GB 0096 MS 503 - Authorisations for Christian Frederick Post

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0096 MS 503

Title

Authorisations for Christian Frederick Post

Date(s)

  • [1759] (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

2 leaves

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Frederick Christian Post (fl 1710-1785) was a Moravian missionary, who spent the greater part if his life in preaching to the Indians of Pennyslvania and Ohio. He travelled extensively in that area, and was even used as an official government messenger to the hostile Indians, among whom he succeeded in securing a kind of neutrality. His other diplomatic adventures, undertaken during the struggle for colonial supremacy between the French and English in America, included a expedition into the area of Fort DuQuesne, whose French commandant offered a price upon his head, and a trip to carry news of the treaty of Easton (Oct 1758) and pave the way for General John Forbes's advance. Post kept several journals describing his journeys.

Archival history

GB 0096 MS 503 [1759] Collection (fonds) 2 leaves Unknown
Frederick Christian Post (fl 1710-1785) was a Moravian missionary, who spent the greater part if his life in preaching to the Indians of Pennyslvania and Ohio. He travelled extensively in that area, and was even used as an official government messenger to the hostile Indians, among whom he succeeded in securing a kind of neutrality. His other diplomatic adventures, undertaken during the struggle for colonial supremacy between the French and English in America, included a expedition into the area of Fort DuQuesne, whose French commandant offered a price upon his head, and a trip to carry news of the treaty of Easton (Oct 1758) and pave the way for General John Forbes's advance. Post kept several journals describing his journeys.

Enclosed in a Goldsmiths' Library volume lettered 'Indians alienated and recovered 1759', which also contains The second journal of Christian Frederick Post (1759, G.L. Cat. 9483) and An enquiry into the causes of the alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians (1759, G.L. Cat. 9484).

Transcripts of two authorizations given to Christian Frederick Post by William Denny, 'Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware', originally written at Philadelphia, 1759.

  1. Licence to Post, as a deacon in the church of the Unitas Fratrum, to pass into Indian country 'to preach the gospel amongst any of the Indian nations in alliance with His Majesty...to whom he is hereby heartily recommended for a kind reception and good treatment', 5 Nov 1759.
  2. Letter of protection addressed to the governors and magistrates of the provinces through which Post may have occasion to pass, commending him as 'a person who has been of great service to his Majesty and these colonies', 4 Jun 1759.

Access to the items in the collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Access to archive collections may be restricted under the Freedom of Information Act. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.
English
7¾" x 4½"

Collection level description.

The Goldsmith's Library contains The second journal of Christian Frederick Post (1759; G.L. Cat. 9483) and An enquiry into the causes of the alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians (1759; G.L. Cat. 9484), both of which are bound with these authorisations.

Further material relating to Christian Frederick Post may be found in the Moravian Archives, Pennsylvania State Archives, and the Friends Historical Library at Swartmore College, Pennsylvania.

Charles Thomson, An enquiry into the causes of the alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians from the British interest (London, 1759), which includes 'The journal of Christian Frederick Post, in his journey from Philadelphia to the Ohio, on a message from the government of Pennsylvania, to the Delaware, Shawanese and Mingo Indians [15 July-20 Sept. 1758]'.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Aug 2001 American history Amerindians Colonial countries Delaware Denny , William , fl 1756-1757 , colonial governor Ethnic groups History Missionary work National history North America North American history Pennsylvania Political systems Post , Christian Frederick , ? 1710- ? 1785 , Moravian missionary and traveller Religious activities USA

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Enclosed in a Goldsmiths' Library volume lettered 'Indians alienated and recovered 1759', which also contains The second journal of Christian Frederick Post (1759, G.L. Cat. 9483) and An enquiry into the causes of the alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians (1759, G.L. Cat. 9484).

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Transcripts of two authorizations given to Christian Frederick Post by William Denny, 'Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware', originally written at Philadelphia, 1759.

  1. Licence to Post, as a deacon in the church of the Unitas Fratrum, to pass into Indian country 'to preach the gospel amongst any of the Indian nations in alliance with His Majesty...to whom he is hereby heartily recommended for a kind reception and good treatment', 5 Nov 1759.
  2. Letter of protection addressed to the governors and magistrates of the provinces through which Post may have occasion to pass, commending him as 'a person who has been of great service to his Majesty and these colonies', 4 Jun 1759.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Access to the items in the collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Access to archive collections may be restricted under the Freedom of Information Act. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

The Goldsmith's Library contains The second journal of Christian Frederick Post (1759; G.L. Cat. 9483) and An enquiry into the causes of the alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians (1759; G.L. Cat. 9484), both of which are bound with these authorisations.

Finding aids

Collection level description.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Further material relating to Christian Frederick Post may be found in the Moravian Archives, Pennsylvania State Archives, and the Friends Historical Library at Swartmore College, Pennsylvania.

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

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Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Senate House Library, University of London

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area