Many of the letters in this volume are duplicates of those in MSS.8408-8409.

The papers consist of:

(i) 'Journal or Extracts of Letters', 24 February-28 July 1783 (folio 1);

(ii) Copies of administrative correspondence, 31 January-9 July 1783 (folio 58);

(iii) Copies of administrative correspondence, July-October 1783 (folio 92);

(iv) Copies of administrative correspondence, July-September 1783 (folio 118);

(v) Copies of administrative correspondence, April-August 1783 (folio 148);

(vi) Copies of correspondence, May-July 1783, of Basil Cochrane with various officials (folio 188);

(vii) Notes, May-June 1783, on ship movements and other administrative matters (folio 220);

(viii) Copies of correspondence, August-October 1783, of Basil Cochrane with James Stuart, Andrew Stuart, and others (folio 230);

(ix) Narrative of James Stuart's dismissal from the service of the East India Company (folios 270);

(x) 'Letters to Lord Macartney, Book 2[d]', 21 March-28 August 1783, written by Basil Cochrane; this fascicule was found among the Torrance Muniments (see MS.8208), but clearly belongs to this series (folios 274).