Laura Scott Lowell, Documentary Editor

Form
1) Format of the documents is standardized for placement of datelines, salutations and close.
2) Uniform spacing and indentations are used throughout.
3) Interlineations are lowered to the line and incorporated into the text at the point indicated by the author.
4) Marginalia are placed within the text and preceded by the bracketed and italicized phrase: [in the margin]
5) Where legible, crossed out words are reproduced within brackets, preceded by the editorial explanation “[crossed out:]”

Abbreviations and Contractions
1) Abbreviations are retained except where the meaning may be ambiguous or obsolete. When necessary, editorial expansions are supplied within brackets.
2) Ampersands have been changed to "and."
3) Contractions which can be easily understood are retained.

Spelling and Punctuation
1) Spelling is retained as written. If necessary, clarifications appear in brackets.
2) Punctuation and capitalization are retained as written, except that periods (rather than commas or dashes) are supplied at the end of sentences, and capital letters are added at the beginning of sentences where necessary. If unclear, rules of modern usage are followed.
3) Missing punctuation, such as a period at the end of an abbreviation or the second set of quotation marks, is silently supplied.

Emendations
1) Missing letters or words on damaged documents are supplied in brackets where obvious. If unclear, they are indicated by brackets and italics, such as: [ text missing] or [two words illegible]
2) Roman text between brackets, i.e. [text], indicates the editor’s attempt to supply missing or illegible text.
3) Italicized text between brackets, i.e. [text], indicates the editor’s own words.
4) Obvious “slips of the pen” are silently emended.