Secretary of State James Buchanan (Class of 1809) writes to Massachusetts Senator John Davis regarding the burglary of Mrs. Sally Blake's house in Boston. The burglar, William Baird, has fled the United States for Britain, and it is Buchanan's opinion that "the expense attending the apprehension...

Marcus Junius Parrott records his thoughts and activities as a college student in Ohio, then in Pennsylvania at Dickinson College (graduating in 1849), as a law student thereafter at Cambridge Law School, and a few entries from 1857 when Parrott serves as delegate to Congress from the Kansas...

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to J. Mason Campbell, an attorney, about a political and legal matter related to Maryland's constitution. While Taney brings up several questions and arguments to consider in regard to the matter, Taney also counsels Campbell to not provide...

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...

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,...

James Buchanan writes to William L. Hirst recommending the appointment of Judge Campbell to a position rendered vacant by the death of Judge Coulter, under the rationale that it will benefit the Democratic party of Pennsylvania. Buchanan includes a copy of the letter he wrote to Pennsylvania...

Attorney Murray Rush writes to Franklin Pierce, President of the United States, campaigning for the district attorney position in Philadelphia. In addition, Murray mentions his father, Richard Rush, who had served in a number of positions including Secretary of the Treasury, Attorney General,...

Diplomat and politician Richard Rush writes to "the Messrs. Corbin of Virginia, Maryland, and their collaterals" to meet and investigate their claims to the Jennings Estate. Rush also recommends his son, Benjamin, as someone qualified to serve as a source of legal advice.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to D. M. Perine regarding a life insurance policy payment at the Baltimore Life Insurance Company. As he is still in Washington, Taney asks Perine to take the payment to J. J. Donalson. While "I was much broken down in the last two weeks of...

James Sellers writes fifteen letters to Eli Slifer concerning help with managing his father's estate, the possibility of his election as Senator as a result of his affiliation with the Whig party, questions about the division of Union County, as well as other political news. Transcripts included...

Horatio Collins King, a member of the Class of 1858, records his thoughts and activities of his daily life in the first year after his graduation from Dickinson College. King's entries include notes on his travels through New England, Canada, and New York. In addition, King discusses social life...

President James Buchanan writes to William R. Drinkard, Secretary of War John B. Floyd's chief clerk, in an attempt to solve a dispute over paying US Army Captain Montgomery Meigs. Buchanan asks Drinkard to send "the Paper addressed by Capt Meigs in reply to the Attorney Generals [Jeremiah S....