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Nicholas Biddle

A Register of His Papers in the Library of Congress


Prepared by Allan Teichroew
Revised by Patrick Kerwin

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/xmlcommon/lcseal.jpg

Manuscript Division, Library of Congress

Washington, D.C.

2005

Contact information: http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/mss/address.html

Finding aid encoded by Library of Congress Manuscript Division, 2005

Finding aid URL: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms005007


Table of Contents

Collection Summary

Selected Search Terms

Names:

Subjects:

Occupations:

Administrative Information

Provenance:

Processing History:

Transfers:

Copyright Status:

Microfilm:

Preferred Citation:

Biographical Note

Scope and Content Note

Organization of the Papers

Container List

General Correspondence, 1775-1846, n.d.

Letterbooks, 1823-1841.

Miscellany, 1776-1925, n.d.

Family Papers, 1681-1933, n.d.


Collection Summary

Title: Papers of Nicholas Biddle
Span Dates: 1681-1933
Bulk Dates: (bulk 1775-1846)
ID No.: MSS12690
Creator: Biddle, Nicholas, 1786-1844
Extent: 15,000 items; 133 containers; 39.2 linear feet; 51 microfilm reels
Language: Collection material in English
Repository: Manuscript Division,, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Abstract: Banker, editor, diplomat, lawyer, and legislator. Correspondence, letterbooks, account books, and writings together with family papers concerning Charles, Clement, Edward, James, Nicholas, Thomas, and William S. Biddle.

Selected Search Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.

Names:

Biddle, Nicholas, 1786-1844
Biddle, Charles, 1745-1821
Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814
Biddle, Edward, 1738-1779
Biddle, James, 1783-1848
Biddle, Thomas, 1776-1857
Biddle, William S.
Binney, Horace, 1780-1875--Correspondence
Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850--Correspondence
Cooper, Thomas, 1759-1839--Correspondence
Dallas, Alexander James, 1759-1817--Correspondence
Dickins, Asbury, 1780-1861--Correspondence
Hamilton, James, 1786-1857--Correspondence
Ingersoll, Charles Jared, 1782-1862--Correspondence
Lawrence, Abbott, 1792-1855--Correspondence
Lewis, Charles J.--Correspondence
Lieber, Francis, 1800-1872--Correspondence
Livingston, Edward, 1764-1836--Correspondence
McDuffie, George, 1790-1851--Correspondence
McLean, John, 1785-1861--Correspondence
Tyler, John, 1790-1862--Correspondence
Watmough, John G. (John Goddard), 1793-1861--Correspondence
Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852--Correspondence
Bedell family
Pennsylvania. General Assembly
United States. Legation (France)
Bank of the United States (1816-1836)
Princeton University
Port folio (Philadelphia, Pa. : 1801)

Subjects:

Agriculture--Pennsylvania
Diplomatic and consular service, American--France
Universities and colleges--New Jersey
Pennsylvania--Commerce
Pennsylvania--Politics and government--1775-1865
Pennsylvania--Social life and customs
United States--Economic policy

Occupations:

Bankers
Diplomats
Editors
Lawyers
Legislators--Pennsylvania

Administrative Information

Provenance:

The papers of Nicholas Biddle, banker, editor, diplomat, lawyer, and legislator, were deposited in the Library of Congress by his grandsons, Charles and Edward Biddle, 1913-1914. The deposit was converted to a gift in 1952. Other gifts and purchases were received from 1909 to 1978.

Processing History:

The papers of Nicholas Biddle were bound in 1916 and the collection was microfilmed in 1965. The collection was described and additions to the collection were processed in 1981. The finding aid was revised in 2003.

Transfers:

Some pictorial material has been transferred to the Library's Prints and Photographs Division where it is identified as part of these papers.

Copyright Status:

The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Nicholas Biddle is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Microfilm:

A microfilm edition of these papers is available on fifty-one reels. Consult a reference librarian in the Manuscript Division concerning availability for purchase or interlibrary loan.

