Barbuda
December 23th 1814
Sir,
Having on 31 of October received
the salvage of what stores were sent from the Woolwich to the Naval Yard at
Antigua, I enclosed the first of the Bills amounting to £1200 Sterling to be
forwarded by the Man of War which was to Convoy the Fleet then about to sail
from Antigua; then fully intended writing you by the Packet at that time
expected, & sending you the seconds but unfortunately the wind blew so very
strong from the North that our Vessels could not get here in time after her
arrival; and I am sorry to say the same winds have continued ever since,
attended with extreme drought, in consequence of which the prospect I there had
of a good Crop of Corn has entirely vanished one piece of 130 Acres which then
promised abundantly I shall get little more than my seed from another of nearly
two
hundred will do something better but far even from a tolerable Crop, this
has been the worst season I have ever seen since I have been on the Island, in
fact we have not had Rain (Unreadable,
but possibly “on the Island but six times”?) for the last fifteen months, and even
then it was only partial. The Sheep have suffered nor is it possible to prevent
it, as they cannot be attended to like the Cattle & horses, both of which are
(Unreadable). The severn Bills for £1250 were for the article
is sent from the Woolwich to the Naval department, the Ordinance stores are
still unpaid for nor can it be done in this Country. I have obtained certificates
for the Articles sent, but they must be valued in England the storekeeper here
having no directions to do it. The ship is now given up, I shall directly after
Xmas have men on board her to get what Lumber we can from her. Three of her Decks are still out of water. The Cotton of last year amounting to 15
Bales were forwarded together with the Turtle shell by the last fleet. I remain
Sir
Your Most Obedient Humble
Servant
(signed) John
James
Accessed through Simon Fraser University library
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