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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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December 24, 1847
J. Y. Mason acknowledges receiving Secretary of State James Buchanan's letter with a request for the US Navy to not enter "ports of Peru" that are closed to "foreign commerce." "Instructions have been given to the Commanding officer of the U. S. naval force in the Pacific to give the necessary orders to conform to the wishes of the Peruvian Government in this respect," as Mason notes. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F18
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from J. Y. Mason to James Buchanan
December 27, 1847
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Mr. Osna regarding Peru's request that US Navy ships "abstain from entering the ports and harbors of Peru not open to foreign commerce." Mr. Osna is Peru's representative in the United States. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F17
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Mr. Osna
December 28, 1847
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to former Representative Jacob S. Yost regarding Pennsylvania politics and Yost's visit to Washington DC. "Luzerne is, I think, one of the few counties in the State which is hostile to me," as Buchanan notes. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F17
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Jacob S. Yost
circa 1848
Spencer F. Baird (Class of 1840), the Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, publishes "General Directions for Collection and Preserving Objects of Natural History" in 1848. Baird, who is responsible for the Natural History Department, also includes an overview ("Special Desiderata") of specimens that the Smithsonian would like to add to its own collection. In addition, Baird copies a letter that describes how individuals can send specimens to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC at no cost.
"Where public wagons are returning empty, from the interior to the depots on the coast, and public vessels returning from Mexico or Texas, to New Orleans, or other ports in the United States, specimens can be transported and kept in public stores, as requested by Professor Baird, free of expense," as Quarter Master General Thomas S. Jesup explains to Colonel S. Churchill.
Format: Letters/Correspondence, Reports
Location: I-Friends-1975-18
Subject: Science and Technology
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "General Directions for Collecting and Preserving Objects of Natural History" by Spencer Baird
January 17, 1848
Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to James Mason Campbell regarding the financial troubles of a family member. As Taney's brother "had drawn on me," Taney sends Campbell "the above to pay my brother's draft on me." Taney explains his concern that his brother "had not received my letter and that he might suffer for want of money." Taney also hopes to write a letter to his brother "if I could find a moment free from the engagements of the [Supreme] Court." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1967-1
Subject: Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
January 27, 1848
Representative David Wilmot, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, writes to Reah Frazer and asks for certain information that could be used to discredit Secretary of State James Buchanan politically. "Your letter shall be confidential if you desire," as Wilmot notes. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Purchase-1958-26
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from David Wilmot to Reah Frazer
January 29, 1848
The report for John L. Harding, a member of the Class of 1849, includes an account of his expenses, notes on his "attention to study" and absences from classes while at Dickinson College in January 1848. Harding is taking Moral Philosophy, Mental Philosophy, Natural Sciences, Ancient Languages, and Modern Languages. In addition, Professor Thomas E. Sudler writes a short note concerning Harding's financial affairs.
Format: Reports
Location: I-DavidsonR-1975-1
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College Student Life, Economics and Finance, Education
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Dickinson College Report for John Harding
February 24, 1848
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court John McLean, who is also a Trustee at Dickinson College, writes to N. Sargent regarding the death of former President John Quincy Adams on February 23, 1848 in Washington, DC.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1976-3
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from John McLean to N. Sargent
March 16, 1848
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes Asbury Dickins, Secretary of the United States Senate, and requests access to several letters held by the Senate. "To enable [President James K. Polk] to answer the call of the House [of Representatives]," Buchanan asks that a Mr. Appleton be allowed "to withdraw these letters from your files." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F18
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Asbury Dickins
[May 1848?]
Christian Humrich writes to Samuel K. Davis regarding his experience during his freshman year at Dickinson College. Humrich mentions his Latin class and discusses the differences between Professors Otis Tiffany and George Crooks. In addition, Humrich mentions the suicide of a Major Irvine at a boarding house in Carlisle. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Original-undated-15
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Christian Humrich to Samuel Davis (Draft)
May 1, 1848
Samuel Henry Reynolds, a member of the Class of 1850, writes to his Mother about his health, conditions in Carlisle, and asks that his father send money for medicine. Despite "not feel[ing] very well," Reynolds notes that "I have considerable of studying to do this morning." Reynolds also admits that he is " a little afraid of" the "one or two cases of small pox in Carlisle." "If any of the students get it," Reynolds explains that he "will leave, and go home where I will be well taken care of if I should happen to get it." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Original-1848-6
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Health and Medicine
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Samuel Reynolds to His Mother
June 26, 1848
Richard Rush, United States Minister to France, informs a Mr. Corbin that the continued siege of Paris means that he is unfortunately "forced to forgo the pleasure of receiving my friends at dinner tomorrow." Rush also comments on and returns the letter that Corbin forwarded to him.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1976-11
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to Mr. Corbin
July 13, 1848
This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 13, 1848 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: 1848 Commencement Program
July 13, 1848
John Andrew Jackson Creswell prepared this oration, entitled “Italy Under Pius IX," for the commencement ceremonies held July 13, 1848. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1848-C923i
Subject: Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "Italy under Pius IX," by John Andrew Jackson Creswell
July 13, 1848
James Biddle Gordon (Class of 1845) receives his Master of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 13, 1848.