Preferred Citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container or reel number, Nicholas Biddle Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Biographical Note

Date

Event

1786, Jan. 8Born, Philadelphia, Pa.
1801Graduated, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.
1804-1806Secretary to the American legation, Paris, France
1806-1807Secretary to the American legation, London, England
1809Admitted to the bar, Philadelphia, Pa.
1811Married Jane Craig
1819-1821Director, Bank of the United States
1822-1839President, Second Bank of the United States (later renamed the United States Bank of Pennsylvania)
1844, Feb. 27Died, Philadelphia, Pa.

Scope and Content Note

The papers of Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844) span the years 1681-1933, with the bulk of the items concentrated in the period 1775-1846. The papers pertain primarily to Biddle's career as president of the Bank of the United States, 1822-1839, and cover topics such as the attitude of Congress and the president toward the bank, fiscal operations, and the views of the public regarding the bank. Other material relates to Biddle's student years at Princeton University, his position as secretary of the American legation in Paris, his editorship of and contributions to Port Folio magazine, his work as a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, and to business, social affairs, and farming.

The collection also includes family papers, chiefly 1775-1846, concerning Charles, Clement, Edward, James, Thomas, and William S. Biddle. Correspondents include Horace Binney, John C. Calhoun, Thomas Cooper, Alexander James Dallas, Asbury Dickens, James Hamilton (1786-1857), Charles Jared Ingersoll, Abbott Lawrence, Charles J. Lewis, Francis Lieber, Edward Livingston, George McDuffie, John McLean, John Tyler, John G. Watmough, and Daniel Webster.

Organization of the Papers

The collection is arranged in four series:


Container List

CONTAINERCONTENTS
BOX 1-113
REEL 1-41

General Correspondence, 1775-1846, n.d.

