The volume titled "Journal of a Cruise in the US Ship Natchez, John P Lanzinger Esq Commander by Roberts Poinsett Lovell" chronicles Lovell's time as midshipman on the USS Natchez and the USS Boxer from May 4, 1833 to August 9, 1835 off the coast of Brazil and Argentina. The handwritten volume mostly documents the wind and weather conditions aboard the two ships, with some details regarding hailed ships (American, English, Dutch and French), deserted crewmembers, ship maintenance, and where the ships traveled or docked. The journal mentions when First Lieutenant David G. Farragut leaves the Natchez to command the Boxer, and Lovell briefly joins Farragut on the Boxer before returning to the Natchez. The journal includes a roster of the crew of the Natchez and the ship's rules and regulations.

The journal is inscribed and illustrated on the inside cover. The inscription says "This book passed to S. O. Izlar, son of Jas. F. Izlar and Mary A. Lovell, September 2nd 1906 -- Orangeburg, S.C. Roberts Poinsett Lovell, U.S.N." In different colored ink, the inscription also says, "Passed to S. O. Izlar, son of S. O. Izlar and Mildred B. Hill, Sept. 8th, 1926."