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Link to PDF finding aid added in fall 2018
Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged.
This collection is located on-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Charles Stewart Daveis papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Source of acquisition--Robinson, C. Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--1953. Accession number--M-53.
Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 06/--/89.
Charles Stewart Daveis (1788-1865) was born in Portland, Maine, and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1807. Daveis studied law under Nicholas Emery (Bowdoin Overseer 1813-1817); and practiced in Portland, specializing in admiralty law. Later, he became United States Agent to Holland (1829). He was sent to the Hague in 1830 to assist in preparing the American case regarding the Northeast Boundary, as the case had been referred to the King of the Netherlands for arbitration. He was later a member of the Maine Senate (1841). Daveis also served as Bowdoin Overseer (1816-1837), Vice-President of the Board (1829-1837), and Trustee (1837-1864).
Materials related to the Maine-Canada boundary controvery: over 400 letters, documents, reports, map, manuscript corrected proof of the Secretary of State's printed report to Congress, manuscript history of the controversy (published), lengthy analysis of the King of the Netherland's Decision as arbiter, as well as supporting material showing the life of a diplomat of the period in Europe.
Eighteen published and unpublished manuscripts including speeches, patriotic addresses, legal and/or literary studies, Phi Beta Kappa orations, etc.
Personal and miscellaneous correspondence: over 1,200 letters written and received by Daveis. His personal letters to his wife, Elizabeth Taylor Gilman Daveis, are very descriptive as he travelled widely. There are letters concerning legal matters, i.e. revision of legal system of Maine after it became a state. Correspondence with George Ticknor, Alexander H. Everett who was a lawyer and governor of Massachusetts, and letters relating to Bowdoin College and the Maine Boundary controversy.
Thirty letters from Charles Sumner to Daveis chiefly on legal and literary matters.
Thirty-two letters from and about Charles William, 3rd Earl Fitz-William, with a long manuscript biography of the Earl by Daveis, who was a friend and warm admirer.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.