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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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Collegian (Vol. 1, No. 4)
June 1849

The fourth issue of the Collegian, Dickinson College's first monthly literary publication. Includes "The Power of Sacrifice," "The 'Me'," "Logan's Revenge," "True Estimate of Self," and "Extract - Prometheus Chained."

The Belles...

Location: Dickinsoniana Periodicals

Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Literary Pursuits

Format: Newspapers and Magazines

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Collegian (Vol. 1, No. 4)

Letter from Roger B. Taney to J. Mason Campbell
June 15, 1849

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Brooke Taney writes to attorney J. Mason Campbell and discusses various financial issues as well as health concerns. As "I do not know whether I have funds in the Bank to pay the [discount?],” Taney admits...

Letter from James Buchanan to James Henry
June 18, 1849

James Buchanan writes to his nephew James Buchanan Henry about the formers efforts to help the latter enroll in the sophomore class at Princeton University. Transcript included.

Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F22

Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

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

Collegian (Vol. 1, No. 5)
July 1849

The final issue of the Collegian, Dickinson College's first monthly literary publication. Includes "Gregory VII," "The Breakers," "A Thunder Storm," "The European Crisis," "The College of the Magii," "American Prejudices," "Recollections...

Location: Dickinsoniana Periodicals

Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Literary Pursuits, Politics and Government

Format: Newspapers and Magazines

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Collegian (Vol. 1, No. 5)

Letter from James Buchanan to James Henry
July 4, 1849

James Buchanan writes to his nephew James Buchanan Henry and informs him that Mr. Bolman will supply his pocket money for Princeton. In addition, Buchanan relays news of family and friends, and advises him against using only his initials when...

Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F22

Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

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

"The Angel of Assassination," by Richard G. Chaney
July 12, 1849

Richard G. Chaney prepared this oration, entitled “The Angel of Assassination," for the commencement ceremonies held July 12, 1849. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time....

Location: Orations-1849-C456a

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "The Angel of Assassination," by Richard G. Chaney

"The American Newspaper Press," by Henry B. Ridgaway
July 12, 1849

Henry B. Ridgaway prepared this oration, entitled “The American Newspaper Press," for the commencement ceremonies held July 12, 1849. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time....

"Luther before the Diet of Worms," by John H. Watters
July 12, 1849

John H. Watters prepared this oration, entitled “Luther before the Diet of Worms," for the commencement ceremonies held July 12, 1848. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time....

Location: Orations-1849-W346l

Subject: Religion and Spirituality

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "Luther before the Diet of Worms," by John H. Watters

Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Alfred Ames
July 12, 1849

Alfred Heno Ames receives his Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 12, 1849.

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Alfred Ames

1849 Commencement Program
July 12, 1849

This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 12, 1849shows 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 1849 Commencement Program

Letter from Joseph Henry to George Marsh
August 1, 1849

Smithsonian Institution Secretary Joseph Henry writes to George P. Marsh, requesting favors before Marsh travels to the Ottoman Empire. One wish is that Marsh will write a letter "in favor of our friend Prof. [Spencer Fullerton] Baird [Class of...

Location: I-AsbellY-2005-3

Subject: Education, Travel and Tourism

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Joseph Henry to George Marsh

Letters from James Buchanan to Charles Gonter
1849-50

James Buchanan writes two letters to Charles G. Gonter in which he discusses the condition of the Democratic party, the implications of President Zachary Taylor's death, "the succession of" President Millard Fillmore, and the 1852 Presidential...

Broadside, Reward for Fugitive Slaves by Henry Culler
September 25, 1849

Henry Culler, a resident near Jefferson, Frederick County, Maryland, publishes this broadside offering a 400 dollar reward for the return of two run-away slaves; Bill Dorsey and John Ceders, on September 25, 1849.

Journal of Ulysses Hobbs
November 1849 - November 1854

Ulysses Hobbs records his thoughts and activities as a college student at Dickinson College. Hobbs includes lists of his fellow students attending events, and details information about the running of the activities that he was involved in such as...

Catalogue and Register of Dickinson College for the Academical Year, 1849-50
1850

The Dickinson College catalog for the 1849-1850 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...

Letter from James Buchanan to A. Boyd Hamilton
January 2, 1850

James Buchanan writes A. Boyd Hamilton to discuss the details of a loan, Buchanan's decision to sell his house in Lancaster, and to criticize articles in the Pennsylvanian. "One great fault of the Pennsylvanian is its indiscriminate...

Letters from Oliver Worden to Eli Slifer
1850-1859

Oliver Worden writes five letters to Eli Slifer in which he comments on Slifer's "very interesting and very racy" first chapter of Shades of Public Life as well as offers advice for political speeches. Worden also updates Slifer on...

Letter from William Snively to J. S. Gordon
March 2, 1850

William Snively writes to J. S. Gordon regarding his experience as a student at Dickinson. Snively, who is preparing for the ‘April Examination,’ describes students' rowdy behavior, including an incident when "some persons tore all the seats...

Letter from James Buchanan to Henry Carey
March 5, 1850

James Buchanan thanks Henry C. Carey for sending two pamphlets with information about "the Tariff question." While "they are written with much ability," Buchanan observes that it seems "somewhat paradoxical to contend that the road to free trade...

Letter from John Thropp Jr. to Christian Humrich
April 23, 1850

John Thropp Jr. asks Christian Humrich about an old friend and asks him to write to "let me know... how you are all getting along at Old Dickinson." In addition, Thropp describes a trip he took the previous year and notes his intent to visit...

"The Historian," by Flavel C. Barber
July 11, 1850

Flavel C. Barber prepared this oration, entitled “The Historian," 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...

Location: Orations-1850-B234h

Subject: Education, Literary Pursuits

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "The Historian," by Flavel C. Barber

"Robert Burns," by Alexander M. Hamilton
July 11, 1850

Alexander M. Hamilton prepared this oration, entitled “Robert Burns," 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...

Location: Orations-1850-H217r

Subject: Literary Pursuits

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "Robert Burns," by Alexander M. Hamilton

"Bigotry," by Phil M. Leakin
July 11, 1850

Phil M. Leakin prepared this oration, entitled “Bigotry," 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.

Location: Orations-1850-L435b

Subject: Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "Bigotry," by Phil M. Leakin

"Democratic Passion," by Samuel H. Reynolds
July 11, 1850

Samuel Henry Reynolds prepared this oration, entitled “Democratic Passion," for the commencement ceremonies held July 11, 1850. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time....

Location: Orations-1850-R465d

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "Democratic Passion," by Samuel H. Reynolds

"The Roman Catholics of Maryland," by Richard D. Sellman
July 11, 1850

Richard D. Sellman prepared this oration, entitled "The Roman Catholics of Maryland," for the commencement ceremonies held July 11, 1850. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that...

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