The correspondence in this collection deals with varied subjects, such as credit accounts at a mercantile store in Nashville, Tennessee–Terrass & Yarbrough. While two of the other letters appear to be personal correspondence, a telegram sent to Longley as a member of the House of Delegates in 1873 addressed the Farmer's Bank of Abingdon (Virginia). The telegram and the bank note from the Bank of Abingdon suggest that Longley may have been involved with the institution. Also, in a letter sent to Longley in 1878, the author requests that Longley focus his attention on the "Civil Rights Bill." This was likely a reference to the Civil Rights Act of 1875 which entitled all individuals to the same use of "public accommodations," such as theaters and inns. The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was, however, declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1883.