Arthur was an efficient administrator and kept copies of virtually every official letter he wrote during his tenure as Superintendent and Commandant. These include dispatches to Bathurst on colonial affairs and to the Commander-in-Chief, Jamaica, regarding military administration. Letters to neighbouring Spanish colonies reflect his diplomatic responsibilities. Part of the collection relates to Bradley’s dispute with Arthur, which went before Parliament in 1837. A series of Inland Letter Books records Arthur’s work in civil administration, judicial affairs, commerce, land occupancy, education, and to ameliorate the condition of enslaved persons. In addition to this official material, the collection preserves private letters which shed light upon Arthur’s career ambitions, religious convictions and family life.