Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions
Democratic Presidential candidate James Buchanan (Class of 1803) writes John S. Cunningham about various political issues, including his support of President John Tyler's veto of the Bank of the United States in 1841. Buchanan also returns President Tyler's letter to Cunningham and notes that he...
Location: I-Friends-2003-3
Subject: Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Hiram Walbridge writes President James Buchanan to introduce Robert Gamble and recommend him for a political appointment. Walbridge notes that “Gamble is a sound reliable democrat” who “has held responsible public trusts in the City of New York.”
Location: I-SpahrB-1952-10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
United States Attorney General Jeremiah Sullivan Black provides legal advice to President James Buchanan on whether the Chief Executive can remit part of the sentence of a convict. "I have examined and found that the universal practice of all your predecessors sanctioned by the courts has been...
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F2
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
First Lady Harriet Lane writes to Lily Macalester about the going ons of Washington D.C., her trip to Pennsylvania, Macalester's trip to West Point, as well as various bits of gossip. Lane also comments on several political figures, including Secretary of War John B. Floyd and Senator Stephen...
Location: I-Friends-2000-8
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Treasury Secretary Howell Cobb writes to David Tompkins and accepts his election to the James Buchanan Literary Association of New Haven, Connecticut.
Location: I-Purchase-1966-1
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
President James Buchanan writes former President Franklin Pierce and encloses "the first copy of the message which has been delivered to any person." The "message" that Buchanan refers to is likely his first State of the Union, which was published on December 8, 1857. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F25
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
United States Senator Simon Cameron writes Samuel D. Ingham, a former United States Secretary of the Treasury, to discuss President James Buchanan and other national political matters. "Our old friend [President James] Buchanan is really in trouble," Cameron explains, "for the first time in his...
Location: I-SpahrB-1963-1
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Rufus Choate, a former US Senator from Massachusetts, writes President James Buchanan (Class of 1809) to request the appointment of Edward Riddle as a naval agent in Boston, Massachusetts. "Mr Riddle [is] eminently well suited to perform the duties of the place in question," as Choate explains....
Location: I-AsbellY-1978-1
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
William Bigler writes to A. Boyd Hamilton and discusses President James Buchanan and several national political issues, including slavery, the Dred Scott decision, and the Lecompton Convention in Kansas. "I should sacrifice much before I would be found in the ranks of those who attempt to...
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-3
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
President James Buchanan explains why he cannot grant E. L. Molineux's request that a merchant clerk of New York City receive an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F26
Subject: Education, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Lily Macalester writes this biographical sketch of President James Buchanan in 1859. Macalester is friends with First Lady Harriet Lane, Buchanan's niece. Transcript included.
Location: I-BeachW-2001-1
Subject: Genealogy and Family History, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Essays and Dissertations
Time Period: 1840-1859
President James Buchanan writes the Burns Club of the City of New York to decline the club's invitation to a dinner celebrating Robert Burns's centennial birthday. Buchanan also expresses his personal views on the poet's life and work. "[Burns] has ever been a favorite poet of mine," as Buchanan...
Location: I-Friends-2011-3
Subject: Literary Pursuits
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
President James Buchanan writes Charles E. Wentz regarding possible political appointments for Col. Samuel Stambaugh. "I have offered him two good offices; but he will accept neither of them," as Buchanan explains. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F2
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
President James Buchanan writes to Secretary of State Lewis Cass, Secretary of War John B. Floyd, and Attorney General Jeremiah S. Black regarding orders that they need to send to federal officials in Utah. "The State of Affairs in Utah renders it necessary that new & harmonious instructions...
Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F2
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
United States Secretary of the Interior Jacob Thompson forwards a commission from President James Buchanan (Class of 1809) to John A. B. Leonard. The commission appoints Mr. Leonard as "Secretary to sign patents for lands."
Location: I-AsbellY-2002-63
Subject: Land and Real Estate, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Governor of Virginia Henry Alexander Wise comments on various national political issues and on the 1860 presidential election. Wise tells his correspondent that "I hope you will deal hardly by the Softs and expose their connection at Cincinnati in...
Location: I-SpahrB-1954-9
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
President James Buchanan writes to W.C.N. Swift and voices his opinion that the Massachusetts delegation at the 1860 Democratic National Convention in Charleston, South Carolina "should be composed of sound national men who will act in unison." Buchanan also explains that he "feel[s] a deep...
Location: I-Friends-2001-3
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
President James Buchanan responds to John A. Wilstach's letter about domestic issues and foreign affairs. "I shall take great pleasure in reading your remarks on these important subjects at my earliest convenience," as President Buchanan explains.
Location: I-Friends-2005-4
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Harriet Lane writes to a Mr. Childs from the White House in 1859 regarding changes to a publication about her uncle President James Buchanan. Besides making corrections, Lane also wants Mr. Childs to use a different portrait of President Buchanan. The portrait that Mr. Childs had selected is, as...
Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F16
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Lily Macalester writes her father, Charles Macalester, regarding her stay at the White House with her friend, First Lady Harriet Lane. Lily describes a dinner hosted by Lord Richard Lyons, the British minister to the United States, that a number of prominent officials attended, including General...
Location: I-Friends-2000-2
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1860-1879
Lily Macalester writes to her father, Charles Macalester, about a dinner party she attends while staying at the White House with her friend First Lady Harriet Lane. Lily includes a description of her conversation with President James Buchanan and provides updates on other political issues,...
Location: I-Friends-2000-3
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1860-1879
Lily Macalester writes her father, Charles Macalester, regarding her stay at the White House with her friend, First Lady Harriet Lane. Lily describes the dinner party with Japanese delegates as a "great success." "My friend the young Prince Stkahara Jugoro, is very bright" and, as Lily explains...
Location: I-Friends-2000-5
Subject: International Affairs, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1860-1879
Lily Macalester writes her father, Charles Macalester, regarding her stay at the White House with her friend, First Lady Harriet Lane. Lily also discusses plans for a friend's wedding and a trip to Arlington. In addition, Lily comments on recent political news. "I understand that [Abraham]...
Location: I-Friends-2000-6
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1860-1879
Lily Macalester writes to her aunt about the details of a wedding she attended and the bride's gown. Macalester, who is staying at the White House while in Washington D.C., also notes how "the President was quite pleased at your message" and mentions seeing the visiting Japanese dignitaries at...
Location: I-Friends-2000-7
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1860-1879
President James Buchanan writes to Charles Macalester asking for advice regarding North Carolina Bonds. Buchanan also mentions that he misses Macalester's daughter, Lily, who is friends with Buchanan's niece. An envelope postmarked 1857, which was addressed to Lily Macalester, was donated along...
Location: I-LaskyR-2000-1
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1860-1879
