Collection consists of a copy of a typed manuscript written by author Alex Haley. Haley sent the piece, titled "A Letter Home" to Knoxville News Sentinel journalist Harry Moskos to be published in the paper. Haley had been traveling internationally for several years and included anecdotes from places like Hong Kong and Singapore in his letter, which he wrote aboard the Columbus Wellington on his way to Auckland, New Zealand. "A Letter Home" also includes a portion describing Haley's journey aboard a cargo ship with Governor of Tennessee Lamar Alexander. Alexander had just stepped down as governor and was writing his book Six Months Off while Haley was writing this piece. Haley sent the manuscript to the Sentinel on December 19, 1987, and it was published in the December 20, 1987 issue.