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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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July 13, 1843
This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 13, 1843 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: 1843 Commencement Program
July 13, 1843
Isaac Dillon prepared this oration, entitled “British Empire in the East," for the commencement ceremonies held July 13, 1843. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1843-D579b
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
July 27, 1843
Barnabas Bates writes to Jesse Miller and asks for a "biographical sketch" of Senator James Buchanan. If "we publish the Democrats' Almanac for 1844," Bates wants to have Buchanan's sketch "prepared." Bates also discusses preparations for the Democratic National Convention in Syracuse, New York and the 1844 Presidential election. "The friends of the different candidates are buckling on their armor for the campaign," as Bates notes. While "the great body of the democrats here I think are for [former President Martin Van] Buren," Bates explains that "the balance are divided among the different candidates." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1954-1
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Barnabas Bates to Jesse Miller
September 1, 1843
James Buchanan Henry writes to his uncle, US Senator James Buchanan, and describes some of his experiences at his new school. "Last evening I looked at the moon through [my teacher's] telescope and I saw the mountains quite plain" as well as "Jupiter's moons and saturns belt," as Henry explains. Henry, who is 10 years old in 1843, also asks Buchanan to send his love to Hetty Parker, Buchanan's housekeeper, and his cousin James. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2010-4
Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Henry to James Buchanan
October 17, 1843
Representative Alexander Ramsey writes Joseph Gales and William Seaton to ask for a subscription to their newspaper, the National Intelligencer. Ramsey graduated from Dickinson with a bachelor of laws degree in 1840.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-BeachW-2010-1
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Alexander Ramsey to Joseph Gales and William Seaton
December 3, 1843
Thomas McFadden, a member of the Class of 1845, writes Robert Black about life at Dickinson College. McFadden "know[s] not what reasons particularly influenced my parents to chose this place except its known celebrity for every thing good, and the moral reputation which it sustains," and describes a dream that motivated him to choose Dickinson. McFadden also discusses girls, sermons, the Union Philosophical and Belles Lettres Societies, recitations, and heavy snowfall in Carlisle. Transcript included.
This document is a crossed letter, in which the author writes in two directions.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1978-4
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Personal and Family Life, Weather and Climate
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Thomas McFadden to Robert Black
1843-1849
James Buchanan writes to John M. Read regarding candidates for the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election of 1844 as well as how legislation on slavery is increasing sectional tensions. "At the North we are totally ignorant of the deep, pervading & determined feeling of the South on this subject," as Buchanan notes. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from James Buchanan to John M. Read
1843-1851
James Buchanan writes to Henry Welch regarding various political issues in Pennsylvania and Buchanan's chances of winning elections. "My own prospects never were so bright as at the present moment," as Buchanan explains in December 1850. Buchanan serves as a US Senator and later the Secretary of State during this period. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from James Buchanan to Henry Welsh
1844
The Dickinson College catalog for the 1844-1845 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: 1840-1859
View Item: Dickinson College Register for the Academical Year, 1844-45
January 5, 1844
An unidentified Dickinson College student (Jos. V. F [Meinsch?]) writes to his cousin, Sarah A. Currier, and discusses various aspects of college life. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2008-1
Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from a Dickinson Student to Sarah A. Currier
January 5, 1844
John Robert Kennaday writes to several members of his family about life as a student at Dickinson. While "there has not been anything special going on here [in Carlisle] lately," John tells his brother, Jim, about "a Temperance meeting in the chapel last Saturday evening, at which there were a good many ladies." John also writes Helen to thank her for sending "a very amusing" letter. "I laughed like everything when I read the account of the party," as John notes. In addition, John writes a short note to his father about his classes. "Our studies are not so hard as they were," as John explains, and "it is quite easy for me to attend to them and to have plenty of time for exercise also." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1969-3
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Social Reform and Advocacy
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from John Kennaday to His Family
January 5, 1844
An unidentified Dickinson College student (Jos. V. F [Meinsch?]) writes to his cousin, Joseph T. Soule, and discusses various aspects of college life. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2008-1
Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from a Dickinson Student to Joseph T. Soule
January 18, 1844
US Senator James Buchanan writes to South Carolina politician Francis Wilkinson Pickens about political issues related to the 1844 Presidential election. Buchanan also discusses the likely candidates at the time (Martin Van Buren as Democrat and Henry Clay as Whig) as well as alludes to both John C. Calhoun's withdrawal from the Democratic nomination contest and unsuccessful attempt to run as an independent.
