22 Dec 1819

Barbuda Dec^r 22^nd 1819

Sir.

  In my letter of 9^th Sept^r I informed you that there would be some Horses to be sold from this Island in November, the sale of them took place on the fourth of this mouth by auction they did not sell so high, as I expected in fact in order to get tolerable prices I was under the necessity of selling them payable on 20^th of April next, taking good securities from the purchasers; some of the first sold as low as thirty four pounds currency, but some sold afterwards as high as seventy & seventy-five pounds which upon an average of sixteen the number sold brought them to above twenty guineas each. Great numbers of Horses have lately then imported from England stout Horses fit for the Plough are most in demand ours are too small for that use.

  I have also made an engagement for the sale of fifty Oxen at Thirty pounds per head to be delivered between this and the first day of March next, I have them now handy and shall be happy to get rid of them, they are to be taken from the Island.

  I am sorry to say the effects of the gale of the 28^th of September have been more severe than I first expected which I attribute to the immense quantity of the seawater which was carried by the wind to most every part of the Island the Yam Crop which promised to be a very good one is entirely destroyed I shall think myself fortunate if I get my seed for next year, the Negro Grounds have suffered in the same proportion, that piece of Corn which was overflowed by the sea I have not been able to reestablish from the quantity of salt deposited, and unfortunately we have the had very little rain since, but I have pleasure in saying the Pastures are good the light rains which have fallen just suiting them.  The entrance which was made by the Gale into the Lagoon was again stopped out in one night and by a heavy swell, but which is no more than I expected.  I remain

Sir Your Most Obedient

Servant

(signed) John James

Reference: Gloucestershire Records Office, Microfilm no.351, Section no.6, D1610 C24

Accessed through Simon Fraser University library

21 May 1819

St Kitts May 21^st 1819

Sir.

  I came to this Island for the purpose of ascertaining what had been done in Rawlin’s business, and find that Mr Woodley the attorney general to whom(unreadable) had obtained a judgement against Stedman Rawlins the drawer of the Bill; that who I am sorry to find had left this place some time since, and has taken refuge in one of the Dutch Islands, he has also taken off the whole of the property he possessed, and I hear his debts are such as to preclude his return at least for some time; William Rawlins who was the purchaser of the Cattle is also off the Island.  Mr Woodley having spoken to Henry Rawlins the father to whom I understood that Cattle were intended, on the subject, who says, he knows nothing more of the transaction than having purchased the Cattle from his son, and for which he paid him; I shall however go to Nevis where he lives and see him.

  We had I am happy to say some good rains at Barbuda about a fortnight since, of which we were much in want, and I doubt not by this time the Island is looking well, before these rains, the enclosures were so very dry and I was obliged to turn all the cattle into the woods, on my return I shall endeavour to collect them again. The ship Cato arrived in Antigua yesterday week, by her I received a bill of lading for the Cotton Bagging etc.   By the Killingberk which has sailed on this 9 sent to Mr Trattle eight bales of Cotton, and box of tortoise shell, also four Turtle for you, the Turtle are smaller than I had been in the habit of, or wish to send, but are that best I could get notwithstanding the boats have been constantly out, but I hope to be more fortunate by some of the other vessels. I have not yet seen the New Schooner since she has been at Antigua, but understand she is capable of carrying forty Hh^ds of Sugar, with this you will receive Thomas Hardman’s bill on Bayer Otto Bayer Esq^r for £129:2: Sterling

Nevis May 22^nd

  The packet is now here but will sail almost immediately, and as Mr Rawlins lives some miles from the town I am under the necessity of inclosing this letter without seeing him.  I remain

Sir

              Your Most Obedient Humble

Servant

(signed) John James

Reference: Gloucestershire Records Office, Microfilm no.351, Section no.6, D1610 C24

Accessed through Simon Fraser University library