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Transcript of Letter from George Sibley to brother, Samuel Sibley, November 11, 1804.  George gives his brother updates on his life at the time

Sibley, George Champlin

Lindenwood University 
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George Champlin Sibley Papers George and Mary Easton Sibley Papers 
11-11-1804 
Letter from George Sibley to Samuel Sibley, November 11, 1804 
George Champlin Sibley 
Fayetteville, North Carolina 
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 Part of the United States History Commons 
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Sibley, George Champlin, "Letter from George Sibley to Samuel Sibley, November 11, 1804" (1804). George 
Champlin Sibley Papers. 203. 
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/george/203 
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Samuel H. Sibley                                                                                              George C. Sibley 
Elizabeth Town Fayetteville 
 
 Fayetteville 11th Novem. 1804 
Dear Bro. 
 On Thursday last / the 8th Inst. / this letter to my head under cover of one to me 
accompanied by one to Mama. I take the earliest oppy. Of sending it you, as I know it will give 
you much pleasure. I would send you letter, but it contains nothing interesting to you but what 
you will see above, and it would be putting you to an unnecessary expense of postage, besides, I 
have use for it myself just now. Why do you not write us? Surely you cannot be so churlish as to 
have a Resolution to the contrary, because we have not written you as often perhaps as we should 
have done? Consider we are just now very much pressed with business, opportunities but seldom 
offer / except by the Mail once a week / and I am very loth to subject you to the expence of 
postage. I have been told that you are not well pleased with your present situation, and that you 
only wait the Return of Mr. Levy to Return to Wilmington. Permit me here to offer for your 
consideration a few Remarks, purely dictated by the Interest I take in whatever concerns you. 
From the information you gave me when you were last in Fayetteville, on the subject of your 
establishment at Elizabeth Town, I was fully impressed with the idea / as indeed you appeared to 
be, / that it would prove a very advantageous one. What I have since been told has strengthened 
rather that weekend that opinion. Indeed the only objection you make is that the Society is very 
poor. If this is the only objection, let me beg of you not to permit it to operate against your real 
interest. A young Man situated as you are Should not suffer such flimsy Reasons to overcome his 
better Judgment. But I would hope you have better reasons for wishing to abandon your present 
situation. I have a better opinion of your good sense, than to suppose you capable of giving up a 
certain good, for no other Reason than because you can not gratify a multiplicity of foolish and 
expensive desires; These you must be sensible / if they exist in you / you should get rid of; and 
for that very Reason / if no better could be offered / you should remain where you are, provided 
you have to prospect certain. I need not remind you that ‘tis doing worse that nothing to give up 
a Certainty for an uncertainty. The probability is that by the time you are to become equally 
concerned, the business will be placed in a regular channel, the acquisition of Customers will be 
made, and in fact you will enter the concern with every advantage. You can certainly form a 
more just opinion of these things that I can, and you will I hope act as becomes you. You can tell 
whether ‘tis for your good to Remain at Elizabeth of to Return to Wilmington, and it is not for 
me to attempt to control your choice. I would merely wish to destroy in you all foolish prejudices 
and inclinations if such exist, if I have done so, I am confident you will act in conformity to the 
dictates of Reason and your own Real good. The Packet I hear has arrived at Wilmington, Mr. 
Levy, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Holmes were passengers, Mc Kay has never written me a word about 
Martin’s note. I expect however he will soon let me know something about it. Mamma and the 
children are well. 
 We are quite Gay here at present, somehow or other the old bachelors have got into the 
spirit of giving Tea parties and Dances we have had no less than 4 lately and have got the 
promise of as many more; This we owe I am apt to think to the arrival of two Back County 
Beauties in town, viz Miss Shepperd and Miss Bell / sister to Sally Bell with whom we were 
acquainted at Pitesboro’ / I assure you they have caused a complete revolution among our old 
rusty Bachelors, which, if we may judge from present appearance will Contribute to Render this 
winter in Fayetteville unusually Gay. Of the beauty of these Angels / for so I must call them / I 
need hardly say a word, you have seen Miss Shepperd. Miss Bell is I think of the two rather the 
most elegant figure but I think the other has the advantage in point of beauty in other Respects. 
Take them however together, and I will venture to assert they will be found inferior to none in 
any Respect, and will be equaled by very few. 
 Your Affecte 
 Geo. C. Sibley 
Mr. Sam. H. Sibley 
Sibley Mss. IV 
Missouri Historical Society 


