The papers are part of the Hamilton (East India) Company collection, presented between 1965 and 1968 by Lieutenant-Commander John Hamilton of Rozelle. There are account books for the BESBOROUGH, 1777 to 1781; and a letterbook, 1786 to 1788.

Administrative / biographical background
Montgomerie was a brother of Hugh Montgomerie, 12th Earl of Eglinton. The family intermarried with the Hamiltons of Rozelle, Ayrshire. The two families managed and commanded East India Company ships for nearly fifty years. Montgomerie was commander of the BESBOROUGH for three voyages, 1777 to 1788, and commander and managing owner of the BONHAM CASTLE on her first voyage, 1793 to 1794. He was managing owner of the ship for her next three voyages, between 1795 and 1801, which were made under the command of his cousin, John Hamilton (q.v.).