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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 8, 1852
William Andrew Snively prepared this oration, entitled “The War of Opinion," for the commencement ceremonies held July 8, 1852. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1852-S672w
Subject: Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "The War of Opinion," by William A. Snively
July 8, 1852
John McCarty prepared this oration, entitled “A Word for the Poor," for the commencement ceremonies held July 18, 1852. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1852-M123w
Subject: Politics and Government, Social Reform and Advocacy
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "A Word for the Poor," by John McCarty
July 8, 1852
This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 8, 1852 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: 1852 Commencement Program
July 8, 1852
Christian P. Z. Humrich prepared this oration, entitled “Our Destiny," for the commencement ceremonies held July 8, 1852. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1852-H929o
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "Our Destiny," by Christian P. Z. Humrich
July 8, 1852
Alfred Heno Ames (Class of 1849) receives his Master of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 8, 1852.
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Master of Arts Diploma - Alfred Ames
July 8, 1852
George Jacob Conner prepared this oration, entitled “France," for the commencement ceremonies held July 8, 1852. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1852-C752f
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government, Social Reform and Advocacy
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "France," by George J. Conner
July 8, 1852
James Taylor Carlile prepared this oration, entitled “The Democratic Principle," for the commencement ceremonies held July 8, 1852. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1852-C282d
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
July 27, 1852
Dorothea Dix writes former New Jersey Governor Peter D. Vroom to introduce Dr. Richard Stuart and mentions establishing a hospital for the insane in Maryland.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-1976-2
Subject: Health and Medicine, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Dorothea Dix to Peter Vroom
August 12, 1852
Christian Humrich writes to his family regarding traveling to Pittsburgh and the Free Spoilers convention that coincided with his visit. "I have heard many accounts of Pittsburgh, but" as Humrich explains, he "had no idea of the dirt, filth and stench. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Original-undated-15
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Christian Humrich to His Family
September 12, 1852 - December 22, 1854
Charles Collins records his thoughts and activities during the early years of his tenure as president of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After his "first sermon in Carlisle," Collins notes how he "was somewhat embarrassed." "I could not for a while banish the thought that I was standing in the spot where [President John] Durbin, [Professor] McClintock, [President Robert] Emory, [President Jesse] Peck & other giants had often stood & that the audience were all the time making direct comparisons," as Collins explains. Transcript included.
Format: Diaries and Journals
Location: MC 2003.6, B2, F1
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Journal of Charles Collins (Transcript)
September 17, 1852
James Buchanan writes to his nephew and legal ward, James Buchanan Henry. Buchanan is pleased with the news of Henry's success from his last letter. Buchanan also reports that Miss Hetty [Parker], his housekeeper, "says she has not heard any news for year that has pleased her so much." However, Henry misspelled several words in the letter and Buchanan corrects his errors. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2010-2
Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to James Henry
October 8, 1852
Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to J. Mason Campbell and provides an update on his travel plans. Campbell should expect Taney and his wife to arrive [in Baltimore?] on Tuesday morning because Mrs. Taney is not well enough to make the journey tonight (Friday). Taney notes that his wife has been made weak with grief and worry: "The loss of dear little Lizzie & the fears for dear Anne have utterly overcome my poor wife -- and you can hardly imagine what a wreck it has made of her." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1965-20
Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
October 11, 1852
James Buchanan (Class of 1809) writes to his nephew James Buchanan Henry after returning from a trip to Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Buchanan encloses $15 to Henry "according to [his] request," but has "no time to write [him] at length."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2003-6
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to James Henry
October 20, 1852
James Buchanan writes to his nephew and legal ward, James Buchanan Henry, regarding how Henry has not confirmed whether he received the $15 mailed on the 11th. Buchanan hopes that Henry is not negligent on this account and that, instead, the letter was lost.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2010-2
