Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions
James Buchanan writes two letters to Daniel Sturgeon regarding political maters at the state and national level. The first letter focuses on whether or not Jesse Miller will be a candidate in Pennsylvania for the U.S. Senate. Buchanan does not believe he will be. Both Buchanan and Sturgeon...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes a brief letter to Samuel Hood acknowledging the receipt of Hood's book, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Buchanan states that the book "has a peculiar interest for [him]; as [he is] the son of a native of the Emerald Isle who emigrated to this country......
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F8
Subject: Genealogy and Family History, Literary Pursuits, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to General James Tallmadge regarding the Oregon border negotiations. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F9
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to George Guier and explains why he cannot help Guier's son secure an appointment as a notary public in California. "The President has no power to appoint a Notary Public in California or to make any other civil appointment in that territory," as Buchanan explains....
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F21
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes former Representative Caleb Cushing and offers him an appointment as "the chief clerkship in the Department of State." "Your services in this position, in the present state of our foreign relations might be of much advantage to your country," as Buchanan...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F9
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Francis W. Pickens, a member of the South Carolina Senate, regarding the new James K. Polk administration, Buchanan's adjustment to life as a cabinet appointee, and Pickens' decision to not accept the position of United States Minister to the United...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Charles Ward regarding Ward's appointment as the new "Consul of the U. States for the Island of Zanzibar." Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F10
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan to diplomat J. Randolph Clay regarding future diplomatic appointments, the annexation of Texas, and the possibility of a war with Mexico. "I think, from present appearances we shall have no war with Mexico; but this is yet uncertain," as Buchanan explains....
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F11
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Jacob B. Weidman regarding appointments of midshipmen to the United States Navy as well as Judge Woodward's confirmation. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F11
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Commander William W. McKean instructing him to deliver communications to Mr. Jewett at Callao, Peru. Buchanan also encloses a letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F12
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan informs Moses Y. Beach that President James K. Polk has appointed him as a Confidential Agent to the Republic of Mexico. "You ought never to give the slightest intimation to any person, either directly or indirectly, that you are an agent of this Government," as...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F14
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Sarah Maury and asks her to not publish two of his private letters. "If in their publication, you should state that this was done by my permission," Buchanan explains that "it would look like a preconcerted effort to bring my name before the Public...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F15
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to W. P. Preston, responding to his request "to have an authenticated copy taken of documents relating to the debt due by the late Republic of Columbia to Lalung Montrop, recently of Baltimore, deceased." Buchanan claims that this request cannot be...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F15
Subject: Business and Industry, International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to R. B. McAfee regarding McAfee's request to publish old diplomatic correspondence. While President James K. Polk "feels himself obliged to decline a compliance with your request," Buchanan suggests that McAfee might be able to go through Congress....
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F15
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Miss Cutts regarding plans for her and Harriet Lane to travel to Rockaway in New York City. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F16
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Stephen Pleasonton, an auditor, and approves John Randolph Clay's expenses related to attending the marriage of the daughter of the Emperor of Russia. Clay was the Secretary of Legation for the United States in Russia. Buchanan, who served as the...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F16
Subject: Economics and Finance, International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes M. G. Dale with an update on an appointment for Mr. Holcomb in the War Department and comments on Pennsylvania politics. "Governor Shunk will be elected by a large majority should he have fair play," as Buchanan observes. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F17
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
J. Y. Mason acknowledges receiving Secretary of State James Buchanan's letter with a request for the US Navy to not enter "ports of Peru" that are closed to "foreign commerce." "Instructions have been given to the Commanding officer of the U. S. naval force in the Pacific to give the necessary...
Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F18
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Mr. Osna regarding Peru's request that US Navy ships "abstain from entering the ports and harbors of Peru not open to foreign commerce." Mr. Osna is Peru's representative in the United States. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F17
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to former Representative Jacob S. Yost regarding Pennsylvania politics and Yost's visit to Washington DC. "Luzerne is, I think, one of the few counties in the State which is hostile to me," as Buchanan notes. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F17
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes Asbury Dickins, Secretary of the United States Senate, and requests access to several letters held by the Senate. "To enable [President James K. Polk] to answer the call of the House [of Representatives]," Buchanan asks that a Mr. Appleton be allowed "to...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F18
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Representative John Dickey regarding inviting the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation over to dinner. "It is good I think that Pennsylvanians should occasionally meet in social intercourse without distinction of party," as Buchanan explains....
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F19
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes three letters to Nahum Capen regarding the publication of President Thomas Jefferson's papers, the collapse of national political parties like the Whigs, the Compromise of 1850, the Senatorial election in Massachusetts, and the increase in sectional tensions. "...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Former Secretary of State James Buchanan writes Samuel L. Gouverneur to discuss political matters and includes something for him that "may prove serviceable." Buchanan states that this item "is not directed to General Z. Taylor; because under the existing circumstances, I cannot ask a favor from...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F22
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
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
