Manuscript Division Joseph Hopper Nicholson Papers

Joseph Hopper Nicholson Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS34728

Scope and Content Note

The papers of Joseph H. Nicholson (1770-1817) span the years 1789-1827, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1789-1817. The collection consists of correspondence and other papers relating chiefly to Nicholson's service as U.S. representative from Maryland and judge of the United States Circuit Court and United States Court of Appeals.

Among the subjects featured are investigations of federal departments, navy yards, and naval expenditures; the impeachment in the House of Representatives of Samuel Chase, associate justice of the Supreme Court; the capture of Washington, D.C., by the British in 1814; finance and appropriation bills; American and foreign stocks; and President James Monroe's handling of United States securities. Other topics include the presidential election of 1800; the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr; Maryland finances; slavery; naval embargos and impressment of sailors; and Nicholson's legal and personal affairs. Correspondents include Nathaniel Macon, John Randolph, and C. A. Rodney.

Dates

Creation: 1789-1827
Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1789-1817)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

Access and Restrictions

The papers of Joseph Hopper Nicholson are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.

Copyright Status

The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Joseph Hopper Nicholson is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Biographical Note

1770, May 15: Born, Chestertown, Md.
1787: Graduated, Washington College, Chestertown, Md.
1796 - 1798: Member, Maryland House of Delegates
1799 - 1806: Member, U.S. House of Representatives
1804: Appointed manager by the House of Representatives to conduct impeachment proceedings against John Pickering, judge of the United States District Court for New Hampshire, and against Samuel Chase, associate justice of the Supreme Court
1806 - 1817: Chief justice. sixth judicial district of Maryland, and associate justice, Maryland court of appeals
1812: Participated in the defense of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812
1817, Mar. 4: Died, Baltimore County, Md.

Extent

2,200 items
7 containers
1.4 linear feet

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Additional Description

Abstract

Jurist and U.S. representative from Maryland. Correspondence and other papers relating chiefly to Nicholson's service as U.S. representative and judge of the U.S. Circuit Court and U.S. Court of Appeals.

Arrangement of the Papers

This collection is organized chronologically in bound volumes.

Additional Guides

An index to the Nicholson Papers is available in the Manuscript Division Reading Room.

Catalog Record

https://lccn.loc.gov/mm82034728

Provenance

The papers of Joseph Hopper Nicholson, jurist and U.S. representative from Maryland, were purchased by the Library of Congress in 1920. An addition of a single item was purchased in 1958.

Processing History

The Nicholson Papers were processed and bound after the collection was received in 1920. A single item received in 1958 was added in 1959. The finding aid was created in 2016.