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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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August 8, 1816
Attorney Horace Binney writes to his colleague William Rawle, asking for the defendant's title in the case of Butler v. Cadwalader.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1981-1
Subject: Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from Horace Binney to William Rawle
September 12, 1816
Attorney Horace Binney writes to his colleague William Rawle, enclosing an agreement in the case of Butler v. Cadwalader.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1981-1
Subject: Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from Horace Binney to William Rawle
July 20, 1817
Former Dickinson College Professor Thomas Cooper writes Parker Cleveland, a Professor of Mineralogy at Bowdoin College, and asks for advice regarding about his plans to teach a class on mineralogy at the University of Philadelphia. "I propose using your book as the manual for my class," as Cooper notes. Cooper also asks Cleveland to send any available "specimens of the minerals of New England." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Purchase-1950-1
Subject: Education, Science and Technology
Time Period: 1800-1819
August 14, 1817
Acting Secretary of State Richard Rush writes to Jonathan Russell, the United States minister to Sweden and Norway, regarding "the claims of several citizens of the U. States on the Swedish government, the particulars of which will be explained by the papers" enclosed within his letter.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Purchase-1971-9
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to Jonathan Russell
August 27, 1817
Cyrus W. Trimble writes to his brother, John A. Trimble about his daily schedule at Dickinson and the two different literary societies at Dickinson, the Union Philosophical Society and the Belles Lettres Society. Cyrus, who is a member of UPS, explains that "you can’t conceive the emulation that exists between the two societies that is who should get the most members." Cyrus also explains how he "cannot inform you much about" these societies because they "are a little on the Freemason order in way of secrets."
In addition, Cyrus mentions several faculty, including President Jeremiah Atwater and "the celebrated [Thomas] Cooper of chemistry and natural philosophy." Cyrus also mentions a recent duel in Carlisle, in which a Captain "Campbell was wounded through the thigh but is recovering." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-DavidsonR-1975-2
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from Cyrus Trimble to John Trimble
October 20, 1817
Secretary of State John Quincy Adams introduces the newly appointed Minister to Great Britain, Richard Rush, to Richard Sharp, an attorney in London. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-MoyermanS-1966-1
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1800-1819
November 1, 1817
Richard Rush writes to Delaware politician James Brobson regarding a case of the estate of John Dauphin. Rush, who retired as United States Attorney General a few days prior, states that he no longer holds the position but will pass on the citation to a clerk of the Supreme Court.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-1976-5
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to James Brobson
February 24, 1818
Maryland State Senator and attorney Roger Brooke Taney writes to an unknown recipient with instructions regarding deeds for land in Maryland. As Taney explains, "a deed for land in Maryland may be executed by a person resident in Ohio in the following manner..." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1955-3
Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1800-1819
May 18, 1818
Commissary General Callender Irvine (Class of 1794) writes to Major Loring Austin, of the 8th Infantry Regiment, about instructions on requesting clothing for 400 men.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1963-2
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1800-1819
May 23, 1818
Commissary General Callender Irvine (Class of 1794) writes to Major Loring Austin in Boston and notes that clothing for the 8th Infantry Regiment has been forwarded.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1963-2
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1800-1819
July 2, 1818
Commissary General Callender Irvine writes to Major Loring Austin with concerns about clothing for the 8th Infantry Regiment.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1963-2
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1800-1819
March 1, 1819
Commissary General Callender Irvine (Class of 1794) writes to Major Loring Austin, of the 8th Infantry Regiment, concerning clothing for the military recruiting services.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1963-2
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1800-1819
1819-1838
James Buchanan writes two letters to Henry Shippen regarding purchasing land out west, a judicial appointment in Iowa, Pennsylvania politics, the financial system, and the Deposit Law of 1836. "I have been accustomed to witness many humbugs," but as Buchanan explains, Pennsylvania "Governor [Joseph] Ritner's late proclamation exceeds them all." Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letters from James Buchanan to Henry Shippen
June 27, 1819
