This series consists of documentation used as the basis for many council actions and decisions as recorded in the Council Minutes. It reflects the council's administration of land settlement, economic development, indigenous affairs, litigation, and military affairs. Records include correspondence, reports, petitions, orders and warrants created by government officials and by private citizens.

Most of the records in the series, Colony Council Papers, are in English and date from the period after 1690. There are scattered documents in Dutch dating from 1666-1690 and, rarely, documents in French. These documents were not recorded in the series of Council Minutes (which record only decisions and actions taken) but were filed for reference.

This sample of documents highlights the wide variety of information contained within this series and provides a better understanding of the development of New York from a colony into statehood.