As shown by the log, by Mr Arnold's timekeeper No. 45, and also by lunar observations.

Account sales of the main office of Jardine, Matheson & Co. and its predecessors at, successively, Canton, Macao and Hong Kong (1-36), and the offices at Shanghai (37-49) and Canton (50-51).

Made on board His Majesty's Schooner Providence in her late voyage on discoveries by William Chapman. The observations include references to many of the land masses passed or visited.

Observations made on board HMS Providence for determining the latitude and longitude by Mr Earnshaw's three watches and by Mr Arnold's watch. The observations end with an account of the shipwreck [RGO 14/68: 133].

Includes observations made at: Drake’s Island, Plymouth Sound; the island of Enchados in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro; Port Stephens, New South Wales; Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, New South Wales; Karakakoa Bay on the island of O’Whyee; the Spanish settlement of Monterrey on the coast of California; Volcano Bay, island of Insu; and near Rocky Head, Typa.

The observations end on 15 May and are followed by an account of the loss of the ship on 16 May, which was copied from the ship’s log book [RGO 14/67: 168r-168v].

Observations on board the ship at sea, with additional observations made at anchor in Macao Roads, and observations of the lunar eclipse taken while at anchor in the Typa [RGO 14/67: 160v].

These include observations made on shore in a small cove to the eastward of Rocky Head, Typa, and observations made while at anchor. The observations begin with a note in which Crosley mentions that Captain Broughton had purchased a timekeeper by Mr Arnold.

The largest part of the series consists of cash books produced by the main office of Jardine, Matheson & Co. and its predecessors at, successively, Canton, Macao and Hong Kong (1-72). The remaining cash books are comprised of series dedicated to the company's offices at Shanghai (73-103) and Canton (104-105), and a rough book for the main office at Hong Kong (106). Some of the Shanghai volumes contain press copies of cash book entries.

Written from HMS Goliath, including China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan and South Korea.

Journals containing running accounts of expenses, with some additional related documents. There are journals (1-59) and rough journals (90-175) of Jardine, Matheson & Co. and related, earlier partnerships at Canton, Macao and Hong Kong, and journals of the company's offices in Shanghai (60-80), Yokohama (81-87), Canton (88), and Manila (89).

Letters from Herbert Dent & Co., Canton and Macao, to Jardine Matheson, Hong Kong. Some letters are signed by Charles Lafrentz or Fred Ongley Seaton.

Letters from Margesson & Co, Macao, to Jardine Matheson, Hong Kong. Four letters are signed by L. Antonio J. Pereira. There is also one letter from Mortimer E. Murray to J. Bell-Irving, 2 April 1887.

Fair copies of letters from Jardine Matheson, Canton, Toon Koo, Macao and Hong Kong (1-18), and press copies of letters to local correspondents in China and Hong Kong (19-30), and to places on the China coast (31-36). C36/1-12, C36/14-18, C36/21-29, C36/35 and C36/36 include indexes of recipients.

Fair copies of letters from Jardine, Matheson & Co. (C11/4-60) and its precursors (C11/1-3), Canton, Macao and Hong Kong, to places in Europe, including some to the United States, Australia and other locations. C11/4 also includes some letters from Europe. C11/1-3 and C11/6-60 includes indexes of recipients.

Fair copies of letters from Jardine, Matheson & Co. (J10/15-67) and its precursors (J10/1-14), Canton, Macao and Hong Kong, to correspondents in India, as well as some in the East Indies, Australia and other locations. Most of the letters are unsigned. Prior to 1832 the letters are from the companies that preceded Jardine, Matheson & Co., notably Charles, Magniac & Co. and Magniac & Co. C10/2-63 and C10/65-67 include indexes of recipients.

Fair copies of letters from Jardine Matheson, Macao and Hong Kong, to local correspondents, mainly in Canton, Macao, Kumsingmun, Hong Kong and elsewhere on the China coast. C14/1-3 and C14/5-14 include indexes of recipients.

Fair copies of letters from Jardine Matheson, Macao and Hong Kong, to Jardine, Matheson and Co.'s agents or receiving ships on the China coast. The later letters are addressed to the firm's branches, including those at Shanghai and Yokohama. C13/1-10 and C13/14-31 include indexes of recipients.

Daily log of observations from December 1779 to September 1780, showing barometer and thermometer readings (in the morning, at noon, and in the evening), the latitude and longitude, magnetic variation and dip [of the needle], the wind direction and remarks on the weather. The entries also include occasional mention of the location of the two ships on their return journey (travelling via Macau, Pulo Condore [Côn Đảo], Krakatau, and the Cape of Good Hope).