IV. Promissory Notes, 1790-1793

This series consists of handwritten slips written by the borrower with the promise of repayment with interest to a specified lender. Some of the notes reflect loans made to the Butler by members of the community, and others are promissory notes to Adams signed by Harvard students.

II. Harvard College Papers, 1st series, Volume 2, 1764-1785, 1793

The second volume of the College Papers contains original documents dating from 1764 to 1785, spanning the tenures of presidents Edward Holyoke, Samuel Locke, Samuel Langdon, acting president Edward Wigglesworth, and Joseph Willard, as well as treasurers Thomas Hubbard, John Hancock, and Ebenezer Storer. It also contains a document from 1793.

II. Harvard College Papers, 1st series, Volume 2, 1764-1785, 1793

The second volume of the College Papers contains original documents dating from 1764 to 1785, spanning the tenures of presidents Edward Holyoke, Samuel Locke, Samuel Langdon, acting president Edward Wigglesworth, and Joseph Willard, as well as treasurers Thomas Hubbard, John Hancock, and Ebenezer Storer. It also contains a document from 1793.

Records of the Debating Club of Resident Graduates, 1792-1793

This journal contains minutes from meetings held from February 1792 through October 1793. These minutes include the names of participants and the questions and arguments which were debated, including: whether or not French slaves in the West Indies should be emancipated; whether or not reading novels was beneficial; whether sermons were more effective when memorized than when simply read; whether theater contributed to corrupt morals; whether drunkenness or gambling was more detrimental to society; and whether or not French assistance to the colonies in their Revolutionary War provided sufficient cause for the United States to join with France in its own wars. Most of the topics of debate centered on religion, government and education. Several entries also include notes on related topics of discussion, including the reasons for Native American tribes' hostilities against federal authorities, and there are several references to published works which were cited and consulted in the course of debate.

A collection of the most approved pieces of music from various authors: transcribed while member of Harvard University, from July 1789 to July 1793

John Pierce kept this journal while he was a student at Harvard College. It consists of manuscript musical scores with annotations indicating the occasions at which the music was performed. These occasions included commencements, public exhibitions and Dudleian lectures. A note indicates that one anthem was prepared by Samuel Holyoke at Pierce's request, to be performed at Pierce's class commencement exercises, held on July 13, 1793. Several annotations were made in May 1794, the year following Pierce's graduation. There is a table of contents on the last page.

On devotion : commencement essay, 1793

Two-page handwritten oration titled "On devotion" composed by graduate Samuel Farrar for the July 17, 1793 Harvard University Commencement. The essay begins, "The mind assuming reason for its guide, and the works of nature for its contemplation..."

On freedom : commencement essay, 1793

Four-page handwritten essay titled "On Freedom" composed by graduate Joseph Stowers for the July 17, 1793 Harvard University Commencement. The essay begins, "Freedom alone constitutes the happiness of the human race..."