Public Dinner Declined by James Buchanan By WILLIAM FREDERIC WORNER O N Monday evening, March 3rd, 1828, the Hon. James Buchanan, who represented this district in the Congress of the United States, arrived in Lancaster for a short stay. A number of his friends met at Stehman's tavern on the day

graphed and sent me a copy. By this kindly act, for which we are grateful, he has rendered most valuable service, for he has rescued the drawing from its obscurity, and has given to us the only out- line, so far as known, of the original building of St. James's church. LETTERS OF JAMES BUCHANAN By

could see you ; I can hear you and you sound fine. I have always wanted to come to Lancaster and I am going to do so sometime in the daylight and see the home of President Buchanan. I have a personal interest in the Buchanan home ; many years ago, my father was secretary to James Buchanan when he was

. Michael, John Getz, Michael Wimer and Henry Carpenter, Esquires." On Wednesday, July 4th, 1827, nearly two hundred citizens of Lancaster, friendly to the election of General Andrew Jackson to the presidential chair, assembled at a spring, on the property of Langdon Cheves, Esq., to celebrate the

stated that President Buchanan "returned to his home [Wheatland] following his term as President of the United States and prac- tised law at the Lancaster bar." James Buchanan was admitted to the bar, in Lancaster, November 17th, 1812, and practiced law here until he entered upon his political career

located. The west end of Lancaster, preferably near Franklin and Marshall College, was suggested as a suitable location. Wheatland, the mansion of President James Buchanan; Rock Ford, the home of General Edward Hand; and Old City Hall on Penn Square were cited as historic structures worthy of preservation

of steel-framed spectacles. Nearly all were gray- headed, ruddy-cheeked, bright-eyed, and snowy-whiskered. Judging from his conversation, every man was either a school mate or a chum of George M. Dallas and James Buchanan. They talked not of the crops nor of the weather. They seemed to be far more

James Regar and the Reverend Mr. Glessner read papers on "French Language," not exactly the intellectual fare that would "turn on" blacksmith apprentices. Dr. Washington Lemuel Atlee disclosed to his audience the mysteries of chemistry while Dr. George Kerfoot offered lectures on anatomy. In those days