The typescripts are arranged into four series. A: manuscripts related to Oregon; B: manuscripts related to Washington; C: manuscripts related to Canada and particularly British Columbia; C: manuscript related to the history of Oregon and the fur trade.

In series C, of particular interest are the first and second journal of Simon Fraser, 1806, 1808; the voyages of the ship Columbia, 1787-1789; and the journal of John Work, Chief Factor, Hudson’s Bay Company, Astoria, 1824-1834.

Collection consists of a manuscript petition in French written on behalf of Jean Baptiste Lepine for a ferry from Rivière des Prairies to the river end of Île Jésus, dated 12 April 1809. The petition is signed with his mark. The petition also includes the signatures or marks of a number of other signatories, including Jacob Oldham, Roderick Mackenzie, and Simon Fraser. On verso is a docket title and information in English about reciept of the petition and a note that the request was granted.