Full-Text Documents

About Full-Text Documents

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. 

Search Full-Text Documents

Browse Full-Text Documents

    Sorted chronologically


Letter from Roger B. Taney to Phebe Campbell
Letter from Roger B. Taney to Phoebe Campbell
September 5, 1856

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to his granddaughter, Phoebe K. Campbell, about the summer weather as well as reports and comments on various family news. Family members mentioned include Phoebe's aunt Maria and Mr. Allison...

Location: I-SpahrB-1965-9

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life, Weather and Climate

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

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

Diary of Horatio Collins King, Fall 1856
Diary of Horatio Collins King, Fall 1856
September - December 1856

Horatio Collins King's diary during the fall of his third year at Dickinson College. King is a member of the class of 1858. Transcript included.

Location: MC 1999.9, B2, F6

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education

Format: Diaries and Journals

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Editor's Note -- Diary of Horatio Collins King, PDF icon Diary of Horatio Collins King, Fall 1856 (Transcript)

Catalogue of Dickinson College for the Academical Year, 1856-57
Catalogue of Dickinson College for the Academical Year, 1856-57
1857

The Dickinson College catalog for the 1856-1857 academic year. Through the years, the annual catalog was variously titled "The Bulletin," "Catalogue and Register," "Course Catalog," and similar variants. The catalog typically includes the list of...

Location: Dickinsoniana Periodicals

Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Education

Format: Books and Pamphlets

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item:


Diary of Horatio Collins King, Spring 1857
Diary of Horatio Collins King, Spring 1857
January - July 1857

Horatio Collins King's diary during the spring of his third year at Dickinson College. King is a member of the class of 1858. Transcript included.

Location: MC 1999.9, B2, F6

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education

Format: Diaries and Journals

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Editor's Note -- Diary of Horatio Collins King, PDF icon Diary of Horatio Collins King, Spring 1857 (Transcript)

Letter from Hiram Walbridge to James Buchanan
Letter from Hiram Walbridge to James Buchanan
March 7, 1857

Hiram Walbridge writes President James Buchanan to introduce Robert Gamble and recommend him for a political appointment. Walbridge notes that “Gamble is a sound reliable democrat” who “has held responsible public trusts in the City of New York...

Location: I-SpahrB-1952-10

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Hiram Walbridge to James Buchanan

Letter from Roger B. Taney to D. Perine
Letter from Roger B. Taney to D. Perine
April 5, 1857

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to D. M. Perine regarding a life insurance policy payment at the Baltimore Life Insurance Company. As he is still in Washington, Taney asks Perine to take the payment to J. J. Donalson. While...

Location: I-SpahrB-1969-8

Subject: Economics and Finance, Health and Medicine, Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

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

Letter from Jeremiah Black to James Buchanan
Letter from Jeremiah Black to James Buchanan
April 27, 1857

United States Attorney General Jeremiah Sullivan Black provides legal advice to President James Buchanan on whether the Chief Executive can remit part of the sentence of a convict. "I have examined and found that the universal practice of all...

Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F2

Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Jeremiah Black to James Buchanan

Letter from Thomas M. Griffith to His Sister
Letter from Thomas M. Griffith to His Sister
June 23, 1857

Thomas Griffith, a member of the Class of 1858, writes to his sister about his semester at Dickinson College. Griffith writes about some of his friends, health, as well as his studies. Griffith also tells his sister about his plans for the...

Location: MC 2005.4, B1, F1

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Thomas M. Griffith to His Sister

Letter from Robert Grier to Nelson Grier
Letter from Robert Grier to Nelson Grier
July 8, 1857

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Robert Cooper Grier (Class of 1812) writes to his brother, Nelson Grier, and discusses a picnic as well as a trip to the mountains.

Location: I-Friends-1981-7

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Robert Grier to Nelson Grier

"The Student’s Dream," by Edwin L. Griffith
"The Student’s Dream," by Edwin L. Griffith
July 9, 1857

Edwin L. Griffith prepared this oration, entitled “The Student's Dream," for the commencement ceremonies held July 9, 1857. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript...

Location: Orations-1857-G853s

Subject: Education

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "The Student’s Dream," by Edwin L. Griffith

Honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology Diploma - Conway Wing
Honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology Diploma - Conway Wing
July 9, 1857

Conway Phelps Wing receives his Honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology Diploma from Dickinson College on July 9, 1857.

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology Diploma - Conway Wing

Bachelor of Arts Diploma - John Hays II
Bachelor of Arts Diploma - John Hays II
July 9, 1857

John Hays (II) receives his Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 9, 1857.

