The instruments are arranged chronologically, as follows:

folio 1: receipt, 16 August 1820, for 250 guineas (£262-10-0) received by Washington Irving from John Murray II for the copyright of the "Sketch Book";

folio 2: receipt, 12 March 1822, for 1000 guineas (£1050) received by Washington Irving from John Murray II for the copyright of "Bracebridge Hall";

folio 3: receipt, 13 August 1824, for 1500 guineas (£1575-0-0) received by Washington Irving from John Murray II for the copyright of "Tales of a Traveller";

folio 4: receipt, 24 September 1827, for £300-0-0 received by Washington Irving from John Murray II in part payment for the copyright of "Washington Irvings [sic] History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus";

folio 5: promissory note (3742), 1 January 1828, for £450-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 6: promissory note (3871), 1 January 1828, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 7: promissory note (3872), 1 January 1828, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 8: promissory note (3873), 1 January 1828, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 9: promissory note (3874), 1 January 1828, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 10: promissory note (3875), 1 January 1828, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 11: promissory note (3876), 1 January 1828, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 12: promissory note (4088), 10 January 1829, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving ["Conquest of Granada"];

folio 13: promissory note (4105), 10 January 1829, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving ["Conquest of Granada"];

folio 14: promissory note (4106), 10 January 1829, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving ["Conquest of Granada"];

folio 15 : promissory note (4107), 10 January 1829, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving ["Conquest of Granada"];

folio 16: promissory note (4108), 10 January 1829, for £500-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving ["Conquest of Granada"];

folio 17: promissory note (4386), 17 December 1830, for £175-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 18: promissory note (4387), 17 December 1830, for £175-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 19: promissory note (4388), 17 December 1830, for £175-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 20: promissory note (4959), 2 March 1835, for £400-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving ["Tour on the Prairies"];

folio 21: promissory note (5005), 4 May 1835, for £200-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 22: promissory note (5006), 4 May 1835, for £200-0-0 issued by John Murray II in respect of Washington Irving;

folio 23: filing slip for folio 1;

folio 24: filing slip for folios 5-11;

folio 25: filing slip for folios 12-16;

folio 26: filing slip for folios 17-19;

folio 27: filing slip for folio 20.