English

Letter from George Sibley to Samuel Sibley, November 11, 1804

Transcript of Letter from John Sibley to Samuel Sibley, November 11, 1804

Sibley, John

Lindenwood University 
Digital Commons@Lindenwood University 
John Sibley Papers George and Mary Easton Sibley Papers 
11-11-1804 
Letter from John Sibley to Samuel Sibley, November 11, 1804 
John Sibley 
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 Part of the United States History Commons 
Recommended Citation 
Sibley, John, "Letter from John Sibley to Samuel Sibley, November 11, 1804" (1804). John Sibley Papers. 
10. 
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/john/10 
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Letter from John Sibley to Samuel Sibley, November 11, 1804

Transcript of Letter from John Sibley to son, Samuel Sibley, February 28, 1803. John Sibley describes Louisiana; Native American in the area; general gossip

Lindenwood University 
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John Sibley Papers George and Mary Easton Sibley Papers 
2-28-1803 
Letter from John Sibley to Samuel Sibley, February 28, 1803 
John Sibley 
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 Part of the United States History Commons 
Copy 
 
 
Natchez 28th Feby. 1803 
 
Dear Hopkins:- 
  On the 20th of Janry. I received your letter of Dec. 8th the receipt of it gave me great 
pleasure for I had not heard from you before since I left you, I wrote you soon after my arrival here, 
mentioning several things I wished you to do, I have not been able to finish my business here so as to set 
off on my return, how soon I shall effect it is uncertain, I shall loose no time I can avoid, do the best you 
Can in the meantime for yourselfe, and afford to your Mother & the Children all the assistance & 
comfort in your power – I am in pretty good health, am going for a few days over the River into 
Louisiana, which Country is very little known in the United States, tho the finest Country in the world, I 
keep a journal of my travels with pretty lengthy remarks – some extracts would amuse you - - “I was at 
an old French gentleman’s House in Louisiana, where I asked to stay all night, I was met at the Gate by 
the Old Man who took me by the hand in the Most friendly manner he spoke not a word of English, 
conducted me into a handsome Gallery and Sat me down beside himselfe on a Settee I Layed my hat on 
a Table as I entered, he rose took my hat & put it on my head observing it was too cool to Set 
uncovered, he immediately withdrew, a servant brought me some wine, a Large Bell rang as big as a 
Church Bell I asked what ‘twas for a gentleman who was Setting with me told me ‘twas for prayers, I 
propos’d to attend, he told me it was a domestic regulation among the servants that we might or might 
not attend as we pleas’d, I saw the old man no more till supper was announced which was about an 
hour after, we were conducted into a Large Elegant Hall well lighted, candle sticks of Silver, a Table 
covered with plates, a variety of dishes Wines Sallads &c. with about half a dozen well Looking Servants, 
no white woman in the House, the Old Man was there, I then discovered he had withdrawn to dress 
himselfe which he had neatly done, he placed me next himselfe, a clean Napkin was furl’d up in a 
curious manner over each plate which being removed disclosed a piece of bread, a fork with four tongs 
all of Silver, the knife a Silver handle, a Wine Glass & Tumbler, he politely helped all at Table, and 
pressed us all to dring Setting the example himselfe, after supper he sat an hour, talked a great deal all 
in French, he went out a few minutes, returned and asked me if I choose to go to bed, my room was 
