College Book 8, 1778-1803

This volume contains a fair copy of minutes from Corporation meetings held from May 5, 1778 through October 14, 1803. It begins with an alphabetical index and contains entries related to a wide range of topics, including changes in the College laws; lists of Harvard graduates; historical information about the College and its governance; memorials to the Massachusetts General Court about currency concerns, the West Boston Bridge, and other matters; the establishment of medical professorships and selection of professors to fill them; land and property belonging to Harvard; the settlement of accounts with former College Treasurer John Hancock; support of missionaries to several Indian tribes; the establishment of a student dress code; the Charlestown Ferry, and its revenue troubles following the construction of the West Boston Bridge; the purchase of a wooden sloop for transporting students' "fuel" (presumably firewood); the creation and distribution of library catalogs; the commission of a lucernal microscope for the College Apparatus; Oneida Indian Isaac Solegwaston and Harvard's financial support of his studies at the Hamilton Oneida Academy; transcriptions of a letter (October 23, 1789) from the Corporation to President George Washington and of Washington's response; a petition to the General Court for the establishment of a public infirmary to serve the indigent; individuals who were granted permission to instruct Harvard students in the French language outside the established curriculum; and Thomas Welsh's excused absence from his Harvard graduation, granted June 14, 1798, because of his imminent departure for Berlin to serve as Secretary to John Quincy Adams, then Minister Plenipotentiary to Berlin.

Guarantee of financial support for student James Savage, signed by William Tudor and John Cooper, 1799 July 25

This legal agreement, a guarantee of financial support for entering student James Savage (A.B. 1803), was signed on July 25, 1799 by his two guarantors, William Tudor and John Cooper. The document was also signed by two witnesses, William Tudor's sons John Henry Tudor and Frederic Tudor. The agreement specifies that, in the event of Savage's failure to settle all financial obligations to the President and Fellows of Harvard College during the course of his studies, the two guarantors would be responsible for a payment of two hundred ounces of silver. It seems that the Tudors and Cooper were relatives of Savage, thus explaining their desire to assure his entry to Harvard by entering into this financial obligation.

A catalogue of books in the College library: [which Benjamin Welles wished to read], 1797

In this small paper-bound catalog, Benjamin Welles (1781-1860) listed books in the Harvard College Library which he wished to read. He presumably compiled the list by consulting the Library's 1790 printed catalog, as the works are categorized according to subjects outlined in that catalog (Antiquities, Astronomy, Ancient Authors, Biography, Sacred Criticism, Ethics, Geography, Geometry, History, Nature, Travels / Voyages, Natural Law, Logic, Metaphysics, Miscellaneous Works, Dramatic, Phililogy, Natural Philosophy, Poetry, Rhetoric, and Theology). The final pages of Welles' catalog, which he titles "Another Selection," list additional volumes he wished to read. These are listed alphabetically, A - G. Some titles throughout the catalog have been marked with a "+" perhaps to indicate that Welles had read them.

Letter to John Worthington: 13 August 1791

Letter to Worhtington, a Springfield, Massachusetts lawyer, regarding tax on a meeting house near Pittsfield, Massachusetts and public support for ministers.

Notes of cases before colonial New Jersey courts, 1735-1755

Contains notes of cases before several New Jersey courts especially the New Jersey Supreme Court. Possibly compiled by Coxe.

Letter from John Collins Warren to William Tudor,

One letter inviting Tudor to his wedding to Susan Powell Mason, daughter of their mutual friend, Jonathan Mason.

Letter from John Belknap to William Tudor,

One letter in which Belknap declines Tudor’s offer to partner in business speculation.

Letter from John Carter to William Tudor,

One letter regarding a bill for various sundries from Thomas Vantandeloe.

Three generations of English women. Memoirs and correspondence of Mrs. John Taylor, Mrs. Sarah Austin, and Lady Duff Gordon.

Mode of access: Internet.

Lives of twelve good men ...

Martin Joseph Routh.--Hugh James Rose.--Charles Marriott.--Edward Hawkins.--Samuel Wilberforce.--Richard Lynch Cotton.-Richard Greswell.--Henry Octavius Coxe.--Henry Longueville Mansel.--William Jacobson.--Charles Page Eden.--Charles Longuet Higgins.

Recollections of a tour made in Scotland, A. D. 1803./

Mode of access: Internet.

I. Spanish spoliations, 1795. II. French indemnity, 1803. III. French indemnity, 1831.

"Notes on some of the questions decided by the Board of Commissioners under the convention with France, of 4th July 1831" [by John Kane]: p. [377]-442.

Portraits by Gilbert Stuart, 1755-1828.

"Gilbert Stuart at Philadelphia, 1795-1803, by Charles Merrill Mount": p. 3-14.

A sketch of the medical monopolies, with a plan of reform. Addressed to the Right Hon. Lord John Russell ...

Mode of access: Internet.