This series (1824-1873, undated) contains correspondence to and from Salmon Chase. The majority of the series is incoming correspondence. The incoming correspondence is made up mostly of single letters written to Chase. An index of each individual who is included in the incoming correspondence is available at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. There is also a fair amount of outgoing correspondence, in the form of letters and in letterpress books (volumes 1 through 8). There is also a box of copies of outgoing letters specifically relating to the Civil War, which are not bound into volumes. There is a small box of family correspondence, both incoming and outgoing. Finally, there is a small amount of incoming correspondence from college societies.

The incoming correspondence is fairly extensive, ranging from 1824 to the year of Chase's death, 1873. The letters are varied in their content. There is a fair amount of business transacted, as well as politics discussed and personal matters attended to.

The earliest writings, from the 1820s until the mid 1840s are mostly private matters, concerning the setting up of various acquaintences with positions and keeping up on the personal lives of various friends. There is also business corespondence having to do with law and Chase's practice as well as a few letters discussing abolition in the later half of the 1830s. Some of the more active correspondents from this period are Abigail Colby, Joseph Denison, Josiah Skinner, Thomas Sparhawk, and members of Chase's extended family.

Once Chase enters elected office, from 1849 until the outbreak of the Civil War, the correspondence is more focused on politics. Petitioners write to Chase seeking his aid and commenting on the slavery situation in Ohio and throughout the country. There are a significant number of letters of a personal nature as well. The outgoing correspondence includes Chase's description of his life in politics, as well as commentary on abolition movements of the day. There are far more individuals involved in correspondence in this period than the earlier years. Some of the more active correspondents in this period include William Gallagher, John Vaughan, Norton Townshend, and Edwin Stanton.

During the Civil War, 1861-1864, Chase's correspondence is mainly political in nature. Chase's outgoing correspondence focuses mostly on the outbreak of war and his installation as secretary of the Treasury. He expresses delight when any group of people act in strong support of the Union or of abolition. He also discusses the Treasury department in great detail, including plans to pay for the war, the national debt, and local economic fluctuations. Some of the main correspondents in this period include General William Tecumseh Sherman and General William Nelson, William Mellen and Thomas Heaton.

The collection includes far less correspondence from Chase's time in the Supreme Court (1864-1873). The incoming correspondence deals mainly with economic considerations and the national debt as well as petitioners seeking favorable judgement in cases. Some of the more active writers of this period include John Cisco, J.D. Cox, Whitelaw Reid, William Prescott Smith, as well as notable abolitionists, including Horace Greeley.

Series 2 contains some correspondence that deals exclusively with slavery. Series 3 contains a small amount of correspondence related to Chase's time on the Supreme Court. Series 4 contains small miscellaneous papers that appear to be unattributed letters or attachments.

The correspondence is arranged by topic: incoming, outgoing, family correspondence, Civil War letters, letters from college societies. The incoming correspondence is arranged alphabetically and the remaining groups are arranged chronologically.

7.1 Linear feet ; 16 boxes, 8 volumes

This small series contains items specifically related to slavery. The majority of the series is made up of newspaper scrapbooks, filled with clippings relating to slavery. There is also a folder containing what appears to be notes taken by Chase on the topic of slavery, as well as lecture notes. There are also some papers relating to anti-slavery conventions as well as several documents outlining resolutions and opinions made by conventions, state and local bodies, and prominent people.

The newspaper scrapbooks span from the 1820s until the beginning of the Civil War. They include articles about legislative activity regarding slavery, particularly the Fugitive Slave Law and the Kentucky and Missouri compromises; judicial activity regarding slavery, including trials and cases of former slaves, people who helped slaves, and also of free blacks; and notices regarding the import or sale of slaves.

The papers regarding anti-slavery conventions are mostly calls to the public to participate at the conventions. They include petitions signed and sent to public figures, as well as letters to the public and to officials. The resolutions and opinions contain various items, including resolutions produced by groups, local bodies, or individual people stating an intention to take some action regarding slavery.

A small amount of correspondence deals exclusively with slavery.

Folders are arranged alphabetically.

1.0 Linear feet ; 10 boxes

This small series contains materials related to Chase's tenure as chief justice of the Supreme Court, 1864-1873. The majority of the series is made up of notes about cases and unofficial opinions. There are some official opinions, and some logistical items, such as papers outlining the jurisdiction of the federal courts and the allotment of justices, as well as a small amount of correspondence relating specifically to cases.

Most of the notes in this series lack specific case titles or dates. There are some notable cases, however, including Ex Parte Milligan, a Reconstruction case in which the court found that using military tribunals to try civilian cases was unconstitutional when a civilian court existed. The Allotment of Justices folder documents the allotment of Circuit Court justices. The correspondence is mainly from petitioners asking Chase to rule a certain way on a specific case.

Folders are arranged alphabetically.

0.4 Linear feet ; 1 box

This series contains diverse materials. It includes newspaper clippings and scrapbooks, speeches, as well as notes and possibly letter fragments on both political and non-political topics. It also contains a fair number of political pamphlets and some catalogues. One box of the series is composed entirely of notes on speeches. There are also papers that are not political in nature and seem to be miscellaneous notes.

The speech notes are arranged in individual folders where the topic or title of the speech could be determined. There are several speeches that touch on various topics, including abolition, the Fugitive Slave laws, economics, education, and the Civil War. All of the speeches are exclusively political.

There are several folders of papers containing notes and suggestions for the Treasury Department as well as the National Bank. There are also papers relating to politics in Ohio dating from 1833 until 1849, and again during Chase's time as governor.

The series also includes a bit of religious material, including several newspaper scrapbooks on the Episcopal Church as well as circulars published by various churches. The catalogues advertise various products including felting material and women's clothing. There are some drafts of poetry. There is also a single photograph in Box 21, Folder 1 which is labeled as D.B. Sturgeon.

Volumes 9-14 are included in this series and consist of journals, and miscellaneous notebooks. There are six flat files associated with this series, including large, intact newspapers as well as maps and roll call vote tallies.

This series is arranged by type and then alphabetically by folder.

2.3 Linear feet ; 16 boxes, 6 volumes, 6 flat files

The majority of this series in made up of Schuckers's business papers. There is a bit of correspondence, as well as some materials that appear to have been used to write his book on the life of Chase, including drafts of chapters of his book.

The Chase biographical material includes research into Chase's family history, geneological materials, and obituary notices. There is also some correspondence between Schuckers and third parties relating to the biography.

Schuckers's papers are very much related to his business as a lawyer and his investments. There is a fair amount of material relating to land, railroad, and mine speculation as well as other investments. Schuckers's business correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, is included and is exclusively business in nature, relating to his law firm or his investments. There is also a flat file containing maps of a railroad with which Schuckers was involved.

This series includes a collection of his personal and business checks, written between the years 1865 and 1880. Also included are what appear to be essay notes on economic activity, the National Bank, and specie payments.

There are two volumes, of Schuckers's journals, which discuss primarily family matters and occasionally economic issues.

This series is arranged alphabetically by folder, with the Chase biographical material grouped together in Box 22.

1.2 Linear feet ; 3 boxes, 2 volumes, 4 flat files