Baldwin’s journal, 124 bound leaves with a tabbed leather, chiefly chronicles his activities and transactions while serving as agent to the Kickapoo Indians in Kansas Territory. The journal consists largely of Baldwin’s pencilled records of his accounts and transactions, dating from 1856 to 1860. His statements of accounts for individual members of the Kickapoo include those of John Kennekuk. Baldwin’s dated entries of his activities appear chiefly on sixteen consecutive leaves and date from June 1857 to July 1858. He lists his many travels to St. Joseph, Missouri and, within Kansas Territory, to the Kickapoo Agency and Kickapoo Reserve, noting his meetings with the tribal council, purchases and legal assistance on behalf of the Kickapoo, and their conditions, including smallpox epidemics. Appearing frequently in Baldwin’s journal is the name of Peter Cadue, a Kickapoo interpreter whose services he employed.

Seventeen miscellaneous handwritten items, dated 1856 to 1859, were housed within an interior pocket of Baldwin's journal. The items are chiefly receipts issued to Baldwin for grain and land purchases, but also include warrants, memoranda, and a registered letter notice. These items were removed to RH MS P618.