The papers consist of three diaries, 1834 to 1838, and about one hundred letters, most of which are letters received by Hamond and copies or drafts of his replies during his period on the South American Station. There are a few earlier and later letters but all are from the year 1819 onwards, except for copies of two letters written by his father. His correspondents included Sir John Barrow (1764-1848) and Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville (q.v.).

Administrative / biographical background
Hamond was the son of Captain Sir Andrew Snape Hamond (1738-1828), Controller of the Navy. He entered the Navy in 1785, was promoted to lieutenant in 1795 and commander in 1798 He served during the French wars but was invalided in 1814. His next appointment was in 1824 to the Wellesley and in 1825 he conveyed the British ambassador, Sir Charles Stuart (1779-1845), later Lord Stuart de Rothesay, to Brazil. While there Hamond was promoted to rear-admiral. He was ordered home in the Spartiate and on the way he delivered the Treaty of Separation between Brazil and Portugal to the King of Portugal. From 1834 to 1838 he was Commander-in-Chief on the South American Station; this was his last employment. Hamond became a vice-admiral in 1837, an admiral in 1847 and Admiral of the Fleet in 1862.