Herman Landon Vaill collection

The Herman L. Vaill collection contains correspondence (1821-1845) and printed material (1830-1953) relating to the life and activities of Elias Boudinot, Cherokee editor and leader. Early correspondence chiefly concerns Boudinot's marriage to Harriet Gold and to the Gold family controversy over intermarriage with an Indian. Many of the letters are addressed to Herman Vaill, who was a connection by marriage of the Gold family. Other correspondence relates to the dispute between the Cherokee Nation and the State of Georgia, and the Supreme Court decision of 1832 (Worchester vs. Georgia). The division among the Cherokees arising out of President Jackson's refusal to halt Georgia's annexation of the Cherokee lands, and Boudinot's support of the group favoring withdrawal are also discussed. Opinions on the issue are expressed by William Wirt and Boudinot in pamphlets contained in this collection. The other printed material is twentieth century and deals with various aspects of Cherokee history.

The collection was presented to Yale University by Dudley L. Vaill in 1962.