Nicholas Brown (1792-1859) was the U.S. Consul to Italy from 1846 to 1849. He was the eldest son of Nicholas Brown (1769-1841) for whom Brown University is named.
Consists of letters, poems, and autographs received by Nicholas Brown and his wife Caroline Matilda Clements Brown, primarily during Brown's term as U.S. Consul to Italy. About half of the collection consists of letters received by Brown regarding the Italian War of Independence (1848-1849). There are nine letters from Giuseppe Mazzini regarding various subjects related to the war, including requests for the protection of those purchasing and transporting arms, requests for information about an imprisoned friend, and the bombardment of Rome by General Nicolas Oudinot. One Mazzini letter introduces Georges Sand to Mrs. Brown. There are two letters from Alfred Lowe about the siege of Civita Vecchia; one from Massimo d' Azeglio regarding refugees; and three from Cristina Belgioioso requesting protection for wounded, passports for travelers, and that Brown mail letters for her so General Oudinot would not confiscate them. Poems by Mezzofanti (?) and Augustus L. Hillhouse are also in the collection. There is correspondence about paintings by Guercino and Bassano and sculptures by Camillo Pistrucci that were purchased by the Browns. J. Milton Mackie wrote to Mrs. Brown about his writings.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Nicholas Brown papers, MS-1U-B2, Brown University Library
The papers are in an album which may have been assembled as an autograph album.
Donated by John Carter Brown.
Typed information sheet transcribed from the Librarian's Annual Report by H.L. Koopman.
Provenance statement regarding this volume from the Librarian's Annual Report for 1927/1928
Provenance statement regarding this volume from the Librarian's Annual Report for 1927/1928
Poem in Italian. Signature illegible.
Poem
Poem
[Poem] Signed. Begins "Terrena vita, Piena a d'inganni ..."
Mezzofanti, Giuseppe
Mezzofanti, Giuseppe
[Autograph] Said to have been found after the Battle of Leipzig.
Alexander I, Emperor of Russia
Alexander I, Emperor of Russia
Pencil drawing of small Christian shrine in the country signed by Carrie Brown.
Au Coin
Au Coin
Pencil drawing of horses with groom. Signed with initials G.R.B.
Horses
Horses
Letter in Italian.
Pantaleoni, D. to [unidentified]
Pantaleoni, D. to [unidentified]
Letter in English about a train trip.
Unidentified
Unidentified
Note accepting an invitation to witness Carnival festivities.
Parkman, John to Brown, Nicholas
Parkman, John to Brown, Nicholas
Declining an invitation.
Somerville, Mary to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Somerville, Mary to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Receipt for payment of work
Pistrucci, Camillo
Pistrucci, Camillo
Letter in regard to purchasing a bust of Washington.
Brown, Henry Kirke to Brown, Nicholas
Brown, Henry Kirke to Brown, Nicholas
Accepting an invitation to attend a Washington's Birthday celebration.
Bonaparte, Carlos Luciano Julio Lorenzo
Bonaparte, Carlos Luciano Julio Lorenzo
Note in French in which Prince Canino accepts invitation to see Major Smith.
Secretary for Prince Canino to Brown, Nicholas
Secretary for Prince Canino to Brown, Nicholas
Sent with a book by the writer, who recalls a meeting in Rome. Signed, J. Bayard Taylor.
Taylor, James Bayard to Brown, Nicholas
Taylor, James Bayard to Brown, Nicholas
Introducing Edward Slosson of New York with brief personal comments.
Payne, John Howard to Brown, Nicholas
Payne, John Howard to Brown, Nicholas
Asks for passports for two of his followers who are entrusted with funds for the purchase of arms, and requests that the package of money be safeguarded by the consular seal of the U.S. and that the American flag be raised on the ship in which the arms shall be conveyed into Italy.
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Nicholas
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Nicholas
Unable to visit.
Fuller, Margaret to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Fuller, Margaret to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Calls attention to a letter he has written answering one by a Mr. Kolb which appeared in the Italian newspapers.
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Nicholas
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Nicholas
Introducing to her Mrs. Nicholas Brown who has shown herself interested in his cause. Envelope address "to Madame Sand, Nohant." Signed, Joseph Mazzini.
