The collection contains account books recording purchases made by Captain Patrick Lawson in London, Madras and Canton. Also contains memoranda and accounts regarding the administration of his estate on behalf of his creditors from 1777 to 1799.

Written on the blank leaves of a copy of Parker's Ephemeris for 1713. Notes from 1713-16 including the results of the poll in the elections for the County and Boroughs of Kent in September 1713 and February 1714. Also includes particulars of Sir Edward Filmer's expenditure on provisions for the latter election.

Manuscript volume containing tables giving a statement of [English] excise revenue from Michaelmas 1662 to [Jun 1763]. There is a possibility that this manuscript was created by John Bindley, a Commissioner of the Excise Office.

Manuscript correspondence and other papers relating to the financial administration of Barbados and the Leeward Islands, 1669-1682, mostly concerned with the auditing of the accounts for the farm of the 4½% duty collected during the years 1670-77. The correspondents include: two farmers of the 4½% duty, Sir Charles Wheler and Colonel John Strode; [William Blathwayt], Auditor General of H.M. revenues in America; [Henry Guy], Secretary to the Treasury; and the governors of the Leeward Islands and Barbados.

Account books kept by the Gough family, 1574-1832.

Manuscript volume containing tables giving a statement of the [English] excise revenue from Michaelmas 1662 to [Jul 1875]. There is a possibility that this manuscript was created by Sir Grey Cooper, Secretary to the Treasury.

Manuscript notes on the Japanese exchanges and markets made for Professor Herbert Somerton Foxwell by Juichi Soyeda, a Japanese banker, in 1885-1886.

Manuscript volume containing a list of papers concerning the financial administration of Argenta in the province of Ferrara, Italy, 1624-1667, notably the farming of the revenues of the chamberlain of Argenta for a year from Jan 1667, and various exemptions from tolls. This manuscript is a copy of an extract made by the public notary Guieseppe Girollo Beccari from a printed book entitled Instrumento d'affitte sopra l'appalto delle dogane, macinato, augmento del sale, e delle can cellarie de Ferrara, e suo stato...(Ferrara 1667).

Contemporary manuscript copy of a proclamation 'concernynge paymente of tythes and oblations as well wythin the Citie of london as ellys wher' wythin the realme', which was made in February 1535. The proclamation contains no date, but an endorsement assigns it, incorrectly, to 36 Henry VIII.

Bound volume containing file copies of decrees relating to commerce collected between 1717 and 1725 by a Paris office of the Compagnie des Fermiers-Généraux, which was a company trading with the Levant. All are printed excepting the following manuscript transcripts concerning the regulation of trade: 1)An extract of the declaration given to the Ministers of Holland and England by the Plenipotentaries of the King, 4 January 1717, including a note that 'this copy was given to the Company on 11 March 1718, in consequence of a letter written by M. Piquet, Keeper of the Seal at the Council of Foreign Affairs'. 2) A decree, dated 7 October 1717, on the laws governing duties on butter and cheeses. 3) Decree headed 'Cires', 1719, beginning 'The King wishes to treat favourably the manufacture established at Limoges...', and transcribed on the last page of a printed decree of 30 March 1719. 4) Decree, dated 1 August 1720, relating to the sawing and merchandising of merain wood, transcribed on the last page of a printed decree of 9 July 1720. 5) Copy of a letter written by the Companie des Fermiers-Généraux to Sr. Savalette, Receiver at St Valery concerning the liability of duty to goods imported from the Levant.

A history, c1826, and copies of three Royal Licences permitting it to enlarge its stock. Both the history and the licenses are in the same hand.

Manuscript volume, 1669-1670, containing 'miscellanies' relating to Ireland, namely 'The establishment beginning Michaelmas 1669', including lists of salaries for civil officers, pensions and annuities, military payments, salaries for military officers and soldiers, the names of officers of regiments of horse and foot on 25 Dec 1670, provincial, noble and clerical subsidies, and a list of Parliamentary seats; 'A table for reducing plantation acres into English and ascertaining the King's rent in the severall provinces of Ireland according to the explanatory act', [1669]; an abstract of the demise made by King Charles II to John Foorth and Partners of the revenue of Ireland, 12 Jul 1669. There is an index, added by Sir David William Smith, 1st Baronet, in 1828.

A roll with printed oaths of allegiance and supremacy with signatures and addresses of the Land Tax Commissioners of the City of London for 1779.

