This manuscript volume was originally used in 1812 to record several types of information. It lists holders of licenses for cabarets and similar establishments; for the sale of beverages and liquors; for private boarding houses; and for carts, carriages, and luxury carriages. The data given for each category of license may include all or a portion of the following: license number, date of license, name and address of holder, name of person acting as security for the license holder, name of person taking over the license and date of takeover, other observations, and change of domicile.

Also included are statements of bakers giving their names and addresses along with monthly totals of bread produced. There is also a section of records dealing with public works, specifically the maintenance of embankments, streets, and drainage ditches. These monthly statements show the names of proprietors whose slaves and/or carts were used in such work, along with the amounts due to them for that use. Others contributing to the maintenance work, including carpenters, are also credited.

At the rear of the book is a section recording passports issued by the Mayor from August 24, 1818 - March 15, 1831. These were passports given to free persons of color to travel outside New Orleans (and presumably to be able to legally reenter the city) or to white masters who wished to take their slaves on journeys with them. An example, from April 14, 1820: "To Mr. James T. Wilson of N. Orleans for a negro woman his slave named flora aged of 16 years, 4 feet 11 3/4 inches high. Black complexion to go to Matanza [sic] in the Island of cuba on board of the sloop Gold Huntress whereof Martin is master." There is a name index to the first 18 pages of passports.