The journals contain pencil and pen and watercolour sketches, and some verses, and were sent by Captain (later Major-General Sir) Thomas William Taylor, Military Secretary to the 1st Earl of Minto in India, to Lady Anna Maria Elliot. They describe the journey of the Minto party to India, their life and travel there, the voyage in the invasion fleet to Java via Penang and Malacca, the British conquest and occupation of the Dutch colonies, and life in Java.