections -- papers dealing with Thomas Law, those dealing with Edmund Law, and those dealing with John Law. The Thomas Law papers span the years 1791-1834 and consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, and both manuscript and published writings of Thomas Law. Subjects covered in th correspondence include United States and European politics and economy ca. 1800-1825, especially the War of 1812, Bonaparte, the Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Adams, and early Jackson administrations, the national currency questions, and internal improvements; discussion of land speculation by Law and friend William Blane; and the building of Washington, D.C.. Important correspondents include Alexander White, William Thornton, Benjamin Stoddert, Turner Camac, Frederick May, John Browne Cutting, William Eustis, A,J. Dallas, Henry Clay, James Barry, and B.H. Latrobe. This section also contains a great number of letters Law's English friend and partner in land speculation, William Blane, 1794-1834, and a group of incoming letters from family members in England, 1792-1833.

The Edmund Law papers span the years 1804-1829, and also consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence. Subjects discussed include personal financial, internal improvements especially in Washington, D.C., United States politics, travels to New York, Virginia, Florida, and Mexico. Correspondents include Frederick May, Cary Selden, Turner Camac,James Gadsden, and John Browne Cutting.

The John Law papers date from 1797 - 1825 and consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence plus papers relating to the estate of John Law, 1822-1825. Subjects discussed in these letters are about the same as those discussed in the previous sections, but also include discussions of rents on property owned by Thomas Law, legal correspondence, and letters to John Law while he was a student at Harvard University, ca.1800-1804.

As shown, the Thomas Law Family Papers deal exclusively with the lives of Thomas Law and his two sons. The collection gives clear insight into the sentiments harbored by both Americans and some Europeans towards United States and European politics and economy. It is also a valuable source of information on the building and laying out of Washington, D.C., especially the canals, residential areas, and some government buildings. Lastly, the collection traces the land speculation of Law and his sons and includes some information on lands in Kentucky, Virginia, New York, Illinois, and Florida.