Senator James Buchanan asks Dickinson College Professor John McClintock to thank the Board of Trustees for granting him an honorary Doctor of Laws. "I feel conscious that I do not deserve so distinguished a literary honor," Buchanan notes. Transcript included.

Alfred Brunson McCalmont, a member of the Class of 1844, writes daily entries about classes, social life at Dickinson College, and his life after graduation. McCalmont's entries start in October 1842 and conclude in January 1846. Transcript included.

US Senator James Buchanan writes Mrs. James I. Roosevelt (Cornelia Van Ness Roosevelt) to express his regrets that he "could not enjoy the pleasure of meeting you on my late visit to New York." Buchanan notes that he hopes to see her "at Washington in good health & spirits." Transcript...

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...

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.

Senator James Buchanan writes a brief letter to Samuel Hood acknowledging the receipt of Hood's book, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Buchanan states that the book "has a peculiar interest for [him]; as [he is] the son of a native of the Emerald Isle who emigrated to this country......

Professor John Reed responds to John Penn Brock's question on whether he can receive his diploma at Commencement. While Brock is "entitled to your diploma conferring the Degree of Bachelor of Laws," Reed notes that Brock must first send money. "Five dollars is required by the Faculty which," as...

William Findlay Shunk, a member of the class of 1847, describes his flight from Dickinson College in April 1846 in his journal. "Amid all my troubles, feeling as if I was under the curse of god and my father [Pennsylvania Governor Francis R. Shunk], I feel as if I would endure ten times as much...

Marcus Junius Parrott records his thoughts and activities as a college student in Ohio, then in Pennsylvania at Dickinson College (graduating in 1849), as a law student thereafter at Cambridge Law School, and a few entries from 1857 when Parrott serves as delegate to Congress from the Kansas...

Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Sarah Maury and asks her to not publish two of his private letters. "If in their publication, you should state that this was done by my permission," Buchanan explains that "it would look like a preconcerted effort to bring my name before the Public...

Richard Rush, United States Minister to France, thanks Benjamin B. French for finding his glasses and discusses the recent meeting of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. French is Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and serves on the Smithsonian's board of regents.