Senator James Buchanan writes to James X. McLanahan, a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, regarding how postmasters are appointed and removed, Pennsylvania politics, and the apportionment bill. "Now the power of removal rests with the President alone; and this he has already exercised," as...

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Brooke Taney writes to Henry Baldwin about the delay in payment for Baldwin's books. As Taney explains, "I have written to [the individual responsible for forwarding the money] requesting his immediate attention to the matter, if he has not already made...

Senator James Buchanan responds to P. G. Washington's request for a recommendation for a political appointment. "I have recommended no friend for office," as Buchanan explains, "since the present administration came into power." Transcript included.

Senator James Buchanan writes Benjamin Champneys, a Pennsylvania State Senator, to thank him for his help "in rescuing me from the hands of the Philistines" and to discuss several political issues. "I never believed until the present moment that I had the personal good will of nearly all the...

Senator James Buchanan writes to Samuel C. Humes and explains that he "cannot interefere in any appointment under Mr. Tyler's administration." Buchanan claims that President John Tyler is "a well disposed & well informed man; but he is more egregiously humbugged than any man [he has] ever...

James Buchanan Henry writes to his uncle, US Senator James Buchanan, and describes some of his experiences at his new school. "Last evening I looked at the moon through [my teacher's] telescope and I saw the mountains quite plain" as well as "Jupiter's moons and saturns belt," as Henry explains...

Thomas McFadden, a member of the Class of 1845, writes Robert Black about life at Dickinson College. McFadden "know[s] not what reasons particularly influenced my parents to chose this place except its known celebrity for every thing good, and the moral reputation which it sustains," and...

James Buchanan writes to Henry Welch regarding various political issues in Pennsylvania and Buchanan's chances of winning elections. "My own prospects never were so bright as at the present moment," as Buchanan explains in December 1850. Buchanan...

An unidentified Dickinson College student (Jos. V. F [Meinsch?]) writes to his cousin, Sarah A. Currier, and discusses various aspects of college life. Transcript included.

US Senator James Buchanan writes to South Carolina politician Francis Wilkinson Pickens about political issues related to the 1844 Presidential election. Buchanan also discusses the likely candidates at the time (Martin Van Buren as Democrat and Henry Clay as Whig) as well as alludes to both...

Secretary of War William Wilkins (Class of 1802) responds William Biddle's questions about bids for harbor improvements in Erie, Pennsylvania. Wilkins explains that this project is “under the care of the Topographical Bureau” and “many applications” had been submitted. As for who would win the...

Senator James Buchanan writes to General William N. Irvine discussing recent political events, including the Presidential election of 1844. Buchanan states that he "feared that the Whigs might make a serious impression against Polk in Pennsylvania on the Tariff question...." and that he agrees "...