William C. Wilson prepared this oration, entitled “What is the True Progress of the Age?," for the commencement ceremonies held July 11, 1850. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.

Samuel Richard Peale receives his Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 11, 1850.

Alexander McClure writes sixteen letters to Eli Slifer, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, on a number of different topics, including the senatorial and representative delegate elections, reports on "Abolishing Capital Punishment," the abolition of slavery, and other...

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Brooke Taney writes to his wife, Anne Key Taney, and informs her of his safe arrival in Washington, DC. Even the Supreme Court has already started hearing cases, Taney asks his wife to "tell James his case will not come on this week."  Taney also notes...

William Charles Ford Reed, a member of the Class of 1851, receives this diploma as a member of the Belles Lettres Society in 1851.

James Buchanan writes a total of six letters to Robert Tyler expressing his opinions on various contemporary political developments. Topics include the campaign of Judge Campbell, Simon Cameron as a political opponent, Colonel William King as Vice President nominee, Buchanan's "onerous" duties...

James Buchanan writes to former Senator Robert J. Walker regarding the potential secession of South Carolina. "Heaven alone can foresee all the evils to our Country and to herself which may follow her secession," as Buchanan notes. Transcript included.

James Buchanan writes two letters to John Hastings that focus on Pennsylvania politics, including divisions in the state Democratic party, the Jefferson resolution, Reading convention, and the possibility of Democrats selecting Buchanan as their candidate in the next Presidential election....

William Wagenseller writes ten letters to Eli Slifer on a number of different topics, including funding a monument for his late brother and recommending his nephew for a position as a doctor in the Union army. In addition, Wagenseller provides information regarding a soldier who left military...

James Buchanan writes Robert P. Flenniken to discuss a number of political issues, including the 1852 Presidential election, the implications of General Lane's nomination in Indiana, and the intentions of Mr. Cameron to "admit the Frazer delegates from this county over the heads of the regularly...

James Buchanan writes John Tyler Jr. and explains how sectional tensions will increase after the Whig party nominates General Winfield Scott as their candidate for the 1852 Presidential election. "The result most probably will be to increase the strength & bitterness of those sectional...

George B. Day prepared this oration, entitled “The Genius of Revolution," for the commencement ceremonies held June 26, 1851. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.