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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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February 9, 1831
Thomas C. Hambly writes James Hamilton Jr. to express his opposition to a proposed railroad "running... from the River Susquehanna to [York] by any route above the Codoms creek." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-ValeM-1947-28
Subject: Science and Technology, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Thomas Hambly to James Hamilton
February 12, 1831
Representative James Buchanan writes to Hugh Hamilton and regarding Hamilton's mistake in publishing Buchanan's letters in the New York Inquirer. Even though Hamilton "transposed the order of time in which they were written and omitted that portion of the letter in regard to myself which is most complimentary," Buchanan notes that "I know perfectly well that this must have been accidental."
Buchanan also discusses tensions between President Andrew Jackson and Vice President John C. Calhoun. While "every thing has been done by mutual friends to heal the breach," Buchanan "fears the misunderstanding between" the two men "will end in an open rupture." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F11
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Hugh Hamilton
March 8, 1831
Diplomat Richard Rush writes to Colonel Thomas Aspinwall, American consul in London, requesting that he assist an American citizen holding property in London's Covent Garden neighborhood.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1976-8
Subject: Land and Real Estate, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to Thomas Aspinwall
August 22, 1831
Acting Secretary of War Roger Brooke Taney (Class of 1795) writes to Robert Oliver saying that Michigan Territory Governor Lewis Cass, General Alexander Macomb, and "some others" will visit Baltimore over the weekend. Taney also confirms a dinner invitation from Oliver.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AlbertS-1978-1
Subject: Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to Robert Oliver
October 17, 1831
United States Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney writes regarding the outcome of a dispute between the Bellona Gunpowder Company and the Susquehanna Railroad Company. Transcript Included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2004-8
Subject: Business and Industry, Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
December 13, 1831
United States Attorney General Roger B. Taney writes to John Stuart Skinner and apologies for a recent error regarding a nomination.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1950-7
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to John Skinner
May 2, 1832
John Reynolds writes to James Buchanan, the United States Minister to Russia, regarding various business matters that he will address while Buchanan is out of the country. "I fear you have had a rough and tedious passage and suffered from sea sickness though I indulge the hope that you are this day in England in improved health," as Reynolds writes. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F21
Subject: Business and Industry, Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from John Reynolds to James Buchanan
October 13, 1832
James Buchanan writes to James Humes regarding the "unpleasant circumstances attending my departure" from the United States, Pennsylvania Governor George Wolf's re-election, and increasing sectional tensions. Buchanan also describes his experience living in St. Petersburg as the United States Minister to Russia. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F12
Subject: International Affairs, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism, Weather and Climate
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to James Humes
October 29, 1832
Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney writes to the Secretary of the Navy [Levi Woodbury] regarding "an act to extend the pension heretofore granted to the widows of persons killed or who died in the naval service."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1960-2
Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to Levi Woodbury
November 4, 1832
Captain Jesse D. Elliot writes to Dickinson College trustee Isaac B. Parker regarding Elliot's belief that he expects to command the military expedition against South Carolina in the nullification crisis. Elliot also mentions the 1832 Presidential Election and hopes that General Andrew Jackson will win. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1950-4
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Jesse Elliot to Isaac Parker
November 30, 1832
United States Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney writes to an unknown recipient, possibly a colleague, and analyzing the case against Mrs. Davison regarding a bond and debt. Taney predicts the Court of Appeals will follow the ruling of "2 Har. & Gill." In addition, Taney apologizes for both his delayed response and the disorganization of the letter and explains that they are the result of his poor health. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1965-17
Subject: Economics and Finance, Health and Medicine, Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1820-1839
December 11, 1832
United States Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney writes to the members of an unspecified society, informing them that he will be unable to attend the funeral of Charles Caroll III. Caroll, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, died a month prior. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2004-8
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1820-1839
January 9, 1833
James Buchanan, the Minister to Russia, writes J. Randolph Clay with complaints about the cost of sending mail from the United States to Russia and offers diplomatic advice. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F13
Subject: International Affairs, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1820-1839
January 19, [1833?]