In addition, Buchanan explains his own withdrawal from the Democratic nomination contest. While Van Buren was "never.. my first or second choice for the Presidency," Buchanan notes how he "felt it to be a duty which I owed to my country and my party to withdraw" when it became apparent that he could not win. Buchanan also expresses concern about what would happen if the Whigs win the election. "It may be very long before Democratic principles shall regain the ascendancy" if Henry Clay and "the Whigs prevail," as Buchanan explains. Partial transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2003-2
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
May 11, 1844
Senator James Buchanan responds to a Democratic party Committee's request for information on Buchanan's opinion on whether the United States should annex Texas. "I should refrain from any public or extended discussion of the subject, whilst the Treaty of annexation is actually pending before the Senate in Executive, and of course, Secret Session," as Buchanan explains. Members of the Democratic Committee from of Prince William County include James H. Reed, P. D. Lipscomb, James B. J. Thornton, and Daniel Jasper. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F7
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
June 2, 1844
Secretary of War William Wilkins (Class of 1802) responds William Biddle's questions about bids for harbor improvements in Erie, Pennsylvania. Wilkins explains that this project is “under the care of the Topographical Bureau” and “many applications” had been submitted. As for who would win the contract, Wilkins notes that no decision has been made and that he has “not as yet heard a sentence from [President John Tyler] on the subject.” Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1983-22
Subject: Land and Real Estate, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
June 17-18, 1844
Beverley Waugh writes to his cousin, J. B. Roberts, over a two day period about a variety of topics. In the first part of the letter, Waugh expresses his pleasure at hearing from him, and describes his fascination with Robertsville, saying: "sooner will my right hand forget her cunning, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, than I should or could forget Robertsville and its surrounding scenery."
On the following day, Waugh (Class of 1846) writes about his fellow students at Dickinson College, including D. Evans Bayard (Class of 1847), who met Waugh's aunt. He also comments on two other students who have been driven to idiocy and lunacy by a pair of ladies, noting: "So you see the young ladies do more than break hearts sometimes." He concludes by explaining that he will soon enter his junior year at Dickinson, and discusses his current plans. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-RobertsJ-1932-1
Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Beverly Waugh to J. B. Roberts
June 29, 1844
Senator James Buchanan writes to General William N. Irvine discussing recent political events, including the Presidential election of 1844. Buchanan states that he "feared that the Whigs might make a serious impression against Polk in Pennsylvania on the Tariff question...." and that he agrees "with him cordially on all other questions." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F7
Subject: Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
July 11, 1844
Henry Baker Harnsberger (Class of 1841) receives his Master of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 11, 1844.
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Master of Arts Diploma - Henry Harnsberger
July 11, 1844
This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 11, 1844 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: 1844 Commencement Program
August 7, 1844
US Senator James Buchanan writes to Arnold Plumer about his Texas speech, a "Judge Cahon Nashville," and a letter that James K. Polk wrote to John K. Kane in June 1844. Buchanan also discuses the Tariff of 1842 and the Whigs in Pennsylvania.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2005-1
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Arnold Plumer
1844-1849
James Buchanan writes two letters to Daniel Sturgeon regarding political maters at the state and national level. The first letter focuses on whether or not Jesse Miller will be a candidate in Pennsylvania for the U.S. Senate. Buchanan does not believe he will be. Both Buchanan and Sturgeon represent Pennsylvania in the Senate in 1844.
The second letter addresses slavery and how it will likely increase sectional tensions. Buchanan argues that northerners need "to make many allowances" on this issue. Buchanan also mentions that he might publish a letter to express his opinion on slavery. " Should I perceive that such a letter would be likely to do good," Buchanan notes that "it shall be forthcoming." Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
December 14, 1844
Senator James Buchanan writes a brief letter to Samuel Hood acknowledging the receipt of Hood's book, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Buchanan states that the book "has a peculiar interest for [him]; as [he is] the son of a native of the Emerald Isle who emigrated to this country... in the year 1783." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F8
Subject: Genealogy and Family History, Literary Pursuits, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Samuel Hood
circa 1845
Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to J. Mason Campbell: "Read the note to Mr. Perine & seal it & send it to him..." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-BeachW-1971-4
Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
1845
James Biddle Gordon, a member of the Class of 1845, receives this diploma as a member of the Belles Lettres Society in 1845.
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Belle Lettres Society Diploma - James Gordon
1845
The Dickinson College catalog for the 1845-1846 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: 1840-1859
View Item: Dickinson College Register for the Academical Year, 1845-46