The papers consist chiefly of accounts of the Earl of Angus' expenditure while in Holland, kept by his ‘governour’, Captain James Cranstoun of the Glen, 1683-1692 (folio 1), including vouchers for payments by Cranstoun and by William Lawrie, Tutor of Blackwood, the Marquess of Douglas's factor, reports on the accounts by Sir Francis Scott of Thirlestane and Sir Patrick Murray of Saltcoats, 1693 (folios 35 verso, 41), and the Marquess's discharges, with his remarks, 1693 (folios 36, 110).

The accounts, which cover the whole of the Earl of Angus' expenditure (food, clothes, lodging, books, equipment, etc.), are followed by letters, 1690-1698, chiefly written by Cranstoun in Holland and chiefly addressed to Lawrie (as ‘the Laird of Blackwood’), describing the Earl’s activities and his death in the battle of Steenkerke (folio 131), including two of the Earl himself, 1690, 1692 (folios 131, 155). An undated portion of a letter of James Weir to his father, the Laird of Blackwood, may also be addressed to Lawrie (folio 1 verso).