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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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March 17, 1853
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice John B. Gibson writes to Mr. Johnson about changing the laws of Pennsylvania.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2004-3
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from John Gibson to Mr. Johnson
March 28, 1853
James Buchanan declines to put in a "kind word" for a colleague seeking employment in Philadelphia. “Amid the very numerous friends there to whom I am under political obligations,” Buchanan asks “how am I to select a few of them & refuse to recommend the remainder?” Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2012-4
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
April 4, 1853
James Buchanan (Class of 1809) writes to Robert Tyler about his nomination as President and discusses one of the delegates at the Pennsylvania State Convention, a Franklin K. Curran of Marietta. Robert is the son of President John Tyler. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2002-21
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Robert Tyler
1853-1863
Jacob C. Bomberger writes thirteen letters to Eli Slifer, Pennsylvania State Treasurer and later Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, regarding various financial transactions, politics issues, local and federal elections, Pennsylvania bank business, and other local news. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2003.4, B1, F23
Subject: Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1840-1859, 1860-1879
View Item: Letters from Jacob Bomberger to Eli Slifer
June 30, 1853
James Buchanan, who is preparing to take the position as the United States Minister to the United Kingdom, writes to W. H. Welsh, regarding the "present difficulties in the way of appointing a Secretary of Legation to London." Buchanan declares that should a Pennsylvanian be appointed, Welsh would be the one selected. He then asks Welsh if he "would be able to endure the incessant & responsible labor for which [he] would be compelled to undergo in the Legation of London for at least six months." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F13
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to W. Welsh
July 5, 1853
President Franklin Pierce authorizes Secretary of State William L. Marcy to "affix the Seal of the United States to the envelope of a letter addressed to Her Majesty Queen Victoria," which contains James Buchanan's credentials as the new Minister to the United Kingdom.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1956-4
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Franklin Pierce to William Marcy
July 6, 1853
Pennsylvania politician James Buchanan (Class of 1803) writes to Peter G. Washington about political appointments and state elections. Buchanan discusses Washington's prospects of getting a clerkship as well as the possibility of appointments for Carlton B. Cotter, W. Lightner, and W. [Cantisce?]."No man better deserves a good clerkship, and there are few men who would better perform the duties," as Buchanan explains to Washington.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2002-31
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
July 13, 1853
James Buchanan writes to Joseph R. Ingersoll regarding President Franklin Pierce's trip to Crystal Palace in New York City and Buchanan's plans to travel to London as the new United States Minister to the United Kingdom. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F13
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Joseph R. Ingersoll
July 14, 1853
This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 14, 1853 shows the members of the graduating class and the speeches that they were scheduled to deliver.
Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera
Location: Dickinsoniana Programs
Subject: Dickinson College Events
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: 1853 Commencement Program
July 14, 1853
James E. Clawson prepared this oration, entitled “The American Citizen," for the commencement ceremonies held July 14, 1853. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1853-C617a
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "The American Citizen," by James E. Clawson
July 14, 1853
Albert Ritchie prepared this oration, entitled “National Days," for the commencement ceremonies held July 14, 1853. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1853-R598n
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "National Days," by Albert Ritchie
July 14, 1853
James M. Shearer prepared this oration, entitled “The Bastile-Sixty Four Years Ago," for the commencement ceremonies held July 14, 1853. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1853-S539b
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "The Bastile- Sixty Four Years Ago," by James M. Shearer
July 14, 1853
Harriet Lane writes Lily Macalester with gossip about mutual acquaintances and discusses Wheatland. Lane lives with her uncle, James Buchanan, in Pennsylvania. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2001-5
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Harriet Lane to Lily Macalester
July - August 1853
