James Buchanan served as fifteenth President of the United States (1857-1861). His letters in this collection date from 1822 to 1864 and touch on a variety of miscellaneous matters. While much of the correspondence is official, a few of the letters contain Buchanan's personal viewpoints on various political issues and candidates. Of note are an 1838 letter to the Pennsylvania Enquirer and an 1856 pamphlet, both of which refute an alleged statement made by Buchanan which came to be known as the "drop of blood falsehood."
Filed by recipient.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. Resisting a request to recommend a Mr. Flinn for a government post in Washington, expressing support for [James K.] Polk's action in expelling the British from San Juan and the Mosquito Coast, and requesting the source material of a recent article in the National Intelligencer. 2 pp.
ALS, Washington. Marked "Private & Confidential." Enclosing a Presidential message, not to be printed until the next day. [The message is not included.] 1 p.
ALS to President James Buchanan from citizens of the Nebraska Territory petitioning for the appointment of O.D. Richardson as judge. Signed W.A. Richardson, Governor, and J. Sterling Morton, Secretary, along with 35 other citizens. 3 pp.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. Declining to write an opinion on [Benson John] Lossing's forthcoming history of the "Great Rebellion." 1 p.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. To Richard D. Davis, defending his final actions as President before the inauguration of his successor, [Abraham] Lincoln. 2 pp.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. To A. Boyd Hamilton. Offering financial aid for the purchase of a Lancaster paper, The Intelligencer. 2 pp.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. To A. Boyd Hamilton, concerning a loan and local Democratic politics. 1 p.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. To A. Boyd Hamilton, about paying installments on a loan and the possible publication of a letter. 2 pp.
ALS, Washington. Marked "Confidential." On the upcoming Presidential nomination, the candidates (namely Calhoun and Crawford with brief mention of John Quincy Adams), political parties, and bits of personal correspondence. 3 pp.
ALS, Lancaster. Questioning the character and reputation of John Gloninger and dismissing him as a potential candidate for governor. Declining to advance a loan. 2 pp.
ALS, Lancaster. Referring to the congressional caucus system for presidential nominations advocated by [William Harris] Crawford and his followers. 1 p.
ALS, Washington. On the efforts of [William Harris] Crawford and his supporters to institute a caucus and secure the presidential nomination. With mention of [Andrew] Jackson and his popularity in Pennsylvania. 2 pp.
ALS, Lancaster. Agreeing to aide in the appointment of Hood's son to a captaincy in the Corps of Topographical Engineers, pending the ratification of a bill. 1 p.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. Sending condolences to the family of the late General George M. Keene. 1 p.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. Marked "Private." Recommending that a clerk be continued in office under Lincoln. 1 p.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. Referring to [John Bell] Hood's damage to the Confederacy, Lincoln's appointment of [Salmon P.] Chase as Chief Justice, and mutual business. 3 pp.
ALS, Washington. Acknowledging receipt of the "Annual Return of the Militia of the State of Rhode Island." 1 p.
ALS, Bedford Springs. Referring to the next presidential election and candidates [Henry] Clay, [Martin] Van Buren, and [William Henry] Harrison, with reference to the voting tendencies of the anti-Masonic block. 1 p.
ALS (draft), Washington. To the Editor of the Pennsylvania Inquirer, requesting publication of a letter refuting an accusation made by J. F. Cox, known as the "drop of blood falsehood." (see Pamphlet below). 2 pp.
ALS, Washington. Thanking Rockafellar for defending Buchanan, and discussing the strength of the Democratic party, with reference to [John] Tyler's likely veto of [Henry] Clay's bank bill. 1 p.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. On efforts to secure Sengstack a government appointment. 1 p.
ALS, Wheatland [Lancaster]. Referring to growing support for his presidential aspirations. 1 p.
ALS, Washington. Asking about the legal residence of an applicant for a post. 1 p.
Printed Pamphlet. Short Answers to Reckless Fabrications Against the Democratic Candidate for President, James Buchanan. Refuting "falsehoods" (including the above "Drop of Blood falsehood") and outlining Buchanan's stance on various issues. Philadelphia: William Rice, Book and Job Printer. 32 pp.
DS. Ordering the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to a warrant for the commutation of the sentence of John Raper. 1 p.