John P. Durbin writes to C. A. Walborn regarding the return of a speech by Mr. Corwin "in pamphlet form" as well as congratulating Walborn on his new house. Durbin also discusses plans for an upcoming trip from Baltimore to Harrisburg.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1966-3
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from John Durbin to C. Walborn
January 27, 1833
United States Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney responds to a request to write a letter on behalf of a friend applying for a divorce. "When I was a member of the Senate," Taney writes, "I voted against all the applications for divorces...not only from the religious opinions I entertain, but because I believed them to be wrong...this opinion I often expressed in debate in the Senate—I have not since changed it." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2004-8
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1820-1839
March 2, 1833
James Buchanan, the United States Minister to Russia, asks Nathaniel Niles to send "my private letters immediately by Mail." Buchanan also provides an update on the Mission of General Mouravieff to the Pasha of Egypt. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F13
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
March 6, 1833
United States Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney warns that "I may be detained here [at the Supreme Court] until half past 2... I will be at home the moment I can get away from the Court."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1950-8
Subject: Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1820-1839
March 9, 1833
John P. Durbin writes to Johnston Armstrong about the title on a property in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as plans an upcoming trip to Europe. "As it regards my [trip] to Europe," Durbin explains that he "shall not be able to go before next spring" because of "the condition of my family, the cholera in Europe, and the arrangements of the Wesleyan University."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1970-4
Subject: Health and Medicine, Land and Real Estate, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1820-1839
March 31, 1833
United States Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney writes a short letter to an unspecified person: "I will attend at the State Department for the purpose of examining witnesses according to your request." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2004-8
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
April 8, 1833
United States Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney writes to an unknown recipient regarding a ruling in a recent legal case. "But there is no mode of proceeding in which their judgment can be revised" and, as Taney explains, "the Secretary of the Treasury [Louis McLane] is bound to pay according to their award." While " the only possible remedy now left is an application on to Congress," Taney argues that such a step is "not worth the effort." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1955-2
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney
July 31 - September 28, 1833
Hiester Henry Muhlenberg's travel journal, which he titles "Of a Tour in Search of Pleasure & Health," includes almost daily entries between July 31 - September 28, 1833. Muhlenberg ('29) takes this on this trip after he graduates from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. He travels around New England and visits several cities in Canada, such as Montreal and Quebec. Transcript included.
Format: Diaries and Journals
Location: I-Friends-2013-1
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1820-1839
September 29, 1833
United States Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney writes a confidential letter to William Beall, asking for help defending his character. "Today a friend has sent me the Frederick Herald," Taney explains, "and I perceive that articles in relation to me have been inserted there precisely for the purpose of being transcribed into the opposition papers..." Taney is particularly worried about the way that opponents characterize his spending habits: "It is true I have never spared my money where family connections needed it or the calls of charity or any public object required me to use it...[but] I never spent anything beyond my income...I did not hoard money but I never went in debt..." Taney also refers to his former slaves, "all of which I have since emancipated, [and] were treated with the indulgence of children." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2004-8
Subject: Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to William Beall
October 15, 1833
Treasury Secretary Roger Brooke Taney writes to the New Haven Collector of Customs, William H. Ellis, and approves the request to purchase a "Revenue Boat." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-32
Subject: Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to William Ellis
October 22, 1833
Treasury Secretary Roger Brooke Taney writes to the New Haven Collector of Customs, William H. Ellis, and requests a summary of the amount of duties accrued in the third and fourth quarter of the year. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-32
Subject: Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to William Ellis
November 8, 1833
Richard Rush writes to lawyer A. Dickens asking for an overview of the "West India trade question," regarding the amount and price of American and British tonnage over the preceding year. Rush then mentions his failed attempts to visit Dickens' sons.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2004-1
Subject: Business and Industry, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to A. Dickens