The Prince of Wied took little interest in the Verein, which he joined because he was engaged to the sister of its patron, the Duke of Nassau, until it became clear that the members were seen as having dishonored themselves by not paying the debts they had incurred. He then became involved in the attempt to pay the bills and encouraged renewed interest in the Verein colony in the hope of recouping the losses. He was the nephew of Prince Max of Wied, the famed explorer of the Missouri Valley.
Correspondence, legal and financial records, official documents, printed material, maps, newspapers, and lithographs arranged chronologically under subject.
Papers consist of the business records of the Prince of Wied dealing with the Verein zum Schutze deutscher Einwanderer in Texas during its later years while the prince was president of that immigration organization. They reflect the efforts made by the prince's business manager, Freiherr von Bibra, and the business managers of the other noble members to save the honor of their lords and, if possible, some of their financial investment. Included are the working papers connected with Verein publications meant to revitalize the emigration program; correspondence and official documents having to do with various court cases instituted by the Verein, including actions against some of its members, and against the Verein; and books, articles, and miscellaneous printed matter having to do with the Verein or Texas as, for example, the laws of Texas in German.
In German with some French correspondence.
Wied Archives, 1839-1881, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.