Barbuda May 1st
1818
Sir.
Inclosed you have
the seconds of Mr Byams two Bills of Exchange on Messrs Rodie &
Shands for £95: 2:5 & £45: 7:4 Sterling the firsts of which were forwarded
in my Letter of the 16th March, and which I hope have reached safe;
they were to have gone by the Packet which sailed about that time, but I find
the Boat which followed her to St Thomas’s did not get their till she had
sailed; the Antigua mail was therefore forwarded by another vessel. I am sorry to say we have had no rain since
my last, the Island is therefore extremely dry; but the stock still continues
in pretty good condition. The woolly
sheep have just been shorn, and I have pleasure in saying the wool is rather
better than it has been at any former shearing; as I suppose you would like to
have it sent to Bristol I shall keep it till a ship sails for that Port; the
flock now consist of two hundred & twenty three Ewes of the American breed
and seven Spanish, besides rams, & wethers; my wish is to increase this
flock to about two thousand which I think we may maintain within the Walls; I
have a Dozen Rams to turn into the woods this season. I had some turned out last year they have not
been seen since, and I have yet seen but one Lamb that appears to be of their
getting. Mr Osborn has made a demand of
six more Oxen which shall be sent him next week, I rather think his demand will
be pretty heavy for the next season, which I must endeavour to provide for,
this dry weather will I hope enable us to Pen them. Mr Osborn also wishes me to send him the
Negros from Barbuda but as they are very loath to leave the Island, and have an
idea that it is in my power to keep them here I have requested that he would
come over himself and make a demand of them, and take them off; for altho I do
not expect any great opposition, yet I think it but fair as he is to receive
the benefit of their removal that he should also take a share of the trouble
should any occur, or a positive order from you to me to remove them mentioning
the number shall be instantly, complied with, they would then see the necessity
I was under of sending them to Antigua.
By the Ships George
Hibbert & West Indian I have sent you six fine Turtles, four by the former,
and two by the latter, I hope they will reach you in good condition. What Cotton I can get ready shall be sent by
some ship that will sail next month. I am
Sir
Your Most Obedient Humble
Servant
(signed) John James
Reference: JJ266 Robson Lowe collection on microfilm 24995,
University of Texas at Austin, Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection.
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