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This collection consists of manuscript copies of Sir William Monson's six books on naval history and theory, written by him in the first half of the 17th century. The volumes contain accounts of English voyages around Europe, contemporary assessments of rival navies and of international trade, and stories of famous voyages, including those of Magellan and Columbus.

This collection consists of manuscript copies of Sir William Monson's six books on naval history and theory, which the English naval officer wrote in the first half of the 17th century. The cover of each book is stamped with a decoration and the letters "W M." The volumes contain accounts of English voyages around Europe, contemporary assessments of rival navies and of international trade, and stories of famous voyages, including those of Magellan and Columbus.

• Volume 1
  • History of English conflict with Spain, ca. 1585-1602
  • Voyages of Sir Francis Drake
  • Voyages of other English sailors, including lists of ships and their commanders
• Volume 2
  • History of English conflict with Spain, ca. 1588-1636
  • Timeline of important encounters with Spain
• Volume 3
  • Structure of and hierarchy within the English admiralty
  • Contemporary naval life, including notes on punishment at sea and officers' duties
  • Notes on current Spanish naval strength
  • How to fight naval battles
  • Trade with the East Indies
• Volume 4
  • Important historical voyages, including those of Magellan and Columbus
  • Voyages of Sir Francis Drake
  • Exploits of Cortés
  • Geography of Africa, inland seas, and the Northwest Passage
• Volume 5
  • A plan to prevent the French from landing in England
  • Proposals for how to fight a war against Holland
  • The security of English shores
  • Trade with the East Indies and West Indies, particularly for tobacco
  • "A Project how to Ruyne Spaine"
• Volume 6
  • Trade with Holland and the West Indies
  • "what is necessarie for a plantacon in, Lewis"
  • Notes on salt, casks, and fishing
  • "A Story of 2 Piratts" [Pirates]
  • "The favours England have done Holland" and assessments of Holland
  • The books of Sir Roger Williams

The York ship log contains daily entries chronicling the packet boat's journeys between the United States and Great Britain between 1825 and 1828.

The York ship log contains daily entries chronicling the packet boat's journeys between the United States and Great Britain between 1825 and 1828. The first entry, dated March 19, 1825, marks the beginning of the ship's regular service between New York City and London, under the command of William Baker. Approximately 50 pages cover the boat's travels along this route, with daily entries recording wind direction, weather conditions, and notable events on board. On July 4, 1825, the author wrote about a celebration in honor of Independence Day, when the merchant ship fired a salute. The entries he made in port often relate to the loading of cargo or passengers. In January 1826, the York received a new captain, Nash de Cost, and began sailing between New York City and Liverpool; the remainder of the volume covers the ship's journeys along this route. The author's remarks focused on seamanship, weather, and activities in port, though several entries from October 1826 reflect the difficulty of keeping the sailors onboard; some were reported to be "on shore without liberty" throughout the period. The last entry, on June 24, 1828, noted that the York was moored at Prince's Dock in Liverpool, ready to embark for the Atlantic crossing. The final 2 pages of the volume include accounts of provisions for the ship for the year 1828.