Call Number:

C1013

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 2 boxes
• 1.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Citations should be as follows: Nicholas Biddle Collection, Box #, Folder #, Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1800-1838 (inclusive)

Creator:

Princeton University. Library. Special Collections and Biddle, Nicholas, 1786-1844

Form:

Correspondence -- 19th century, Manuscripts, American--19th century., and Orations--19th century.

Abstract:

Consists of material, primarily correspondence, relating to Nicholas Biddle, one of the first directors of the Bank of the United States and author of the official Lewis and Clark narrative.

Nicholas Biddle was a litterateur, a scholar, a statesman, and a financier. At the age of ten he entered the University of Pennsylvania and was ready to graduate at thirteen; however, he was not allowed to receive his degree because of his youth. He then entered the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1799, and graduated in 1801 as valedictorian. Although he was devoted to the study of the classics, he selected the law as his profession. He was a contributing writer to the Port Folio, which became the leading literary periodical in America, and became its editor in 1812. In 1810, after the death of Capt. Meriwether Lewis, Gen. William Clark asked Biddle to write the narrative of their expedition into the Louisiana country, which Biddle worked on from 1810 to 1812. He entered the state Senate in 1814, which forced him to give up his post as editor and to turn over the work of carrying through the press his History of the Expedition of Captains Lewis and Clark (1814) to Paul Allen. In 1819 Biddle became one of the five government directors of the Bank of the United States, and its president in 1822. He resigned in 1839 and retired to "Andalusia" on the Delaware, which became the scene of an intellectual and social life not common in the United States.

The collection consists of material, primarily correspondence, relating to Nicholas Biddle. There are financial documents and letters by explorer William Clark concerning Biddle's role as Clark's lawyer relating to the publication of the Lewis and Clark expedition history and the disposition of specimens and journals to President Thomas Jefferson. In addition, the collection contains Biddle's correspondence with John Sargeant, John Cumming, General S. Smith, and Samuel L. Southard regarding the Bank of the United States, and with Biddle's brother and his friend "Watts" from Athens, Greece. Also included are correspondence and documents relating to a suit of the Spanish government against Craig and Oliver, two merchants who were represented by Biddle, and a three-page manuscript signed by Biddle, titled "A valedictory oration on the part of the Cliosophic Society, composed and delivered on the twenty fifth day of Sept. [1800] by Nicholas Biddle."

Arranged alphabetically by correspondent. The William Clark material is housed in Box 2.