When asked about Rees-Jones Collection items that have recently caught her eye, archivist Christina Wood zeroed in on these fascinating records of the human experience in the early history of our state and our nation.
Searching for gold
Though W.B. Dilborn’s journey across the Plains to California was not a remarkably easy one, it was certainly not without reward. In one of several letters providing a first-hand account of the gold rush, the successful forty-niner recounts to his sister, “Gold is found in the washes and ravines made during the rainy seasons, and also in the bottom of creeks that have become dry during the summer… Several pieces were found during the five days I had the honor of prospecting in the ravine… The gold is perfectly pure and fine – it is found in small pieces. The best idea I can give you of the general size of the gold… is that it has the appearance of melted lead being split or thrown upon the ground thus presenting every variety and shape in which we find it.” Dilborn’s journey to gold proved one of “hardship both upon man and animals,” which is likely why he advises his sister that “if any of [her] friends wish to come to California tell them by all means to take any other route than the overland round. The route by sea is by far the most preferable.” This correspondence, written in November and December of 1849, offers a glimpse into the past life of the travelers who endured trials and harsh conditions during their quest to find gold out west.
First Texas ‘road map’
When the Spanish government appointed Teodoro de Croix commander general of its newly created Interior Provinces of New Spain (Provincias Internas) in 1776, he lacked accurate geographic information about the vast area under his command. As a solution, he embarked on a lengthy inspection tour. De Croix was accompanied by engineer and cartographer Joseph de la Barcanda, who recorded all the information needed to plot the region encompassing present-day Texas and northern Mexico. Pedro de Ormedo, a Jesuit priest, used Barcanda’s surveys to meticulously draw a map that included the roadways traveled by the inspection party, making this the first known road map of Texas and the northern Mexican borderlands. The circa 1778 map can be appreciated as much for its artistry as its information. De Ormedo’s rendering incorporates decorative baroque motifs and a distinctive color scheme – red for presidios and towns, and yellow for roads. The style fuses a traditional geographic depiction and a bird’s-eye view. Academic researchers and history buffs alike will be intrigued by this pioneering document depicting a sparsely populated territory dotted with familiar places like San Antonio, Chihuahua, Saltillo and Durango.
Presidential prescience from 1805
In a letter written on July 6, 1805, Thomas Jefferson’s ruminations about international relations and the indomitable American spirit remain relevant. “Any letter by Thomas Jefferson is historically important, but this one stands apart,” Wood says. “Jefferson briefly, but elegantly, touches on multiple events of lasting consequence in this substantive piece of correspondence.” The president was in his second term and writing to William Jarvis, who represented the U.S. in Portugal. In fewer than 400 words, Jefferson’s newsy dispatch shared his thoughts on the growing threat of Napoleon, an update on the Lewis and Clark expedition, and an appreciation for the “very superior quality” wine from Portugal’s Arruda region. With the Napoleonic wars taking a toll across Europe, Jefferson remained guarded about Portugal’s future, writing, “It gives me much pleasure to see a hope that Portugal may be able to preserve her neutrality. That a government so just and inoffensive should be forced into a war with which it has nothing to do, shows the most profligate disregard to human rights.” He expressed gratitude that the Atlantic Ocean separated the U.S. from the “lions and tygers [sic] of Europe,” enabling “us to go forward in the path of justice and independence fearing nothing but our creator.”
About the archivist
Christina Wood fulfills the archivist role for the Rees-Jones Library of the American West, working with cataloger Meg Wang to prepare the collection for research accessibility when the library opens in 2027. As the head of public services at DeGolyer Library for the last six years, Wood concentrated on providing the best experience possible for researchers and other users, which she’ll continue as an archivist. To that end, she led class sessions and created research guides that streamlined access to materials and assisted scholars utilizing rare books and resources in DeGolyer’s reading room. She also showcased the library’s holdings by curating exhibits in both physical and digital spaces.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to accession, process and share the incredible Rees-Jones Collection,” Wood says. “I can’t wait to help make it available to students, researchers and the public.”
This article by Pat Ward appears in the Spring 2025 issue of the SMU Libraries Newsletter.