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Master of Arts Diploma - James Gordon
July 18, 1848
General Zachary Taylor writes to Roger Jones, the Adjutant General of the Army, regarding "Indian troubles on frontiers of Texas" and suggesting that the investigation into the Texas frontier "be made under the direction of the officer assigned to that command in that quarter." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1958-17
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Native Americans
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Zachary Taylor to Roger Jones
July 19, 1848
Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to Representative John Dickey regarding inviting the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation over to dinner. "It is good I think that Pennsylvanians should occasionally meet in social intercourse without distinction of party," as Buchanan explains. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F19
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to John Dickey
October 15, 1848
James Andrew McCauley, a member of the Class of 1847, receives his license to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church on October 15, 1848.
Format: Miscellaneous
Location: I-Original-1848-5
Subject: Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: License to Preach for James McCauley
December 1848
John L. Harding's (Class of 1849) report from Dickinson College in December 1848 includes details about his financial account, his grades, and a message from President Jesse T. Peck. Thomas E Sudler, who serves as Harding's patron, signed the report. This report is addressed to a Col. George M. Eichelberger in Frederick, Maryland.
Format: Reports
Location: I-Friends-1993-1
Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Economics and Finance, Education
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Dickinson College Report for John Harding
January 11, 1849
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Brooke Taney writes to J. Mason Campbell (Class of 1827) about issues related to several financial matters. In addition, Taney also asks after his grandson.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1965-10
Subject: Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
January 19, 1849
Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to his wife, Anne Key Taney, about his health and his daughters' unexpected visit. "I was quite surprised when the girls walked into my room," as Taney notes. However, as there is not enough room at that location, Taney explains that his daughters, Maria and Alice, are staying with the Shaaffs. In addition, Taney asks Anne to "tell Ellen and Sophia they must remember how anxious I am about those at home, although I have some with me." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1965-5
Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to Anne Taney
1849-1851
James Buchanan writes three letters to Nahum Capen regarding the publication of President Thomas Jefferson's papers, the collapse of national political parties like the Whigs, the Compromise of 1850, the Senatorial election in Massachusetts, and the increase in sectional tensions. "Disaffection to the Union is spreading in the extreme Southern States; & should South Carolina attempt to secede, which may Heaven forbid! no man can predict the consequences," as Buchanan observes. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from James Buchanan to Nahum Capen
March 1849
The first issue of the Collegian, Dickinson College's first monthly literary publication. Includes "Nationality," "Machine for Grinding Poetry," "Love in College," "Translation of Cleanthe's Hymn to Jupiter," and "The Spartan Youth."
The Belles Lettres and Union Philosophical Societies created a joint editorial committee to manage this new publication. Although it only produced a handful of editions in 1849, the magazine demonstrates the talent student writers had for turning out a truly amazing publication for the College.
Format: Newspapers and Magazines
Location: Dickinsoniana Periodicals
Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Literary Pursuits
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Collegian (Vol. 1, No. 1)
April 1849
The second issue of the Collegian, Dickinson College's first monthly literary publication. Includes "The Tyrol," "Love and Scholarship," "Communings with the Departed," "The Song of the Wind," "War," and "Ernest Maltravers."
The Belles Lettres and Union Philosophical Societies created a joint editorial committee to manage this new publication. Although it only produced a handful of editions in 1849, the magazine demonstrates the talent student writers had for turning out a truly amazing publication for the College.
Format: Newspapers and Magazines
Location: Dickinsoniana Periodicals
Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Literary Pursuits
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Collegian (Vol. 1, No. 2)
April 23, 1849
Former Secretary of State James Buchanan writes Samuel L. Gouverneur to discuss political matters and includes something for him that "may prove serviceable." Buchanan states that this item "is not directed to General Z. Taylor; because under the existing circumstances, I cannot ask a favor from him." Buchanan also comments on the "peculiar" case of Mr. Drum. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F22
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Samuel L. Gouverneur