Petition to Henry Pelham, First Lord of the Treasury, presented by glass makers giving 'Reasons against importing French Wine in Bottles', dating from either 1743 or 1754. Signed by Richard Ricardi, Gerard van Horn, William Jackson and Samuel Lowe.

Mercantile Papers of Dr William Sherard, also known as Sherard Additional Letters.

Papers of Richard Cobden Phillips, including Phillips' letter book recording out-letters from Ponto da Lehna and Banana Congo, Sep 1883-Oct 1885, including to his family on personal matters and to the Standard on political and social conditions; eighteen sepia photographic prints of scenes along the Congo river including of Henry Morton Stanley and party; two certificates of corresponding membership from the Bremen and Hamburg Geographical Societies, 1883.

Papers of William Sherriff relating principally to historical and survey work on plans for a Burma-China railway through the Shan States of Northern Burma, [1885-1900], including a survey by Sherriff on the feasibility of a Burma to China railway for Rangoon Chamber of Commerce, [1886-1899]; article by Sherriff in the Manchester Guardian, 'Railway communication with China - The Burmah-China Railway', 09 Mar 1900; correspondence, 1888-1890; blueprints for the Burma Railways Mandalay Kunlon railway, 1899; note by [A] R Colquhoun entitled 'Amongst the Shans', 1885; report by Capt A Bowers, 'Bhamo Expedition Report in the Practicability of reopening the trade route between Burma and Western China', 1869; memorandum on a possible railway route on to the Shan Plateau, 1889; reports on the Shan States, 1887-1889 and notes by Sherriff relating to Burma.

This collection contains correspondence, papers, notes for speeches, pamphlets, circulars and press cuttings relating to Bottomley's visits to Burma (for the Panglong Conference) Kenya, Ghana, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Ethiopia and Rhodesia. There are also articles and correspondence concerning the Rhodesian situation and race relations, photographs of official occasions, including press and official photographs of British Commonwealth occasions, many showing Arthur Bottomley, 1950s-1960s, and a diary of the Parliamentary Delegation to India in 1946.

Report on a plan by William Vaughan for a dock at Wapping, by John Powsey. Report on plans of wet docks at the Isle of Dogs planned by Mr Milligan, Mr St. Barbe and Mr Bettesworth, by John Powsey. Report on the cut from Old Gravel Lane to Blackwall by Daniel Alexander. Tides of the river Thames connected to the London docks by William Vaughan. Copies of reports to the committee, of dock plans at Wapping and the Isle of Dogs.

The Dalton papers consist of diaries, correspondence, speeches, personal papers, photographs and printed material, covering subjects such as Foreign Office papers, economic reform, political and Labour Party issues, defence policy and production, Dalton's honours and offices, the Special Operations Executive, the Ministry of Economic Warfare, and the Board of Trade. There are also annotated copies of Hansard and various Labour Party pamphlets. They comprise the following:
Diaries, 1916-1960
Papers, 1929-1960: 1. Foreign Office papers, 1929-1930; 2. Economic reform, 1932-1938; 3. Political and Labour Party papers, 1936-1940; 4. Defence policy and production, with particular reference to the Royal Air Force, 1936-1940; 5. Correspondence, 1932, 1935-1940; 6. Speeches, 1929-1940; 7. Political papers and speeches, 1940-1945; 8. Political and general correspondence, 1940-1945; 9. Political papers and correspondence, 1945-1955, 1960; 10. Letters of congratulation etc, 1947-1957; 11. Letters from Ruth Dalton, 1948-1952; 12. Writings, 1919, 1950-1961; 13. Address and engagement books, 1959-1961; 14. Honours and offices, 1918, 1940-1960; 15. Financial records, 1919-1964; 16. Various undated papers, 1919-1964; 17. Cartoons and photographs; 18. Papers found after the completion of the list (mostly concerning the Special Operations Executive, the Ministry of Economic Warfare, and the Board of Trade), 1940-1942; 19. Additions (family ephemera), 1936-1965.
Printed material, 1918-1959: Annotated copies of Hansard and Labour Party pamphlets.

