Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

This collection is mostly made up of letters written by United States politician Fisher Ames from the 1780s to early 1800s. He discussed political topics such as the first United States Congress, Congressional disagreements, sectarianism in Congress, the United States presidential election of 1796, and several prominent politicians. Two printed portraits of Ames are also included.

This collection (23 items) contains 21 letters by United States politician Fisher Ames, including 17 letters pertaining directly to United States politics. From March 4, 1789, to June 3, 1805, he wrote to multiple correspondents about his experiences in the United States House of Representatives. Ames commented in depth on issues such as poor attendance during the legislature's inaugural session, the location of the national capital, sectarian disagreements between congressmen from the North and South, the presidential election of 1796, the First Bank of the United States, and the role and members of the federal judiciary. He mentioned prominent politicians such as Benjamin Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, William Branch Giles, and James Madison. In one undated letter, Ames advised the recipient to avoid a political career and commented briefly on the Embargo and the possibility of war with England and France.

The collection's other manuscripts include a financial document between Ames and Eli Pond, regarding board for a colt (May 30, 1783), correspondence concerning the Episcopal Church in Boston, Massachusetts (August 14, 1797), an invitation to speak to a charitable organization (February 22, 1803), and the construction of a wall (October 22, 1804). Two portraits, housed in the Graphics Division, are engravings based on paintings by Gilbert Stuart and Alonzo Chappel.

The E. L. Diedrich Collection is a selection of manuscript items compiled by his son Duane Norman Diedrich and dedicated to his memory. The content of these letters, documents, and other manuscripts reflect the life and interests of E. L. "Bud" Diedrich (1904-1988), most prominently subjects pertinent to government, business, and patriotic music.

The E. L. Diedrich Collection is a selection of manuscript items compiled by his son Duane Norman Diedrich and dedicated to his memory. The content of these letters, documents, and other manuscripts reflect the life and interests of E. L. "Bud" Diedrich (1904-1988), most prominently subjects pertinent to government, business, and patriotic music. Items include correspondence from early United States politicians, discussing aspects of the developing Federal government and political parties; letters respecting the U.S. Presidency; holograph manuscripts and correspondence respecting patriotic music, such as the Battle Hymn of the Republic; and much more.

The collection is comprised of over 50 letters, documents, manuscript songs, and photographs, and other items. For a comprehensive inventory and details about each item in the collection, please see the box and folder listing below.