Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions
General Zachary Taylor writes to Roger Jones, the Adjutant General of the Army, regarding "Indian troubles on frontiers of Texas" and suggesting that the investigation into the Texas frontier "be made under the direction of the officer assigned to that command in that quarter." Transcript...
Location: I-SpahrB-1958-17
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Native Americans
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
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Brooke Taney writes to J. Mason Campbell (Class of 1827) about issues related to several financial matters. In addition, Taney also asks after his grandson.
Location: I-SpahrB-1965-10
Subject: Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to his wife, Anne Key Taney, about his health and his daughters' unexpected visit. "I was quite surprised when the girls walked into my room," as Taney notes. However, as there is not enough room at that location, Taney explains that his...
Location: I-SpahrB-1965-5
Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life
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
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 to Campbell that “my negligence upon this subject...
Location: I-SpahrB-1952-8
Subject: Economics and Finance, Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life
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
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 signing. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F22
Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
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 1840] as a suitable person should one be required...
Location: I-AsbellY-2005-3
Subject: Education, Travel and Tourism
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
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 election. "Who shall be selected as standard bearer...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Business and Industry, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
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 praise of individuals," as Buchanan notes. Transcript...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F24
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, Land and Real Estate, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
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 out of Prof. Marshall’s lecture room, and made a...
Location: I-AsbellY-2002-30
Subject: Dickinson College Organizations, Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism
Format: Letters/Correspondence, Memorabilia and Ephemera
Time Period: 1840-1859
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 is by the way of a protective Tariff." Buchanan...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F24
Subject: Economics and Finance, International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
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 Carlisle soon. "I want to see old Carlisle once more...
Location: I-Original-undated-15
Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Alexander McClure writes sixteen letters to Eli Slifer, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, on a number of different topics, including the senatorial and representative delegate elections, reports on "Abolishing Capital Punishment," the abolition of slavery, and other...
Location: MC 2003.4, B7, F10
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Social Reform and Advocacy
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes David Myerle to congratulate him and to remissness on how Myerle helped provide a "domestic supply of water rolled hemp" for the United States Navy. While "the object would doubtless have been eventually accomplished," Buchanan observes that "[Myerle's ] efforts have...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F25
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Brooke Taney writes to his wife, Anne Key Taney, and informs her of his safe arrival in Washington, DC. Even the Supreme Court has already started hearing cases, Taney asks his wife to "tell James his case will not come on this week." Taney also notes...
Location: I-SpahrB-1965-4
Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan responds to John G. Brenner's invitation to a dinner in honor of Captain Mathews of the Steamer City of Glasgow as well as discusses Philadelphia's economic status in the United States. "I rejoice to percieve that Philadelphia is about to make a serious effort to obtain her just...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F25
Subject: Business and Industry, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes a total of six letters to Robert Tyler expressing his opinions on various contemporary political developments. Topics include the campaign of Judge Campbell, Simon Cameron as a political opponent, Colonel William King as Vice President nominee, Buchanan's "onerous" duties...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government, Social Reform and Advocacy
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Pennsylvania politician James Buchanan congratulates James Campbell on his recent political victory and discusses W. Baker's appointment as superintendent of the Columbia Rail Road. While one of Campbell's friends opposes Baker's selection, Buchanan argues that "I cannot desert a friend to...
Location: I-Friends-2003-5
Subject: Business and Industry, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes to former Senator Robert J. Walker regarding the potential secession of South Carolina. "Heaven alone can foresee all the evils to our Country and to herself which may follow her secession," as Buchanan notes. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F3
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Sellers writes Colonel William F. Wagenseller regarding two recent court cases and payments that are due. Transcript included.
Location: MC 2003.4, B9, F20
Subject: Legal Affairs
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes two letters to John Hastings that focus on Pennsylvania politics, including divisions in the state Democratic party, the Jefferson resolution, Reading convention, and the possibility of Democrats selecting Buchanan as their candidate in the next Presidential election....
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Israel Gutelius writes eight letters to Eli Slifer regarding issues related to the publication of Gutelius' German language newspaper, including laws that would allow "reasonable compensation" for the work in translating and publishing county news. Gutelius' paper is the Der Demokrat,...
Location: MC 2003.4, B5, F7
Subject: Business and Industry, Legal Affairs, Literary Pursuits, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
