The collection consists of selected correspondence and documents, both original and facsimiles, of Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States. The correspondence includes an autograph letter to R. M. Corwin; a letter to Princeton University President John MacLean, dated Dec. 27, 1864, in which Lincoln acknowledges the award of an honorary degree; two letters to James Gordon Bennett; and two sheets of material regarding Edward Lewis and William H. Herndon, who were clients of Lincoln when he was a lawyer in Illinois. The documents include an original engrossed souvenir copy of the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution for the abolition of slavery. Written on vellum and dated February 1, 1865, the document was signed by Lincoln and other officers of Congress after it was approved by both houses. There is a signed document regarding the acceptance of Carl Messing's credentials. There are also documents for the appointment of John T. Robinson as Deputy Postmaster in Princeton, New Jersey, William L. Dayton, Jr. (Princeton Class of 1861), as Assistant Secretary of the United States Legation in Paris, Rev. Nathaniel West as Chaplain of the United States Hospital at Philadelphia, and Otis F. Presbrey as Tax Assessor in the State of New York. Also included are a photostat of a speech on "Sectionalism"; an inauguration day pass dated March 3, 1865, and an envelope addressed to "Mr. Linken, the Presendent" with "Death to Traitors!" printed on the outside, which is postmarked May 15, 1861. In addition, there is a silver gelatin photograph copy of a Lincoln photograph, No. 180 of 500, made by the Curtiss Studio of New Haven, Conn., from an original by Alexander Gardner that was taken on February 5, 1865, in Washington, D.C.

In addition, there is a letter (Jan. 9, 1945) and a typewritten copy of an article titled "When Lincoln came to Cape May" (accompanied by members of the Field family).