Originally assembled by Torrey as an autograph collection from which a series was chosen for the Academy, perhaps purchased by John Redfield who combined it with the Elias Durand collection of 109 letters and enlarged it to the present proportions. Most of the letters are dated 1809-1859, with six earlier and two later ones. A typescript index and a microfilm copy of the originals are on file, Analyzed from A through J only.