Letters and accounts from Gunter, Greenway & Co. to Joseph Previté concerning the import and export of groceries. The account books cover the period March 1840 to March 1843.

Manuscript volume containing transcripts of directives issued by the Treasury Board and the Board of Customs, 1671-1678, including warrants petitions and legal documents relating to the customs. The documents are signed by statesmen including Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury; Thomas Clifford, 1st Baron Clifford of Chudleigh; Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds; Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington; Sir John Coventry; and Charles Bertie.

Manuscript list of 38 names (including 3 on the dorse), with sums of money opposite each, dating from [1700-1750]. The document is headed by four other names, probably those of the 'preasers' or appraisers mentioned at the top of the page. On the dorse is written 'Messe bookes'.

Two signed and sealed receipts for monies received from Edward Hanbury and Geoffrey Palmer, in respect of half-yearly payments of the Seaton annuities due at Michaelmas. The first is for £5 and is signed by James Yarway; the second is for 40s due as the annuity of Lucy Milbanke, and is signed by her husband Adam Milbanke (with Lucy Milbanke's mark).

Bill of expenses incurred in the execution of a fine levied by Mr Stratford and Mr Hawkins against Ketford Brayne and his wife, presented at Easter, [16]73 by Mr. Ayleway (?). 22 items are listed, amounting to £7.10s., including one of 4s. 'for the Judges hand to passe the fyne', and expenses for a journey to Mr John Cox at Gloucester.

Incomplete copy of instructions to sheriffs of counties and mayors of corporate towns to fix tax assessments, dated 12 August, 1634. The sheriffs are to divide the whole charge laid upon the county into hundreds, lathes and other divisions, and those into parishes and towns, which are to be rated by houses and lands 'saveing that it is his Majestie's pleasure that where there shall happen to be any men of ability, by reason of gainfull trades, great stockes of money or personall estate, who perchance have either none or little land and consequently in an ordinary landscott, would pay nothing or very little such men be rated and assessed according to their worth and ability, and that the moneys that shall bee levyed upon such may be applied to the spareing and easing of such as being either of weake estate, or charged with many children or great debts are unable to beare soe great a chardge as the lands in their occupation might require in an usuall and ordinary proportion...'. The clergy are to be taxed and assessed in the same way as the rest of the king's subjects. Transcript of the signatures of 18 persons, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Coventry, and the Earls of Arundel, Bridgewater and Dorset.

Manuscript list of 79 subscribers to the Company, usually giving their status or occupation, with the amounts subscribed, [1746].

The collection contains a memoranda book covering the years 1783 to 1785, with additions and annotations. The contents include notes of orders, bills, advertisements, names of customers, tables showing different qualities of worsteds and a 'black list' of employees.

