The papers consist of nine volumes of autographed letters written by prominent American, British, and French political, financial, literary, and cultural figures. The majority of letters are addressed to Whitelaw Reid or Elizabeth Mills Reid, and date from Reid's service as ambassador to Great Britain. Letters of introduction, acknowledgements of gifts and invitations, congratulatory messages, and letters of condolence comprise the bulk of the letters. The volumes also include letters relating to the New York Tribune and substantive letters from President Theodore Roosevelt (1906-1907) concerning Morocco, the Algeciras Conference, and other diplomatic and political matters.