Scope and Content Note
The papers of Edmund Roberts (1784-1837) span the years 1803 to 1905, with the bulk of the material between 1832 and 1836. The papers include journals, drafts of his book, Embassy to the Eastern Courts of Cochin-China, Siam, and Muscat . . . During the Years 1832-34, family and official correspondence, diplomatic documents, legal and financial papers, and miscellaneous items consisting of maps, drawings, and various types of printed matter. Collection material is in English, Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Robert's journal material and the drafts he used in writing his book describe the people, customs, languages, religions, and arts Roberts encountered in South America and Asia. Although the drafts are undated, an attempt has been made to arrange them in sequence.
Roberts's correspondence with his wife and children, like his journals, is filled with commentary on his travels and personal experiences. Some official correspondence in later years reflects his difficulties in obtaining remuneration from Congress for expenses incurred during his voyages. Correspondents include Mahlon Dickerson, Edward Livingston, Eugene A. Vail, and Levi Woodbury. A file of diplomatic documents treats Roberts's service as a special agent of the United States to negotiate treaties with Siam, Muscat, and Cochin China.