A volume composed of two sections: first, notes and drafts by Draper; second, original manuscripts, 1757-1822. Draper's memoranda include outlines not only for his work on the adventures of Samuel Brady but also for his proposed sketches on Andrew Lewis, James Robertson, John Sevier, the elder John C. Symmes (1742-1814), and their respective associates. Following these notes is the draft of the introductory chapter for his book on Brady, a chapter which narrates gory Indian atrocities in Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War, with appendices devoted to sketches of Indian leaders in the Upper Ohio, mainly two Delaware chiefs-Shingas, known as the Bog Meadow, and Tamaque, known as the Beaver or King Beaver-and the Oneida chief Tanacharison (spelled by Draper as Senacharison), known as Half King (circa 1700-1754).

The assortment of original papers includes letters; receipts; bonds; certificates; muster and payrolls; and other types of business, legal and military records. Military orders (1794) and several other scattered documents bear Brady's signature, and a few records (1797) concerning the settlement of his estate contain signatures of his wife Drusilla.

Varied topics occur in the letters. One, with related legal documents by Van Swearingen to William Croghan discussed the lease and sale of two Negroes in 1787. In the same year James Marshel (Marshall) wrote to Benjamin Franklin to describe Indian depredations and the lack of men and ammunition to defend Washington County, Pennsylvania. Indian conflict and border defense were the subjects of letters in 1792: David Shepherd and Anthony Wayne each writing to Absolom Baird, and George McCully to Clement Biddle. Three years later (1795) Levi Morgan reported that two white Kentuckians were stealing and selling Indian horses. Of much later date (1819 and 1822) are letters of James Morrison to Isaac Shelby concerning politics and a public dinner to honor President James Monroe. Directions for boring and joining wooden pipes for use in salt works were given in an undated letter by J.B. Boone. Other correspondents include Richard Campbell, John Gibson, Thomas Hart, John Holder, William Irvine, - Lockwood, Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg, William B. Smith, and William Wikoff.

Muster rolls and payrolls list men in the Virginia companies of Uriah Springer and Benjamin Biggs and the Virginia troops discharged at Fort Pitt in 1783, and members of the Pennsylvania company of Robert Stevenson in 1792. A subscription list giving the signatures of persons promising to pay Absolom Baird for the services of Brady and other scouts is also among the 1792 papers. Numerous minor business and legal documents and a few clipped signatures were preserved by Draper because they were signed by several dozen contemporaries of Brady. Among these signers not previously mentioned were James Amberson, Jesse Benton, James Carnihan, James Craig, Baker Ewing, Christopher Greenup, William Hays, Francis Johnston, James Kinkead, Henry Lee, John Logan, John Morgan, John Sanders, Bartlett Searcy, Evan Shelby, James Stevenson, Matthew Talbot, and Richard Taylor; but this is not an all inclusive roster.