Subseries A. Personal Papers include Nathaniel's autobiography, correspondence, eulogies and obituaries, and legal papers. Of particular note is a journal containing Nathaniel's autobiography; written in his own hand it records events in his life from 1782 to 1836. The journal has an appendix listing the bills of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate that were of interest to Nathaniel during his term in office. Also included is a handwritten transcription of Nathaniel's autobiography which was probably created by Mary Anne C. Devereux, wife of his son, Nathaniel. Nathaniel's correspondence reflects the change in his career from shipping captain and merchant to politician. Of special interest are letters from Nathaniel's brother-in-law, Benjamin W. Crowninshield, Secretary of the Navy. In addition to the discussion of political and social events in Washington, these letters contain references to Nathaniel's memorial regarding the Brig Edwin. Also included in the correspondence is an 1819 resolution from the Town of Salem to the federal government in favor of prohibiting the extension of slavery. Correspondence commemorating Nathaniel's life, including a signed letter from James Buchanan, is filed with the obituary notices of his death. The bulk of the legal documents include deeds for land in New Orleans sold by John Crowninshield to Nathaniel and a Michigan land deed signed by Martin Van Buren.