"The McMinn County Manifesto" is a handwritten article by Brownlow for publication in his newspaper, Brownlow’s Knoxville Whig.

Brownlow’s article appears to be a rewrite of a very similar article published in his Knoxville Tri-weekly Whig and Rebel Ventilator, July 26, 1864. Brownlow, a staunch supporter of the Union, used his newspaper to denounce the Confederacy and its supporters. His combative reaction to the Athens Post’s articles is typical of his out-spoken editorial style. Brownlow’s 1868 rewrite of his earlier article may have been prompted by his visit to Athens, Tenn., the week prior to the article’s publication. The purpose of that visit was to rally support for Ulysses S. Grant’s presidential campaign.

Signed “Editor,” the piece includes instructions to the printer to insert the “proceedings entire” at the end of the piece. The “proceedings entire” were a reprint of “A call for a public meeting of the citizens of McMinn County” from the Athens Post, October 3, 1862. The meeting’s resolutions (Athens Post, October 10, 1862) were also printed in Brownlow’s piece.