Catalogue description Secretaries of State: State Papers Domestic, George III

Incoming correspondence and other papers accumulated by the Secretaries of State in their domestic capacity during the reign of George III, and left by them in the State Paper Office, essentially until March 1782.

The series reflects the entire range of government business, but is particularly strong on law and order, and the impact of the Gordon, and Wilkes and Liberty riots. Other volumes contain reports from the Lords of Trade, allegations about the origins of a fire at Portsmouth dockyard, evidence before the House of Commons regarding Sir William Howe's military conduct in North America, Treasury correspondence, and undated papers and petitions, some of which may relate to the year 1783.

Similar papers after March 1782 are in HO 42

Draft calendars for the years 1801 to 1803 are in ZBOX 2

The records are calendared to 1775 (SP 37/1-17 and 22) in Calendar of Home Office Papers of the reign of George III, ed J Redington and R A Roberts, 4 volumes (London 1878-1899).

A manuscript descriptive list of the whole series which a provides cross references to the above calendar is available in the public areas. Please speak to staff at the Map and Large Document Room enquiry desk for the precise location.