The collection of primarily bound volumes comprises the business documents of Robert Newman and Co., and related companies, 1774-1955. The documents themselves include letter books, journals, ledgers, account books, memorandums and ship registers, and relate chiefly to trading in Newfoundland, Canada. Many of these internal working documents were originally intended to serve as permanent records. They can provide the researcher with a general overview of the financial and statistical history of the firm, giving a record of transactions as they occurred. In addition, they offer a degree of descriptive information, showing the development of codes and ciphers used by the firm, an insight into labour relations, and a detailing of the raw materials used for trade.

The records relate to the following company names; Hunt Newman Roope and Co; Hunt Roope and Co; Hunt Roope Teage and Co; John Newman and Co; Newman and Co; Newman Hunt and Co; Newman Hunt and Lyon; Newman and Land; Newman Land Hunt and Co; Newman and Roope; Robert Newman and Co.

Volumes 2 and 102 are missing from the collection and number 91 was not originally used when the items were acquisitioned.

Tariff Commission reports and memoranda; agendas and minutes for meetings of the Commission and its committees; evidence presented by witnesses; questionnaires distributed to the industrial and agricultural sectors; indices to the reports and evidence; correspondence received by the Commission; unpublished reports and papers; notes, drafts, rough papers, statistics and lectures arising from the Reports and investigations of the Commission and used as reference material; financial and legal papers; published material other than that produced by the Commission, including books and articles by W A S Hewins; and minute books and financial papers of the Tariff Reform League.

Records, 1926-1951, of the Chinese Government Purchasing Commission (CGPC), including information on the state of Chinese communications; the workings of the Chinese Ministries of Communications, Railways and Industries; Chinese banking; construction and engineering technology and the work of British manufacturers; and some information on Chinese educational and cultural institutions in receipt of subsidies from the Board of Trustees for the Administration of the Indemnity Funds Remitted by the British Government.

Records, 1926-1951, relating to the foundation and constitution of the CGPC comprise printed report of the Anglo-Chinese Advisory Committee (China Indemnity Advisory Committee), 1926; correspondence, largely letters from the Board of Trustees to the CPGC, 1931-1950, concerning the constitution of the Commission, procedural issues, personnel and financial matters; file on procedure on appointment of a new member of the Commission, 1947-1948; correspondence concerning events preceding the winding-up of the Commission, 1951.

Financial records, 1931-1951, comprise papers on the Board Account, 1937-1950; papers on the Chin Fund (apparently a grant paid to Constance Chin, a patient of the Bethlem Royal Hospital), 1945-1951; summaries of expenses relating to purchase orders made by Chinese ministries, 1931-1951; Indemnity Fund cash books, 1937-1950; invoices and receipts relating to CGPC business, 1937-1951; financial statements and correspondence relating to banking matters with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, 1931-1951, the subjects including investments and tax.

Operational records, c1928-1951, relating to the administration of purchase orders, comprise register of tenders/purchase orders, 1942-1946; contract registers (not comprehensive), 1931-1949, recording the management of contracts for the supply and delivery in China of plant, machinery and other materials manufactured in the UK for the Chinese government, and over 1,000 related contract files for engineering companies and manufacturers for industrial, construction, railway and other projects; tender forms, 1934, issued to contractors by the CGPC; specifications and standards, c1928-1937 and undated, largely for the construction of railways and carriages; correspondence concerning administration of purchase orders, 1932-1951, relating especially to delivery of locomotive spare parts and related materials; registers of export licences issue to British manufacturers under wartime regulations, 1941-1946; applications for export licences, 1939-1945; registers of shipments, insurance, freight and inspection fees, 1931-1951; shipping letters, 1937-1950, issued for CGPC shipments; general correspondence concerning the administration of the CGPC, 1931-1951, including correspondence with solicitors and correspondence concerning the CGPC premises in Tothill Street, London.