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Sand, George
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Sand, George
Certificate in Italian issued at the Cavallegerri port in Rome, Italy.
Ispezione Politica alla Porta Cavallegerri for Brown Carter
Ispezione Politica alla Porta Cavallegerri for Brown Carter
Letter relating to his wife from whom he desires a divorce.
Greene, George Washington to Brown, Nicholas
Greene, George Washington to Brown, Nicholas
Requests that he send some letters for her; wishes to escape the possibility that General Oudinot may open her mail.
Trivulzio, Cristina de Belgiojoso to Brown, Nicholas
Trivulzio, Cristina de Belgiojoso to Brown, Nicholas
Introducing Hon. James Cooper and suggesting that an audience with the Pope be arranged for him if possible.
Buchanan, James to Brown, Nicholas
Buchanan, James to Brown, Nicholas
Regrets not being to accept invitation.
Cranch, C.P. to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Cranch, C.P. to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Asks Mr. Brown to bring Dr. Perkins to see him again.
Hamilton, James A. to Brown, Nicholas
Hamilton, James A. to Brown, Nicholas
Asks for passports for Capt. Valentin and four friends. Signed, G. Avezzana, Ministre de la Guerre.
Avezzana, [Giuseppe]. to Brown, Nicholas
Avezzana, [Giuseppe]. to Brown, Nicholas
Declines invitation
Furness [?] to Brown, Nicholas
Furness [?] to Brown, Nicholas
Written to accompany a letter of introduction to her father, "a well known solicitor in London."
Hawkes, Emilie A. to Brown, Nicholas
Hawkes, Emilie A. to Brown, Nicholas
Making an appointment to meet Mrs. Brown at his studio.
Hicks, Thomas to Brown, Nicholas
Hicks, Thomas to Brown, Nicholas
Introducing Prof. B. Jaeger of Providence and Vienna, a naturalist and author.
Dorr, Thomas Wilson to Brown, Nicholas
Dorr, Thomas Wilson to Brown, Nicholas
Letter recommending Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Brown to his friend's kind attention.
Launay, A. to "mon cher Raymeral"
Launay, A. to "mon cher Raymeral"
Makes an appointment to meet him.
Gioberti, Vincenzo to Brown, Nicholas
Gioberti, Vincenzo to Brown, Nicholas
Regretfully declines an invitation.
Mr. Ullmann to Brown, Nicholas
Mr. Ullmann to Brown, Nicholas
Asks permission to call.
Kennedy, S. H. to Brown, Nicholas
Kennedy, S. H. to Brown, Nicholas
Grandson of General Lafayette regrets his inability to provide tickets for Mr. Brown. Brown, Nicholas, 1792-1859 (1811)
Lafayette, Oscar de to Brown, Nicholas
Lafayette, Oscar de to Brown, Nicholas
Letter from British Consul relating to a box of jewelry.
Freeborn, John to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Freeborn, John to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Writes of his book, "Republicanism and Royalty in Italy;" also of a national loan, the success of which he trusts Brown will be able to promote in the United States.
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Nicholas
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Nicholas
Asks that something be done for the unfortunate refugees in Genoa.
Azeglio, Massimo d' to Brown, Nicholas
Azeglio, Massimo d' to Brown, Nicholas
Letter of introduction for Mr. Pearce.
[Sims, Charles?] to Perkins
[Sims, Charles?] to Perkins
Asking for protection for the wounded in the war for Roman independence.
Trivulzio, Cristine de Belgiojoso to Brown, Nicholas
Trivulzio, Cristine de Belgiojoso to Brown, Nicholas
Seeks an opportunity to call and pay respects.
Frapolli, [Lodovico] to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Frapolli, [Lodovico] to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Regrets being unable to send certain tickets.
Lamennais, Felicite Robert de to Brown, Nicholas
Lamennais, Felicite Robert de to Brown, Nicholas
Note sent by messenger. Tells of a friend's imprisonment and asks for information about him.
