The books in each subseries include records of arrests, giving the date, name of arrestee, time, location, arresting officers, possessions on the person of the arrestee, and the name of the person making the complaint. The names of enslaved people and free persons of color arrested are listed in separate columns from those of others. Also included are reports of guard members absent or in neglect of their duties and of such matters as balls operating without permission and carts and other vehicles operating against the laws in force. The Recorder's books also include reference to the final disposition of at least some of the cases. There are no volumes in the Mayor's subseries prior to May, 1838, or from July, 1841 to March, 1845. The Recorder's subseries is lacking coverage from September, 1839 to June, 1846.