Box 1

This bound volume is copies of correspondence from A.R. Burnam that deal mainly with political appointments and issues. The letters are written by Burnam to other people such as statesmen, lawyers, and personal friends. There are a number of letters discussing the sale of land. The paper within the book is very thin and delicate, and over half of them are blank. Some of the copies are very difficult to read as they have faded or did not copy well.

Most of the letters contained within this folder are from friends and colleagues. The majority deal with political issues happening in Kentucky and abroad, but others simply contain personal messages from friends. There are a number of letters which thank Burnam for providing an oration at their event, and others wish to obtain the right to publish such orations. Within the folder are also some correspondence from fellow Masons and old fraternity brothers.

Most of the letters within this folder were sent to friends and colleagues. One of the letters is addressed to his daughter, Sally, and there is a letter written to future president W.H. Taft dated in 1908. There is political content in every letter along with discussion on a variety of political events, but the rest of it is general correspondence.

This letter was written by Curtis to his future wife Sara while she was away from Richmond. In it he asks why she had not written him recently and why the letters that she did write were so brief. He describes the local events of the time, and he also talks about a young lady who has caught his attention in one way or another. He wishes her a good winter, and then he closes the letter. There is a transcribed copy of the letter within the folder as well as the original manuscript.

This letter to President Johnson is a complaint on the behalf of Burnam because his son, A.R. Burnam, was supposedly granted a spot in the United States Military Academy at West Point by President Lincoln before his death, but the paper which held the authorization has been lost. Burnam is upset that his son no longer has a chance to attend West Point, and he seeks to place the blame for the loss of the paper on someone who works in the office of General Delafield.

One of the letters in this folder gives thanks to the Burnam family for their condolences after the loss of a loved one. The other asks forgiveness for a late response to a previous letter, and the author also invites the Burnams to her residence in New York to repay an act of hospitality.

The letters within this folder are general correspondence from associates of Burnam. One of the letters assures him that his son, Curtis, is doing well after leaving Richmond. Another letter talks about a legal matter, and it presents the next steps of action for Burnam to take.

This letter was written to William Rodes, and it is general correspondence with a bit of business added to it. Later in the letter, Burnam asks William to purchase a black silk dress for his mother and give it to her as a gift from Burnam.

These letters were written to A.R. Burnam Jr. and his wife upon the death of A.R. Burnam Sr. The letters offer condolences and kind words about the deceased.

This letter discusses a controversy pertaining to A.R. Burnam's appointment to West Point. It says that the assertions made by Curtis Burnam about General Delafield's incompetence are false, and A.R. Burnam was denied a cadetship for good and sufficient reason.