Annual reports and accounts, 1931-1950, comprise typescript accounts and reports, 1931-1950, of the CGPC and published annual reports, 1931-1950, including summaries of receipts and payments; and annual reports of the Board of Trustees, 1931-1938.

Miscellaneous records, c1932-1950, comprise one file including papers on subjects including railways, training Chinese students, Japanese imperialism, and CGPC records, a photograph of ships in harbour, and maps of China and the Far East.

Records, 1939-1943, of the China Purchasing Agency Ltd comprise standing regulations of the Board of Directors, undated; correspondence, 1939-1943, concerning various purchase orders; miscellaneous items, c1939-1940, including list of tenders passed for acceptance, 1939, and an undated schedule of materials shipped.

Manuscript and typescript letterbook containing letters from Guy Francis Hamilton Acheson, 1921-1924, and Cecil Arthur Verner Bowra, 1924, in the London Office of the Inspectorate General of Chinese Maritime Customs, to Sir Francis Arthur Aglen in Peking (Beijing), including some enclosures.

Photocopies of nine letters of Lancelot Lawford to his wife (unnamed) from Shanghai, 1913, and Peking (Beijing), 1917, describing political and military events in China.

Records of Slough Retail Centre Limited, comprising correspondence and papers relating to formation of company ('HPIC - Slough Retail Centre Ltd') and memorandum and articles of association.

Records of Saccone and Speed Limited, wine and spirits merchants, comprising papers and correspondence, mainly related to purchase by Courage, Barclay and Simonds and subsequent re-organisations.

Records of Herbert Stebbings and Sons Limited, beer, wine and spirits merchants, including Directors' and annual general meeting minutes; register of members; acquisition papers; financial papers; Stephenson Developments (Holdings) Ltd report and accounts; draft return of allotments and other papers under Companies Acts; agreement about Crown Hotel, High Street, Lowestoft.

Records relating to the International Bookfair of Radical Black and Third World Books, including original programmes, stationery, correspondence and notes from members of The Alliance and from artists and those who attended the conferences. Also listings of families and individuals who provided accommodation for artists and rotas for the staffing of the Fairs.

The programmes are an excellent resource for information about the social and political issues that were of concern to Black people living in London in the 1980s and 1990s. They show the international links and connections between individuals of different artistic disciplines.

The development of the organisation and it's influence on diverse groups in the community are well documented in the correspondence and minutes; LMA/4462/M/01 and 02.

The photographs are both formal and informal. They show the Fair in action and special guests and artists performing or speaking at the different events. One album was put together by a participant as a gift to the Huntleys.

The press cuttings give valuable information on how the Fairs were being received by the Black community and others in London and internationally. There is an exclusive interview with Sonia Sanchez and an article by Margaret Busby which gives an historical overview of the Fair.

The copyright to these records rests with the depositors, Race Today Publications and New Beacon Books. Permission for the use of images for publication must be sought from all three organisations.

Records of Arnhold and Company Limited including a profit and loss book, ledgers mainly relating to the business in China, journals and cash books.

Records of E D Sassoon and Company Limited including correspondence files relating to business links and investment in South Africa; and copy judgement.

The records of general merchants Steel Brothers and Company Limited mainly comprise annual reports and accounts, photographs and unpublished histories.

Papers of merchants John Hubbard and Company, including correspondence, reports and financial accounts.

Outgoing letter book of Thomas March, merchant trading with Turkey. This is a photocopy made in 1968; the original letter-book was in the possession of Squire de Lisle in 1968. Contains copies of letters concerning general financial matters and his estates at Garendon, Leicestershire.

Particulars of expenses incurred on the account of Thomas Pengelly, merchant of London, by the purchase of broadcloths at Aleppo [Syria], 8 Dec 1656.

London Electricity Consultative Council, 1947-1990, comprising minutes; reports, including annual reports, complaint reports and general reports; papers relating to conduct and operations, including rules and regulations; correspondence of the policy working party; minutes and correspondence of the district committees; nominations and appointments to council and district committees; Chairman's meetings and correspondence; correspondence and administrative papers of the Electricity Consumers Council and Area Electricity Consultative Councils; correspondence and reports of the National Consumer Council; correspondence and reports regarding electricity supply industry reorganisation; reports and papers regarding accountability and performance indicators; research and publicity; papers relating to tariffs; correspondence and reports of the London Electricity Board and Central Electricity Generating Board; correspondence, papers and statistics relating to consumer complaints; minutes, correspondence and papers of the Fuel Poverty Group; pamphlets and correspondence relating to methods of payment and meters; papers regarding appliances, retailing and other issues; general correspondence.

Records of the Foreign Cattle Market at Deptford, 1864-1988, including general administrative papers (letter books, committee papers, petitions, reports); printed copies of bye-laws, privy council orders and reports; machinery and equipment catalogues and inventories; posters; plans, drawings and maps; general financial papers (tenancy and rental agreements, rent ledgers, statements of income and expenditure, accounts, cash books, acquittance books). Also articles regarding the use of railways at the Market, particularly the Grove Street Tramway.

Records of Smithfield Market, City of London, 1633-1997, including proposals for enlargements and removals; rules, orders and regulations; petitions; reports; correspondence; publications on the history of the market; account books and records of dues and tolls collected.

Records relating to Bartholomew Fair, inclduing pie powder court book, 1790-1854; historical notes, press cuttings and other notes, ca. 1641-ca. 1848; and accounts of receipts and expenditure for Bartholomew Fair, 1671. They were catalogued at various dates by members of Guildhall Library staff.

The archives consist almost entirely of business and partnership correspondence of A.G. Wentworth Gray between 1856 and 1906. They therefore include some private and family material. The firm dealt in a wide variety of goods and cargoes. The records contain references to, inter alia: beef, pork, cocoa, flour, sugar, limes, molasses, rice and timber.

Access to Mss 21409, 21411, 21412 and 21413 is subject to special conditions: for further information please ask a member of staff.

Records of the Federation of Commonwealth Chambers of Commerce, which comprise annual reports, minutes and reports of conferences.

Financial records of Harrisons and Crosfield Limited, including ledgers, statements of account, journals, bills books. The records relate to sales, imports and exports, purchases, profits and losses, debts, investments and taxes. Tea, coffee, silk and rubber are particularly mentioned.

Access to records less than 30 years old (or records less than 70 years old which relate to staff) should be sought from Elementis plc (contact details may be obtained from a member of staff).

Records of Deli Estates Engineering and General Union Limited, including articles of association; minute books; annual reports; circulars to shareholders and a ledger.

Access to records less than 30 years old (or records less than 70 years old which relate to staff) should be sought from Elementis plc (contact details may be obtained from a member of staff).

Records of the Anglo-Thai Corporation and predecessors; including partnership deeds; agreements; articles of association; Directors' minute books; press cuttings; annual reports; papers relating to shares; financial records; correspondence, tenders; employment contracts; deeds for property and photographs.

Records of Child, Macfarland and Company, export agents, comprising private ledger and sales ledger.

The records of PW Flower and Sons, merchants, concern the company's trading interests and property investments, and the affairs and investments of the Flower family (see CLC/B/173/MS19469 for a Flower family tree) and of other families with shared or related interests; they include the papers of various trustees by whom some family and business activities were administered.

