Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions
Senator James Buchanan (Class of 1809) writes to Colonel C. W. Gooch, thanking the latter for procuring four James River and Kanawha Bonds on his behalf. Buchanan also extolls Virginia Senator William Henry Roane, calling him an "honest, independent & high-souled patriot" who embodies the "...
Location: I-AsbellY-2003-9
Subject: Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Henry B. Hamsberger prepared this oration, entitled “Tyranny of Public Opinion," for the commencement ceremonies held July 8, 1841. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Location: Orations-1841-H291t
Subject: Politics and Government, Social Reform and Advocacy
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to Stimpson Harvey Woodward, an entrepreneur in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, regarding Whigs politics and the Bank of the United States. Buchanan, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, claims that "the truth is the Whig party have never acquired power without abusing it."...
Location: I-Friends-2007-2
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to J. C. Plumer regarding the fate of a Bank Bill that the House of Representatives had recently approved. "We shall show it off in its naked deformity before it passes the Senate," as Buchanan observes. Buchanan also discusses the support for Democratic...
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F26
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to Ross Wilkins a letter reflecting upon Michigan's establishment of the "Wild cat" banking system, which "was one great cause of its prostration." Buchanan also comments on the possibility of a conflict with the United Kingdom if " the States repudiate [their]...
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F27
Subject: Economics and Finance, International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan defends his position as a candidate for President and discusses Pennsylvania's important role in national politics. "I have never yet deemed myself a candidate for the highest office, nor have I considered it," as Buchanan tells M. S. Blackman. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F27
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Charles Collins records his thoughts and activities from his time at Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia, to his years as president of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and then as the head of State Female College in Memphis, Tennessee. The entries from the 1860s refer to the...
Location: MC 2003.6, B1, F6
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Education, Genealogy and Family History, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Format: Diaries and Journals
This report by an unknown author discusses and provides a summary of the key points in Senator Henry Clay's speech on the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. This report notes how "[Clay] believed in the sincerity of the professions of the British Govt" and that "nothing but the greatest evil could result...
Location: I-SpahrB-1950-2
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Reports
Time Period: 1840-1859
Richard Rush responds to a request for his autograph as well as any letters he may have from past governors or senators from Pennsylvania for possible publication. "In regard to letters of any of the past governors or senators of [Pennsylvania], I fear that I shall scarcely be able to furnish...
Location: I-BeachW-1983-6
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to Thomas Brice regarding how society values "mechanicks" and argues against cutting the salaries of members of Congress. Buchanan explains that Brice "underrates the estimation in which our mechanicks are held." "I know no man who now holds a more influential...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F1
Subject: Business and Industry, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan responds to Dr. George McClellan's request for his son to receive an appointment as a cadet, possibly to West Point. "I have not interfered either directly or indirectly, in any appointment since Mr. Van Buren retired; but if I have a right to nominate a cadet, your son...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F1
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Former President Andrew Jackson writes J. Southall to discus a letter that President John Tyler wrote to a "Govr. Branch" and explain what he believes the United States policy should be towards Great Britain. "It behoves [President Tyler] to meet now...
Location: I-SpahrB-1953-12
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Postmaster General James Campbell writes to Reah Frazer, an attorney in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, about various political issues and James Buchanan as a possible candidate for a future Presidential election. "I should like very much to go up to Lancaster and see Mr. Buchanan" and "have a...
Location: I-SpahrB-1958-3
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to James X. McLanahan, a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, regarding how postmasters are appointed and removed, Pennsylvania politics, and the apportionment bill. "Now the power of removal rests with the President alone; and this he has already exercised," as...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F1
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
John Richard Pattison prepared this oration, entitled “National Ingratitude," for the commencement ceremonies held July 14, 1842. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Location: Orations-1842-P321n
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan responds to P. G. Washington's request for a recommendation for a political appointment. "I have recommended no friend for office," as Buchanan explains, "since the present administration came into power." Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F2
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes Benjamin Champneys, a Pennsylvania State Senator, to thank him for his help "in rescuing me from the hands of the Philistines" and to discuss several political issues. "I never believed until the present moment that I had the personal good will of nearly all the...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F4
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to Harrison Wright regarding President William Henry Harrison's administration and the appointment of a postmaster in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Buchanan also comments on Vice President John Tyler's ambitions. "Tyler has determined to be the next President if he...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F4
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Senator James Buchanan writes to Samuel C. Humes and explains that he "cannot interefere in any appointment under Mr. Tyler's administration." Buchanan claims that President John Tyler is "a well disposed & well informed man; but he is more egregiously humbugged than any man [he has] ever...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F5
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Isaac Dillon prepared this oration, entitled “British Empire in the East," for the commencement ceremonies held July 13, 1843. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Location: Orations-1843-D579b
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Time Period: 1840-1859
William L. Whitney prepared this oration, entitled “Colonial Prosperity," for the commencement ceremonies held July 13, 1843. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Location: Orations-1843-W623c
Subject: Education, Politics and Government
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Time Period: 1840-1859
Barnabas Bates writes to Jesse Miller and asks for a "biographical sketch" of Senator James Buchanan. If "we publish the Democrats' Almanac for 1844," Bates wants to have Buchanan's sketch "prepared." Bates also discusses preparations for the Democratic National Convention in Syracuse, New York...
Location: I-SpahrB-1954-1
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Representative Alexander Ramsey writes Joseph Gales and William Seaton to ask for a subscription to their newspaper, the National Intelligencer. Ramsey graduated from Dickinson with a bachelor of laws degree in 1840.
Location: I-BeachW-2010-1
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes to John M. Read regarding candidates for the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election of 1844 as well as how legislation on slavery is increasing sectional tensions. "At the North we are totally ignorant of the deep, pervading & determined feeling of the South on this...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes to Henry Welch regarding various political issues in Pennsylvania and Buchanan's chances of winning elections. "My own prospects never were so bright as at the present moment," as Buchanan explains in December 1850. Buchanan...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
