Scope and Contents
The Horace Capron Papers consist of twenty inches of correspondence and business papers spanning the period 1837 to 1884, with the bulk of material falling in the years 1872-1874 and 1877-1880.
The correspondence consists largely of Capron's communications with the Japanese "Kaitukushi" or "Commissioner for opening up and developing" regarding the agricultural modernization of the island of Yesso, now Hokkaido. Other correspondence, between Capron and various assistants and Japense or American officials, also relates to the development of Yesso. The letters are catalogued by Capron's correspondents under their names and under his name in the manuscript catalog.
The business papers consist largely of receipts and orders for farm equipment, plants and livestock from the United States, and of telegrams confirming their shipment to Japan. There are also several memoranda concerning relations between Japanese and American officials, plus several contracts and leases.
The miscellaneous papers consist of two articles written by K. Kuroda, Governor of Yesso, for the Japanese Gazette: an article(?) by Benjamin Smith Lyman on the Japanese climate; a handwritten list of Japanese-name plants with their English and botanical equivalents; and miscellaneous notes, addresses, and newspaper clippings.
The Horace Capron Papers were given to Yale University Library by Albert S. Capron in 1950.
Dates
- 1837-1884
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Albert S. Capron, 1950.
Extent
2 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
Mainly correspondence between U.S. and Japanese officials dealing with the business of the Kaitakushi (of which General Capron was commissioner and adviser), a department of the Japanese Government in charge of the settlement of Hokkaido. Persons prominent in the collection include David Amomen, Thomas Antisell, Murray S. Day, Joseph Henry, Thornton A. Jenkins, Governor K. Kuroda, Benjamin S. Lyman, Henry S. Monroe, George M. Robeson, John R. Rogers, William Tecumseh Sherman, and James R. Wasson.
Biographical / Historical
Horace Capron: worked in cotton manufacturing, 1829-1834; in 1834 commissioned colonel of the 32nd Regiment of Maryland Militia; opened a cotton factory, 1836; active in progressive farming and agricultural societies; from 1852-1854 special agent over certain Indian tribes in Texas; served in the Civil War, attaining rank of Brigadier-general in the Illinois cavalry; in 1867 appointed U.S. Commissioner of Agriculture, remaining until 1871, when he was appointed by the Japanese government as commissioner and chief advisor to the Kaitakushi Department in the development and settlement of Hokkaido; returned to the U.S. in 1875.
- Agriculture
- Agriculturists
- Amomen, David
- Antisell, Thomas, 1817-1893
- Asia
- Capron, Horace, 1804-1885
- Day, Murray S.
- Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878
- Hokkaido (Japan)
- Japan -- Economic policy
- Jenkins, Thornton A. (Thornton Alexander), 1811-1893
- Kuroda, Kiyotaka, 1840-1900
- Lyman, Benjamin Smith, 1835-1920
- Monroe, Henry Smith
- Public officers
- Robeson, George M. (George Maxwell), 1829-1897
- Rogers, John Rankin, 1838-1901
- Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
- Soldiers
- Wasson, James R.
- Title
- Guide to the Horace Capron Papers
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- compiled by Thomas J. Connors
- Date
- February 1979
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)
beinecke.library@yale.edu
Location
Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511