The records include:

• Mss 19338-55: business records: general, or relating to more than one country;
• Mss 19356-78: business records: Australia, including some Salting family papers (see also Mss 19470-89);
• Mss 19379-93: business records: India, including some Pearse family papers;
• Mss 19394-99: estate records: general or relating to more than one estate;
• Mss 19400-9: estate records: individual estates or properties (except Park Town);
• Mss 19410-38: estate records: Park Town, except maps and plans which are catalogued in the Print and Maps Section;
• Mss 19439-46: family records: executors of P.W. Flower, including references to business and estate matters;
• Mss 19447-69: family records: general, including references to business and estate matters;
• Mss 19470-89: Papers relating to the Salting family of Australia (with which the Flower family had business connections; see also Mss 19356-78) and in particular to George Salting (d 1909) art collector and benefactor to public art galleries.

Records of Ralli Brothers Limited, merchants, comprising printed annual reports 1953-60; financial records 1814-1857; powers of attorney 1839 and 1847; correspondence 1868-1872; business papers 1836-1866 and 1908, and report on organisation 1939; letting agreement 1843 and historical notes 1902-1952.

Records of the Fish Supply Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1881-1884; committee papers including suggestions for improving fish supply and markets, returns and related correspondence of railway and shipping companies regarding fish delivered into London, 1878-1881, extracts of evidence and returns regarding railway charges for carriage of fish, 1881-1884, and printed pamphlets and reports relating to fish supply and fish markets, 1875-1881.

Minute book and committee papers of Special Markets Committee, Court of Common Council, 1918-1922.

Records of the London County Council Restaurant and Catering Department (later the School Meals and Catering Department), 1940-1956, including a history of the Londoners' Meals Service (1944); correspondence with the Ministry of Food; papers of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the organisation of the Londoners' Meals Service; papers on the delegation of powers to Borough Councils under the Civic Restaurants Act 1947; annual accounts and reports on operations; papers on the re-organisation of the Restaurants and Catering Department; paper by Chief Officer on 'Emergency Feeding in London, the Experience of World War II and Plans for the Future', given at the Combined Conference on Administrative and Scientific Problems of Food Aspects of Civil Defence; general files on meals for old age pensioners, nutrition of young people in wartime, closures of restaurants, school meals, take-away lunches, outdoor catering and special functions catering, opening hours, serving alcohol, and the discontinuance of restaurants service.

Papers of individual civic restaurants including the Bun House Restaurant, 111 High Holborn, Bell Tower Restaurant, 76-79 St Paul's Churchyard, Netherhall Restaurant, 251-253 Finchley Road and Ramillies Restaurant, 197-205 Oxford Street. Statistics and analysis including weekly returns of meals provided for children under the School Scheme, weekly returns of adult meals, weekly summaries of meals served in each division or area and weekly analyses of returns.

Blitz Circulars relating to the Londoners' Meals Service; Ministry of Food Circulars; directories of restaurants and children's meals centres; handbook of instructions for superintendents; pamphlet on hygiene in relation to the service of meals; newspaper cuttings on civic restaurants and on the Department's activities; informative notices for display at Meals Centres; 'The Organisation and Work of the Restaurants and Catering Department', handbook for new entrants and training notes.

Ships' logs from Merchant Shipping. There are some examples of logs kept by commanders, but the majority for which the keeper can be established are by other officers or by midshipmen; there are also five kept by pursers and two by passengers. The format of the logs varies but many from the late-eighteenth century are written on a standard printed form incorporating the arms of the Company. A few are illustrated, notably that of the DUTTON, 1791, kept by Captain James Hamilton, which has daily coloured sketches of the ship showing the set of the sails. Many include lists of the ship's company, passengers and troops. The earliest volume contains copies of logs of several ships between 1659 and 1687 and bears the inscription 'John Ouldham His Book 1697/8'. Another early example is the log of the UPTON GALLEY, 1701 to 1703, to Bengal and back, kept by her commander, John Camell. In some cases a series of logs covers the career of an officer from midshipman to chief officer or commander such as that kept by Henry Wise (fl 1819-1833) in seven volumes on the CASTLE HUNTLEY, from 1819 to 1829, and in the ASTELL, 1830 to 1831, and EDINBURGH, 1832 to 1833, during which time he rose from midshipman to chief officer; and six volumes kept by Searles Wood (fl 1783-1808) between 1783 and 1785 and 1791 and 1802 on various ships, rising from fourth mate to commander.