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Nicholas
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Nicholas
Writes regarding a man named Ceccherini and regrets that his own unfavorable position in Italy makes it most difficult to be of any aid in this case, especially as Ceccherini's father is in the ranks of the army.
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
A letter in French in the hand of Mazzini, evidently drawn up for Nicholas Brown to copy. The letters protests the continued bombardment of the City of Rome by the French.
Mazzini, Giuseppe
Mazzini, Giuseppe
Calling card for Daniele Manin with address 70, rue Blanche. Handwritten in ink: "à Mme Brown"
Manin, Daniele
Manin, Daniele
Formal invitation to meeting of Roman Assembly. Signed by the substitute oft the Minister of the Interior.
Italy--Minister of the Interior to Sig. Console Generale degli Stati Uniti d'America
Italy--Minister of the Interior to Sig. Console Generale degli Stati Uniti d'America
The beginning of wisdom - Four line poem in English; title given in seven languages. Signed.
Mezzofanti, Giuseppe
Mezzofanti, Giuseppe
Invitation in French.
County Rossi to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
County Rossi to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
British consul requests consultation.
Freeborn, John to Brown, Nicholas
Freeborn, John to Brown, Nicholas
[Poetic fragments] With card with Hillhouse's autograph signature.
Hillhouse, Augustus L.
Hillhouse, Augustus L.
About his writings.
Mackie, John Milton to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Mackie, John Milton to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Notice of meeting of "our learned society."
Whitman, Sarah Helen (Power) to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Whitman, Sarah Helen (Power) to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Paper lace doily with 12 verses written in pen.
Valentines Day verses
Valentines Day verses
To U.S. Envoy in Paris, introducing Nicholas Brown and family.
Marcy, William Learned to Mason, I. N.
Marcy, William Learned to Mason, I. N.
Letter in French.
de Morny [?] to Mr. James [?]
de Morny [?] to Mr. James [?]
Invitation in Italian.
Accademia Filo - Drammatica Romana to Brown, Nicholas
Accademia Filo - Drammatica Romana to Brown, Nicholas
Deposition before J. Brugnes, Johannes Provoost, Johannes Wendell in Albany, March 24, 1690. Copy by Abraham Gouverneur. Robert Livingston's statement that a group of rebels went from Holland to England with the Prince of Orange at their head.
Pretty, Richard
Pretty, Richard
Declines because of ill health invitation to address meeting commemorating abolition of slavery in Gt. Britain's colonies. Commends Edmund Quincy for his interest in the cause of Christian liberty.
Adams, John Quincy to Quincy, Edmund
Adams, John Quincy to Quincy, Edmund
Asks that the two young men who present this letter be given passports to return to their homes in Africa.
Trivulzio, Cristine de Belgiojoso to Brown, Nicholas
Trivulzio, Cristine de Belgiojoso to Brown, Nicholas
Hand drawn portrait in ink.
George Frederick Cooke - the celebrated Comedian from England
George Frederick Cooke - the celebrated Comedian from England
Informing Mr. Brown that he has been bequeathed a diamond breast pin by his friend, Frederick Knight.
Smith, Edward to Brown, Nicholas
Smith, Edward to Brown, Nicholas
Declines invitation
[Conkling?] to Brown, Nicholas
[Conkling?] to Brown, Nicholas
Asking for documents needed for reconsideration of case of John Franklin, sentenced to State Prison.
Wright, Silas to Davis, George R.
Wright, Silas to Davis, George R.
Letter in English.
[illegible] to Frank
[illegible] to Frank
Letter in English on House of Lords stationery.
[Coventry?] to Lawley
[Coventry?] to Lawley
Letter in English. Address at the top is 24, Grosvenor Gardens, S.W.
[illegible] to Lawly
[illegible] to Lawly
Letter in English on stationery from Head Quarters, Department of the East, New York City.
[Dix?], John A. to Brown, J.C.
[Dix?], John A. to Brown, J.C.
Invitation to dinner.
Beasley, Reuben Gaunt to Brown, Nicholas
Beasley, Reuben Gaunt to Brown, Nicholas
Has heard nothing from his wife since Austrians pillaged Leghorn, and begs NB to find out details of the invasion.
