A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing money, the winter in Scotland, yellow fever in Charleston and that "our medical men have never attempted the cure of it by the affusion of cold water." The letter goes on to state William's opinions on finding a cure for yellow fever, and the birth of a baby boy between John Ball Sr. and his second wife Martha Taveau.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing John appearing on a jury, their brother Isaac's relationship with Miss Conny, dancing at the Club House, John's son, and William's plans after graduation.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing family matters, news of their father and stepmother having another baby, their brother Isaac's bachelor status, and an "affair" between the Chesapeake Frigate and the British ship Leopard.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina on attending a course of midwifery and "materia medica," William's concerns of being in the country during the political tensions, and the upcoming birth of a new sibling.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing a visit to the ruins, chapel, and landscape of "Roslin Castle," attending a graduation ceremony for future doctors and seeing "eighteen men receive licenses for killing their own species," and observations on the graduation process at the university.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the birth of twin girls for John and his second wife Martha Taveau, attending a graduation ceremony at the university for doctors in medicine, and the landscape and cultivation of Edinburgh.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing his friend Isaac Wilson's political views, plans to attend medical school in Paris to learn surgery and the upcoming birth of a new sibling.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his father John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing his impending graduation, plans to travel to London to attend medical school, his friend John Wilson getting a job in the engineering department in America, the cost of provisions and taxes, and that oatmeal is the "chief support" for laborers in Scotland.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing the cold weather, the upcoming birth of a baby for John, attending a performance of the actress Sarah Siddons, issues with selling the crops in South Carolina, William's opinions on the medical field including his "little faith" in the London Hospitals.