Nicholas Brown papers (MS-1U-B2)

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.