The principal contents are: letters (with typescript copies) of John Wilson as secretary of the Edinburgh Association of Theological Students (folio 1); his plans for missionary work (folio 36); letters to him from various orientalists and politicians (folio 46); papers on George Strachan (folio 116); ninth-century accounts of India (folio 122); notes on Indian history (folio 134); a translation by Aviet Aganoor of Eznik's treatise against the Parsis (folio 159); and a paper (imperfect at the beginning) on duelling and honour (folio 195). At the end are notes, 1809, by Colin Mackenzie (folio 211), a copy of a minute by Sir John Malcolm on his tour of Satara, 1829 (folio 214), and ‘Proceedings at the laying of the foundation stone of the buildings for the University of Bombay’ (folio 238).

These papers were extensively used by George Smith for his ‘The Life of John Wilson’, and his instructions to the printer appear in pencil throughout.