Arguments prepared by Daniel Appleton White for meetings of Phi Beta Kappa, 1796-1797

Three handwritten arguments prepared by Phi Beta Kappa member Daniel Appleton White (1776-1861; Harvard AB 1797) for discussion at meetings of the Alpha chapter at Harvard University in 1796 and 1797. The documents consist of a small paper notebook with a response to the prompt, "Whether the deeper studies, such as metaphysics, mathematics & natural philosophy, are entitled to our chief attention?" dated September 27, 1796, and prepared for debate with classmate Isaac Wellington (died 1797); a one-leaf document with a disputation on, "Whether civilized nations have a right to drive uncivilized nations from the lands they occupy?" dated December 8, 1796; and a small paper notebook containing White’s argument to the prompt, "Would a national university be beneficial for America?" that he debated with John Collins Warren (1778-1856; Harvard AB 1797) during the chapter’s May 16, 1797, meeting.

Professor Sewall's lectures on the Hebrew and Oriental languages, Vol. 4th, 1771-1797

The first lecture in this volume, Lecture LVI, was delivered on March 4, 1771; November 28, 1774; and June 14, 1779. The last lecture in the volume, Lecture LXXII was delivered in December 19, 1774; August 17, 1778; and September 16, 1782. The volume also contains a table of the variation of the magnetic needle observed at Cambridge from November 1796 to August 1797.

Report of committee for the form of quarter bills, 1778 December 12

This one-and-a-half page handwritten draft of a report on a folio-sized leaf outlines a six-point process for drafting and authorizing student quarter bills. The procedures consolidate the billing areas, detail the Treasurer's responsibilities, and expand the oversight of the President and Tutors. The report, dated December 12, 1778, is signed by President Samuel Langdon. The draft includes two differently worded versions of the sixth proposal, one of which is struck through.

Student lecture notes of Benjamin Peirce, 1797-1798

This collection contains approximately twenty-three handwritten lecture summaries on six leaves made by Harvard undergraduate Benjamin Peirce between September 1797 and November 22, 1798. The summaries generally provide a few sentences describing the topic covered and primarily pertain to lectures on English grammar delivered by Eliphalet Pearson, the Hollis Professor of Hebrew and other Oriental Languages. There are also summaries for single lectures by David Tappan, the Hollis Professor Divinity; Samuel Webber, the Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy; and John Snelling Popkin, the Greek Tutor from 1795 to 1798, and later the Eliot Professor of Greek Literature. There is also an undated summary of a lecture by Benjamin Waterhouse, the Hersey Professor of Theory and Practice of Physic.

Papers of William Merchant Richardson, 1797-1806

The collection contains a four-page handwritten poem titled "Invention" composed by graduate William Richardson for the 1797 Harvard College Commencement, and an 1806 letter of introduction written by Richardson. The rhyming poem begins, “Long had creations anthem peal been rung…” and contains classical references, and mentions scientists and philosophers including Voltaire, Franklin and Newton. The poem is accompanied by a one-page handwritten letter of introduction for lawyer Benjamin Ames (Harvard AB 1803) written by William M. Richardson to Reverend William Jenks (Harvard AB 1797). The letter is dated November 10, 1806.

Photostat copy of Father Abbey's Will: Cambridge, December 1730. "Some time since..., 1797

Goodspeed 12.

Photostat copy of Father Abbey's Will. Cambridge, December 1730. "Some time since..., [ca. 1797]

Goodspeed 13, Ford 613.

Terms of partnership with Mr. S. Cheney, 1797 August 28

Two leaves containing a handwritten agreement between Samuel Cheney and William Croswell as partners in school-keeping.

Instructions to S.C., [1797?]

Undated, two-page list of instructions written by Croswell presumably to Samuel Cheney with directions for paying bills and delivering books.

Drafts of letter regarding a teaching position, [1797 August 3]

Two incomplete drafts of a letter to an unidentified recipient regarding the salary for a teaching position with the Academy at Jamaica in New York City.

Financial bills and receipts, 1797

This folder contains three receipts related to transactions with the Frobisher family.

Payment order for Phillips Payson on behalf of his son, 1778 July 1

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Phillips Payson for use by son, signed by Charles Chauncey and Jonathan Williams. Payson's name is spelled "pason" in the document.

Payment order for Timothy Alden, 1797 September 9

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Timothy Alden for use by his son, signed by John Clarke, David Tilden, and James Morrill.