1. A miscellaneous collection of orders, receipts and warrants for payment issued by various departments of the Exchequer, with letters of assignment and attorney relating to those who had financial dealings with the Exchequer, 1670-1774. From the mutilated state of some items, the documents appear to have been collected for their autograph interest. Signatories mainly comprise senior politicians and statesmen connected with the Exchequer, notably Prime Ministers, Chancellors and Lord Treasurers.
2. Miscellaneous correspondence, 1728-1846, also collected for its autograph interest. They comprise:
   a) An Ordnance Office Order of 21 May, 1728, to issue from the Tower powder and shot for six months' exercise to the first Regiment of Foot Guards, signed by John Armstrong, George Gregory, Leonard Smelt, T. White and Charles Wills. It is accompanied by a note of delivery, 24 May, 1728, signed by Leonard Welsted. (2 leaves. 12½" x 8").
   b) Letter from Commodore Thomas Collingwood, written from Grafton Gros, Islet Bay in St Lucia on 27 January, 1780, to Thomas Shirley announcing the delivery by James Gordon of 34 puncheons of rum to be supplied to the ships. (Single sheet, 13" x 8").
   c) Late 18th century notes on the church of Bowers Gifford and Bowers Hall Manor, Essex, with particular reference to the Boughton family. The final leaf bears a postmark and is addressed to 'Mr. Thorne, senr., at Mistress Spenloves, Silk Mercer, Cornhill, London'. (4 leaves. 14½" x 9").
   d) Letter of 19 Oct 1800, written at Mount Juliet, Thomastown, from Somerset Lowry-Corry, Viscount Corry, later 2nd Earl Belmore, to William Leader of Liquor Pond Street, London, concerning the acquisition of a carriage. The letter requires him to 'put in hands for me immediately a chaise with a box to take on and off so that it may be either used as a street carriage or for travelling. I should wish it to be very complete and finished in the highest manner - The Butler arms must be quartered with mine on...it'. This letter was written on the eve of Lord Corry's marriage, by special licence, at Mount Juliet, to Juliana, daughter of Henry Thomas Butler, 2nd Earl of Carrick. (2 leaves. 9¼" x 7¼").
   e) Letter from Samuel Whitbread, dated 18 Jan 1801, to Mr. Lucas, coachmaker, Liquor Pond Street, [perhaps concerning the coach mentioned above]. (Single sheet. 4½ x 7½").
   f) Letter from Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne, 26 Apr 1802, ordering 'One pair of riding breeches [from] Joseph Porter'. (Single sheet. 4½ x 6").
   g) Letter from Edmund Boyle, 8th Earl of Cork, written in St. Albans on 18 Jul 1803, to Mr. Lucas, coachmaker, Liquor Pond Street, arranging for him to call. There are some pencilled notes below. (2 leaves. 9" x 7¼").
   h) Agreement, made 16 Feb 1811, between Ron[ald] Campbell, Major in the 72nd regiment, Charles Decoetlogon, H. Irwin, John Moody, Joseph Reed and Thomas Stones, prize agents, to share equally in the 'emoluments and advantages arising from the prize agency for the capture of the Isle of France. (2 leaves. 13" x 7¾").
   i) Letter from Joseph Coppock, written at Sandfords Library, Plymouth Dock, on 17 Sep 1817, to Messrs. Clarksons, solicitors, Essex Street, Strand, London, mentioning the affairs of Mr. A.N. Earl(e), and arranging for a call to be made on 'Mr. Holt, the accountant for stores at the Victualling Office...to sign your name to a letter of application I made to the Board in your name for duplicate certificates some time ago...'. (2 leaves. 9" x 7½").
   j) Weekly return of coals, candles and brooms issued to the 71st Regiment from 12-18 February, 1821, at the New Infantry Barracks, Canterbury. Lists names of officers supplied. Signed Joseph William Dutie, 'D.M.' and A. Jones, Major commanding the 71st Regiment. (Single sheet. 12½" x 8").
   k) Printed broker's receipt of 28 May, 1846, for Consolidated 3% Annuities sold on behalf of Miss Eliza Wardell and John Froggatt, esq., executors of J.A. Wardell, esq. Signed by John Bull, broker. (Single sheet. 3" x 8").

Two bills, 1790-1793, presented to John Perry by two workmen, John Marshall and James Bull for repairing household items.

A bill, 1677, for materials supplied and made up by a dressmaker, totalling over £14.

A bill, late 17th century, for services rendered and items supplied by a saddler.

A collection of 16 bills and receipts, dating between 1788 and 1834, for goods supplied to J. B. le Grange. Also a bill to Mrs. Dougan, 1788 and one to Richard Manley, 1834.

Volume of printed material relating to the Friendly Society of Journeymen Bookbinders of London and Westminster, including two manuscript items, namely Articles of the Society 'finally agreed to at Mitchell's Rooms, Portsmouth Street, March 24th 1820'; and a letter from James Carss, the Society's Secretary, to John Shaw, concerning the audit of the Society's accounts, [1832].
The Society was instituted to promote 'a good understanding harmony & unanimity amongst the Journeymen Bookbinders of London & its vicinity, & to prevent any encroachments in their rights & privileges'. The articles here listed to which members subscribed concern the organization of the society, the duties of officers, the conduct of members.

Manuscript report entitled 'A State of the Coynage in Barcelona', [1714], with a note that 'This paper was attested upon oath before the Commissioners of Accounts the 14th day of May 1714 by Mr. [John] Mead'. The remainder of the volume comprises a printed copy of the answer of James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope, to allegations concerning his financial administration as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in Catalonia during 1708, and contains manuscript annotations in Stanhope's hand.

Contains details concerning the bank's constitution and rates, c1683.

