| Arrangement | The original papers [incoming: O1-73] were copied into the mission books, so that a legible copy was available for the use of the Committee. A numbering system was begun in 1820, documents being numbered in the order in which they arrived at headquarters, each year numbering from May to April [being the Committee year]. From 1820 to 1826 items are entered in numerical order, though not all items are entered. From 1827 to April 1838 they are numbered but not entered in numerical order and from May 1838 to November 1861 they are not numbered but are entered in order of receipt. The year 1862 is in confusion but the system is restored in January 1868 and continues until October 1880.
The mission books to December 1874 consist of gatherings bound into volumes. The copying clerks wrote gathering by gathering, so that the handwriting and the individual items are split between gatherings.
The letters and journals from 1820 to those received from May 1849 are copied out in full, while a note of receipt is made for the financial papers [as distinct from finance letters] and printed papers. From 1849 onwards the letters only are so copied. Annual letters from those for 1870-1871 onwards, are copied out in [or (if private) pasted or sewn into] the backs of the volumes. These letters are a yearly account by missionaries of their activities and cover a period from August to July. |