This series of letters from Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford and Admiral of the fleet are written to his cousin, and his sister Margaret's husband, and to his sister-in-law Rachel, Lady Russell. The letter to his cousin concerns his need to be in London and his hope to return to the country with his cousin if he can.
The letters to Lady Russell concern: his report from Lord Shrewsbury that Lord Tavistock has turned papist and whether there is any truth in the papers' report; Lady Orford's wish that Lady Russell visit Chippenham to break her journey to London; a half-way house close to Woburn; meeting Lord Hartington at Newmarket; a positive account of his week spent at Woburn with the Duke and Duchess of Bedford [Lady Russell's son and his wife]; his invitation to Lady Russell and all her family so as to see them all under one roof; his joy at Lady Russell's good health; a note he has included for Mr Sellwood; hoping to see Lady Russell for dinner at Covent Garden; his wishes to Lord Galway.
The letters to Rachel Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire [niece of Lord Orford] concern: his condolences to Lady Devonshire on the loss of her brother [Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford]; his apologies for the letter she had to convey to the Queen on his and Lord Sunderland's behalf; his hope of seeing Lady Devonshire in London.