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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.

Correspondence between William Samuel Johnson, 1727-1819, and his son Robert Charles Johnson, 1766-1806, concerning personal business in Connecticut and a father's advice to a young man entering his law career. Some of the father's letters of special interest were written during his term as U.S. Senator (1791), and some concern British-French trade relations, 1793. There are also copies of letters to Johnson from Cadwallader Colden, Silas Deane, James Duane, John Fitch, Jonathan Trumbull, and William Williams. Other letters have been added

Papers dealing with Johnson's public life in New York City and in the New York State Senate. While Assistant Alderman, Johnson received numerous letters of application from citizens seeking patronage for a variety of municipal offices, ranging from requests to be a night watchman to a position as a municipal court justice. Also, letters, reports, and other documents relating to various municipal services such as health, welfare, fire fighting, street maintenance, water, sewers, railroads, ferries, and stage coaches. Some letters and documents concern Whig Party politics in the 3rd Ward. Johnson's correspondence as a New York Society Library Trustee refers to the proposed merger with the New York Athenaeum. Also, twelve items relating to his term in the State Senate, covering taxation and control of foreign laborers.