Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Commander William W. McKean instructing him to deliver communications to Mr. Jewett at Callao, Peru. Buchanan also encloses a letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru. Transcript included.

Secretary of State James Buchanan informs Moses Y. Beach that President James K. Polk has appointed him as a Confidential Agent to the Republic of Mexico. "You ought never to give the slightest intimation to any person, either directly or indirectly, that you are an agent of this Government," as...

Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to W. P. Preston, responding to his request "to have an authenticated copy taken of documents relating to the debt due by the late Republic of Columbia to Lalung Montrop, recently of Baltimore, deceased." Buchanan claims that this request cannot be...

Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to R. B. McAfee regarding McAfee's request to publish old diplomatic correspondence. While President James K. Polk "feels himself obliged to decline a compliance with your request," Buchanan suggests that McAfee might be able to go through Congress....

Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Stephen Pleasonton, an auditor, and approves John Randolph Clay's expenses related to attending the marriage of the daughter of the Emperor of Russia. Clay was the Secretary of Legation for the United States in Russia. Buchanan, who served as the...

J. Y. Mason acknowledges receiving Secretary of State James Buchanan's letter with a request for the US Navy to not enter "ports of Peru" that are closed to "foreign commerce." "Instructions have been given to the Commanding officer of the U. S. naval force in the Pacific to give the necessary...

Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to former Representative Jacob S. Yost regarding Pennsylvania politics and Yost's visit to Washington DC. "Luzerne is, I think, one of the few counties in the State which is hostile to me," as Buchanan notes. Transcript included.

Secretary of State James Buchanan writes Asbury Dickins, Secretary of the United States Senate, and requests access to several letters held by the Senate. "To enable [President James K. Polk] to answer the call of the House [of Representatives]," Buchanan asks that a Mr. Appleton be allowed "to...

James Buchanan writes three letters to Nahum Capen regarding the publication of President Thomas Jefferson's papers, the collapse of national political parties like the Whigs, the Compromise of 1850, the Senatorial election in Massachusetts, and the increase in sectional tensions. "...

James Buchanan writes to his nephew James Buchanan Henry about the formers efforts to help the latter enroll in the sophomore class at Princeton University. Transcript included.

James Buchanan writes two letters to Charles G. Gonter in which he discusses the condition of the Democratic party, the implications of President Zachary Taylor's death, "the succession of" President Millard Fillmore, and the 1852 Presidential election. "Who shall be selected as standard bearer...