This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.
Size | 2.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 550 items) |
Abstract | Edward Joseph Hale was editor of the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer; Confederate officer; United States consul in Manchester, England, 1885-1889; and United States envoy to Costa Rica, 1913-1916. Papers include E. J. Hale's correspondence, letterbooks, and other items relating to his diplomatic posts; his interest in canal projects at the Isthmus (a small amount), in England, and in North Carolina; state and national politics; and family business matters. The collection includes official and personal correspondence with Woodrow Wilson and correspondence of Hale's sons, Thomas Hill Hale and Frederick Toomer Hale, in Fayetteville, N.C., and Santa Cruz, Calif., concerning family business and the Depression, 1928-1936. |
Creator | Hale, E. J. (Edward Joseph). |
Curatorial Unit | Southern Historical Collection |
Language | English |
Processed by: Suzanne Ruffing, March 1996
Encoded by: Rachel Canada, May 2004
Updated by: Nancy Kaiser, November 2020
Back to TopThe following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
Edward Joseph Hale, son of Edward Jones Hale and Sarah Jane Walker, was graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1860 as valedictorian. He worked briefly for his father, who was founding editor of the Fayetteville Observer, before enlisting in the Confederate Army. He achieved the rank of major in the Confederate army and remained in service until his surrender with Lane's Brigade at Appomattox. Because of the Observer's support of the Confederacy, Sherman had destroyed its printing presses, which put a temporary end to the enterprise. After the war, Hale entered a mercantile house in New York, where he eventually became a partner. He moved back to North Carolina in 1875 and, in 1882, reestablished the Fayetteville Observer.
Hale was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1884 for which he drafted a tariff plank for its platform. The following year, he was appointed to the position of consul to Manchester, England, a key post because of extensive cotton trade between the South and the manufacturing interests in that city. After his consulship, Hale became the confidential financial agent of the North England Trust Company and was sent to India to investigate the indigo industry and make investments. From 1890 to 1891, he lived in New York as commissioner of the Manchester Ship Canal in North America.
Hale returned to North Carolina in 1892 and resumed the editorship of the Observer and his position in state politics. In 1894, he was again a member of the North Carolina Democratic Convention, drawing up the National part of the State Platform. He served again in 1896, 1900, 1904 and 1906.
Back to TopThe collection includes correspondence and other papers of E. J. Hale and Hale family members. Included is official and personal correspondence with Woodrow Wilson and with Hale's sons, Thomas Hill Hale and Frederick Toomer Hale, concerning family business and the Depression, 1928-1936. Much of the correspondence while Hale was consul to England relates to immigration to the United States, the Manchester Ship Canal, the indigo industry of India, the 1916 coup d'etat in Mexico, and trade laws. Other papers include special passports and certificates from his consul position, recommendations and endorsements, speeches and articles from both abroad and in North Carolina, newspaper clippings, and some biographical information.
Back to TopArrangement: chronological.
Correspondence in both letterbook form and loose letters, chiefly 1885-1915. After 1920, correspondence is with E. J. Hale's two sons, Frederick Toomer Hale and Thomas Hill Hale, on family business matters and the Great Depression. Also included is correspondence in 1922 on Hale's death and estate.
Arrangement: chronological.
Letterbooks containing the correspondence of E. J. Hale mainly while he was consul at Manchester, England.
Folder 1 |
Volume 1: 1877-1880, 299 pp.Letterbook. |
Folder 2 |
Volume 2: 1885-1887, 482 pp.Letterbook. |
Folder 3 |
Volume 3: 1885-1887, 248 pp.Letterbook. |
Folder 4 |
Volume 4: 1886-1889, 300 pp.Record book of visitors to the United States Consulate in Manchester. |
Folder 5 |
Volume 5: 1887-1889, 492 pp.Letterbook. |
Folder 6 |
Volume 6: 1888, 499 pp.Letterbook. |
Folder 7 |
Volume 7: 1888-1889, 500 pp.Letterbook. |
Folder 8 |
Volume 8: 1888-1889, 493 pp.Letterbook. |
Folder 9 |
Volume 9: 1888-1889, 486 pp.Letterbook. |
Folder 10 |
Volume 10: 1891, 305 pp.Letterbook. |
Arrangement: chronological.
Correspondence primarily during Hale's years as consul. Most letters discuss international affairs.
Folder 11 |
1847-1879 |
Folder 12 |
1880-1888 |
Folder 13 |
1889 |
Folder 14 |
1890-1894 |
Folder 15 |
1895-1899 |
Folder 16 |
1900-1904 |
Folder 17 |
1905-1909 |
Folder 18 |
1910-1912 |
Folder 19 |
1913 |
Folder 20 |
1914 |
Folder 21 |
1915 |
Folder 22 |
1916 |
Folder 23 |
1917 |
Folder 24 |
1920-1924 |
Folder 25 |
1925-1933 |
Folder 26 |
1934-1936 and undated |
Arrangement: topical.
Primarily statements of support, an application, passports, and clearances for the Manchester consul position, with an additional folder of information on Costa Rica.
Folder 27 |
Application for Manchester Consul Position |
Folder 28 |
Statements of Support, American |
Folder 29 |
Statements of Support, British |
Folder 30 |
Financial and Legal Material, Britain and India |
Extra Oversize Paper Folder XOPF-300/1 |
Legal papers |
Folder 31 |
Costa Rica |
Arrangement: topical.
Clippings, invitations, and speeches from Hale's career as consul in both England and Costa Rica; speeches and information on projects in North Carolina; and some biographical information.
Folder 32 |
Biographical material |
Folder 33 |
Biographical material on Mrs. Spier Whitaker |
Folder 34 |
Camp Fear River Improvements |
Folder 35-37
Folder 35Folder 36Folder 37 |
Clippings |
Folder 38 |
Financial and legal materials |
Folder 39 |
Invitations and other papers |
Folder 40-41
Folder 40Folder 41 |
Speeches and writings |
Image Folder PF-300/1 |
Photographs of E. J. Hale and Mrs. E. J. Hale, ca. 1890-1900 |