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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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circa 1784
David Erskine, the Earl of Buchan, writes a letter to Charles Nisbet expressing that he does not sympathize with Nisbet's disappointment at being prevented "by the Calvinist party in Pennsylvania" from leaving Scotland to accept "your appointment at Carlisle projected college." Erskine also mentions Roman archaeological sites near Nisbet's home in Montrose, Scotland. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.7, B1, F1
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College History, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality, Science and Technology
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from David Erskine to Charles Nisbet
February 6, 1784
Statesman William Bingham writes Benjamin Rush and compares the conditions in England with those in the United States in terms of government, economics, and immigration. "Whilst the United States have the pleasing Prospect of daily increasing in Power and political Importance," Bingham explains that "the Kingdom appears to be in a very declining state, depressed with contending Factions." Bingham also sends Rush a color engraving of hot air balloon titled "The First Hydrogen Balloon: The Landing near L'Ile Adam." Transcript included.
Format: Engravings and Illustrations, Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-BonisteelR-1958-3
Subject: Economics and Finance, International Affairs, Politics and Government, Science and Technology
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from William Bingham to Benjamin Rush
March 2, 1784
President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson signs this warrant to pay John Barber, a Sergeant in the 11th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, for his service as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. David Rittenhouse, Esquire, is listed on the document as the treasurer.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1949-3
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Warrant for Soldier’s Pay from John Dickinson for John Barber
March 29, 1784
John Carson writes to Robert McPherson, a member of the Board of Trustees, and discusses Charles Nisbet's qualifications as a candidate for President of Dickinson College. As "I was honoured with that Gentlemans personal acquaintance," Carson explains that Dr. Benjamin Rush "requested" an "Account of [Nisbet's] Character in Scotland and his Reputation as a Man of Letters." Nisbet is "a man of extraordinary Genius and application" and "is surpassed by few," as Carson describes. In addition, Carson also comments on Nisbet's political views. "He is well known to have been uniformly from his earliest years a Republican," as Carson notes. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Purchase-1923-1
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Education, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from John Carson to Robert McPherson
April 19, 1784
President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson signs this warrant to pay Henry Martin, a "Captain of the Navy of Pennsylvania," for his service as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. David Rittenhouse, Esquire, is listed on the document as the treasurer.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1949-3
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Warrant for Soldier’s Pay from John Dickinson for Henry Martin
May 15, 1784
Dickinson College Trustee James Wilson writes to William Bingham regarding a loan Wilson seeks from an unspecified Mr. Lettsom. Wilson also discusses the opening of Land Offices and the possibility of changes to the Pennsylvania state constitution. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1964-11
Subject: Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from James Wilson to William Bingham
June 30, 1784
President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson signs this warrant to pay Major Evan Edwards, of the 11th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, for his service as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. David Rittenhouse, Esquire, is listed on the document as the treasurer.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1949-3
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Warrant for Soldier’s Pay from John Dickinson for Evan Edwards
July 8, 1784
John Dickinson writes Robert Magaw regarding Paul Randolph's note for 24 pounds. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-ValeM-1947-72
Subject: Economics and Finance
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from John Dickinson to Robert Magaw
July 23, 1784
General William Irvine writes John Dickinson, the President of Pennsylvania, and recommends Erkurius Beatty's appointment as an officer. "He will do great justice to an appointment of Lieutenant, in the Corps to be raised, should that rank be conferred on him," as Irvine explains.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1964-10
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from William Irvine to John Dickinson
July 29, 1784
William Irvine writes to recommend Ebenezer Denny as "a young man of good private character" who "conducted himself with propriety." Irvine notes that Denny had served as a "Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Line" from 1780 "to the end of the War.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1963-10
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1780-1799
August 14, 1784
President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson signs this warrant to pay Edward Coyle, a Corporal in the 11th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, for his service as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. Coyle receives three pounds and twelve shillings. David Rittenhouse, Esquire, is listed on the document as the treasurer.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1949-3
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Warrant for Soldier’s Pay from John Dickinson for Edward Coyle
August 14, 1784
President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson signs this warrant to pay Edward Coyle, a Corporal in the 11th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, for his service as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. Coyle receives three pounds, twelve shillings, and eight pence. David Rittenhouse, Esquire, is listed on the document as the treasurer.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1949-3
