Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions
Senator James Buchanan writes to Senator Reuel William regarding the 1838 gubernatorial election in Pennsylvania between Joseph Ritner and David Porter. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F21
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1820-1839
Two letters from James Buchanan to American diplomat Aaron Vail regarding relations with the United Kingdom and the "perfect chaos" of the United States' consular system. Transcripts included.
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Senator James Buchanan writes to James A. Caldwell and offers job advice. "I fear you are about to abandon your noble, safe & prudent position without necessity," as Buchanan explains. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F21
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1820-1839
Senator James Buchanan is interested in learning more about "the early history of my father," James Buchanan, Sr., and writes Robert Lamberton to ask for help. "Your father is the only gentleman I know who can furnish me this information," as Buchanan explains. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F22
Subject: Genealogy and Family History
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1820-1839
Senator James Buchanan informs John R. Savage that his son has "no prospect of obtaining a midshipman's warrant" in the United States Navy. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F24
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes two letters to Thomas L. Hamer discussing various contemporary political leaders. In the first letter, Buchanan reflects upon John C. Calhoun's recent visit to the President and the nomination of William H. Harrison as a candidate in the 1840 Presidential election....
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes five letters to Col Reah Frazer regarding a number of different political issues, including the 1840 Democratic National Convention, the 1840 and 1844 Presidential Elections, the Independent Treasury Bill, appointments to President Tyler's cabinet, the possibility...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Business and Industry, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes four letters on a number of different topics, including Congressional legislation on bankruptcy, banks, the Tariff bill, the 1844 Democratic National Convention in Baltimore, and political conditions in Pennsylvania. Buchanan, as the United States Minister to the...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes three letters to Edward D. Gazzam regarding political maters in Pennsylvania as well as the national level. Democrats will "leave the Whig party to themselves" because, as Buchanan explains, "this party contains within itself the seeds of its own destruction."...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to J. C. Plumer regarding the fate of a Bank Bill that the House of Representatives had recently approved. "We shall show it off in its naked deformity before it passes the Senate," as Buchanan observes. Buchanan also discusses the support for Democratic...
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F26
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to Ross Wilkins a letter reflecting upon Michigan's establishment of the "Wild cat" banking system, which "was one great cause of its prostration." Buchanan also comments on the possibility of a conflict with the United Kingdom if " the States repudiate [their]...
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F27
Subject: Economics and Finance, International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan defends his position as a candidate for President and discusses Pennsylvania's important role in national politics. "I have never yet deemed myself a candidate for the highest office, nor have I considered it," as Buchanan tells M. S. Blackman. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F27
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to Thomas Brice regarding how society values "mechanicks" and argues against cutting the salaries of members of Congress. Buchanan explains that Brice "underrates the estimation in which our mechanicks are held." "I know no man who now holds a more influential...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F1
Subject: Business and Industry, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan responds to Dr. George McClellan's request for his son to receive an appointment as a cadet, possibly to West Point. "I have not interfered either directly or indirectly, in any appointment since Mr. Van Buren retired; but if I have a right to nominate a cadet, your son...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F1
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to James X. McLanahan, a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, regarding how postmasters are appointed and removed, Pennsylvania politics, and the apportionment bill. "Now the power of removal rests with the President alone; and this he has already exercised," as...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F1
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan asks Dickinson College Professor John McClintock to thank the Board of Trustees for granting him an honorary Doctor of Laws. "I feel conscious that I do not deserve so distinguished a literary honor," Buchanan notes. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F1
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College Alumni Affairs, Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan responds to P. G. Washington's request for a recommendation for a political appointment. "I have recommended no friend for office," as Buchanan explains, "since the present administration came into power." Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F2
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
US Senator James Buchanan writes Mrs. James I. Roosevelt (Cornelia Van Ness Roosevelt) to express his regrets that he "could not enjoy the pleasure of meeting you on my late visit to New York." Buchanan notes that he hopes to see her "at Washington in good health & spirits." Transcript...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F3
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes Benjamin Champneys, a Pennsylvania State Senator, to thank him for his help "in rescuing me from the hands of the Philistines" and to discuss several political issues. "I never believed until the present moment that I had the personal good will of nearly all the...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F4
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to Harrison Wright regarding President William Henry Harrison's administration and the appointment of a postmaster in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Buchanan also comments on Vice President John Tyler's ambitions. "Tyler has determined to be the next President if he...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F4
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to Samuel C. Humes and explains that he "cannot interefere in any appointment under Mr. Tyler's administration." Buchanan claims that President John Tyler is "a well disposed & well informed man; but he is more egregiously humbugged than any man [he has] ever...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F5
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes to John M. Read regarding candidates for the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election of 1844 as well as how legislation on slavery is increasing sectional tensions. "At the North we are totally ignorant of the deep, pervading & determined feeling of the South on this...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes to Henry Welch regarding various political issues in Pennsylvania and Buchanan's chances of winning elections. "My own prospects never were so bright as at the present moment," as Buchanan explains in December 1850. Buchanan...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan responds to a Democratic party Committee's request for information on Buchanan's opinion on whether the United States should annex Texas. "I should refrain from any public or extended discussion of the subject, whilst the Treaty of annexation is actually pending before the...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F7
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to General William N. Irvine discussing recent political events, including the Presidential election of 1844. Buchanan states that he "feared that the Whigs might make a serious impression against Polk in Pennsylvania on the Tariff question...." and that he agrees "...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F7
Subject: Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
