Series consists of miscellaneous correspondence, memoranda, medal books, commissions, instructions, addresses, reports, ordinances, regulations and other documents. In this composite series, the sequence of volumes reflects the order in which they were received. While the early volumes form more or less complete records, subject files of like nature are widely scattered in the later volumes. Many volumes are closely related to records found in other fonds; the reason for this separation is rarely apparent. Results of investigation into the relationships and the transfer of certain volumes have been reported with the finding aids for this series. Records originally contained in vols. 88 and 93 have subsequently been transferred to the Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava fonds (R-4493, formerly MG27-IB3). Records originally contained in vol. 94 have subsequently been transferred to the Albert Henry George Grey, 4th Earl Grey fonds (R-4689, formerly MG27-IIB2), vol. 23, file 2. Records originally contained in vol. 89 have subsequently been transferred to vol. 58 within the present series. Volumes 90-92 are missing.
The records fall into broad categories. Administrative and legislative records include Speech and Message entry books (volumes 37-45), Ordinances, 1840-1841 and Bills, 1857-1860 (volumes 18, 77) and a report on Acts passed, 1843 (volume 82); instructions to various governors, received under cover of despatches but preserved for reference purposes, 1791-1854 form volumes 1-6. Addresses to governors on various topics, 1838-1850, are grouped in blocks (volumes 9, 13, 48-48A and 113). Military, diplomatic and secret service correspondence and reports are scattered throughout the series, as are cypher books; subject files relating to boundaries, extradition, immigration and quarantine, and trade are equally scattered. Post-1867 records include reports on the Red River and Louis Riel, 1869-1885 (volumes 23-26A), and the 1873-1874 Canadian Pacific Railroad investigation (volumes 27-30).
