Catalogue description Secretaries of State: State Papers Domestic, Anne

Mainly incoming letters of the Secretaries of State in their domestic capacity, and other papers collected by them in the reign of Queen Anne and left in the State Paper Office. The series includes some copies of out-letters, many petitions, regular intelligence reports owing to the war with France, and much material relating to crime - law and order is a major theme of the series. Also in the series are addresses of thanks, returns of papist and non-jurors, and law officers' opinions.

Petitions (often for the Queen's clemency) sometimes have evidence endorsed about the action taken, or have accompanying documentation. Criminal matters are also represented by Newgate gaol deliveries, examinations, depositions, and reports of arrest and trials. The series also reflects the problems of prisoners of war, seditious talk, Jacobite treason and secret armament.

Some documents listed as 'missing' may have been transferred to other series.

The series originally included Board of Ordnance papers, which are now in SP 41

Also originally included, and documents of naval interest are now in SP 42

A few pieces are calendared in Calendar of State Papers Domestic, Anne, ed R P Mahaffy, 2 vols (London, 1916-1924).