The latest log is that of the EARL BALCARRES, 1835 to 1837, by the purser, Richard Binks, which includes copies of estimates for rigging, sails, painting and plumbing and stores, together with dimensions and deck plans. In this section there are also five volumes relating to the Bombay Marine and Indian Navy including the log of the SCORPION, a Bombay Marine snow, 1793 to 1794, kept by Captain William Selby which includes a letter and a memorial relating to the capture of the SCORPION by the French in 1794; and two volumes kept by William H Carpendale, midshipman, on various ships of the Indian Navy between 1846 and 1851.

Letter from Magnús Stephensen of Copenhagen to His Excellency the Rt Hon Sir Joseph Banks, 17 Oct 1807. Referring to Banks's visit to Iceland and complaining of the severe effects of war [i.e the Napoleonic Wars] on the trade of that country. 'For it is altogether unavoidable for this Island to escape hunger if it is only to hold out one single winter without being supplied with provisions.'

Written in another hand and signed by Stephensen.

Letter from Arthur Young to the Rt Hon Lord Sheffield [1st Earl of Sheffield], Sheffield Place, East Grinstead, Sussex, [Aug 1790]. Refers to Young's last journey to France and Italy in 1789. The Duc de Liancourt entertained him in Paris for three weeks; he wishes to buy "some capital Sussex oxen" for Liancourt and enquires whether Lord Sheffield has any "of the first rate". States that France is absolutely ruined in point of trade and manufactures. Mentions a conversation with Lord Hawkesbury [Charles Jenkinson] 'on ye new corn bill wch appar. will be a governt. one - & so not too good for ye L Int. [landed interest]".

Autograph, with signature. Written on the blank pages of a printed questionnaire asking for information from corn growers in relation to the Corn Laws, for use in Young's 'Annal of Agriculture'; answers to the questions are filled in in MS.

Letter from Louis XIV to M Le Bret, President of the Court of Parliament at Aix[-en-Provence], 3 Sep 1704. Address: Versailles, [France]. Informs him that letters patent are being sent to the Court of which he is president, directing that effect be given to certain Articles of Agreement concerning the furtherance of trade and the reform of certain abuses in the Levant.

Written in another hand and signed by the King. Countersigned by Louis Phélypeaux, Marquis de la Vrillière, Secretary of State.

Letter from John Burnett of the Board of Trade to Professor H S Foxwell, 11 Nov 1889. 'There can be little doubt that there were trade combinations in existing [sic] very early in the eighteenth century'.

Autograph, with signature.

3 letters from Henry George Grey (3rd Earl Grey) of Howick, [Northumberland] to J L Ricardo MP, 16 Jun-4 Jul 1855. Dealing mainly with a free trade agreement between Barbados and Canada, and a proposed loan to Turkey.

Autograph, with signature. With 1 envelope.

Letter from W G Burns of Derby to Colonel [Thomas Perronet] Thompson, 23 Feb 1846. 'As I think it [a] pity you should be ignorant [of] the nature of the arguments [u]rged against free trade principles I send you a specimen of [w]hat a clerical opponent can [d]o ...'

Autograph, with signature. Written on the dorse of the title page and the end fly leaf of a pamphlet [by Henry Robert Crewe] The repeal of the Corn Laws (1846).

Letter from Richard Cobden to R C Chawner, Esq of Wall, near Lichfield, [Staffordshire], 9 Apr [1844]. Asking him to give a 'free trade address from the boards of Covent Garden.'

Autograph, with signature. With the original envelope, bearing the seal of the National Anti-Corn Law League.

