1780-1799

    Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions

"Moral Philosophy - Of Economics," by Charles Nisbet
1788-1789

Volume 3 of an unpublished manuscript transcription of 200 lectures on moral philosophy delivered by President Charles Nisbet at Dickinson College Dec. 1, 1788 to May 13, 1789, transcribed by student Samuel S. Mahon, class of 1789. (v. 1. Moral philosophy -- v. 2. Of moral laws -- v. 3. Of...

Location: SC-Vault Nisbet 5, v.3

Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Literary Pursuits

Format: Notes and Notebooks

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from William Bingham to William Irvine
February 26, 1789

Continental Congress delegate William Bingham writes to William Irvine, discussing the funding and future of Dickinson College. Irvine serves on Dickinson's Board of Trustees. Transcript included.

Letters from Wilhelmina Nisbet to Charles Nisbet
1789-1792

Wilhelmina Nisbet, the Countess of Leven, writes three letters to Charles Nisbet a series of letters regarding religious affairs in the United States and Great Britain as well as Nisbet's position at President of Dickinson College. One "young gentleman" reported, as Wilhelmina explains, that "...

Address from the Third Commencement by Charles Nisbet
June 2, 1789

President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to the third graduating class of Dickinson College at commencement on June 2, 1789. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.

Location: SC Vault Nisbet 37

Subject: Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Education

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1780-1799

Address after a “Short Vacation” by Charles Nisbet
November 2, 1789

President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to students on May 13, 1787 after a "short vacation." John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.

"Generosi et Dominae," by John Wilson (Draft)
1790

John Wilson prepares these two drafts of his Latin oration, entitled "Generosi et Dominae," in 1790. Wilson is a member of the Class of 1792. The second draft is hand-bound with pages from an old newspaper, including advertisements on the front cover that offer rewards for capturing fugitive...

Location: I-BlackT-1954-2

Subject: Education

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letters from Charles Nisbet to Unknown Recipient
Undated

Through this portion of a series of letters, with pages numbered 37 through 62, Charles Nisbet writes about several considerations of Christian faith.  The end of the 5th letter addresses Christian suffering, the 6th letter concerns prayer, and the 7th and 8th letters discuss Heaven and Hell....

Location: I-TurnbullM-undated-6

Subject: Religion and Spirituality

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1790-91
1790-1791

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes a series of five letters to William Young that mostly focus on Nisbet's transactions with Young as a printer and book dealer. Nisbet criticizes the August issue of one of Young's magazines, declaring it "a vehicle of infidelity, blasphemy, & ribaldry...

Letter from William Bingham to Nicholas Low
January 12, 1790

William Bingham, a member of the Dickinson College Board of Trustees, discusses financial matters with Nicholas Low and asks for three certificates in the name of Bingham's father in law, Thomas Mayne Willing. Transcript included.

Location: I-Friends-1983-23

Subject: Economics and Finance

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Benjamin Rush to Thomas Smith
February 26, 1790

Benjamin Rush writes to Thomas Smith of Carlisle, Pennsylvania regarding efforts to raise funds for Dickinson, including a petition to the Pennsylvania legislature for additional financial support. Dr. Charles Nisbet's statements about the Dickinson college, however, create a serious problem. "...

Letter from John Armstrong to George Thompson
February 27, 1790

John Armstrong writes to George Thompson stating that he is "going to the woods and will be absent for some months".  Armstrong also explains his intention to bring a suit against Meyer McCully on account of a small debt.  Transcript included.

Location: I-ValeM-1947-70

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from William Irvine to John Nicholson
March 4, 1790

William Irvine writes to John Nicholson about the political situation, especially the assumption of state debts by the federal government and "whether Elections for members of Congress, would be best in districts or general Election." Irvine, a Pennsylvania politician, also served as a member of...

Location: I-BeachW-1976-5

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Benjamin Rush to Thomas Fitzsimons
August 5, 1790

Benjamin Rush writes to Thomas Fitzsimons about a recent funding law and business conditions in the United States. While "lands sell and settle rapidly," Rush argues that "our vitals are unsound and we must finally perish under the weight of Mr. Hamilton's 'public blessing." In addition, Rush...

Letter from James Wilson to Samuel Meredith
September 24, 1790

James Wilson, United States Supreme Court Justice and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to United States Treasurer Samuel Meredith. Wilson requests the immediate payment of his month's salary. Transcript included.

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-15

Subject: Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Joseph Priestley to William Frend
November 1790

Joseph Priestley writes to Rev. William Frend about various publications that he is interested in as well as "the difficulties" involved in translating works to produce "an improved and improvable...

Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11

Subject: Literary Pursuits, Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Young to William Young
January 18, 1791

John Young writes William Young, a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia, to express his intentions to withdraw his subscription for The Universal Asylum, and Columbian Magazine. "As Doctor [Charles Nisbet's] Course of Lectures is to close in about ten days," John explains that he will...

Letter from Catharine Graham to George Washington (Draft)
March 1791

Draft of a Catharine Macaulay Graham's letter to President George Washington. Graham expresses concern for Washington's health and the French Revolution. Transcript included.

Location: I-Purchase-1967-1

Subject: Health and Medicine, International Affairs, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Samuel Thompson to James Hamilton
July 5, 1791

Samuel Magaw Thompson writes to James Hamilton and explains that he has been in Georgia since leaving his mother's.  Thompson notes that he would be glad to hear from the family and sends compliments to his sister, Mrs. Hamilton.

Location: I-ValeM-1947-66

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Matthew Boulton to Unknown Recipient
July 18, 1791

Matthew Boulton provides an account of the Birmingham riots in England and the destruction of property, including Joseph Priestley's house. The recipient's identity is unknown. Transcript included.

Letter from George Clymer to John Montgomery
July 25, 1791

George Clymer of Philadelphia writes John Montgomery and asks for payment of tax on 300 acres he owns in Greenwood, Cumberland County.  Clymer notes that Montgomery is in a danger of losing his investment.

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Unknown Recipient
July 26, 1791

Joseph Priestley writes an unknown recipient and notes that he has enclosed "two copies of my Paper for the Philosophical Transactions." In addition, Priestley requests a "fresh stock of retorts,...

Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11

Subject: Literary Pursuits, Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Charles Nisbet to Unknown Recipient
August 10, 1791

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet discusses in what appears to be a postscript how a farmer in Chambersburg has discovered a great body of iron ore. Nisbet also discusses new treaties with Native American tribes as well as the large number of French citizens arriving in the United States. "The...

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Thomas Wedgwood
October 18, 1791

Joseph Priestley writes to Thomas Wedgwood about supplies for the laboratory that Priestley is building after his previous one was destroyed and discusses invitations to move from England to France. Wedgwood's family operated the Etruria Works ceramics factory. Transcript included.

Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letters from Charles Nisbet to Mary Nisbet
1791-1799

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes thirteen letters to his daughter, Mary Nisbet, offering advice on marriage and family life in addition to discussions of domestic and political affairs. Transcripts included.

Belles Lettres Society Diploma - Charles Ross
1792

Charles Ross, a member of the Class of 1792, receives this diploma as a member of the Belles Lettres Society in 1792.

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1780-1799

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