Politics and Government

    Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions

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 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 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 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 Catharine Graham to George Washington (Draft)
March 1791

Draft of a Catharine Macaulay Graham's letter to President George Washington. Graham expresses concern for Washington's health and the French Revolution. Transcript included.

Location: I-Purchase-1967-1

Subject: Health and Medicine, International Affairs, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Matthew Boulton to Unknown Recipient
July 18, 1791

Matthew Boulton provides an account of the Birmingham riots in England and the destruction of property, including Joseph Priestley's house. The recipient's identity is unknown. Transcript included.

Letter from Charles Nisbet to Unknown Recipient
August 10, 1791

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet discusses in what appears to be a postscript how a farmer in Chambersburg has discovered a great body of iron ore. Nisbet also discusses new treaties with Native American tribes as well as the large number of French citizens arriving in the United States. "The...

Letters from Charles Nisbet to Mary Nisbet
1791-1799

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes thirteen letters to his daughter, Mary Nisbet, offering advice on marriage and family life in addition to discussions of domestic and political affairs. Transcripts included.

Letter from William Irvine to John Nicholson
January 14, 1792

William Irvine, a member of the Dickinson College Board of Trustees, writes to John Nicholson regarding a letter from an unspecified Mrs. Spring. Transcript included.

Location: I-Purchase-1964-11

Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to William Short (Copy)
March 18, 1792

Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson writes to William Short, the US minister to the Netherlands, with instructions regarding his duties as treaty commissioner to Spain. "It is hoped that in consequence of my former letter, you will have made the necessary arrangements for an immediate departure...

Location: I-SpahrB-1953-13

Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1792-93
1792-1793

Charles Nisbet writes a seven letters to William Young from 1792 to 1793 that mostly focus on Nisbet’s transactions with Young as a printer and book dealer. Nisbet discusses various works with religious and political themes, such as Augustus Toplady's History of Calvinism and Thomas...

Letter from Thomas Smith to Alexander Dallas
October 11, 1792

Thomas Smith, a Pennsylvania Judge, writes to Alexander James Dallas, the Secretary of the State of Pennsylvania, about the prosecution Colonel John Montgomery's son. "The prosecution is truly disagreable to me, as besides the long acquaintance and mutual regard between me and the Defendants...

Letter from Charles Nisbet to William Young
November 21, 1792

Charles Nisbet writes to bookseller William Young regarding a packet from an unspecified Mr. Wilson with two letters for Europe. Nisbet also asks for a paper, discusses Carlisle weather, and speculates about the French Revolution.

Letter from Charles Nisbet to Jonathan Ingham
January 14, 1793

Dickinson College President Charles Nisbet writes to Dr. Jonathan Ingham of Bucks County, Pennsylvania with reflections on education, politics, international affairs, as well as other contemporary American issues. Transcript included.

Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1794-95
1794-1795

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes six letters to William Young from 1794 to 1795 that focus mostly on international affairs and political issues. Nisbet expresses worry over potential military conflict between the United States and Great Britain, and reflects upon the French Revolution...

Orders from John Dickinson to David Rittenhouse
March 8-21, 1784

President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson instructs David Rittenhouse, treasurer of Pennsylvania, to issue payment for Charles Willson Peale's Triumphal Arch and to pay 150 pounds to the American Philosophical Society. Transcripts included.

Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F8-9

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Samuel Vaughan to John Andrews
March 31, 1794

Samuel Vaughan writes to Rev. Dr. John Andrews and introduces Joseph Priestley, who is seeking asylum in the United States. Vaughan explains that Priestley is "now driven to seek an asylum in your rising Empire."

Location: MC 1998.1, B2, F8

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Theophilus Lindsey
August 15, 1794

Theologian and scholar Joseph Priestley writes to his friend Theophilus Lindsey. Priestley discusses his recent move to Northumberland, Pennsylvania, trouble with the mail, the local climate, the prospect for building, his work, the French Revolution, and the cause of Unitarianism. Transcript...

Letter from Stephen Johnes to Lydia Johnes
October 8, 1794

Stephen Johnes writes from Carlisle to Lydia Johnes, his wife, about life as a solider in the army assembled to end the Whiskey Rebellion. Johnes mentions a conversation with "Doc. Huston" about some individuals who complain that President George Washington's actions regarding the Whisky...

Letter from Charles Nisbet to Ashbel Green
October 14, 1794

Charles Nisbet writes Ashbel Green to acknowledge Green's letter from September 12th and to justify questions about Green's intent in giving Nisbet's private letters to his political opponents. Nisbet also discusses the Whiskey Rebellion and describes the impact of the militia that assembled...

Letter from Stephen Johnes to Lydia Johnes
October 21, 1794

Stephen Johnes writes from Camp Bedford to Lydia Johnes, his wife, about life as a solider in the army assembled to end the Whiskey Rebellion. Johnes expresses concerns over the fact that she has not received all of his letters, explains the march from Carlisle to Fort Pitt, and his desires to...

Memorandum about Charles Nisbet by David Erskine
c.1795

This memorandum by David Stewart Erskine, the Earl of Buchan, was apparently at one time covering note for a number of letters from Dickinson College President Dr. Charles Nisbet to Erskine. It is known that there was a lively correspondence between Dr. Nisbet and Lord Buchan. "These letters '...

Location: I-SpahrB-1949-1

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Miscellaneous

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1796-99
1796-1799

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes eight letters to William Young, a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia, that mostly regard the political state of affairs in America and Europe, particularly the French Revolution. "The revolutionists of France first encouraged the people to despise...

Letter from Thomas Hartley to William Irvine
September 25, 1796

Thomas Hartley writes to William Irvine about his recent return from Baltimore.  Hartley also discusses local elections and mentions Montgomery County, Lancaster, as well as Carlisle.

Location: I-Friends-2003-1

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

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