The papers, part of the Minto collection, were purchased by Sir James Caird in 1941 from the Earl of Minto. They consist of correspondence and papers covering the period when he was First Lord of the Admiralty. There are forty volumes of in-letters and some draft replies in his own hand including the letters from commanders connected with the events of the Carlist war, 1836 to 1841. There are also loose papers which consist of reports and memoranda and correspondence on a wide variety of naval topics. Further naval papers of the 2nd Earl form part of the Minto collection in the National Library of Scotland.

Administrative / biographical background
Gilbert Elliot Murray Kynynmound, formerly Gilbert Elliot, was the eldest son of Gilbert Elliot, first Earl of Minto (q. v.) and was trained for the diplomatic service. He was a Member of Parliament for Ashburton, 1806 to 1807 and for Roxburghshire, 1812 to 1814. He supported the Whigs and in 1832 was appointed Ambassador to Berlin. In 1835 he succeeded Lord Auckland as First Lord of the Admiralty and served as such until 1841. In 1846 Minto became Lord Privy Seal. He left office in 1852, after which he took no further part in politics.