Correspondence and other papers.
Arranged chronologically.
BOX 1
REEL 1
1775, Dec. 26-1809, Dec. 18
BOX 2
REEL 1
1809, Dec. 26-1812, Jan. 24
BOX 3
REEL 2
1812, Jan. 25- 1815, Jan. 27
BOX 4
REEL 2
1815, Jan. 30-1817, Dec. 28
BOX 5
REEL 2
1817, Dec. 30-1819, Feb. 15
BOX 6
REEL 3
1819, Feb. 16-1820, Mar. 16
BOX 7
REEL 3
1820, Mar. 22-1822, Feb. 8
BOX 8
REEL 4
1822, Feb. 9-1823, Mar. 16
BOX 9
REEL 4
1823, Mar. 7-Dec. 8
BOX 10
REEL 4
1823, Dec. 9-1824, July 31
BOX 11
REEL 5
1824, Aug. 1-1825, Jan. 17
BOX 12
REEL 5
1825, Jan. 18-Oct. 17
BOX 13
REEL 6
1825, Oct. 19-1826, Feb. 1
BOX 14
REEL 6
1826, Feb. 2-Aug. 9
BOX 15
REEL 7
1826, Aug. 10-1827, Jan. 24
BOX 16
REEL 7
1827, Jan. 25-Sept. 22
BOX 17
REEL 7
1827, Sept. 24-1828, Mar. 5
BOX 18
REEL 8
1828, Mar. 6-Oct. 26
BOX 19
REEL 8
1828, Oct. 27-1829, Feb. 25
BOX 20
REEL 9
1829, Feb. 26-Oct. 19
BOX 21
REEL 9
1829, Oct. 21-1830, Jan. 2
BOX 22
REEL 9
1830
Jan. 4-May 29
BOX 23
REEL 10
May 30-Nov. 20
BOX 24
REEL 10
1830, Nov. 21-1831, Jan. 20
BOX 25
REEL 10
1831
Jan. 21-Feb. 28
BOX 26
REEL 11
Mar. 1 -Apr. 19
BOX 27
REEL 11
Apr. 20-July 18
BOX 28
REEL 11
July 19-Nov. 11
BOX 29
REEL 12
Nov. 12-Dec. 30
BOX 30
REEL 12
1831, Dec. 31-1832, Jan. 28
BOX 31
REEL 12
1832
Jan. 29-Feb. 28
BOX 32
REEL 13
Feb. 29-Apr. 26
BOX 33
REEL 13
Apr. 27-June 16
BOX 34
REEL 13
June 17- Aug. 1
BOX 35
REEL 14
Aug. 2-Oct. 14
BOX 36
REEL 14
Oct. 15-Dec. 3
BOX 37
REEL 14
Dec. 4-31
BOX 38
REEL 15
1833
Jan. 1-Feb. 5
BOX 39
REEL 15
Feb. 6-Apr. 7
BOX 40
REEL 15
Apr. 8-Aug. 8
BOX 41
REEL 16
Aug. 9-Sept. 27
BOX 42
REEL 16
Sept. 28-Dec. 2
BOX 43
REEL 16
Dec. 3-30
BOX 44
REEL 17
1833, Dec. 31-1834, Jan. 2
BOX 45
REEL 17
1834
Jan. 3-Feb. 3
BOX 46
REEL 17
Feb. 4-28
BOX 47
REEL 18
Mar. 1-Apr. 4
BOX 48
REEL 18
Apr. 5-May 14
BOX 49
REEL 18
May 15-July 1
BOX 50
REEL 19
July 2-Sept. 26
BOX 51
REEL 19
Sept. 27-Nov. 29
BOX 52
REEL 19
1834, Nov. 30-1835, Jan. 22
BOX 53
REEL 20
1835
Jan. 23- Apr. 17
BOX 54
REEL 20
Apr. 18- July 19
BOX 55
REEL 20
July 21-Oct. 10
BOX 56
REEL 21
Oct. 12-Dec. 22
BOX 57
REEL 21
1835, Dec. 23-1836, Jan. 30
BOX 58
REEL 21
1836
Jan. 31-Feb. 22
BOX 59
REEL 22
Feb. 23-Apr. 9
BOX 60
REEL 22
Apr. 10-May 31
BOX 61
REEL 22
June 1-July 21
BOX 62
REEL 23
July 23-Oct. 24
BOX 63
REEL 23
Oct. 25-Dec. 27
BOX 64
REEL 23
1836, Dec. 28-1837, Jan. 29
BOX 65
REEL 24
1837
Jan. 30-Mar. 8
BOX 66
REEL 24
Mar. 9-Apr. 10
BOX 67
REEL 24
Apr. 11-May 17
BOX 68
REEL 25
May 18-June 29
BOX 69
REEL 25
June 30-Aug. 17
BOX 70
REEL 26
Aug. 18-Sept. 28
BOX 71
REEL 26
Sept. 29-Nov. 8
BOX 72
REEL 27
Nov. 9-Dec. 22
BOX 73
REEL 27
1837, Dec. 23-1838, Jan. 14
BOX 74
REEL 27
1838
Jan. 15-Feb. 16
BOX 75
REEL 28
Feb. 17- Mar. 17
BOX 76
REEL 28
Mar. 18-Apr. 13
BOX 77
REEL 29
Apr. 14-May 16
BOX 78
REEL 29
May 17-June 21
BOX 79
REEL 30
June 22-Aug. 22
BOX 80
REEL 30
Aug. 23-Oct. 12
BOX 81
REEL 30
Oct. 13-Nov. 28
BOX 82
REEL 31
Nov. 29-Dec. 31
BOX 83
REEL 31
1838, n.d.-1839, Jan. 26
BOX 84
REEL 31
1839
Jan. 27-Feb. 24
BOX 85
REEL 32
Feb. 25-Mar. 28
BOX 86
REEL 32
Mar. 29-May 10
BOX 87
REEL 32
May 11-Sept. 11
BOX 88
REEL 33
Sept. 12-Dec. 30
BOX 89
REEL 33
1839, Dec. 31-1840, Feb. 4
BOX 90
REEL 33
1840
Feb. 5-Apr. 3
BOX 91
REEL 34
Apr. 4-June 23
BOX 92
REEL 34
June 24-Sept. 22
BOX 93
REEL 34
Sept. 23-Dec. 26
BOX 94
REEL 35
1840, Dec. 27-1841, Feb. 24
BOX 95
REEL 35
1841
Feb. 25-Apr. 3
BOX 96
REEL 35
Apr. 4-May 17
BOX 97
REEL 36
May 18-Aug. 24
BOX 98
REEL 36
Aug. 25-Dec. 22
BOX 99
REEL 36
1841, Dec. 23-1842, Feb. 22
BOX 100
REEL 37
1842
Feb. 23-June 10
BOX 101
REEL 37
June 11-Oct. 24
BOX 102
REEL 37
1842, Oct. 25-1843, Jan. 5
BOX 103
REEL 38
1843, Jan. 6-July 7
BOX 104
REEL 38
1843, July 9-1846, Dec. 18
BOX 105
REEL 38
Undated
A
BOX 106
REEL 39
B
BOX 107
REEL 39
C-K
BOX 108
REEL 39
L-R
BOX 109
REEL 40
S-Wa
BOX 110
REEL 39
We-Wo, unidentified
BOX 111-113
REEL 41
Colt, Roswell D., n.d.
BOX 114-120
REEL 42-46