Dickinson College President Charles Collins writes five letters to his wife, Harriet Collins, while on a trip. Collins describes his travel experience as well as the various meetings he attended. Collins explains that "contrary to expectation when I first came, I have enjoyed myself very much" because of an increase of support from the congregation and preachers. In addition, Collins mentions that saw her brother at a conference, shares family news, and notes that he heard former Dickinson President John Price Durbin preach. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-EwigC-1990-1
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from Charles Collins to Harriet Collins (Jul. - Aug. 1853)
1853-1854
James Buchanan writes to Mr. Lane and James L. Reynolds regarding paying bills, political appointments, and Buchanan's political future. "I shall not be a candidate for the Presidency, & would not wish to become President" because, as Buchanan explains, "it has lost its charm." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Economics and Finance, International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from James Buchanan to Mr. Lane and James L. Reynolds
August 11, 1853
President James Buchanan writes to Gerard Hallock regarding the Presidential Election of 1860 and whether to remove the editor of a "leading Democratic" newspaper for not supporting his administration's policies. "This organ... maintains political doctrines in violation of the Constitution of the United States as expounded by the Supreme Court," as Buchanan explains. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F3
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Gerard Hallock
1853-1856
James Buchanan writes eight letters from London to James L. Reynolds on a number of different subjects, including life as the United States Minister to the United Kingdom, the Vienna Conference, the Crimean War, the Nebraska Bill, and the 1856 Presidential election. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1840-1859
August 29, 1853
Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney writes President Franklin Pierce and recommends Lieutenant Colonel Taylor’s son, Francis H. Taylor, for an appointment “to the office of military storekeeper in Oregon.” Justice Taney argues that Francis is “well qualified for the appointment… and would faithfully discharge its duties.” Colonel Taylor is Taney’s son in law. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1948-1
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
September 20, 1853
James Buchanan writes to Christopher L. Ward and describes life in London as the new United States Minister to the United Kingdom and discusses the possibility of a conflict between Russia and Turkey in the Crimean. Buchanan also mentions his introduction to Queen Victoria. "The manners of the queen are graceful & dignified & her reception of me was gracious," as Buchanan notes. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F13
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Christopher L. Ward
November 1, 1853
James Buchanan describes his experience working and living in London as United States Minister to the United Kingdom and comments on the latest political news from the United States. George Plitt is a Pennsylvania attorney. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F14
Subject: International Affairs, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to George Plitt
November 1853 - August 1854
Tiphen Walsingham Allen, from Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, records his thoughts and activities from November 1853 to August 1854 as a student at Dickinson College. Allen is a member of the Class of 1854. Transcript included.
Format: Diaries and Journals
Location: I-Friends-2003-6
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Journal of Tiphen W. Allen (Transcript)
December 1853
Rev. Charles Collins, the eleventh president of Dickinson College, writes this short biography of Rev. Charles Nisbet, the first president of the College, in 1853.
Charles Collins, "Rev. Charles Nisbet, D. D., First President of Dickinson College," The Ladies Repository 13, no. 34 (December 1853): 529-532.
Format: Newspapers and Magazines
Location: Special Collections Periodicals
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College History, Education, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "Rev. Charles Nisbet, D. D., First President of Dickinson College," by Charles Collins
December 30, 1853
Harriet Lane writes to her friend Mrs. Christopher L. Ward in December 1853. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F16
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Harriet Lane to Mrs. Christopher L. Ward
January 20, 1854
James Buchanan writes to Lily Macalester and describes his life in London as the United States Minister to the United Kingdom. "I should be far happier in retirement at Wheatland than amidst the gaiety of London," as Buchanan notes. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F15
Subject: Health and Medicine, International Affairs, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1840-1859
May 4, 1854
Harriet Lane writes to Lily Macalester and discusses her voyage to London. She will be presented to Queen Victoria later that week. In addition, Lane notes that she attended the opera with a Mr. Peabody and sat in a box opposite of the Queen. Lane is living with her uncle, James Buchanan, who is serving as the Minister to the United Kingdom. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2001-5
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism, Visual and Performing Arts
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Harriet Lane to Lily Macalester