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Collections of college and personal papers, as well as a select number of individual documents, have been briefly described in entries available for browsing and searching on this site. All collection and document descriptions contain a representative image and a summary of the contents. 

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"What is the True Progress of the Age?," by William C. Wilson
July 11, 1850

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...

Master of Arts Diploma - James McCauley
July 11, 1850

James Andrew McCauley (Class of 1847) receives his Master of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 11, 1850.

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Master of Arts Diploma - James McCauley

Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Samuel Peale
July 11, 1850

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

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Samuel Peale

1850 Commencement Program
July 11, 1850

This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 11, 1850 shows the members of the graduating class and the speeches that they were scheduled to deliver.

Location: Dickinsoniana Programs

Subject: Dickinson College Events

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon 1850 Commencement Program

Letters from Alexander McClure to Eli Slifer, 1850-52
1850-1852

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...

Letter from James Buchanan to David Myerle
September 2, 1850

James Buchanan writes David Myerle to congratulate him and to remissness on how Myerle helped provide a "domestic supply of water rolled hemp" for the United States Navy. While "the object would doubtless have been eventually accomplished,"...

Letter from Roger B. Taney to Anne Taney
December 4, 1850

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...

Location: I-SpahrB-1965-4

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Roger B. Taney to Anne Taney

Letter from James Buchanan to John G. Brenner
December 26, 1850

James Buchanan responds to John G. Brenner's invitation to a dinner in honor of Captain Mathews of the Steamer City of Glasgow as well as discusses Philadelphia's economic status in the United States. "I rejoice to percieve that Philadelphia is...

Journal of Moncure D. Conway
1851-1853

Moncure Daniel Conway, a 1849 graduate of Dickinson College, records a critical time in his personal development as he moves from life as a Methodist preacher to Harvard Divinity School, Unitarianism, and freethought, meeting and befriending...

Belles Lettres Society Diploma - William Reed
1851

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

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Belles Lettres Society Diploma - William Reed

Letters from James Buchanan to Robert Tyler
1851-1857

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...

Letter from James Buchanan to James Campbell
January 30, 1851

Pennsylvania politician James Buchanan congratulates James Campbell on his recent political victory and discusses W. Baker's appointment as superintendent of the Columbia Rail Road. While one of Campbell's friends opposes Baker's selection,...

Letter from James Buchanan to Robert J. Walker
May 5, 1851

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...

Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F3

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Buchanan to Robert J. Walker

Letter from James Sellers to William Wagenseller
March 14, 1851

James Sellers writes Colonel William F. Wagenseller regarding two recent court cases and payments that are due. Transcript included. 

Location: MC 2003.4, B9, F20

Subject: Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Sellers to William Wagenseller

Letters from James Buchanan to John Hasting
March 18 ; May 22, 1851

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...

Location: MC 1998.10

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letters from James Buchanan to John Hasting

Letters from Israel Gutelius to Eli Slifer, 1851-54
1851-1854

Israel Gutelius writes eight letters to Eli Slifer regarding issues related to the publication of Gutelius' German language newspaper, including laws that would allow "reasonable compensation" for the work in translating and publishing county...

Letters from William Wagenseller to Eli Slifer
1851-1861

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...

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Letter from James Buchanan to James Henry
May 3, 1851

James Buchanan writes his nephew and legal ward, James Buchanan Henry, to discuss a recent school report. "In Scholarship you are 93.9; not so high as formerly," as Buchanan notes. In addition, Buchanan comments on his niece, Harriet Lane, and...

Location: I-Friends-2010-2

Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Buchanan to James Henry

Letter from James Buchanan to Robert Flenniken
May 5, 1851

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...

Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F3

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Buchanan to Robert Flenniken

Letter from James Buchanan to Robert Tyler
May 7, 1851

James Buchanan writes Robert Tyler, son of President John Tyler, about Buchanan's tenure as secretary of state under President James Polk and the Mexican War. "The appointments of officers in the Mexican war nearly ruined me politically in...

Letter from James Buchanan to John Tyler Jr.
June 11, 1851

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...

Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F4

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Buchanan to John Tyler Jr.

"The Destiny of America," by James M. Kimberlin
June 26, 1851

James Monroe Kimberlin prepared this oration, entitled “The Destiny of America," for the commencement ceremonies held June 26, 1851. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. In...

"The National Monument," by James S. Thomas
June 26, 1851

James S. Thomas prepared this oration, entitled “The National Monument," 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...

Location: Orations-1851-T458n

Subject: Education, Politics and Government

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "The National Monument," by James S. Thomas

"The Genius of Revolution," by George B. Day
June 26, 1851

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....

Bachelor of Arts Diploma - William Reed
June 26, 1851

William Charles Ford Reed receives his Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on June 26, 1851.

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Bachelor of Arts Diploma - William Reed

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