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 brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation asking why John is not writing to him, studying physics, astronomy and chemistry at school, William's opinions on his professors, and that John's friends, which includes a clergyman, are also attending school in Edinburgh.
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 brother John Ball Jr. at Comingtee Plantation discussing their brother Isaac's relationships, William's love for a "certain young damsel in Charleston," and other family matters.
A letter from William Ball in Edinburgh, Scotland to his brother John Ball Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing family matters, his friend Isaac Wilson leaving Scotland back home to "the land of Liberty and Equality," William's desire to travel to Paris to learn surgery and preparing for graduation.
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 financial agent George Lockey in London, England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing finances for William James Ball at the University of Edinburgh.
A letter from financial agent George Lockey in London, England to John Ball Sr. in Charleston, South Carolina discussing William James Ball and fear of war.
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.
