Scope and Content Note
The papers of William Maxwell Evarts (1818-1901) span the years 1667-1918 with the bulk of the material dated 1877-1891. They consist of correspondence, a diary, certificates, genealogical material, indexes, a notebook, dockets, memoranda, letterbooks, account books, minute book, printed matter, financial material, and a journal. The bulk of the collection relates to Evarts's tenure as secretary of state, 1877-1881, and United States senator, 1885-1891.
The focus of the collection is on New York state and national politics and international affairs in which Evarts participated. Main topics include Evarts's early law practice, cases in which he represented the United States during the Civil War, the trial of Jefferson Davis, impeachment of Andrew Johnson, the Geneva Arbitration Tribunal of 1871-1872, the election of 1876, appointment of ambassadors, Chinese immigration, presidential campaign of 1880, International Monetary Conference of 1878, the Peabody education fund, dedication of the Statue of Liberty, patronage, suffrage, pensions, tariffs, and the Force Bill that provided for the collection of duties on imported goods.
Correspondents include James Burrill Angell, John Jacob Astor, Edward Bates, James Gillespie Blaine, Joseph Hodges Choate, Cyrus W. Field, James A. Garfield, John Hay, Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, Levi P. Morton, Edward John Phelps, William H. Seward, William Henry Trescot, Julia Gardiner Tyler, and Robert C. Winthrop.