Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduFinding Aid Authors: Cynthia L. Barwick.
Administrative Information
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Preferred Citation:
William Cabell Rives Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Purchases
Processing Information:
Processed by Cynthia Lee Barwick in 1984.
Biographical Information:
William Cabell Rives was the son of Robert and Margaret Jordan (Cabell) Rives. He was educated at Hampden-Sydney College and at the College of William and Mary where he graduated in 1809. He studied law and politics under Thomas Jefferson. Rives served in the War of 1812 and in the Virginia House of Delegates. After his marriage, he lived at "Castle Hill," Albemarle County, Va. Rives served in the U. S. House of Representatives, 1823-1829 and in the U. S. Senate. He also was minister to France and served in the Confederate Congress. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Scope and Contents
Letters, 1824-1864, written by William Cabell Rives of "Castle Hill," Albemarle County, Va. to William MacCreery Burwell, Mahlon Dickerson, Robert Selden Garnett, Doctor Robert W. Haxall and John Milton Niles discussing his political philosophy reflecting his change from the Democratic to the Whig Party, plans for visits, and family news.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- College of William and Mary--Alumni and alumnae
- Correspondence
- United States--Politics and Government
- Virginia--Politics and Government
- Whig Party (U.S.)
General
Previously identified as Mss 73s R52.
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Rives, William C. (William Cabell), 1793-1868
Container List
29 Oct. 1824. W.C. Rives, "Castle-Hill," [Albemarle Co., Va.], to "the Hon[ora]ble" Robert S. Garnett, L[l]oyds' [P.O.], Essex Co., Va. Declines the invitation to stay with him and Mrs. Garnett in Washington, D.C., because his wife has recently added a new son to "her" family; also comments that Washington, even under the most favorable conditions "affords but few pleasures for a lady" and that he [WCR] would deny his wife even a "peep at the 'great Babel'" because of the new baby; apologizes for not submitting an article sooner to his Review, but he has been busy this summer building, and clearing up loose business ends before he leaves for Congress in the winter. 3 pp. 19 Sept. [18]36. W.C. Rives, "Castle-Hill," [Albemarle Co., Va.], to [John Milton], Niles, "Senator U.S. Hartford, State of Connecticut." Thanks him for the financial articles from the Hartford Times; further discussion of finances involving the Whig philosophy; assures him that the "old dominion" will be voting for [Martin] Van Buren in the upcoming election. 2 pp. 28 Oct. [18]37. W.C. Rives, "Castle-Hill," [Albemarle Co., Va.], to the Hon[ora]ble M[anion] Dickerson, Secretary of the Navy, [Washington, D.C..?]. Recommends appointment of Dr. J.M. Minor of Virginia as Ass[istan]t Surgeon in the Navy. 1 p. 8 Oct. 1844. W.C. Rives, "Castle-Hill," [Albemarle Co., Va.], to Charles C. Lee, Moorfields, Hardy Co, Va. [W. Va.]. Has been very ill, which has prevented him from meeting him [CCL] in Shenandoah; was able to participate in the District Convention; spirited discussion of converting Virginia to the "Whig faith"; asks him to make excuses for his [WCR] absence at the upcoming Whig meeting to be held at Moorfields. 3 pp. 16 Nov. 1854. W.C. Rives, Alexandria, [Va.], to W[illia]m M. Burwell, Baltimore, [Md.]. Is attending a Directors' meeting of "our Rail-Road"; asks his help in arranging for Mr.[?] Baldwin, editor of the Richmond Dispatch, to lecture before the Maryland Institute. 2 pp. 16 Dec. 1854. W.C. Rives, "Castle-Hill," [Albemarle Co., Va.], to W[illia]m M. Burwell, n.p. Would be pleased to have him and [Robert A.] Toombs for Christmas; tells that. Toombs is an old college friend of his [WCR] brother; comments on Col. [Thomas Hart] Benton's "Thirty Years," which he doesn't think will be "going down to posterity." 2 pp. 9 Oct. 1859. W.C. Rives, "Castle-Hill," [Albemarle Co., Va.], to Dr. R[obert] W. Haxall, [Richmond, Va.]. Will be happy to visit; however, Mrs. Rives will not accompany him because their daughter, Amelie, and [her husband] Mr. [Henry] Sigourney are visiting; thanks for the articles sent. 1 p. 18 Oct. 1864. W.C. Rives, "Castle-Hill," [Albemarle Co., Va.], to Doctor R[obert] W. Haxall, Richmond, [Va.]. Thanks him for extra supply of coal for the family's winter use; will buy a gallon of Mr. [?] Kinney's wine if he [RWH] will "taste-test" it first; also enjoys an apple brandy toddy occasionally; comments on the Civil War, stating that he is a "disciple of Macawber, and cannot help hoping that 'something will turn up'." 3 pp.