This collection consists primarily of a letter that Rufus W. Griswold wrote to rising Southern novelist John Esten Cooke on July 14, 1851. In it, he asks Cooke's pardon for not having acknowledged the biographical information that Cooke sent regarding Philip Pendelton Cooke (John Esten's brother) sooner, notes that he enjoyed his recent visit to Richmond, and mentions having received a note from Miss Talley. Also included is a woodcut depicting Rufus Griswold.