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Correspondence, manuscripts of poems, and manuscripts of lectures by Benjamin. The correspondence consists of original letters of Benjamin, typescript and photostatic copies of Benjamin letters in other libraries, and letters to Benjamin from some of his literary contemporaries including Paul Hamilton Hayne, Willis Gaylord Clark, John Lothrop Motley, and Fitz-Greene Halleck. Many of the letters relate to Park Benjamin's lecture tours. There are other family letters and many documents relating to the Benjamin family,and two letterbooks of John Lothrop Motley. Also, a large amount of genealogical material of the Benjamin family, and its related families from the 16th century to the present day. There are also financial records, monographs, clippings, and photographs.

Forty-eight autograph letters signed from William Gilmore Simms to Ferris, 1859-1870, and one manuscript poem; eight letters from Paul Hamilton Hayne to William Gilmore Simms and one letter to Ferris, 1867-1870. The letters are chiefly personal dealing with contemporary events, personal matters, and literary interests. Ninety-nine autograph letters signed to Ferris and one manuscript poem, 1850-1875. A great many of these letters are from literary figures of the day in response to requests from Ferris for manuscript poems and photographs to be reproduced in a volume he was planning. Some of the letters here present were to Simms and some to W. G. Cordray. 155 autograph letters to William Gilmore Simms, 1854-1870, chiefly personal in nature and from Simms' literary friends and others concerned with his literary activity and publication of his work.