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     MANUSCRIPTS and ARCHIVAL MATERIAL

U.S. Office of Commissary General of Prisoners circular

 Collection — Box: BW 29, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS 16548

Content Description

This collection contains a circular manuscript, single sheet - two pages, signed by John Mason, Commissioner General of Prisoners during the War of 1812, regarding returned American prisoners of war. The circular is written to to Joseph Whipple Esqr., Collector of the Customs, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Written from Washington D.C. on May 27, 1813.

Dates

  • Creation: May 27, 1813

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is minimally processed and open for research.

Biographical / Historical

John Mason (1766-1849) was an American merchant, banker, soldier, planter, scion of the Mason family of Virginia, son of Founder George Mason. MAson was appointed by Thomas Jefferson as the first commanding general of the District of Columbia militia in 1802. He held that position until 1811., and through that role he became Commissioner General of Prisoners during the War of 1812. When the British invaded and burned Washngton D.C., Mason helped President Madison and other officials escape to Virginia. Mason wrote to President Madison on March 23, 1816, resigning his post as Superintendent of Indian Trade,and offering to wind up the Office of Commissary General of Prisoners

Extent

.04 Cubic Feet (1 legal sized folder )

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Howard S. Mott, Inc. by the Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia on July 21, 2021.

Title
Guide to the U.S. Office of Commissary General of Prisoners circular
Status
Completed
Author
Rose Oliveira, Accessioning Archivist
Date
2 September 2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville Virginia 22904-4110 United States