The contents are as follows: (i) Paper, ?1831-2, reviewing the slavery question and recommending a somewhat circumscribed freedom for slaves (folio 1); (ii) Parliamentary Paper, ?1833, annotated by Sir Charles Elliot, inquiring into the slavery question (folio 54).

The papers mainly concern Parliamentary elections in Linlithgowshire, but include papers on the management of Scottish affairs in 1724-1725 (folio 22), and on Scots tenures and jurisdictions (folio 124).

From the 16th century these include papers on the sheriffship of Peebles, the West Marches, and the office of royal usher; from the 17th century, papers on the Civil War and the diplomatic activity of Sir William Fleming; and from the 18th century, translations of letters concerning the Old and Young Pretenders.

The contents are as follows. (i) A series of papers, 1524-1770, numbered A.1-53, chiefly documents with royal signatures, but including others, on a variety of subjects. This is XVI A in the 'Inventory' (MS.20770). {Folio 1.) (ii) A series of papers, 1631-1654, undated, numbered D.1-50, chiefly on the disputes between Charles I and Scotland and on the Civil War, but with some on local affairs. This is V (ii) in the 'inventory' (MS.20770). (Folio 97.)

The papers concern: (i) The finances of the Post Office, 1778-1789 (folio 1);(ii) The provision of stationery for public use, and the establishment of a Stationery Office, 1732-1787.

Andrew Carnegie had offered a large sum of money to be used for a town-planning scheme to enhance Dunfermline and in 1903 Patrick Geddes and Thomas Mawson were chosen to draw up reports in competition on the redevelopment. The papers cover the period before and after the publication of the report, and include letters from Geddes to various educationists, economists, sociologists, and academics.

The papers concern geography, affairs, etc., with a memorandum by Henry Dundas on a treaty with Holland, 1787, and correspondence regarding Portugese possessions.