IV. Reminiscences of life as an undergraduate at Harvard College from 1793 to 1797, 1837

This memoir, written by White in 1837, describes his undergraduate years at Harvard from 1793 to 1797. It contains lengthy passages about a wide variety of experiences White had as a student. He wrote about his classes and professors, student life, American politics, politics in the world at large, food, his classmates, and many other topics. The memoir includes passages from a diary that White seems to have kept as a student, as well as reflections clearly written later in life. White wrote this memoir in 15 separate notebooks, each embossed with "Platner & Porter, Congress" in the upper left-hand corner. Platner & Porter was the manufacturer of the notebooks.

A Theme, being the Employment of some Leisure time Nov'r 14 1759 pr Jeremiah Belknap, 1759 November 14

Handwritten composition on two attached notebook pages titled "The Generous man is a blessing to all mankind" composed by Jeremy Belknap and organized as paragraphs labeled: "Proposition," "Reason," Similitude," "Example," "Testimony," and "Conclusion."

Mens Sibi Conscia recti, 1760 February 22

Two-page handwritten composition in English signed "Jer'h Belknap Febry 22, 1760." The theme begins, "There is nothing in the world that can give a Man more secret pleasure and satisfaction than to be Conscious to himself of doing right. This is what is called Contentm't" and ends with two lines from Horace in Latin: "Hic murus aheneus esto," and "Nil Conscire sibi." A Latin version of the composition is available in Box 1, Folder 3.

Mens Sibi Conscia recti, 1760 February 26

Two-page handwritten composition in Latin signed "Jeremiah Belknap, February die 26mo Anne Domini 1760 mo." The document is a draft with edits and struck-through words. The text ends with two lines from Horace in Latin: "Hic murus aheneus esto," and "Nil Conscire sibi." An English version of the composition is available in Box 1, Folder 2.

The Soul never sleeps, 1761

Three-page handwritten composition in English beginning, "One would think that by this Time our opponents should be pretty near silenced..." The document is a draft with edits and struck-through words and the verso includes the handwritten title, "Argument at a forensic Disputation 1761."

Analysis of Luke 14, 1761 October

Two notebook sheets with handwritten summaries in English of Luke 14 beginning, "The contents of this chapter may be reduced to 5 General Division..." The document is a draft with edits and struck-through words, and is dated and signed "Boston, 1[9] October 1761. J. Belknap" with the note, "Read in the Chapel of Harvard College at Even'g Prayers Octob. 1761."

The Death of John the Baptist, [ca. 1761]

Four-page handwritten English composition containing a sketch of the death of John the Baptist beginning "John was imprisoned in the Castle of Machaerus..."

[College Declamation of Andrew Fuller, 1761]

One-page handwritten Latin composition by Andrew Fuller with an epitaph of two lines from Perseus beginning, "Respice quod non es..." The document is a draft with edits and struck-through words.

A Mourning Ditty: On the Conflagration of Harvard Hall in Cambridge New England. On the 24th Day of January 1764, [1764]

One-page handwritten copy of "A Mourning Ditty" signed "Philomusus Or A lover of the Muses"describing in a classical style the burning of Harvard Hall. The transcription is signed "Correctly Translated from the Printed Copy, by Peter Thacher." Thacher's translation is of the Latin poem "Threnodia" that appeared on the front page of the Massachusetts Gazette on February 2, 1764.

Letter from Francis Dana to Samuel Langdon, 1780 January 19

This one-page letter from Harvard alumnus Francis Dana (1743-1811; Harvard AB 1762), in Bilbao, Spain, to Harvard President Samuel Langdon concerns the donation of a Spanish book by Dana to the College Library.

Book receipt of John Mellen and William Bentley, 1780 June 16

This half-page slip contains receipts for two Harvard College Library books received by Harvard College Tutors John Mellen (1752-1828; Harvard AB 1770) and William Bentley (1759-1819; Harvard AB 1777).

Petition of John Wyeth to the Harvard Corporation, 1780 August 23

In this brief petition of John Wyeth to the Harvard Corporation, he requests the ability to borrow books from the "Publick Library" of the College.

Bill from Phillips Payson to Harvard College, [1780 August]

This undated bill was rendered to the College by Phillips Payson (died 1809; Harvard AB 1778) for work done in the College Library equaling £720. The document was originally housed in a folder with the note, "This was from the old trunk."

Letter and account from Phillips Payson to Harvard College, 1780 September 11

These two documents consist of an account of services done by Phillips Payson (1809; Harvard AB 1778) for the College Library and a brief letter of enclosure.

Letter from James Winthrop to Edward Wigglesworth, 1780 October 4

In this brief letter College Librarian James Winthrop requests that Harvard College Tutor William Bentley be allowed to serve as a deputy librarian.