Location: OC 2001.1, F7

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Bachelor of Arts Diploma - John Hays II

1857 Commencement Program
1857 Commencement Program
July 9, 1857

This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 9, 1857 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 1857 Commencement Program

Letter from Harriet Lane to Lily Macalester
Letter from Harriet Lane to Lily Macalester
September 13, 1857

First Lady Harriet Lane writes to Lily Macalester about the going ons of Washington D.C., her trip to Pennsylvania, Macalester's trip to West Point, as well as various bits of gossip. Lane also comments on several political figures, including...

Location: I-Friends-2000-8

Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Harriet Lane to Lily Macalester

Letter from Howell Cobb to David Tompkins
Letter from Howell Cobb to David Tompkins
October 5, 1857

Treasury Secretary Howell Cobb writes to David Tompkins and accepts his election to the James Buchanan Literary Association of New Haven, Connecticut.

Location: I-Purchase-1966-1

Subject: Literary Pursuits, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Howell Cobb to David Tompkins

Letter from Jacob Frick to Eli Slifer
Letter from Jacob Frick to Eli Slifer
October 12, 1857

Jacob Frick asks Eli Slifer to write to Pennsylvania Governor William F. Packer "in my behalf for the office of Notary which will become vacant here [in Pottsville] this Fall." Transcript included. 

Location: MC 2003.4, B4, F17

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Jacob Frick to Eli Slifer

Diary of Horatio Collins King, Fall 1857
Diary of Horatio Collins King, Fall 1857
October - December 1857

Horatio Collins King's diary during the fall of his senior year at Dickinson College. King is a member of the class of 1858. Transcript included.

Location: MC 1999.9, B2, F6

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education

Format: Diaries and Journals

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Editor's Note -- Diary of Horatio Collins King, PDF icon Diary of Horatio Collins King, Fall 1857 (Transcript)

Letter from Horatio King to the Postmaster in Athens, PA
Letter from Horatio King to the Postmaster in Athens, PA
November 7, 1857

Assistant Postmaster General Horatio King writes the Postmaster of Athens, Pennsylvania , to reprimand him for "the negligent and imperfect manner in which the cancellation of postage stamps is... performed in your office."

Location: I-SpahrB-1950-6

Subject: Business and Industry, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Horatio King to the Postmaster in Athens, PA

Letter from James Buchanan to Franklin Pierce
Letter from James Buchanan to Franklin Pierce
December 5, 1857

President James Buchanan writes former President Franklin Pierce and encloses "the first copy of the message which has been delivered to any person." The "message" that Buchanan refers to is likely his first State of the Union, which was...

Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F25

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Buchanan to Franklin Pierce

Letter from Simon Cameron to Samuel Ingham
Letter from Simon Cameron to Samuel Ingham
January 9, 1858

United States Senator Simon Cameron writes Samuel D. Ingham, a former United States Secretary of the Treasury, to discuss President James Buchanan and other national political matters. "Our old friend [President James] Buchanan is really in...

Location: I-SpahrB-1963-1

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Simon Cameron to Samuel Ingham

Letter from Rufus Choate to James Buchanan
Letter from Rufus Choate to James Buchanan
January 12, 1858

Rufus Choate, a former US Senator from Massachusetts, writes President James Buchanan (Class of 1809) to request the appointment of Edward Riddle as a naval agent in Boston, Massachusetts. "Mr Riddle [is] eminently well suited to perform the...

Location: I-AsbellY-1978-1

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Rufus Choate to James Buchanan

Diary of Horatio Collins King, Spring 1858
Diary of Horatio Collins King, Spring 1858
January - August 1858

Horatio Collins King's diary during the spring of his senior year at Dickinson College. King is a member of the class of 1858. Transcript included.

Location: MC 1999.9, B2, F6

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education

Format: Diaries and Journals

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Editor's Note -- Diary of Horatio Collins King, PDF icon Diary of Horatio Collins King, Spring 1858 (Transcript)

Letter from William Bigler to A. Boyd Hamilton
Letter from William Bigler to A. Boyd Hamilton
February 6, 1858

William Bigler writes to A. Boyd Hamilton and discusses President James Buchanan and several national political issues, including slavery, the Dred Scott decision, and the Lecompton Convention in Kansas. "I should sacrifice much before I would...

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-3

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from William Bigler to A. Boyd Hamilton

Letters from James Sellers to Eli Slifer
Letters from James Sellers to Eli Slifer
1851-1858

James Sellers writes fifteen letters to Eli Slifer concerning help with managing his father's estate, the possibility of his election as Senator as a result of his affiliation with the Whig party, questions about the division of Union County, as...

Location: MC 2003.4

Subject: Business and Industry, Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letters from James Sellers to Eli Slifer

Letter from Roger B. Taney to Joseph Henry
Letter from Roger B. Taney to Joseph Henry
April 16, 1858

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes Professor Joseph Henry, the first Smithsonian Secretary, to explain that he cannot meet with the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. As the Supreme Court Justices are meeting to decide...

Location: I-SpahrB-1969-7

Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government, Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

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

Pages