Showing 37 results

A rain shower at the Vere estate, though too little to help the sugar cane, should improve the corn. Despite the long dry spell, too much more corn should not be required there until next year so the expenses should not be too much increased. They will begin to harvest around the 15th or 20th of next month. The canes are damaged. Mr Sutherland has written regarding the Blue Mountain and Grange Hill estates. He and Mr Laing intend to purchase Mr Broomfield's gang of negroes at the start of the new year, which should relieve the Grange Hill estate from the expense of buying cattle. William Bryan of the Muir Town estate has approached them regarding the conveyance of some Grange Hill land. The Blue Mountain rum crop has brought in £4500, more than twice the amount of the previous year's crop. The accounts are not yet closed for the other two estates.

The letter expresses satisfaction that the terms of the lease to Dr Coakley meet with Perrin's approval. The Dr is putting land to coffee, for which it is more suitable than pasture. Negotiations with Dr Affleck for the purchase of land and negroes for the Grange Hill estate have broken off, but Mr Sutherland has been looking for a gang of able seasoned negroes to purchase, and he is writing by this packet that he has found a gang of 50-60 'fine able people'. Sugars from the Grange Hill estate are now all aboard the Caldicot Castle, awaiting a convoy. They have heard that Admiral Christian is to take command of the squadron on this station, but it is not certain. The weather has been ideal, and they are nearly past any risk of hurricane.

There has been no opportunity to write since their letter of 15 October, since when effects of the favourable weather have been completely counteracted by unprecedented north winds. The south side of the island has suffered much, particularly the Vere estate, where the corn crop will be very short, and in some places completely lost. The corn planted on the new land at the Vere estate will still succeed. The copy letter enclosed is of that at 7/1/5. The enclosed bill of lading is for 32 hogsheads of muscavado sugar, shipped on the Caldicot Castle on 8 October. Weights are listed in manuscript on the reverse.

Little has occurred since their last letter (a duplicate of which is included). The Vere estate has produced 25 hogsheads of sugar, which may be the better half of the crop, though they have ensured that should the dry weather continue the stock will not suffer from lack of pasture. Harvest is under way at Blue Mountain and Grange Hill. Grange Hill expects to have 50 hogsheads made by the end of the week. They hope to give shipping arrangements by the next packet, as the London fleet is expected any day. A list of Mr John Broomfield's negroes, their age and valuation is included. This gives details of 35 men and 19 women. Ages range from 14 to 50. The total value is £5100.

Lists shipping details. Encloses duplicate bills of lading for shipments on the Dutchess [sic] of Portland (Captain James Taylor, 19 May 1797), the Prince George (Captain John Bayly, 22 May 1797), the Tulloch Castle (Captain Jonathan Wilson, 25 May 1797), the Generous Planter (Captain George Johnston, 23 May 1797), the Charlotte (Captain David Kent, 23 May 1797), the Hercules (Captain James Powell, 24 May 1797), the King George (Captain Medmer Goodwin, 4 May 1797), the Britannia (Captain George Clutsam, 22 May 1797) and the Martha (Captain Robert Brown, 26 May 1797). A duplicate of the letter, sent on 18 August 1797, is also present. A set of accounts, including the purchase of ‘Mr Bromfield’s Negroes’, is not mentioned in the letter but is included as part of this item. Manuscript and typescript.

Duplicate. Incorporates a duplicate of their letter of 23 September 1797.
Offers updates on Perrin’s estates. Manuscript.

Lists shipping details, and offers updates on Perrin’s estates. Mentions the removal of the overseer at Blue Mountain on the grounds of his ‘cruel Treatment of the Negroes particularly of the pregnant Women’. Manuscript.

Offers updates on Perrin’s estates and informs him of a change of tenancy. Manuscript.

Incorporates a duplicate of their letter of 15 December 1804.
Offers updates on Perrin’s estates, and on shipping.

Incorporates a duplicate of their letter of 12 July 1806.
Lists shipping details, and encloses duplicate bills of lading and the annual accounts for Perrin’s estates [not present], and lists of requested supplies [also not present]. Manuscript.