ready a servant conducted me to my room, which I found remarkably neat, a Pavillion to the Bed, a 
Toilet with wine and water, a dressing case & Looking Glass, a water stand Towel &c. a prayer Book & 
Crucifix, and a handkerchief for my head, being fateagued I went directly to bed & put out the the 
Candle, a few minutes after the Old man knocked at my door “Couchee Monsieur” sayed he I answered 
‘Owee Monsieur,’ “Bon repose” he said, I saw no more of him – this is nearly a description of the 
treatment I received in Travelling four hundred miles through Louissiana. 
 A few days ago near Natchez two Choctau Indians had a falling out One challenged the other to 
fight a duel, the challenge was accepted they gought with muskets five steps apart & fired at the word, 
and were both Instantaneously killed – several duels had been fought among the officers and gentlemen 
of Natchez a short time before & no one hurt the Indians had Laughed at them and called them no 
warriors – Last fall about three Miles from Natchez one Indian killed another in a quarrell, it is a law with 
them that no Indian who has killed another except in War shall live, it is not like a Warrior to be killed or 
put to death so they do it always themselves assisted by their nearest friend or relation, this Indian had 
appointed to die at Sundown the day after he had killed the other, it was known in the neighborhood & 
several went to see how he would behave, a Gentleman who was present told me the Story, they found 
him very buisey among the Indians talking a few words to One & Another & sending Messages to his 
absent friends & acquaintances his countenance tranquil and his mind Collected, his wife was with him 
who appeared in his presence quite composed but was observed just before Sundown to go by herself 
and cry; but soon returned again with an affected cheerfulness, the Sun Sat the appointed time arrived, 
the Indian in a Louis Voice addressed himselfe to the Spectators, appologis’d for disappointing them & 
told them, ‘twas not convenient for him to die ‘till tomorrow morning at Sunrise he wanted to see a 
friend who had not arriv’d, the Spectators dispers’d, some of them went in the morning, ‘ saw him die, 
he put the Muzzle of a Gun under his Chin & with his Toe drew the trigger, he slept most of the 
preceding night quietly – and Called upon his friends to witness that he died like a Warrior – The 
Choctaus in their Town don’t bury their dead; but make a Scaffold of forks & Poles on Twelve feet high 
near their Houses on which they place the Dead body ‘till the flesh is so putrid that it will Slip off the 
Bones, this is done by the nearest relation, the flesh is buried, the bones put in a Box and deposited in 
the Bone House.- The Choctaus are a numerous tribe, they live on Tombeckbee River, but are always 
wandering about in families among the white Settlements many of them dont see their towns for two or 
three years – they Seldome Steal or do Mischief of any kind, and they boast that no Choctau has ever 
Shed white Man’s blood Since the french Massacre in 1719 – I am about preparing to Collect a parcel of 
Mules, they are in Louissiana as large as Horses, and in droves of many thousand in a Gang. The French 
Government is expected to take place in April some of them with the Officers Baggage have arrived in 
New Orleans – 
I am with much affection 
          Yours &c 
John Sibley 
Samuel Hopkins Sibley 
(Vol. 1 Sibley Manuscript, Missouri Historical Society) 


Letter from John Sibley to Samuel Sibley, February 28, 1803

John Sibley Memorandum Book #1 (January through December 1800)

Memorandum Book #1 (January through December 1800)

Transcript of Letter from Samuel Hopkins to grandson, George Sibley, May 11, 1797.  Hopkins gives life advice to George

