Benjamin Reeves

Document Type

Correspondence

Abstract

Transcript of letter, written by B. H. Reeves to George C. Sibley on May 19, 1826, concerns the sale and allocation of government wagons. Reeves explains that he advertised the wagons for sale in April but withheld wagons No. 4 and No. 6 in case they were needed for public service. Before the sale, Mr. Dempsey arrived with Sibley’s order for one of the wagons; Reeves allowed him to choose one, pending Captain Brannin’s arrival with further letters from Sibley.

Those letters revealed that Sibley had authorized both Mr. Thomas H. Boggs and Mr. Baillio to receive wagons but had not specified which ones. Reeves therefore retained wagons 4 and 6 until Boggs himself presented Sibley’s order. Boggs was dissatisfied with wagon No. 7 (due to a damaged wheel) and insisted on taking No. 6 instead. Reeves permitted it, selling it for $110 — matching what others had offered — and noting Boggs also paid for mules and a horse.

Boggs complained about not receiving full harness sets for four horses per wagon, but Reeves explains that he provided as complete a set as possible with the equipment available. He emphasizes that his pricing and actions were in accordance with Sibley’s wishes and undertaken in good faith.

Publication Date

5-19-1826

Repository

Western Historical Manuscripts Collection

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