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

08 July 1818

Barbuda July 8^th 1818

Sir.

Understanding that the Admiral Rowley is nearly ready to sail for Bristol, I am sending over this years wool to be shipped onboard of her, I think it is much superior to what was sent last, it is in three Bales of about three hundred pounds each, I am also sending two fine turtle and Barrel of Cashew seeds to go by her, and hope they will reach you safe.  By the ship Cato Cap^tn Morton for London, which I find is to sail on Friday next will be shipped six Bales of Cotton and a box of turtle shell, I have about as much more Cotton still to clean, which shall be done as fast as possible. I shall direct my Agent in Antigua to forward to you the bills of lading for the same, and one to Mr Trattle for the Cotton & shell. I am happy to say the weather continues to be as favourable as I could wish, I have now planted all my Yams, and about one hundred & eighty Acres of Corn, which are looking well; Cotton I have not yet planted as August it is considered the best time for planting it, the land is ready. The Rattoons are looking well. The Rains this season commenced much sooner than usual & if this continues I hope to have good crops of everything this year, last season we had no rains to speak of until 20^th October, which is too late for this Island; since my last your Estates have had another load of Oxen, and I am now looking out for others to complete the demand, which I hope soon to accomplish.  Inclosed you have Geo: Ottleys Bill on John R Indway Esq^r for £150 sterling.

I am

Sir

              Your Most Obed^t Humble

Servant

(signed) John James

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

Accessed through Simon Fraser University library

06 June 1818

Antigua June 6^th 1818

Sir.

   Since I had the pleasure of addressing you (on the first instant(?)) We have received ten Dogs four from London by the Ship Cato & six from Bristol by the Admiral Rowley, the former with the exception of one are rather old, but the latter are very fine dogs; I have not yet used them, as I wish them to be somewhat used to the Climate before they are exposed too much to the heat of the Sun; and hitherto we have been extremely dry, the first Rain we have had for some months was last week, and yesterday we had more, which has enabled me to plant some Corn, Yams, & Cotton, which I shall continue to do as long as the ground remains wet enough.  The Dogs have arrived very opportunately, I mentioned in my last that I expected a heavy demand from the Estates for Cattle for the next Crop, since which the demand has been made, (certainly sooner than I expected,) with a desire that they may be sent as soon as possible, one vessel load consisting of twenty has been sent, and when the vessel can be spared from the Estates duty, more a ready to go; the demand is as follows.  Oxen wanted for Sir Christopher B. Codrington’s Windward Estates, 24 Bettys Hope, 20 Garden, 12 New Work, 12 Old Cotton, 68 in all.  Bettys Hope 9^th May 1818 this number with what have already been sent will make one hundred and fourteen within a few months, and six to Skerritts will make a Total of 120; it will therefore I fear leave me but few to dispose of for some time; in fact I have been obliged to refuse some offers to purchase till your Estates are supplied.  I have reason also to suspect that the annual demand will be considerable.

  I am happy to say what Cattle have been sent have been approved of, as will appear by the following extracts from two of M^r. Osborns Letters the first dated Feby 11^th 1818 says “Many thanks for the Cattle you sent over they are such as to Credit to your choice as well as the plan they come from” the other dated the 20^th of last month says “Cattle I am glad to say arrived safe and are general satisfaction, as I am sure the others will also when they come”  I merely send these extracts to show that the Cattle sent to your Estates have uniformly been good.  For some time past we have been so very dry that I have been under the necessity of having different parties in the Woods cutting Bush &c for the stock, which the late rains will enable me to discontinue, the Stock notwithstanding are in pretty good order.  The Island Accounts shall all be made up to the 30^th of this month, and forwarded by the first vessel that sails after that period.  I am

Sir

Your Most Obed^t Humble

   Servant

(signed) John James

Reference: JJ267 Robson Lowe collection on microfilm 24995, University of Texas at Austin, Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection.