Letters/Correspondence

    Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions

Letter from James Wilson to William Bingham
May 30, 1786

James Wilson invites William Bingham to spend an hour the following evening visiting with him.

Location: I-Friends-1975-26

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Sir Charles Blagden
November 20, 1786

Joseph Priestley writes Sir Charles Blagden, the Secretary of the Royal Society, and asks him to “lay before the Royal Society Mr. [Abraham] Bennet's account of his Electrometer.” Priestley explains that “the value” of Bennet's electrometer “exceeds anything that I have seen of the kind.”

Location: I-RichardsonD-1992-3

Subject: Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Dickinson to Robert Magaw
December 9, 1786

John Dickinson writes Robert Magaw and asks him to conduct a "strict Enquiry" into "a [mortgage] by James Wilson Esquire on my Land near Carlisle." Transcript included.

Location: I-ValeM-1947-69

Subject: Economics and Finance, Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Dickinson to Robert Magaw
January 15, 1787

John Dickinson asks Robert Magaw to have representatives of George Stevenson search for a particular survey that might be among his papers. If they find it, Dickinson requests that they "send it to the survey or general's office." Transcript included.

Location: I-ValeM-1947-71

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Erskine to Charles Nisbet
May 23, 1787

John Erskine writes to Dickinson College President Charles Nisbet with news of home and a list of books that he will send for "your College library." Erskine also mentions a letter from Dr. Benjamin Rush, in which Rush notes that the College "was prospering." Transcript included.

Letter from John Dickinson to Jasper Yates
June 27, 1787

John Dickinson writes to Jasper Yates regarding financial issues and encloses copies of two bonds. Dickinson expresses his wish "to have the debt perfectly secured as soon as possible," and asks for advice on the best way to proceed with these affairs. Transcript included.

Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F3

Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from William Irvine to Robert Magaw
July 28, 1787

William Irvine writes to Robert Magaw that Dickinson College Trustees' memorial to Congress was favorably reported from committee. Irvine also notes that he has advised Senator William Grayson to send his nephew, a Mr. Orr, to Dickinson. Transcript included.

Letter from Benjamin Rush to Julia Stockton Rush
August 26, 1787

Benjamin Rush writes to his wife, Julia Stockton Rush, regarding poetry, the division of land, and his medical essays. Transcript included.

Letter from John Dickinson to Robert Magaw
September 4, 1787

John Dickinson writes to Robert Magaw regarding rent due from Dickinson's tenant, Paul Randolph. Transcript included.

Location: I-Original-1787-1

Subject: Economics and Finance, Land and Real Estate

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letters from Charles Nisbet to David Erskine
1787-1792

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes six letters to David Erskine, the Earl of Buchan, on a number of topics that include the consequences of America's independence, the economy, governance, natural history of the country, international politics, relations with Native Americans, the...

Letter from John Armstrong to William Bingham and William Irvine
January 16, 1788

President pro tempore of the Board of Trustees John Armstrong writes to two other Dickinson College trustees, William Irvine and William Bingham, and informs them of a purchase of "public buildings near the Town for the Benefit of the College ...". While Armstrong writes from Carlisle, Irvine...

Letter from John Dickinson to William Young
June 20, 1788

John Dickinson writes to bookseller William Young, notifying him that one volume is missing from a set of history books "sent down by my neighbor Park." Transcript included.

Location: I-Original-1788-4

Subject: Business and Industry

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Dickinson to Tench Coxe
July 14, 1788

Former President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson writes to Confederation Congress delegate Tench Coxe, commenting on the ratification of the United States Constitution by New Hampshire (the required ninth and final state) and the creation of the new government. Dickinson also reasserts that he...

Location: I-AsbellY-1975-5

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from William Young to Agnes Young
August 18, 1788

William Young writes a letter to his wife, Agnes McLaws Young, describing his arrival in Carlisle and the people he met throughout his journey. Young also informs her of some errands that need to be taken care of. Young is a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia. Transcript included.

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Charles Blagden
November 12, 1788

Scientist, clergyman, and scholar Joseph Priestley writes to Dr. Charles Brian Blagden, asking for an insertion to his paper that was read to the Lunar Society. Priestley also notes how he wants "a stronger burning lens." Sir Charles Blagden is Secretary of the Royal Society. Transcript included...

Location: I-Friends-1986-12

Subject: Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from William Bingham to William Irvine
February 26, 1789

Continental Congress delegate William Bingham writes to William Irvine, discussing the funding and future of Dickinson College. Irvine serves on Dickinson's Board of Trustees. Transcript included.

Letters from Wilhelmina Nisbet to Charles Nisbet
1789-1792

Wilhelmina Nisbet, the Countess of Leven, writes three letters to Charles Nisbet a series of letters regarding religious affairs in the United States and Great Britain as well as Nisbet's position at President of Dickinson College. One "young gentleman" reported, as Wilhelmina explains, that "...

Letters from Charles Nisbet to Unknown Recipient
Undated

Through this portion of a series of letters, with pages numbered 37 through 62, Charles Nisbet writes about several considerations of Christian faith.  The end of the 5th letter addresses Christian suffering, the 6th letter concerns prayer, and the 7th and 8th letters discuss Heaven and Hell....

Location: I-TurnbullM-undated-6

Subject: Religion and Spirituality

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1790-91
1790-1791

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes a series of five letters to William Young that mostly focus on Nisbet's transactions with Young as a printer and book dealer. Nisbet criticizes the August issue of one of Young's magazines, declaring it "a vehicle of infidelity, blasphemy, & ribaldry...

Letter from William Bingham to Nicholas Low
January 12, 1790

William Bingham, a member of the Dickinson College Board of Trustees, discusses financial matters with Nicholas Low and asks for three certificates in the name of Bingham's father in law, Thomas Mayne Willing. Transcript included.

Location: I-Friends-1983-23

Subject: Economics and Finance

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Benjamin Rush to Thomas Smith
February 26, 1790

Benjamin Rush writes to Thomas Smith of Carlisle, Pennsylvania regarding efforts to raise funds for Dickinson, including a petition to the Pennsylvania legislature for additional financial support. Dr. Charles Nisbet's statements about the Dickinson college, however, create a serious problem. "...

Letter from John Armstrong to George Thompson
February 27, 1790

John Armstrong writes to George Thompson stating that he is "going to the woods and will be absent for some months".  Armstrong also explains his intention to bring a suit against Meyer McCully on account of a small debt.  Transcript included.

Location: I-ValeM-1947-70

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from William Irvine to John Nicholson
March 4, 1790

William Irvine writes to John Nicholson about the political situation, especially the assumption of state debts by the federal government and "whether Elections for members of Congress, would be best in districts or general Election." Irvine, a Pennsylvania politician, also served as a member of...

Location: I-BeachW-1976-5

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Benjamin Rush to Thomas Fitzsimons
August 5, 1790

Benjamin Rush writes to Thomas Fitzsimons about a recent funding law and business conditions in the United States. While "lands sell and settle rapidly," Rush argues that "our vitals are unsound and we must finally perish under the weight of Mr. Hamilton's 'public blessing." In addition, Rush...

Letter from James Wilson to Samuel Meredith
September 24, 1790

James Wilson, United States Supreme Court Justice and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to United States Treasurer Samuel Meredith. Wilson requests the immediate payment of his month's salary. Transcript included.

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-15

Subject: Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

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