The papers consist of letters and orders received, 1815 to 1867, and service papers, and there are eighteen letters from Sir William Parker (q.v.) to Nias while he was Senior Officer at Hong Kong, 1841 to 1842.

Administrative / biographical background
Nias entered the Navy in 1807 and served during the remaining years of the Napoleonic wars. During the next few years he took part in three Arctic expeditions, being promoted to lieutenant in 1820. In 1826 he was appointed to the Asia, flagship of Sir Edward Codrington (q.v.). Following the battle of Navarino in 1827 he was promoted to commander and appointed to the Alacrity, remaining in the Aegean until 1830. Nias was promoted to captain in 1835 and in 1840 commissioned the Herald for service in the East Indies. After a period in New Zealand, he took part in the First Chinese War 1839 to 1842, and was involved in operations leading to the capture of Canton. After his return home in 1843, he was on half-pay until 1850 when he was appointed to the Agincourt and then to the St. George, guardship of the reserve at Devonport. From 1854 to 1856 he was Superintendent of the Victualling Yard and Hospital at Plymouth. He saw no further service. He was promoted to rear-admiral in 1857, to vice-admiral in 1863 and admiral in 1867, being knighted in the same year. He was placed on the retired list in 1866.