Collection chiefly consists of correspondence between Sir Harford Jones (1764-1847), Henry Dundas, first Viscount Melville (1742-1811), and Robert Dundas, second Viscount Melville (1771-1851). The collection spans Jones's time in the Persian court.

Sir Harford Jones Brydges, first baronet (1764-1847), diplomat and author, was born on January 12, 1764. On February 16, 1796 he married Sarah, eldest daughter of Sir Henry Gott of Newland Park, Buckinghamshire; they had one son and two daughters. In commemoration of his descent, through is material grandmother, from the family of Brydges of Old Colwall, Herefordshire, he assumed, by royal signature, dated May 4, 1826, the additional name of Brydges. Early in life Jones entered the services of the East India Company, working as assistant and factor at Basrah, 1783-1794, and its president in Baghdad, 1798-1806. He acquired great proficiency in oriental languages, and with the assistance of Robert Dundas's patronage he was appointed envoy-extraordinary and minister-plenipotentiary to the court of Persia, where he remained from 1807-1811. He was attached to the first Persian mission lead by Sir John Malcolm (1801). He remained in Tehran from 1809 to 1810, in the service of the Dundases. During this time his main achievement was the Preliminary Treaty of 1809 that effectively barred France from the route to India. In 1810, his authority in Tehran was crucially undermined by the East India Company, through Lord Minto's appointment of Sir John Malcolm as envoy while Jones represented the crown. Snubbed by the Persians, he reacted furiously. Eventually Sir Gore Ouseley was appointed as London's new ambassador to the Shah and on hearing the news Malcolm decided to leave Persia for India, and Jones was recalled. In 1832 he was sworn of the privy council, and in 1841 was appointed deputy lieutenant of the county of Herford. He died at his seat at Boultibrook, near Presteigne, on March 17, 1847.

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