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Warrant for Soldier’s Pay from John Dickinson for Edward Coyle
August 30, 1784
Benjamin Rush writes a letter to Charles Nisbet discussing various religious and political parties in Pennsylvania and their relative support for the endowment of Dickinson College. Rush states that "a great body of the most respectable Presbyterians" are the "men who love [Nisbet's] character, & who will be [Nisbet's] friends & support." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.7, B1, F41
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College History, Education, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Benjamin Rush to Charles Nisbet
September 11, 1784
John Montgomery writes to Robert Miller, Samuel Laird, and John Agnew informing them that Robert Davidson has accepted the pastorate in Carlisle. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Original-1784-2
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from John Montgomery to Robert Miller, Samuel Laird, and John Agnew
September 13, 1784
Pennsylvania politician Samuel John Atlee and Colonel Francis Johnston write to Pennsylvania Governor John Dickinson and request the balance of funds that the "House of Assembly were pleased to make" for "the transportation of the Indian goods and stores to the Northward and Westward."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1966-17
Subject: Economics and Finance, Native Americans, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Samuel Atlee and Francis Johnston to John Dickinson
November 8, 1784
John Culbertson receives this deed for 300 acres in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. John Dickinson, as President of the Supreme Executive Council, signs the deed on November 8, 1784.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-BeachW-2010-2
Subject: Land and Real Estate
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Deed for Land Sold by Pennsylvania to John Culbertson
November 8, 1784
President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson asks the Speaker of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to distribute the "inclosed Dispatches" to other members of the General Assembly. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F2
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from John Dickinson to Speaker of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
November 10, 1784
Statesman William Bingham writes from Paris to Benjamin Rush in Philadelphia. Bingham responds to Rush's previous displeasing letter and discusses United States politics and his travels abroad. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-20
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from William Bingham to Benjamin Rush
December 18, 1784
Dickinson College President Charles Nisbet writes to John Dickinson lamenting the "divisions that distract" the United States. He also acknowledges the honor bestowed upon him by Dickinson and the trustees of Dickinson College. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F5
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College History, Education, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Charles Nisbet to John Dickinson
1785
Benjamin Rush writes the "Plan of Education for Dickinson College" in 1785, which outlines the necessary curriculum that the College should follow. Transcript included.
Format: Miscellaneous
Location: RG 1/1 - 3.2.8
Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College History, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Editor's Note -- Plan of Education , "Plan of Education for Dickinson College," by Benjamin Rush
January 6, 1785
Joseph Priestley provides Sir Charles Blagden, the Secretary of the Royal Society, with a list of errors in his paper for the Transactions and asks him to correct the "important" ones before it is printed. Priestley also reports that he is "busy in my experiments, and I never remember that a greater number of new facts occurred to me in the same space of time." The "present experiments" include "the production of phlogisticated air from Spirit of Niter and phlogiston." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-RichardsonD-1992-2
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Science and Technology
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Joseph Priestley to Sir Charles Blagden
1785-1788
Wilhelmina Nisbet, the Countess of Leven, writes five letters to Dickinson President Charles Nisbet in which she speaks of the health of her family and disapproves of Nisbet's new position at Dickinson College. "I still think you have been hurried off this stage which I do most sincerely regret - my worthy friend Dr. Rush and I would be antipodes in your affairs," as Wilhelmina notes. She also laments over some conflicts that have arisen between Nisbet and Rush upon the former's arrival in America. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.7, B1, F33-37
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College History, Education, Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
March 31, 1785
John Erskine writes to John Dickinson expressing his sorrow in bidding Charles Nisbet farewell as he leaves Montrose for his new post as Principal of Dickinson College. Erskine also expresses faith in Nisbet's abilities and wishes well for the college. Additionally, he comments on the relationship between the United States and England. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F5
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Education, International Affairs
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from John Erskine to John Dickinson
April 14, 1785
John Dickinson writes George Washington to introduce and recommend the portrait painter, Robert Edge Pine.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1963-7
Subject: Visual and Performing Arts
Time Period: 1780-1799
May 1, 1785
Joseph Priestley writes Sir Charles Blagden, the Secretary of the Royal Society, and asks for 50 copies of his paper printed and stitched in blue cloth. In addition, Priestley requests that one copy be sent to Henry Cavendish. Priestley also discusses the election to the Societe Royale de Physique in Orleans and that at Stockholm.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-RichardsonD-1992-4
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Science and Technology
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Joseph Priestley to Sir Charles Blagden