Lily Macalester writes to her father, Charles Macalester, about a dinner party she attends while staying at the White House with her friend First Lady Harriet Lane. Lily includes a description of her conversation with President James Buchanan and provides updates on other political issues,...

Lily Macalester writes her father, Charles Macalester, regarding her stay at the White House with her friend, First Lady Harriet Lane. Lily describes the dinner party with Japanese delegates as a "great success." "My friend the young Prince Stkahara Jugoro, is very bright" and, as Lily explains...

Lily Macalester writes to her aunt about the details of a wedding she attended and the bride's gown. Macalester, who is staying at the White House while in Washington D.C., also notes how "the President was quite pleased at your message" and mentions seeing the visiting Japanese dignitaries at...

President James Buchanan writes to Charles Macalester asking for advice regarding North Carolina Bonds. Buchanan also mentions that he misses Macalester's daughter, Lily, who is friends with Buchanan's niece. An envelope postmarked 1857, which was addressed to Lily Macalester, was donated along...

Israel Gutelius asks M. N. Taggart for help to secure Gutelius' nomination for Senator in the upcoming election. "As it is certain that there will be a split in the Democratic party," Gutelius explains that "it is believed that we have a chance to elect a Senator." Gutelius also notes that his...

Clergyman and abolitionist Moncure Daniel Conway (Class of 1849) writes to an unspecified man, stating that he has accepted Laurence Hutton's invitation to an upcoming meeting and asking permission to bring his friend John Bigelow with him.

United States Supreme Court Justice Robert Cooper Grier (Class of 1812) writes to Aubrey H. Smith regarding the secession crisis. Grier describes President James Buchanan as "wholly unequal" to dealing with the secession crisis, calls Secretary of War John B. Floyd a traitor, describes flaws of...

New York Supreme Court Justice William B. Wright writes to President James Buchanan and recommends John C. Perry for an appointment as a judge in one of the western organized territories. Wright's letter also includes short notes from prominent New York residents, such as Governor Edwin Denison...

Thomas Orwig writes twelve letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, regarding Orwig's military and administrative affairs with Battery "E" of 1st Pennsylvania artillery. " My greatest [military] ambition is to crush the rebellion," as Orwig notes....

Jacob G. Frick writes thirteen letters to Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor Andrew Curtin, on a number of topics, including conflict with Baltimore over commerce, affairs in military administration and compensation, as well as daily life in the Union army during the...

Former President James Buchanan writes publisher James Gordon Bennett several days after leaving the White House and asks that the New York Herald be sent to him in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Buchanan also reflects on his administration, describing it as "eminently successful in its...

W. Armstrong writes to Professor James William Marshall (Class of 1848) about money collected from Daniel Hesey. Armstrong also refers to the "Smiths" and explains that he has "not proceeded against them" even though he has not received anything from them.