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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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September 4, 1787
John Dickinson writes to Robert Magaw regarding rent due from Dickinson's tenant, Paul Randolph. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Original-1787-1
Subject: Economics and Finance, Land and Real Estate
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from John Dickinson to Robert Magaw
September 26, 1787
President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to the first graduating class of Dickinson College at commencement on September 26, 1787. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: SC Vault Nisbet 37
Subject: Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: "An Address to the First Graduates of Dickinson College," by Charles Nisbet (Transcript)
September 26, 1787
Robert Duncan (Class of 1787) delivers this valedictory address at the first commencement of Dickinson College, which was held on September 26, 1787. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: SC Vault Nisbet 37
Subject: Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Dickinson College Student Life, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Valedictory Address from the First Commencement by Robert Duncan (Transcript)
October 1787
President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to students in October after "a short interval of vacation." John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: SC Vault Nisbet 37
Subject: Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Dickinson College Student Life, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Address after a Vacation by Charles Nisbet (Transcript)
1787-1792
Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes six letters to David Erskine, the Earl of Buchan, on a number of topics that include the consequences of America's independence, the economy, governance, natural history of the country, international politics, relations with Native Americans, the curriculum at Dickinson College, and Nisbet's relationship with College Trustees like Benjamin Rush. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.7
Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Economics and Finance, Education, International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Native Americans, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letters from Charles Nisbet to David Erskine
January 16, 1788
President pro tempore of the Board of Trustees John Armstrong writes to two other Dickinson College trustees, William Irvine and William Bingham, and informs them of a purchase of "public buildings near the Town for the Benefit of the College ...". While Armstrong writes from Carlisle, Irvine and Bingham are members of the Congress of the Confederation in New York City. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1961-5
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Administration, Land and Real Estate, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from John Armstrong to William Bingham and William Irvine
May 7, 1788
President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to the second graduating class of Dickinson College at commencement on May 7, 1788. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: SC Vault Nisbet 37
Subject: Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Address from the Second Commencement by Charles Nisbet (Transcript)
June 19, 1788
President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to students after a vacation on June 19, 1788. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: SC Vault Nisbet 37
Subject: Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Dickinson College Student Life, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Address after a Vacation by Charles Nisbet (Transcript)
June 20, 1788
John Dickinson writes to bookseller William Young, notifying him that one volume is missing from a set of history books "sent down by my neighbor Park." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Original-1788-4
Subject: Business and Industry
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from John Dickinson to William Young
July 14, 1788
Former President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson writes to Confederation Congress delegate Tench Coxe, commenting on the ratification of the United States Constitution by New Hampshire (the required ninth and final state) and the creation of the new government. Dickinson also reasserts that he has no ambition to run for public office and inquires about the political situation in New York.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-1975-5
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from John Dickinson to Tench Coxe
August 18, 1788
William Young writes a letter to his wife, Agnes McLaws Young, describing his arrival in Carlisle and the people he met throughout his journey. Young also informs her of some errands that need to be taken care of. Young is a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.5, B1, F14
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from William Young to Agnes Young
November 12, 1788
Scientist, clergyman, and scholar Joseph Priestley writes to Dr. Charles Brian Blagden, asking for an insertion to his paper that was read to the Lunar Society. Priestley also notes how he wants "a stronger burning lens." Sir Charles Blagden is Secretary of the Royal Society. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1986-12
Subject: Science and Technology
Time Period: 1780-1799
1788-1789
Volume 3 of an unpublished manuscript transcription of 200 lectures on moral philosophy delivered by President Charles Nisbet at Dickinson College Dec. 1, 1788 to May 13, 1789, transcribed by student Samuel S. Mahon, class of 1789. (v. 1. Moral philosophy -- v. 2. Of moral laws -- v. 3. Of economics.)
