These manuscripts are in the hand of various unknown authors, and concern research and observations on the torpedo fish, which was of much interest to those studying electricity at the time. Included are copies of letters from John Walsh to Benjamin Franklin, and a copy of a Walsh and Thomas Pennant letter, read before the Royal Society (1774), concerning a torpedo fish found off the coast of England.

Hamilton's papers reflect his interests in astronomy and mathematics, as well as in literature and philosophy.

The first volume includes extracts from the journals of Conrad Weiser and Christian Frederick Post (1757), Charles Thomson's "An Enquiry into the causes of the alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians from the British interest" (1759), and a printed version of Judge Bradford's "Statement of facts and observations respecting the penal laws" (1792). The second volume contains selected letters and documents in the Pennsylvania state records on Indian relations, including transcriptions of several treaties between the Province of Pennsylvania and the Delawares and other Indians (1755-1758); the French and Indian War; and Braddock's campaign. Some manuscripts are written by Deborah Norris Logan and Charles Thomson.