Bacon's papers are grouped in two series. Materials from his student days include notes on geology, chemistry, hydrographic surveying, magnetism, electric motors and economics. Files stemming from his work for the National Fire Proofing Co. comprise contracts, architectural specifications, cost notes, and memoranda concerning construction of various buildings in Montréal (e.g. Windsor Station, the Sun Life Building) and elsewhere.

McDonald's correspondence, 1791-1860, mostly concerns business and property matters, but also includes personal correspondence. There are statements of account with McTavish, Frobisher & Co., 1799; with McTavish, Fraser & Co., 1803-1804; with McTavish, McGillivray & Co., 1808-1809. There are two volumes of autobiographical notes assembled in 1859 and covering the period 1791-1816.

There is a second copy of the autobiography, probably transcribed in the late 19th century. Written on the front fly leaf is the name: A.E. MacDonald. It has 63 leaves, and there are minor textual variants.