The contents are as follows. (i) Draft lists and notes, 1840, undated, on officers of the rank of Lieutenant and above recommended for promotion or noted for other honours (folio 1); (ii) Lists and other papers, 1838-1841, undated, and a letter, 1841, concerning Mates, chiefly those noted for promotion (folio 13); (iii) Returns, 1839, 1841, of Captains, Commanders, Lieutenants and Mates who passed courses at H M S Excellent (folio 71); (iv) Draft letter, memoranda and other notes, 1845-1846, on promotions to the flag list (folio 89); (v) Cuttings of letters to ‘The Times’ by Admiral Sir Charles Napier, 1850, attacking the administration of naval promotions (folio 130); (vi) Copy of a pamphlet, 'The Flag List and Its Prospects ... By an Enquirer' (Edinburgh, 1853), with notes thereon by the 2nd Earl of Minto (folio 132).