Politics and Government

    Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions

"Democratic Passion," by Samuel H. Reynolds
July 11, 1850

Samuel Henry Reynolds prepared this oration, entitled “Democratic Passion," for the commencement ceremonies held July 11, 1850. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.

Location: Orations-1850-R465d

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

"The Roman Catholics of Maryland," by Richard D. Sellman
July 11, 1850

Richard D. Sellman prepared this oration, entitled "The Roman Catholics of Maryland," for the commencement ceremonies held July 11, 1850. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.

Location: Orations-1850-S467r

Subject: Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letters from Alexander McClure to Eli Slifer, 1850-52
1850-1852

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...

Letter from James Buchanan to David Myerle
September 2, 1850

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

Letter from James Buchanan to John G. Brenner
December 26, 1850

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

Letters from James Buchanan to Robert Tyler
1851-1857

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...

Letter from James Buchanan to James Campbell
January 30, 1851

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...

Letter from James Buchanan to Robert J. Walker
May 5, 1851

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

Letters from James Buchanan to John Hasting
March 18 ; May 22, 1851

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

Letters from Israel Gutelius to Eli Slifer, 1851-54
1851-1854

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,...

Letters from William Wagenseller to Eli Slifer
1851-1861

William Wagenseller writes ten letters to Eli Slifer on a number of different topics, including funding a monument for his late brother and recommending his nephew for a position as a doctor in the Union army. In addition, Wagenseller provides information regarding a soldier who left military...

Letter from James Buchanan to Robert Flenniken
May 5, 1851

James Buchanan writes Robert P. Flenniken to discuss a number of political issues, including the 1852 Presidential election, the implications of General Lane's nomination in Indiana, and the intentions of Mr. Cameron to "admit the Frazer delegates from this county over the heads of the regularly...

Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F3

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letter from James Buchanan to Robert Tyler
May 7, 1851

James Buchanan writes Robert Tyler, son of President John Tyler, about Buchanan's tenure as secretary of state under President James Polk and the Mexican War. "The appointments of officers in the Mexican war nearly ruined me politically in Pennsylvania" and, as Buchanan explains, "I solemnly...

Location: I-Friends-2003-4

Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letter from James Buchanan to John Tyler Jr.
June 11, 1851

James Buchanan writes John Tyler Jr. and explains how sectional tensions will increase after the Whig party nominates General Winfield Scott as their candidate for the 1852 Presidential election. "The result most probably will be to increase the strength & bitterness of those sectional...

Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F4

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

"The Destiny of America," by James M. Kimberlin
June 26, 1851

James Monroe Kimberlin prepared this oration, entitled “The Destiny of America," for the commencement ceremonies held June 26, 1851. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. In discussing the future of the United States,...

"The Genius of Revolution," by George B. Day
June 26, 1851

George B. Day prepared this oration, entitled “The Genius of Revolution," for the commencement ceremonies held June 26, 1851. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.

Location: Orations-1851-D273g

Subject: Education, Politics and Government, Social Reform and Advocacy

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

"The National Monument," by James S. Thomas
June 26, 1851

James S. Thomas prepared this oration, entitled “The National Monument," for the commencement ceremonies held June 26, 1851. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.

Location: Orations-1851-T458n

Subject: Education, Politics and Government

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letter from James Buchanan to Henry A. Clover
September 20, 1851

James Buchanan writes to Henry A. Clover regarding the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election and the election prospects of Clover's relative. "Your relative General Clover is in no danger" because, as Buchanan explains, "his opponent, John Strohm is one of the fourteen in the House of...

Letter from James Buchanan to Charles Shriner
November 24, 1851

James Buchanan writes Charles H. Shriner regarding the status of the Democratic party in Union County, Pennsylvania. "What is the matter in Union County?," as Buchanan asks. Transcript included.

Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F5

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letters from George Miller to Eli Slifer
1852-1862

George Miller writes sixteen letters to Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, in which he discusses construction of the Sunbury and Erie railroad, repeal of the tonnage tax, the raising of a Corps of Engineers, developments in local elections, several legal cases, as...

Letters from James Buchanan to Henry Wise
1852-1857

James Buchanan writes three letters to Henry A. Wise that focus largely on various political matters, including the 1852 Democratic Convention, the election of US Senators from Pennsylvania, and who to appoint to President-elect Buchanan's cabinet. Transcripts included.

Location: MC 1998.10

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letters from James Buchanan to James Campbell
1852-1854

James Buchanan writes five letters to James Campbell regarding Pennsylvania politics, the Democratic conventions, President Franklin Pierce's appointments, and Buchanan's experience working as the United States Minister to the United Kingdom. Buchanan also discusses the possibility of a war...

Letter from Simon Cameron to Reah Frazer
March 9, 1852

Simon Cameron writes to Reah Frazer, an attorney in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and requests copies of James Buchanan's speeches against the war, presumably the Mexican-American War. With them, Cameron explains that southern senators will demolish "the old sage." Cameron, a Pennsylvania...

Location: I-SpahrB-1957-5

Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letters from Andrew Curtin to Eli Slifer, 1852-57
1852-1857

Andrew Curtin writes four letters to Eli Slifer in which he discusses a recent appointment bill and the potential impact on the political strength of the Democratic party as well as other political developments in Pennsylvania. Transcripts included. 

Location: MC 2003.4, B3, F9

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letter from William Wilkins to John Bigler
April 2, 1852

Former Secretary of War William Wilkins writes California Governor John Bigler to recommends Samuel A. Dickey, the son of Representative John Dickey, for a position or an appointment. Samuel "is of good character and correct deportment," as Wilkins notes.

Location: I-Purchase-1998-1

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

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