Brief guide to manuscripts collections| William L. Clements Library The University of Michigan Richard Rush Papers |
Rush was the second son of Benjamin Rush, the prominent Philadelphia physician. A 1794 graduate of the College of New Jersey (Princeton University), he practiced law for 11 years before taking his first public office as attorney general for the state of Pennsylvania. A Republican devoted to Madison, Rush was appointed comptroller of the treasury, 1811-1814, and United States Attorney General, 1815-1817. He was acting secretary of state in 1817 and responsible for the Rush-Bagot Agreement with Great Britain, establishing limited naval armaments on the Great Lakes. Monroe appointed Rush minister to Great Britain, where he served with distinction, settling disputes arising from the War of 1812 over the Northwest boundary and fisheries. He also played an important role in preparing for the negotiations that resulted in the Monroe Doctrine.
Rush returned to the cabinet as secretary of the treasury, 1825-1829. He was John Quincy Adams' running mate in the presidential election of 1828. Following his defeat, Rush remained in private life for a number of years, resuming his public career in 1835 to act as co-commissioner in the Michigan-Ohio boundary dispute and again in 1836-1838 as advocate for the United States in British courts regarding the Smithson bequest. Rush accepted his last important office in the Polk administration, serving as United States minister to France, 1847-1849.
Letters of Richard Rush, lawyer, diplomat, statesman.
This collection contains four letters by his wife Catherine and two by his sister-in-law, Mrs. A. M. Mason, written from August 21 to September 10, 1814, describing the British attack on Washington and discussing family matters. There are 12 other miscellaneous letters, 1813-1855.
Purchased, 1950
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