These letters written to Lord Hartington and Lady Burlington from the agent at Londesborough concern their estates in Yorkshire.
In particular Collins writes of: Lord [Carlton]'s will; Lord Bathurst's estate at Wetwang; his intention to purchase a farm near Londesborough at Goodmanham and the Manor of Fridaythorpe on Mr Arundell's agreement; some complications relating to the mortgages on Goodmanham and Fridaythorpe; leases and rentals; a filly from Lord Hartington; advancing the farms at Creven; his condolences on the death of Lady Hartington; the "Chinese railing" at Londesborough, called so by Mr Knowlton; surveying the farming at Londesborough and tythe land at Leeds and the ill-behaviour of the vicar towards the tenants in the parish; tythe barns in decay; the price of lead; the moors and the gamekeepers' orders to preserve some of the moor for Lady Burlington's use; trouble from Mr Lane near Bolton; Henry Bedingfeld's request for a buck; the mines at Gressington; the Duke of Queensberry; Mr Coulthurst and game at Harrogate; game at Londesborough; management of the red deer at Bolton Park.
Also included in these letters is a copy letter from Sir Abdy which includes a letter from James Collins about Fletcher Norton's objection to Lady Burlington's erection of smelting mills upon the enclosed common of Grassington without the freeholders' consent.