Records of C & A Ltd, comprising records mainly related to fashion design and promotion, 1920s-1950s, namely photographs of the C & A clothing factory (CANDA MFG Co. Ltd), 1950s; campaign advertising posters for C & A in Germany, 1950s; guardbook of advertisements from the Manchester Evening News which announced the launching of C & A's Menswear department; portfolio of Margrit Seck designs for C & A adverts, 1950s; promotional videotapes, 1980s; corporate brochures and handbooks, History of Hereford House, Oxford Street; slides of advertisements, 1920s-1962.

Papers of Frederick Cecil Chapman, 1937-[1970], notably comprising University of London extension lecture notes, covering psychology, welfare, accounting, secretarial and administration, commerce and society, [1937-1942]; notes, specimen papers, syllabus, County Hall courses and University of London Degree and Postgraduate courses on bookkeeping, commerce, vocational pedagogy and business economics, 1937-1942; notes and draft lectures on energy, government, aircraft production, post-war rehabilitation, hospitals and mental health, 1946-1947; notes used for teaching, commentaries on world events and quasi diary notes, 1947-1956; notebooks entitled 'Personal Copyright and Official Minutes including Provisional Legislation concerning the Royal Commission of Tribunal, Enquiries and Inquiries, 1958-1970', relating to the functioning of a variety of administrative and legislative authorities and boards; pamphlets by Chapman, entitled Random Papers and Reminiscences and Progress within the Empire.

Correspondence and papers of Richard Jebb, 1885-1953, principally comprising correspondence 1884-1953 (correspondents include Leopold Stennett Amery, Lionel Curtis, Lord Grey, Sir Edward Grigg (later Lord Altrincham), W. Mackenzie King, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Alfred, Lord Milner, Sir Charles Tupper, and Sir Fabian Ware); also notebooks, journals of tours of colonies in 1898-1900 and 1905-1906, and diaries; photograph albums, mostly relating to tours of colonies; printed articles by Richard Jebb; drafts of Studies in Colonial Nationalism and a third volume of The Imperial Conference; carbon copies of Jebb's speeches and articles; reviews of publications; press cuttings from Morning Post leaders and articles and press cuttings from other newspapers including articles by Jebb and scrap book of cuttings on the Imperial conference, 1907; materials relating to the East Marylebone election, 1910; accounts and bound proceedings of colonial conferences, 1887, 1894, 1897 and 1902.

Mainly letters written and received between 1770 and 1835 by Simon Taylor, his family and heirs, and his friends, agents and business partners, relating to their Jamaican estates and business interests. Over a quarter are contained in Simon Taylor's letterbooks. Though the majority of the correspondence consists of letters either to or from Simon Taylor up to his death in 1813, there is also correspondence of other family members, like his brother Sir John Taylor (1741-1786) and his widow Lady Elizabeth Haughton Taylor (1758-182[?2]), their son and his heir Sir Simon Richard Brissett Taylor, and his cousin and business partner Robert Taylor. Subject matter ranges from the domestic (illness, family quarrels, disinheritance, bigamy) to business (slaves, sugar, trade and shipping, the effects of hurricanes, the introduction of a steam engine on an estate), to the Maroon and French wars and the politics of Abolition. The collection also includes correspondence of George Watson Taylor, 1815-1819, and detailed reports on the estates made for Anna Susannah Watson Taylor in 1835. Genealogical tables for the Taylor, Haughton, Brissett and Hibbert families have been added to the collection at a later date.

Papers relating to the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) (RIIA) Commonwealth Conference in Lagos, Nigeria, 1962, comprising correspondence between Professor Charles Edmund Carrington, RIIA and Prof Kenneth Robinson, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, draft papers on African politics, aid and trade, draft reports on the cold war in Africa, pan-africanism, Britain's application to join the European Common Market, and the future of Commonwealth co-operation in Africa