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....

Representative Joseph Trumbull writes former Senator James Lanman to discuss the political situation in the United States Congress as well as James Buchanan's political views. The "House [of Representatives] is a perfect Bedlam and the Senate seems to me to have degenerated," as Trumbull...

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...

Richard Rush, son of Dickinson College Founder Benjamin Rush, responds to a letter from George H. Moore. Rush explains that he cannot fulfill Moore's request for notes or autographs belonging to his father, stating: "all that I had of a nature to part with have been given away from time to time...

Senator James Buchanan (Class of 1809) writes to lawyer A. B. Cummings regarding his initial non-compliance with a request from the latter. Buchanan believes the "business had all been arranged" but will "call at the Department without delay" if he is mistaken.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes J. Mason Campbell to defend a decision he made as Acting Secretary of War (June - August 1831) during President Andrew Jackson's administration. "When I acted as Secretary of War, I was [also] in office as Attorney General," and as Taney...

Senator James Buchanan (Class of 1809) writes to Colonel C. W. Gooch, thanking the latter for procuring four James River and Kanawha Bonds on his behalf. Buchanan also extolls Virginia Senator William Henry Roane, calling him an "honest, independent & high-souled patriot" who embodies the "...

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...

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]...

Richard Rush responds to a request for his autograph as well as any letters he may have from past governors or senators from Pennsylvania for possible publication. "In regard to letters of any of the past governors or senators of [Pennsylvania], I fear that I shall scarcely be able to furnish...

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...

Rev. George Washington Bethune asks Isaac Waldron to also "come and see me" when he visits his mother. Bethune, a member of the Class of 1823, lives in Brooklyn, New York.