A subject index, "compiled in compliance with the provisions of a joint resolution approved March 3, 1897, which directs the preparation of an index to all publications of the government from 1881, the date at which the Descriptive catalogue of government publications by Ben: Perley Poore terminates, to 1893, the date at which the index by the superintendent of documents begins, said index to conform in its general plan to ... [Ames'] Comprehensive index of government publications from 1889 to 1893, ' published in 1894."

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)