The contents are as follows: (i) Extracts from the logbook, 1844, of H.M.S. Spartan (folio 1); (ii) Letter, 1845, of Admiral Sir Francis W Austen ordering Sir Charles Elliot to return to England (folio 7); (iii) Letters, 1864-1866, to Elliot concerning his command on the South American station and the war between Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay (folio 9); (iv) Copy letters, 1864-1866, undated, of Elliot, extracted from a letter book, concerning his command on the South American station (folio 108); (v) ‘Correspondence Respecting Hostilities in the River Plate, &c. Presented to the House of Commons by Command of Her Majesty, in pursuance of their Address dated May 1, 1865’ (folio 116); (vi) Extracts from United States of America Navy Regulations, 1865 (folio 132); (vii) Lists of articles supplied to and received from Elliot, 1870 and 1873, on assuming and relinquishing command at Sheerness (folio 138); (viii) Paper, undated, entitled ‘Captain Goodenough on the Preliminary Education of Naval Officers’ (folio 147).