Manuscript volume containing a record of housekeeping expenses, 1766-1848. The account book contains annual expenses from 1766-1768, weekly expenses from Jan 1769-Aug 1787, mostly for food and washing clothes, and weekly household expenses from Aug 1837 to Nov 1847 with details of servants' wages from Nov 1837 to Nov 1848. The expenses for Aug 1837 are headed '10 Avenue Road, Regent's Park'. Includes a list headed 'Books in Library in Margaret's Room', dated 7 Sep 1837; the works are mainly religious. Some pages have been used for notes and jottings.

Manuscript memoranda book, 1817-1824, relating to the issue of the new silver coinage in February 1817 when the Hon William Wellesley-Pole (later 1st Baron Maryborough and 3rd Earl of Mornington) was Master of the Mint. Full details are given of the administrative measures taken to collect the old silver coin of the realm and to replace it by the new issue. The operation began on 13 February and was completed in fourteen days. Enclosed is a draft of a letter dated 10 February 1824 to Mr. B. Barnard, banker, of 50 Cornhill, London, announcing the presentation to him, by officers of the Mint, on the occasion of the Master's retirement (1824), of a bronze medal 'for assisting in the arrangement for the exchange of the silver coin in 1817'.

Three items concerning currency, once in the possession of Professor Herbert Somerton Foxwell, as follows.

1. Papers on Japanese currency, namely two tables of, and remarks on, the values of Japanese metal and paper currency, endorsed by Professor Foxwell 'Soyeda on Japanese Currency October 1884', covering the years 1868-1884; a table ('The Annexed Table'), giving values in yen of imports and exports, 1872-1881; letter from Juichi Soyeda, 139 Queen's Road, Bayswater, W.London, written on 5 December 1884, to Foxwell at Saint John's College, Cambridge. The letter is signed 'Yours truly, obedient student. G.Soyeda'. The envelope bears the note in Foxwell's hand 'Japanese Paper Currency. G. Soyeda'. (20 leaves. 7¾" x 5" and 7¾" x 6¼").
2. Copy of a 'Mémoire sur la préférence que l'on doit donner à la Monnoye d'argent sur la Monnoye d'or', Paris, Aug. 1720, and 'Réponse au Mémoire, etc.', undated. This is a typescript copy (carbon) made by Professor Charles Franklin Dunbar in October 1890. Includes numerous notes in Foxwell's hand, including the following: 'This manuscript was part of a volume of tracts etc. relating to Law & the Mississipi Scheme, unfortunately bought by [Dr] Bonar, & sent to Harvard during a week of vacation when I was away from Cambridge. I tried in vain to buy or exchange it back, but Profr. Dunbar kindly got this copy made of one item in the volume'. (17 sheets. 7¾" x 9").
3. Two letters, both written by F.B.Forbes, 57 Rue Pierre Charron, Paris, on 13 April 1893 to Foxwell at Saint John's College, Cambridge. The letters and envelope are in an envelope bearing in Foxwell's hand 'F.B.Forbes. April 1893. Effect of sales of Council Bills on Price of Silver'. (8 sheets, 10¼" x 7¾" and (the second letter) 2 leaves, 6½" x 4¼").

Manuscript tract on taxation entitled 'Observations sur l'impôt territorial en nature proposé à l'assemblée des notables', written by Donat Vosgien at Épinal in 1787.

A general and farm account books, 1749-1800, kept by William Phillips of Broadway, Worcestershire.

Transcript of the laws relating to French colonial banks, entitled 'Loi sur les banques coloniales des 25 Avril, 26 Juin et 11 Juillet 1851'.

Carbon copy typescript of 'The case against bi-metallism: Mr. Giffen's error', dated 12 Nov 1892, together with an 'Extract from The case against bi-metallism by Mr. Giffen, p.141'.

Collection of papers concerned chiefly with Hewitt's work in the West Indies 1767-1771 and 1776-1781, financial papers and accounts, 1759-1781; a diary of his voyage to the West Indies, 1766; correspondence, 1772-1781, especially to the Treasury Board concerning his salary; documents concerning personal property, mainly bonds concerning payment for Crown lands in Dominica, 1767-1777, and papers relating to slaves owned by Hewitt, 1768-1781; legal papers, 1768-1781; official papers concerning land in Tobago, St Vincent and Dominica, 1764-1781, including commissioners' instructions, surveys, maps and correspondence; papers created following the death of William Hewitt, mainly relating to the settlement of his estate, 1781-1790.

Account and memoranda book relating to a farm in Lancashire, including details of servants' wages. An inscription at the end of the manuscript reads 'Elizabeth Coulston Book 1779'. Apart from this the manuscript is written in one hand throughout, probably that of Henry Faithwaite of Littledale, Caton, Lancashire.