Hopkins, Samuel

Lindenwood University 
Digital Commons@Lindenwood University 
George Champlin Sibley Papers George and Mary Easton Sibley Papers 
5-11-1797 
Letter from Samuel Hopkins to George Sibley, May 11, 1797 
Samuel Hopkins 
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 Part of the United States History Commons 
Newport, May 11th, 1797 
Dear Grandchild: 
 Your kind letter of the 20th March came seasonably to hand. I am pleased to see you able to 
write so good a hand, & hope you will make great proficiency in learning, now you are at the Academy. 
It is of great importance to you that you should improve your time well, rise early, and attend to your 
business, and avoid every thing should render you idle and vicious. You should always remember that 
you depend upon God for all good, and pray constantly to him, for his assistance and blessing, who 
always looks upon you, and know s all that is in your heart, and all you say and do. You cannot pay too 
much regard to the Bible. By attending properly to that, you may become wise, and be happy in this 
world and happy forever. 
 You will, it is to be feared, find some youths in the Academy who are inclined to be unruly and 
wicked, who speak bad and profane language, and are disposed to be idle and perhaps, spend time in ---
- and are quarrelsome and mischievous, I advise you to shun them as much as possible, and by no means 
follow their bad example, and resolutely resist their persuasions to join with them in their wickedness. 
Be honest, true and kind and faithful in all your words and actions. Carefully obey rules of the school, 
given by your instructors, and endeavor to please them by your fidelity, industry and advances in 
learning, always showing respect to them, and paying a careful regard to their people, and be a comfort 
and credit to all your relations and friends. 
 I enclose to you a letter which Mrs. Osborn put into my hands some time ago, to be sent to you. 
She is now dead, and we doubt not is gone to heaven. She loved your mother, and loved you, and has 
doubtless prayed for you a thousand times, that you might live, and be a wise and good man, a real and 
excellent Christian, be useful in the world and happy forever in heaven. She desired me to send this 
letter to you, and one to your brother, as a token of her love to you. It was written by her, and printed 
many years ago, and has been lately reprinted. I hope you will make good use of it. 
 With my best wishes for your good, I now bid you Farewell: Expecting you will often write your 
affectionate Grandfather, 
          S. Hopkins. 
Master George C. Sibley, 
Note: The printed letter here alluded to was received and carefully kept for many year. But has been lost 
by reason of some of the many moves and movements to which I have been subjected since I came to 
the Western Country in 1805. 
           G.C.S. 


Letter from Samuel Hopkins to George Sibley, May 11, 1797

Transcript of Letter from Samuel Hopkins to grandsons, George and Samuel Sibley, February 9, 1797. Hopkins gives advice to his grandsons on how they should live

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George Champlin Sibley Papers George and Mary Easton Sibley Papers 
2-9-1797 
Letter from Samuel Hopkins to George and Samuel Sibley, 
February 9, 1797 
Samuel Hopkins 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/george 
 Part of the United States History Commons 
65-0054    Lindenwood Collection    2-9-1797 
1p 
ALS S. Hopkins, Newport, R. I. 
To: Grandsons, Masters Geo. & S. Hopkins Sibley 
Fayetville, N.C.  
 
My dear grandsons,     Newport Feb. 9. 1797 
 Your grandfather is pleased to hear by your father that you were alive and well the beginning of 
last December.  He wishes you may __ remember that God __ your lives and gives you the health and 
strength you have; and that it is your duty, and your __ to be thankful to him and be willing to love and 
serve him. Always keep it in your minds that you must die, and how soon you know not; and that, as you 
are surest, you must __, unless you have an interest in Christ, who come into this world to save sinners, 
and often to save all who repent of their sins and trust in him. – And be opened, that they who are 
enlightened and good men, are the most happy in this world, and will be happy forever. I hope you read 
the Bible daily, which if you understand and believe it, will make you truly wise.  
 I am sorry to hear that you have no good school which you may attend. I hope you will not 
spend your time foolishly; and will avoid idleness: __ and that __ most wicked language, what too many 
use. 
 I should be glad to see you, and to have you live with me. But my circumstances, age and 
infirmities, will not admit of it. Your father, I trust, will be able to give you a good education. And I wish 
you may by your good conduct, and diligent improvements of all the advantages you have, encourage 
him to do his utmost for you. 
 The good people here, who knew and loved your mother, and were witnesses to her giving you 
up to Christ in baptism, remember you with affection, and have been, and are praying for you, that you 
may escape the snares and evils to which you are exposed; and conduct so as to be useful and happy in 
this world, and be blessed forever. This is the daily prayer of your aged, affectionate grandfather. 
 Masters George and Hopkins Sibley  
        S. Hopkins 


Letter from Samuel Hopkins to George and Samuel Sibley, February 9, 1797

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Letter from George Sibley to Samuel Sibley, November 11, 1804

Letter from John Sibley to Samuel Sibley, November 11, 1804

Letter from John Sibley to Samuel Sibley, February 28, 1803

Memorandum Book #1 (January through December 1800)

Letter from Samuel Hopkins to George Sibley, May 11, 1797

Letter from Samuel Hopkins to George and Samuel Sibley, February 9, 1797

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