Collections of college and personal papers, as well as a select number of individual documents, have been briefly described in entries available for browsing and searching on this site. All collection and document descriptions contain a representative image and a summary of the contents.
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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...
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F27
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: 
Letter from James Buchanan to M. S. Blackman
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"...
Location: I-SpahrB-1950-2
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Reports
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Report of Henry Clay’s speech on the Webster-Ashburton Treaty by Unknown Author
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,...
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
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Journal of Charles Collins (Transcript)
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
Time Period: 1860-1879
View Item: Journal of Charles Collins (Transcript)
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],...
Location: I-BeachW-1983-6
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to Lewis Cist
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...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F1
Subject: Business and Industry, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Thomas Brice
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...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F1
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, 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...
Location: I-SpahrB-1958-3
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Campbell to Reah Frazer
Rev. George Washington Bethune asks Isaac Waldron to also "come and see me" when he visits his mother. Bethune, a member of the Class of 1823, lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Location: I-Purchase-1955-1
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from George Bethune to Isaac Waldron
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...
Location: I-SpahrB-1953-12
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Andrew Jackson to J. Southall
Attorney Andrew Gregg Curtin (Class of 1837) writes to an unspecified C. E. Lex, offering his opinion on a legal matter concerning liability for certain debts.
Location: I-BeachW-1982-3
Subject: Legal Affairs
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Andrew Gregg Curtin to C. E. Lex
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...
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....
Location: Orations-1842-P321n
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "National Ingratitude," by John R. Pattison
Daniel Elzey Moore Bates (Class of 1839) receives his Master of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 14, 1842.
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Master of Arts Diploma - Daniel Bates
Perry Green Buckingham receives his Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 14, 1842.
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Perry Buckingham
Senator James Buchanan asks Dickinson College Professor John McClintock to thank the Board of Trustees for granting him an honorary Doctor of Laws. "I feel conscious that I do not deserve so distinguished a literary honor," Buchanan notes....
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F1
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College Alumni Affairs, Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Brooke Taney writes to Henry Baldwin about the delay in payment for Baldwin's books. As Taney explains, "I have written to [the individual responsible for forwarding the money] requesting his immediate...
Location: I-SpahrB-1951-4
Subject: Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to Henry Baldwin
Alfred Brunson McCalmont, a member of the Class of 1844, writes daily entries about classes, social life at Dickinson College, and his life after graduation. McCalmont's entries start in October 1842 and conclude in January 1846. Transcript...
Location: I-Friends-2012-3
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Personal and Family Life
Format: Diaries and Journals
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Journal of Alfred B. McCalmont (Transcript)
John Zug (Class of 1837) writes to his wife, Margaret Hood, updating her on the farmhouse and the lives of their friends. Transcript included.
Location: I-Friends-2013-8
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from John Zug to Margaret Hood
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...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F2
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
US Senator James Buchanan writes Mrs. James I. Roosevelt (Cornelia Van Ness Roosevelt) to express his regrets that he "could not enjoy the pleasure of meeting you on my late visit to New York." Buchanan notes that he hopes to see her "at...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F3
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Mrs. James I. Roosevelt
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...
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. "...
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...
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....
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....
Location: Orations-1843-W623c
Subject: Education, Politics and Government
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "Colonial Prosperity," by William L. Whitney