The collection consists of manuscript speeches, articles, editorials, and correspondence related to The Rochester Courier, a weekly newspaper first published on January 22, 1864, in Rochester, New Hampshire, by J. Frank Place. The topics deal mainly with the antislavery movement, the Missouri Compromise, temperance, and other national issues which dominated American political life leading up to and following the Civil War. Included is a notebook journal outlining the history of the Courier, its mission, political views, physical setup, and its owners, and providing a profile of Charles Folsom, proprietor after October 1, 1868; its last page gives a summary of existing newspapers in Rochester in 1872 and of the progress of the Sons of Temperance of North America.

There are several speeches addressed to "Mr. President," including a four-page speech by a "Paddy A. Rafferty" delivered at the "Grand Rally of the Democrats of Rochester" and another about freedom, slavery, and the Missouri Compromise. There is an editorial that cites Thomas Jefferson about the abolition of slavery laws and denounces the Democratic Party for wavering on slavery issues. In a one-page manuscript titled "No Hand Lost" the writer declares that Abraham Lincoln is a good candidate for the presidency. Another article relates the beginning of the American Civil War with an armed raid on Lawrence, Kansas, in May 1856. There is a "Fourth of July speech" written on Congressional letterhead stationery criticizing the presidency and mentioning "Miss Columby", a character featured in the "Lincoln cartoons."

Temperance-related material includes a speech about temperance written on "Harrison Mills" notepaper, a list of names of members of a temperance lodge, "An Appeal" by the Women's Christian Temperance Union regarding liquor, and a two-page editorial written and signed by Charles Folsom. Other material includes a notebook containing drafts of editorials, articles, poems, and correspondence; a list of items to be donated; a program for a "Grand Concert On Behalf of Sailors Orphans," dated April 21, 1900; two drafts of an article titled "Walking with God" or "Closer to God"; an editorial about summer, dated June 25, 1873; an eight-page editorial about "Romance"; and a receipt for $1000 signed by A. M. Nason, dated February 16, 1876, and with The Rochester Courier letterhead..