These volumes contain the personal letters of the first Marquis Cornwallis (1738-1805) during his long military and political career.

Volume 1: Preface to the first edition; Preface to the second edition; 1. The Cornwallis family; 2. America; 3. Siege of Charlestown; 4. Difficulties in moving the army; 5. Refusal of the Americans to exchange Lord Cornwallis; 6. Resignation of Constableship of the Tower; 7. Mr. Pitt's offer of the Governor-Generalship declined by Lord Cornwallis; 8. India; 9. Corruption among Company's servants; 10. Financial arrangements; 11. Lord Cornwallis intends to return to England; 12. Tippoo attacks the Raja of Travancore; Appendix. Volume 2: 12 continued. Embassy to China; 13. Arrival of Lord Cornwallis at Madras; 14. Campaign of 1792; 15. British mission to Nepaul; 16. Lord Cornwallis returns to England; 17. Lord Cornwallis Master-General of the Ordnance; 18. Discontent of the officers of the Bengal Army; 19. Alarming state of Ireland; Appendix. Volume 3: 19 continued. The Archbishop of Cashel; 20. Disposal of the State-prisoners; 21. Hopes of a majority for the Union; 22. The Catholic question; 23. Expected French invasion; 24. Lord Cornwallis returns home; 25. Policy of Sir John Shore and Lord Wellesley; Index.