The Henry Waldron papers include correspondence, financial statements and speeches covering the years 1832-1881.

There is much material of general historical interest scattered throughout the collection. Most of it relates to Hillsdale County, Michigan. There are several items of particular historical interest. There are two letters dated May 1838 from Henry W. Johnson and Stephen Brophy, Patriot invaders, then in Toronto Prison. There is a letter dated October 24, 1871 from the Detroit Central Relief Committee, an organization for aiding forest fire victims. A note from the Secretary of the Treasury dated February 7, 1872 relates to a proposed assay office at Helena, Montana. There are two letters from 1873 and one dated 1878 from Adolph Sutro of the Sutro Tunnel Company of Comstock Lode fame. There is a letter dated March 23, 1858 from William Goodell of the American Abolition Society.

As a congressman, Waldron corresponded with many leading state and national politicians of the time. A list of correspondence from many of these persons follows on the next page.

In addition to letters from politicians there are several other items of political interest. A letter from H. Parker dated October 29, 1837 describes a speech by Daniel Webster. A letter from Abner Pratt dated October 29, 1852 refers to the Election of 1852 and Webster's death. He laments the latter as marking the end of the era of great men. Letters from H. Mead dated February 22 and March 10, 1851 refer to state politics in Lansing. A letter from Fitz Henry Warren (transcribed by his clerk Fisher A. Foster in Washington, D.C.) dated October 18, 1852 refers to Whig party fortunes in Ohio. And a letter from the publisher of the Northern Tribune of Cheboygan, Michigan dated July 10, 1876 thanks Waldron for securing passage of a bill providing lights for its harbor.

Notable Correspondents

• Baldwin, Henry P. -- November 14, 1871 - a pardon;
• Bingham, Kinsley -- October 24, 1856-July 8, 1858;
• Burrows, Julius -- October 12, 1872-April 27, 1877;
• Campbell, Lewis D. -- November 16, 1854;
• Chandler, Zachariah -- October 9, 1854-August 20, 1878;
• Christiancy, Isaac Peckham -- December 15, 1855-July 23, 1875;
• Colfax, Schuyler -- October 16, 1852-July 5, 1874;
• Floyd, John B. -- February 11, 1858 - note in response to request for materials while Floyd was Secretary of War;
• Luce, Cyrus -- January 28, 1869;
• Marcy, William L. -- March 22, 1856;
• Stebbins, Cortland -- one undated letter.