This series of letters is largely written from John Hoskins to Lady Russell, but one from Hoskins to Lord Halifax is also included at the end of the sequence and CS1/34/6 is signed J.H. but in the hand of another author. They all date from around the period after the execution of Lady Russell's husband due to his alleged involvement with the Rye House Plot.
John Hoskins writes to Lady Russell concerning: the health of Lady Russell's children; Lord Bedford's care for Lady Russell and her children; Dr B[urnet]'s letter; Lady Russell's care of Lady Elizabeth Noel's children; the grant of personal estate taken care of by him, Mr Shaw and Mr Ewer; a bill in Chancery and execution of the Deed of Trust before Lord Camden comes of age; acquainting Lord Digby and Lord Camden with the advice she has received from her council concerning the trust; Mr Wogan and Mr Owen of Grays Inn regarding a proper person to be steward of Bloomsbury; wars abroad; a suggestion that Mr Charlton inquires about a steward of Bloomsbury for Lady Russell; Mr Segar; the clark in the chancery and no need of a solicitor yet; Mr Watkins and John Kemp and the need to reduce the number of staff for the sake of frugality; the poor reputation of Mr Watkins and potential employment in Lord Gainsborough's service; the discharge of Captain Wilkinson, potential charges by Graham and informing Lady Shaftsbury; his pleasure that Lady Russell wishes to engage in her business and his belief that she requires less help than most in such affairs; Mr Spencer's hopes to remove his cause from sessions to the King's Bench; Mr Shaw and Mr Boyce to be notified once Mr Owen has given Mr Charlton his decision regarding the steward position; money from Mr Pardage; the selling of inheritance versus leasing some houses when needing to raise capital and Lord Bedford's opinion on such; the law term and the printer; Mr Owen's wish to deputise to Mr Boyce at Court (replacing Mr Den) and remain out of the public eye for a year; the charge of manslaughter on Major Parry that is likely to be contested, not on Lady Russell's manor of Bloomsbury but on that which her father bought from Lord Holland; advice to deal with Parry gently as a public example of herself; his forward opinion; his observations when he saw her at Woburn of the effects Lady Russell's grief has had on her; the honour and respect he has for Lady Russell; the bill and answer settled after some debate between Mr Ewer and Mr Johnson about whether young ladies should be plaintfiffs or defendants; the delay to Lady Russell's journey caused by legal business; the need for a decree or not; Mr Holloway's direction concerning paying money into Lord Camden's hand according to the trust; the leaving date for Mr Watkins; Lord H[alifax]'s good opinion of Lady Russell; the pleasure he takes in the company of Lady Russell's family; his apologies for having offended Lady Russell in a way he is unsure of and his worry that she has tired of his services; his awareness that he cares more for Lady Russell's opinions and desires than his own family's.