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.

A. Bond to the College, 1796 August 15

This subseries contains one printed bond for Loammi Baldwin and Joseph Bartlett of Woburn County in the sun of two-hundred ounces of silver to the Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College.

D. Certification to study French, 1796 September 5

This subseries contains one brief handwritten certification that Loammi Baldwin's son may study the French language as part of his college studies.

Journal of Samuel Kirkland, January 30-March 6, 1796

Folders 1 and 2 contain two manuscript copies of the same journal; these copies are not identical, but instead reveal Kirkland's revisions and additions as he rewrote some journal entries.

Journal of Samuel Kirkland, March 19, 1796-July 1796

Folders 3, 4, and 5 contain three manuscript copies of the same journal; these copies are not identical, but instead reveal Kirkland's revisions and additions as he rewrote some journal entries.

Letter from John Henry Tudor to his father, William Tudor, November 10, 1796

This letter was sent to Tudor's father in London, England in care of Thomas Dickason & Co.

Letter from John Henry Tudor to his brother, William Tudor, 1796

Tudor wrote this letter on a "Saturday morn[ing]." Although he wrote "1896" on the exterior, he presumably meant 1796.

Letter from John Henry Tudor to his brother, William Tudor, 1796

Tudor wrote "1896" on the exterior of this letter; he presumably meant 1796.

Poem in John Henry Tudor's hand(?), March 1796, with empty envelope

This poem is about winter and appears to be an assemblage of passages from several published works along with Tudor's own compositions. On the verso, Tudor wrote "Abbott 2nd. March 1796." On the empty envelope is written: "Letters from my dear deceased friend J.H.T.," along with a note in another hand reading: "no letters found enclosed." It is unclear whether or not the envelope formerly held the poem.

The American Characidae / by Carl H. Eigenmann.

v.43 (1917-1929) text