This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to Alfred O. Tate's role as Edison's private secretary, along with occasional items pertaining to Tate's private life. Letters addressed to Tate in his capacity as Edison's secretary or representative that do not fall under the main subject categories are generally filed in this folder. The documents pertain to a wide variety of topics, including the Gilliland-Tomlinson phonograph controversy, Edison's stock subscription in the Westman Furnace Co., and Edison's acquisition of horses and a carriage.

Approximately 10 percent of the documents have been selected. All of the documents that provide significant information about Edison or his companies, along with a few significant pieces of Tate's personal correspondence, have been selected. The following categories of documents have not been selected: routine letters pertaining to bookkeeping and accounts; requests for Tate to act as an intermediary with Edison; other routine correspondence concerning the various Edison companies; documents relating to Tate's private affairs. Included in the last category are personal correspondence and accounts unrelated to Edison's activities; letters from friends and relatives in Canada expressing interest in Edison's electric light, phonograph, and ore milling business affairs; and material concerning Tate's membership in clubs and societies.

Letters addressed to Tate that deal with a specific subject or the business of a particular company can be found in their appropriate subject folders.