The papers consist only of one volume, containing a biographical note and seventy-two letters sent mostly by Elliot to his father or brother, 1745 to 1805. There are also letters received, including some from Lords Sandwich (q. v.) and Barham (q.v.). Also included is a description by Captain Erasmus Gower (q.v.) of Lord Macartney's Embassy to China in 1793 and another of the First of June, 1794.

Administrative / biographical background
John Elliot, brother of Sir Gilbert Elliot 3rd Bt., (q.v.), went to sea in the Augusta in 1745. He was made a lieutenant of the Scarborough in 1756 and gained promotion to command the Hussar in the following year under Hawke (q.v.) and then under Anson. In 1758 he commissioned the Aeolus and in 1760 captured the small French squadron which was attempting a raid on Belfast. He was appointed to the Gosport, a forty-gun ship, but soon went back to his frigate off Brest. In 1761 he went to the Mediterranean in the Chichester. During the peace he commanded several ships and in 1777 was appointed to the Trident which carried the Peace Commission of Lord Carlisle to Philadelphia. From the end of 1779 he commanded the Edgar and was present at the first relief of Gibraltar. This was then followed by service in the Channel and in 1781, under Kempenfelt (1718-1782), he assisted in the capture of the French convoy. In 1782 Elliot went to the Romney. From 1786 to 1789 he was Governor and Commander-in-chief, Newfoundland, and in 1787 was made rear-admiral. He became a vice-admiral in 1790 and hoisted his flag in the Barfleur. Although promoted to admiral in 1795, he saw no further service.