Subject: Economics and Finance, Education, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to James Henry
October 23, 1852
Spencer F. Baird ('40) writes to Dickinson College Professor James W. Marshall ('48) regarding books (Congressional volumes)that were sent to the Dickinson College library by mistake. As "The State Department is very anxious to have back," Baird asks Marshall to send them to the Smithsonian in Washington DC as soon as possible. Baird says he will send other books for the library.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Original-1852-5
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Education, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Spencer Baird to James Marshall
October 25, 1852
James Buchanan writes Daniel E. Sickles to explain why he cannot deliver a speech at Tammany Hall in New York City so soon after Daniel Webster's death. "It would be indelicate, if not improper, for me so soon after his death" to "make a political speech in New York in which I must necessarily condemn the policy of the administration of which [Webster] was a leading member," as Buchanan notes. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F9
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Daniel Sickles
November 9, 1852
Hetty Parker, James Buchanan's housekeeper, writes to James B. Henry, Buchanan's nephew. Parker discusses Buchanan's travels and mentions that "President Pierce is anxious to have your Uncle Secretary of State but wether he will except or not I can not say." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2010-3
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Hetty Parker to James Henry
November 16, 1852
James Buchanan writes to his nephew and legal ward, James Buchanan Henry, regarding commencement at Princeton and Henry's plans for after graduation. "I shall certainly attend your commencement, should your position in the Class be such as I fondly hope & expect," as Buchanan explains. While Henry had proposed to study chemistry and painting during his vacation, Buchanan warns him to not delay in starting to study law. "The law is a jealous mistress & will not brook rivals," as Buchanan notes. A postscript notes the results of Henry's report from school, in which Henry is ranked 8 in a class of 64. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2010-2
Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to James Henry
December 14, 1852
James Buchanan writes to his nephew and legal ward, James Buchanan Henry, regarding Henry's request for "the 'wherewithal' to return home" from Princeton College. Buchanan, who sends $10, notes that "Miss Clemens & Mrs. [Rose O'Neal] Greenhow & Florence [Greenhaw] are yet here" but that "they will most probably all leave before your return." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2010-2
Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to James Henry
December 28, 1852
James Buchanan writes to James M. H. Beale regarding Beale's hope to secure a diplomatic post in President-elect Franklin Pierce's administration. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F9
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
1853
The Laws and Regulations of Dickinson College lists important information and guidelines regarding the administration of the college, faculty, stewards, admissions, instruction, student behavior, the academic calendar, commencement, religious duties, student bills, literary societies, and student records. Information about the Preparatory Department, or Grammar School, is also included.
Format: Books and Pamphlets
Location: RG 1/2 10.1.12
Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College Organizations, Dickinson College Student Life, Education
Time Period: 1840-1859
March 4, 1853
James Buchanan writes to James P. Reily regarding the possibility that President Franklin Pierce would appoint Buchanan as the minister to England. "There seems to be a general impression, such as you indicate, that I will be minister to England, but I am entirely ignorant of any such intention on the part of the President," as Buchanan notes. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F11
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to James P. Reily
March 7-8, 1853
Dickinson College President Charles Collins writes two letters to his wife, Harriet Collins, while at a Methodist church conference in Hagerstown, Maryland. Collins also spoke at a missionary meeting along with Abel Stevens. Collins also notes that he is impatient to see her again when he returns to Carlisle. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-EwigC-1990-1
Subject: Religion and Spirituality, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from Charles Collins to Harriet Collins (Mar. 1853)
March 8, 1853
James Buchanan writes to President Franklin Pierce and recommends that James C. Van Dyke be appointed as the district attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F11
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
March 8, 1853
Attorney Murray Rush writes to Franklin Pierce, President of the United States, campaigning for the district attorney position in Philadelphia. In addition, Murray mentions his father, Richard Rush, who had served in a number of positions including Secretary of the Treasury, Attorney General, and Acting Secretary of State.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2002-51
Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Murray Rush to Franklin Pierce