Format: Notes and Notebooks
Location: SC-Vault Nisbet 5, v.3
Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Literary Pursuits
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item:
February 26, 1789
Continental Congress delegate William Bingham writes to William Irvine, discussing the funding and future of Dickinson College. Irvine serves on Dickinson's Board of Trustees. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1961-4
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College History, Economics and Finance, Education, Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
1789-1792
Wilhelmina Nisbet, the Countess of Leven, writes three letters to Charles Nisbet a series of letters regarding religious affairs in the United States and Great Britain as well as Nisbet's position at President of Dickinson College. One "young gentleman" reported, as Wilhelmina explains, that "the Holy Sabbath is not regarded, & the churches in Philadelphia very ill attended." Lady Leven also asks for news regarding the families of both Nisbet and Benjamin Rush. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.7, B1, F38-40
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College History, Education, Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
June 2, 1789
President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to the third graduating class of Dickinson College at commencement on June 2, 1789. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: SC Vault Nisbet 37
Subject: Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Address from the Third Commencement by Charles Nisbet (Transcript)
November 2, 1789
President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to students on May 13, 1787 after a "short vacation." John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: SC Vault Nisbet 37
Subject: Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Dickinson College Student Life, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Address after a "Short Vacation" by Charles Nisbet (Transcript)
1790
John Wilson prepares these two drafts of his Latin oration, entitled "Generosi et Dominae," in 1790. Wilson is a member of the Class of 1792. The second draft is hand-bound with pages from an old newspaper, including advertisements on the front cover that offer rewards for capturing fugitive slaves.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: I-BlackT-1954-2
Subject: Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: "Generosi et Dominae," by John Wilson (Draft #1) , "Generosi et Dominae," by John Wilson (Draft #2)
Undated
Through this portion of a series of letters, with pages numbered 37 through 62, Charles Nisbet writes about several considerations of Christian faith. The end of the 5th letter addresses Christian suffering, the 6th letter concerns prayer, and the 7th and 8th letters discuss Heaven and Hell. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-TurnbullM-undated-6
Subject: Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
1790-1791
Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes a series of five letters to William Young that mostly focus on Nisbet's transactions with Young as a printer and book dealer. Nisbet criticizes the August issue of one of Young's magazines, declaring it "a vehicle of infidelity, blasphemy, & ribaldry." In addition, Nisbet discusses various religious and political topics. "The Insurrection of the Negroes in Hispaniola is a terrible Affair, & may have serious Consequences to this Country where there are so many Slaves & where the Right of keeping them is considered as a Badge of Freedom," as Nisbet explains. Nisbet also asks Young to keep the letters secret because he suspects that "a few of [his] letters have been intercepted by the malice of a vile personal enemy." Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.5, B1, F3-4
Subject: Business and Industry, International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1790-91
January 12, 1790
William Bingham, a member of the Dickinson College Board of Trustees, discusses financial matters with Nicholas Low and asks for three certificates in the name of Bingham's father in law, Thomas Mayne Willing. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1983-23
Subject: Economics and Finance
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from William Bingham to Nicholas Low
February 26, 1790
Benjamin Rush writes to Thomas Smith of Carlisle, Pennsylvania regarding efforts to raise funds for Dickinson, including a petition to the Pennsylvania legislature for additional financial support. Dr. Charles Nisbet's statements about the Dickinson college, however, create a serious problem. "His Conversation and letters are so very illiberal and so public against the College - the town of Carlisle - and everything that is American, that the very name of the College is unpopular with many people," as Rush explains. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: O-SpahrB-undated-5
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Administration, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Benjamin Rush to Thomas Smith
February 27, 1790
John Armstrong writes to George Thompson stating that he is "going to the woods and will be absent for some months". Armstrong also explains his intention to bring a suit against Meyer McCully on account of a small debt. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-ValeM-1947-70
Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1780-1799
March 4, 1790
William Irvine writes to John Nicholson about the political situation, especially the assumption of state debts by the federal government and "whether Elections for members of Congress, would be best in districts or general Election." Irvine, a Pennsylvania politician, also served as a member of the Dickinson College Board of Trustees. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-BeachW-1976-5
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from William Irvine to John Nicholson
August 5, 1790
Benjamin Rush writes to Thomas Fitzsimons about a recent funding law and business conditions in the United States. While "lands sell and settle rapidly," Rush argues that "our vitals are unsound and we must finally perish under the weight of Mr. Hamilton's 'public blessing." In addition, Rush comments on how the federal government has treated veterans from the Revolutionary War. "The Spanish cruelties in America and the English cruelties in the East Indies in my opinion do not stain human nature with a blacker hue than the conduct of the present Congress towards the Army that established our independence and new government," as Rush explains. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-11
Subject: Business and Industry, International Affairs, Legal Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799