Butcher's account book, 1779-1794, recording the buying of sheep, cows, etc, and the sale of skins, within the Market Harborough area of Leicestershire. Three recipes, for 'green ointment', 'eye water' and gooseberry vinegar, are included at the end of the manuscript. On the inside front cover are inscribed in a modern hand the names of John and Mrs Coleman of Lubenham Lodge, Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

Notebook compiled by Jonathan Baker containing mathematical problems and tables, dated 29 July 1765. The notebook was also used for entering his accounts between 1782 and 1796, with some later, more general, additions to 1800, mostly relating to his work as a cobbler, but also accounts of household expenses and rents received. The accounts mention places between Cirencester and Newnham.

Account books, 1751-1799, kept by Charles Polhill while administering the family estates centred on Chipstead in the parish of Chevening, Kent.

Manuscript volume containing a statement of the public revenue of England, 1688-1691, including accounts of the receipts, and the expenditure on the Navy, Army, Ordnance, Secret Service, Privy Purse, Wardrobe, Ambassadors, Judges, Pensions, the servants of King William III, and interest of loans. There are entries of many irregularities and unchecked issues. There is a possibility that this manuscript was created by Francis Gwyn as Under-Secretary of State.

Manuscript volume containing an account of the public revenue of England, Nov 1688-Sep 1691, with an extension of the statement to 1696 in the same hand, entitled 'A brief state of the incomes and issues of their Majesties public revenue...'.

Manuscript treatise on the Italian method of book-keeping, possibly written in the early 18th century by William Forbes, entitled 'Book-holding. In two parts. The first, ane explanation of the severall books with the manner of bringing the accompts into them. The second a praxis upon trade'. The manuscript was apparently unpublished. The Italian method is defined by the author as 'a method for keeping accompts to shew & rightly distinguish betwixt meum and tuum, or my affairs & interest, and those of the persons dealing with me in them as also in ane instant the condition of ones estate & at one view at what posture it is in at the time'.

Manuscript volumes containing abstracts of parliamentary bills relating to revenue, dating from the reign of King William III and Queen Mary II, c1689 -1743.

Household account books, 1829-1851, kept by George Rennie, for his houses in London and Surrey.

A collection, from 1659-1697, of twelve documents relating to Sir Robert Clayton and Alderman Morris concerning loans, good health, relatives and sales.

Lithographed letter, 14 Jun 1820, addressed in manuscript to John Lloyd Salusbury, High Sheriff of Denbighshire, and signed by Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, Home Secretary, requesting 'a return of all charges made by sheriffs or undersheriffs at the last general election, as well as those paid or allowed by members and candidates to the sheriffs or undersheriffs, and specifying each item of charge...as also an account of all sums charged by or for the sheriffs bailiffs'.

Manuscript volume relating to trade in the Far East, 1691-1732, containing transcripts of letters, memoranda, exchange rates, lists of prices, and instructions for the prices of goods, compiled by a Captain of the East India Company trading between China, India and England. The volume includes an account of the state of trade in India by Sir Nicholas Waits, 1699; an account of the state of trade at Surat, India, by Samuel Lock, 1705; a Chinese merchant's advice relating to trade between India and China; various advice and directions for the purchasing of drugs, tea, musk, raw silk, ivory and beeswax; details of customs charges at Canton, 1704; instructions for the purchase of gold and pearls at Madras, India; orders and instructions given by the Directors of the East India Company; a description of the manufacture of lacquer in China, 1708, an essay on a hydrostatical method of discovering the fineness of gold, and an logarithmical table for finding the rate of exchange between dollars and pagodas, 1732, all by Isaac Pyke, Governor of St Helena.

Manuscript volume containing papers relating to the offices of the Exchequer, 1642-1712, namely a treatise by Lawrence Squibb, Teller of the Exchequer, headed 'A book of all the severall offices of the Court of the Exchequer, together with the names of the present officers, in whose gift and how admitted', 1642; instructions, warrants, bills and notes on the offices of the Exchequer, 1690-1692; and a memorandum by Lionel Herne, addressed to the Rt Hon Thomas Mansell, 1st Baron Mansell of Margam, on his appointment as Teller of the Exchequer, relating to the offices and procedure in the Exchequer, [1712].