Letterbooks, 1823-1841.

Letterbooks kept by Biddle while president of the Second Bank of the United States.
Arranged chronologically.
BOX 114
REEL 42
1823, Feb. 1-1825, Mar. 17
BOX 115
REEL 42
1825, Mar. 19-1829, Feb. 2
BOX 116
REEL 43
1829, Jan. 30-1831, June 21
BOX 117
REEL 44
1831, June 22-1833, Aug. 27; 1824, June 12-July 1
BOX 118
REEL 45
1833, Aug. 27-1836, Mar. 3
BOX 119
REEL 46
1836, Mar. 4-1838, Sept. 3
BOX 120
REEL 46
1838, Nov. 15-1841, May 13
BOX 121-123
REEL 47

Miscellany, 1776-1925, n.d.

Correspondence, financial records, notes, and printed matter.
Arranged by type of material.
BOX 121
REEL 47
Account book, 1826-1844
BOX 122
REEL 47
Household inventory, 1844-1888
BOX 123
REEL 47
Letters to William Ayres, 1840-1843
Letters to and from James Biddle (copies), 1825-1832
Correspondence and journal entry (originals and photostats), 1776-1834
Clifton Estate, n.d.
Literary notes, n.d.
Checks and account book, 1804-1871, 1922-1925
Printed matter, 1817-1842, n.d.
BOX 124-133
REEL 47-51

Family Papers, 1681-1933, n.d.

Correspondence and other material relating to various members of the Biddle Family.
Arranged chronologically.
BOX 124
REEL 47
1681, Mar. 22-1805, Sept. 16
BOX 125
REEL 48
1805, Sept. 20-1810, Jan. 7
BOX 126
REEL 48
1810, Jan. 8-1813, Jan. 8
BOX 127
REEL 48
1813, Jan. 12-1817, Mar. 15
BOX 128
REEL 49
1817, Mar. 16-1822, Mar. 2
BOX 129
REEL 49
1822, Mar. 25-1831, Mar. 1
BOX 130
REEL 50
1831, Mar. 14-1840, Mar. 24
BOX 131
REEL 50
1840, Mar. 25-1842, June 29
BOX 132
REEL 50
1842, July 8-1857, Mar. 17
BOX 133
REEL 51
1857, Mar. 19-1933, Jan. 4, n.d.


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