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.