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In its entirety, this three-volume work contains the largest collection of private claims ever published, listing about 60,000 claims for compensation from the U.S. Government for the period 1789-1849. Many of the claims were for pensions for Revolutionary War service, such as invalid pension claims, and for War of 1812 and other military services. Other claims were for confirmation of title to land in Louisiana, Mississippi Territory, and Michigan; bounty lands in Illinois and Indiana; and for various services performed for the U.S. Government. The entries are arranged in a single alphabet by the name of the claimant, with information in tabular form.

The book identifies each claim by name of claimant, nature of the claim, how the claim was brought before the House of Representatives, the House Committee the claim was referred to, number and date of the House report on the claim, how the claim was disposed of by the House or Senate, and more. Volume I covers claimants Wm. James Aarons through Caroline Gyzelear.