Requests for abatement of commons, November 13, 1781

Request from Tutor John Mellen (Harvard College Class of 1770) for an abatement of his commons for his absence from the College due to illness and request from Eleazer James (Harvard College Class of 1778) for an abatement of his commons due to absence from the College.

Confession of students for walking out of commons, April 1807

This document, signed by 108 students, contains a confession for their part in the 1807 student rebellion. Students were required to sign this confession in order to avoid expulsion.

A statement of facts, relative to the late proceedings in Harvard College, Cambridge, published by the students, Boston, April 10, 1807

Written in defense of the students’ actions, this publication sought to clear the students in the eyes of the public. They argued against the stern disciplinary stance of the Corporation, warning that "it is possible to kill the spirt by too rigorous an adherence to the letter of the law." According to the students, the cause of the upheaval was the "black, nauseous and intolerable" food served in Commons. Although they admitted that there were some students who "delight in mischief, anarchy, and confusion," they argued against the whole student body being charged for the crimes. Instead, they held that their offense, "retiring peaceably from the hall," should be punished, as usual, only by the "small fine of fifty or one hundred cents."

Sketch of Report on Commons after said disturbance, [May 13, 1807]

Draft of a report written by a Committee of the Corporation, appointed at the meeting on April 3 "to consider the expediency of making further regulations relative to Commons."

Report of a Committee of the Corporation of Harvard College appointed “to consider the expediency of making further regulations relative to Commons,” May 19, 1807

This report expressed the opinion of the Committee that, despite the students' complaints, Commons should be not changed in any meaningful regard (save for the method of purchasing beef). Among other reasons for explaining the inflexible position of the Corporation, they stated, “alacrity, cheerfulness and docility are the companions of temperance; petulance, disquietude and perverseness are the intractable offspring of indulgence.” In addition, they suggested that students should refrain from sampling delicacies in town to better appreciate the "plain, simple, and wholesome food of the hall."

Letter to Rev. Dr. John Lathrop from John Davis accompanying report relative to commons, June 2, 1807

Accompanies report dated May 19, 1807.

Draft of report of Committee for regulation upon commons, June 12, 1820

On the same page as a partial letter dated May 5, 1820; it is unclear to whom the letter is addressed or who wrote it.

Charter of 1650, 1650 May 31

Original charter dated May 31, 1650. The charter is engrossed on sheepskin and signed by Thomas Dudley.

Draft of the Rules, Directions, and Statutes of the Boylston Professorship of Rhetoric and Oratory in Harvard College, [ca. 1804]

This original draft was probably written by Eliphalet Pearson (1752-1826) as a member of the committee charged with the task of establishing the rules, directions, and statutes for the Boylston Professorship by the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers. This draft is heavily edited and contains many cross outs through the text.