Santangelo to Brown, Nicholas
Santangelo to Brown, Nicholas
Three letters relating to certain busts which he has executed for Mr. and Mrs. Brown.
Pistrucci, Camillo to Brown, Nicholas
Pistrucci, Camillo to Brown, Nicholas
In French.
Venel, J. Challet to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Venel, J. Challet to Brown, Caroline Matilda Clements
Invitation to ceremony in Basilica Vaticana.
Borgatti to Brown, Nicholas
Borgatti to Brown, Nicholas
Certificate for Franchi 25 and Franchi 100, that Brown presumably gave as “loan” to “Diritto unicaente ad affrettare l’indipendenza e la libertà d’Italia,” with original signatures, issued through London
Mazzini, Saffi, Montecchi et al: Comitato Nazionale Italiano to Prestito Nazionale Italiano
Mazzini, Saffi, Montecchi et al: Comitato Nazionale Italiano to Prestito Nazionale Italiano
Autograph
Mezzofanti, Giuseppe
Mezzofanti, Giuseppe
Consul of Wurttemburg announces plans of immediate evacuation from Rome of all resident consuls because of bombardment of the city.
Karl von Kolb to Brown, Nicholas
Karl von Kolb to Brown, Nicholas
[Statements of authenticity for 2 paintings] Testifies to authenticity for the painting, "La Donna Adultera," by Guercino and the painting of the Holy Family by Bassano, both formerly the property of Senator Legnani of Bologna, and bought by Nicholas Brown.
Alberi, Clemente
Alberi, Clemente
[Statement of provenance of a painting] Provenance of ownership of Guercino's "La Donna Adultera."
Marcocci, Nicolas
Marcocci, Nicolas
Receipt for Guercino painting bought by Brown, Nicholas.
Marcocci, Nicolas
Marcocci, Nicolas
Asks for another American passport for the bearer of this note who is carrying money.
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Nicholas
Mazzini, Giuseppe to Brown, Nicholas
Signed by Charles Armellini, G. Mazzini, and A. Saffi. Formal expression of appreciation for Brown's efforts to obtain recognition of the Roman republic by the U.S. They express confidence that their cause will succeed, despite refusal of U.S. recognition.
Armellini, Charles to Brown, Nicholas
Armellini, Charles to Brown, Nicholas
Invitation in French.
Campana to Brown, Nicholas
Campana to Brown, Nicholas
Formal announcement of Clayton's appointment as Secretary of State.
Clayton, John Middleton to Brown, Nicholas
Clayton, John Middleton to Brown, Nicholas
Introducing George W. L. Newton, his wife, and his sister, who will spend the winter in Rome.
Lester, Charles Edward to Brown, Nicholas
Lester, Charles Edward to Brown, Nicholas
Introducing Mrs. C. G. Hunter and Mrs. N. Bridges, wives of U.S. naval officers, who are touring Italy.
Ombrosi, James to Brown, Nicholas
Ombrosi, James to Brown, Nicholas
Reviews remarks of NB condemning slavery and advocating the separation of the Northern and Southern states in the present crisis.
Lawrence, William Beach to Brown, Nicholas
Lawrence, William Beach to Brown, Nicholas
Civita Vecchia is in a state of siege by the French army, a major part of which is said to be enroute to Rome.
Lowe, Alfred to Brown, Nicholas
Lowe, Alfred to Brown, Nicholas
Announces arrival in Civita Vecchia of French warships with troops and artillery; excitement in Paris on attempted entry of French troops in Rome.
Lowe, Alfred to Brown, Nicholas
Lowe, Alfred to Brown, Nicholas
Advice on purchase of Spanish books and a test for study of German; also a note on "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
Bergnes de las Casas, Ant. to Brown, Nicholas
Bergnes de las Casas, Ant. to Brown, Nicholas
[Receipt] for Mr. and Mrs. Brown with 3 children and 1 servant for $380 for their passages in the cabin of the Ship Powant to Havre. Small calling card for General Tom Thumb.
Receipt for Passage on Ship Powan to Havre, France and visiting card for General Tom Thumb
Receipt for Passage on Ship Powan to Havre, France and visiting card for General Tom Thumb