This series contains original correspondence relating to the Bahamas. It is not chronologically uniform until quite late, e.g. volume 15 covers the years 1735-1805. Until 1848 it includes correspondence relating to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The correspondence consists of:-
- Governor's dispatches, enclosing Acts and journals of the Assembly, Council Meetings, Resolutions of the Assembly and Council, petitions, trials in Vice-Admiralty Court and letters from private persons.
- Letters from Andrew Symmer, Agent for Turks Island, enclosing Regulations, trade figures and accounts for the island.
- Secretary of State to Governor - dispatches.
The dispatches and letters were sent in duplicate, sometimes triplicate, and especially in times of war, took a long time, going by way of Turks Island, New York or Jamaica, to get to London. By the time the Secretary of State received the dispatch and replied, his advice was often no longer needed. The Bahama Islands, poor, without natural resources, were neglected in the sphere of finance and defence. For these they were dependent upon the Treasury, Admiralty and War Office, which were already heavily committed to the French and American wars.
1760-1786 sees the rise of the Secretary of State and the decline of the Board of Trade. However there are many Board of Trade documents among the series, evidently sent to the Secretary and never returned by him. After 1782 no Board of Trade records are found in the Colonial Office group.