The Council was established in Nov 1912 by Sir Charles Brooke (see his Proclamation, MSS. Pac. s. 83, Vol 18, folder A). It consisted of C.H. Willes-Johnson, the Rajah's nephew and Legal Adviser to the Raj, and two retired government officers, C.A. Bampfylde and H.F. Dershon, with Bertram Brooke as President. Its purpose was to supervise the financial affairs of the State and to represent its interests in England. The members were also appointed Trustees of a £100,000 Trust Fund.

The correspondence deals chiefly with the investment and administration of funds. Vol. I (fols. 1-550) also contains letters about the formation of the Council and the question of the succession. In addition to the Rajah, his sons Vyner and Bertram, and the Council members, correspondents include the following: