The first letter, an LS dated 19 March, is in the hand of James Vernon (1646-1727). The rest, beginning 8 May, are written at two to five day intervals until 2 November. They cover the period of time when Blathwayt (Secretary at War) was on the continent with King William III (1650-1702) and Shrewsbury was in London. As Secretary at State he acted as virtual head of the Administration in their absence. The letters thus form a sort of diary of political, diplomatic and military affairs as Shrewsbury was aware of them in London. Discusses naval attacks on Dunkirk, Brest and Calais; relations with Sweden and Denmark, particularly regarding merchant and trade matters and passage through the English Channel; Dutch navy; Admiral Russell's command in the Mediterranean; appointment of Sir Clowdisley Shovell (1650-1707) to squadron off the coast of Flanders; terms of a peace treaty between the Emporer, the Poles and the Turks; Jacobite and other plots to assassinate King William; question of permitting the export of corn from Ireland; new charter for the East India Company; the West Indies; formation of the Bank of England; escapes from Tower of London by John Parker (fl. 1676-1705) and Donough Maccarty (or Maccarthy), fourth earl of Clancarty (1668-1734), etc. Mentions: Edward Russell, Earl of Orford (1653-1727); William Gregg (d. 1708); Anthony Falkland, 5th Viscount (d. 1694); John Robinson (1650-1723), Bishop of London; Sir Paul Rycaut (1628-1700); William Wolseley (1640?-97); George Stepney (1663-1707); Sir John Trenchard (1640-95); Sir Thomas Hopsonn (1642-1717), vice-admiral; John Berkeley, 3rd Baron Berkeley of Stratton (1663-97); Charles Paulet (Powlett), 1st Duke of Bolton and 7th Marquis of Winchester; John Holles, Duke of Newcastle (1662-1711); Sir John Fleet (d. 1712); the Elector of Bavaria; Sir John Lowther, 1st Viscount Lonsdale (1655-1700); Matthew Prior (1664-1721); Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham and 6th of Winchilsea (1647-1730); Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin (1645-1712), and many others.