Secretary of State John Quincy Adams writes to Ebenezer Huntington, an attorney, to inform him that the USS John Adams has been sent to Havana with "purpose of procuring the Release of such Citizens of the United States, including Captain Asa Hosmer, as may be detained there as Prisoners." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1958-1
Subject: International Affairs, Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from John Quincy Adams to Ebenezer Huntington
November 25, 1819
Former Dickinson College Professor Thomas Cooper asks Ebenezer Bradford for assistance with some legal problems.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1974-4
Subject: Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1800-1819
February 1, 1820
Roger Brooke Taney writes to William Ritchie, Clerk of Court for Frederick County, Maryland, entering judgment of Robert Fulton v. Barnhart Gilbert.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-BeachL-1971-1
Subject: Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Note from Roger B. Taney to William Ritchie
August 14, 1820
Two letters, sent together to Arthur Shaaff in Scotland. In the first letter, Maryland State Senator Roger Brooke Taney writes to Arthur Shaaff and informs him about the state of his late father's estate and advises him not to abandon his schooling abroad in Glasgow in order to return home. Taney also reports on the death of their friend Miss Polly Mendact, Shaaff's sister, Jane, and their friend Captain Marbury, who are both currently visiting Frederick, Maryland. The second letter is from Jane Shaaff to her brother, and is written on the back of one of the pages of Taney's letter. She writes that "little John Thomas" died on August 11th and was buried next to their father and that, while she and his mother yearn to see him, they agree with Mr. Taney's advice to stay in Glasgow. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-41
Subject: Economics and Finance, Education, Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letters from Roger B. Taney and Jane Shaaff to Arthur Shaaff
April 11, 1821
Attorney Roger Brooke Taney writes to another lawyer, J. Meredith, and agrees to accept Meredith's friends as a student in his law office. "Your friend will with pleasure be received into my office if he wishes it," as Taney notes. Taney also recommends "Mrs. Kimballs" as "the only good private boarding house in this Town."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-PotamkinM-1982-1
Subject: Education, Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to J. Meredith
December 20, 1821
Richard Rush writes to Michael Hogan, confirming that he received Hogan's letter and passed on its contents to the Secretary of State. Hogan's letter regards the Peruvian War of Independence, and Rush states that "the fall of Lima had been known here for about a fortnight" and that "our relations with this government continue to rest on amicable footing." Rush works as the United States Minister to the United Kingdom.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2003-5
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to Michael Hogan
1822-1824
Representative James Buchanan writes three letters to Jacob M. Halderman regarding the legal case against Colonel Thomas and his debt to the federal government. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
June 11, 1822
Mary Gurney writes to Charles A. Poulson and describes how she "went over to Brooklyn this morning" from New York City and recounts her activities during her brief stay.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Purchase-1967-3
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Mary Gurney to Charles Poulson
September 2, 1822
Richard M. Crain writes James Hamilton Jr. to introduce Joseph Crain, a prospective student to Dickinson College. "If you can make it convenient to yourself," Crain asks Hamilton "to give him the necessary introduction to the Professors." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-ValeM-1947-20
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College Student Life, Education
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Richard Crain to James Hamilton
November 27, 1822
Lawyer and banker Roger Brooke Taney responds to a client who wants to collect a toll from travelers that ford a river rather than use their tolled bridge. While an "Act of 1818" prohibits such collections, Taney suggests a different solution: "Obstruct[ing] the ford as the law authorize[s] you to do. The public must then use the bridge & using the bridge the law compels them to pay the toll." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2004-8
Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
May 1823
The Dickinson College catalog for the 1822-1823 academic year. Through the years, the annual catalog was variously titled "The Bulletin," "Catalogue and Register," "Course Catalog," and similar variants. The catalog typically includes the list of courses offered, requirements for enrollment, requirements for graduation, tuition and other fees, and campus facilities, college policies, and lists of teaching faculty, college trustees, and various administrators.
Format: Books and Pamphlets
Location: Dickinsoniana Periodicals
Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Education
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Dickinson College, 1822-23
June 1823
This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held in June 1823 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: 1820-1839
View Item: 1823 Commencement Program