1839 Bristol Chemists Urgently Seeking Eau de Cologne

 

 

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This short business letter boasts a stylish wax seal (unbroken) and stylish handwriting which, however , might baffle a reader more  accustomed to French or German. Indeed, I could not read the last name of the Bristol firm (Score) and resorted to Bristol street directories. But had I paid attention to the docketing note added by the recipient I need not have troubled myself:  in handwriting which suggests native familiarity with English the docketing reads “1839 Bristol 31 Aug^t  Ferris Brown & Score R [eceived / or it could be eçu] 5 Septb^r  and R[eplied/épondu] 12 Sept^r”

The firm of Jean Maria Farina still exists and still manufactures the Eau de Cologne invented by the Italian-born Giovanni Maria Farina (1685 – 1766) who settled in German-speaking Köln but traded in fashionable French; the outside of this letter is thus addressed in French with the German Jülichs-Platz rendered as the Place de Juliers, something which seems not to have troubled the Köln/ Cologne mail sorters; the name “Farina” in the top line would be enough for them.

The moral of this letter, as of many others in this collection, is that European cities a this time were cosmopolitan places where you could expect to hear many languages spoken and many nationalities represented. And, clearly, there were eager customers in the wealthy ex-slaving port of Bristol for boxes of goods produced by an Italian family now firmly settled in Germany and producing an eau de toilette labelled in French.

 

Addressed to:

Mons^r  Jean Marie Farina, Place de Juliers [Jülichs-Platz in Geeman]

Cologne

Endorsed Paid [ Postage paid in advance]

Bristol August 31^st 1839

Sirs

About two months since we wrote to you for the usual supply of Eau de Cologne which we are in great want of but hearing nothing from you on the subject we fear our Letter must have miscarried – this therefore is to beg the favor of your sending us P[er] the first Vessel to Bristol London ~ Liverpool a Case Containing 50 Boxes without fail & oblige your Ob [edient] Ser[van]ts

Ferris Brown & Score

Mons Jean Marie Farina

Cologne

1828 Lieutenant Colonel Hector Maclaine returns to France after the Napoleonic Wars

 

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Hector Maclaine was born on the Isle of Mull about 1785. He fought in France during the Napoleonic Wars; the medal he was awarded for bravery at the Battle of Nivelle was sold at auction in London in 2020 and realised £22 000. At the end of the Wars in 1815 he remained in France as part of Wellington’s temporary army of occupation; his wife Martha Osborne who he married in 1816 was living with him in France; their son William was born at Valenciennes in 1818. This letter shows him returning to France and setting up a home there with his family.  But when his wife’s father’s widow died he inherited the Osborne family’s substantial properties in Thornbury, Gloucestershire. By the time of the Census of 1841 the family was living there; the son William had already graduated from Oxford with a BA awarded in 1840. All this perhaps indicates that two hundred years ago and despite the recent wars  France was felt to be a desirable place to live; and in Le Havre there is clearly an English-speaking community.

 

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Addressed to Mrs Craig Cameron Bridge Kennoway Fife

Montivilliers 26 Aug^t 1828

 

My Dear Margaret

We came here about five days ago in search of a house & found a small lodging which we have taken for three months to be ready to step into the first vacant house that offers. The Situation of this town is very fine & healthy & six miles only from Havre de Grace & a good road to it, we can get the necessarys here but Havre is our chief resort for shopping.

William is at school at Havre or Ingoville near that place at a Mr Dukes’s an English Clergyman of very amiable Manners who preaches  for us all on Sundays at our chapel in Havre. Wiliam is much pleased with him & quite reconciled to his new abode, & I have every reason to think that we shall all continue so to do for the time we propose to remain. We were at a Boarding house at Ingoville for two weeks after our arrival where we met with the old chaperone of arch^ds [Archibald’s?] Wife a Mrs Vanneck she said they have been acquainted since they were children she is married to the honble Mr Vanneck a brother of Lord Huntingfields, of this more hereafter - write me a long letter giving all the news of the Highlands etc & if you have heard from Archibald or Gillian McLaine. I write this in a hurry as I am going in to Havre to the post office. Whenever you write address to Lt. Col. Maclaine   Havre de Grace   France, Care of Captⁿ Meeks  Steam Packet Office Southampton

With United [?] love to you

I remain

Your ever aff[ letter torn here ectionate] Brother H.Maclaine

N.B.

I shall write you once a month on [letter torn here]

 

1807 Augustus Moore with the East India Company writes from Calcutta to his mother in London

 

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This is a fairly interesting letter. It draws attention to the very long periods during which, before the invention of steamships, major centres of empire might be without contact with the headquarters of the imperial power. It also highlights the recurrent problems of ill health which expatriates had to deal with, often unsuccessfully.

The internet does not want to help me with providing more context for this letter and even the writer lets me down at a key point when he writes the first name of the Sir  …. Bayley illegibly making it impossible for me to fit someone up for the part of “the most unpopular man in India”.

Such evidence as I can find suggests  that the writer was a Cadet and then an Ensign  with the East India Company and died at Muttra (Mathura) in 1809 and was survived by the brother George who had arrived in India a year before him. George seems to have achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1831 and may have married. Some caution must be exercised because the first name and surname are common. The Moore family at 20 Baker Street does not exist as far as the internet is concerned. It’s clear, however, that the father is dead (he is not referred to) and that Augustus’s  unmarried sister Sarah is living with her mother in Baker Street

*

Addressed to Mrs Moore, 20 Baker Street, Portman Square, London

Docketed as received 1 December 1807

 

Calcutta June 8^th 1807

My dearest Mother

At last a ship is despatched home & will leave here on the 14^th inst. It is a long time since we heard from England & when we shall, God knows. It is now eight months since the last arrived, with news. 

General Dodswell [ William Dowdeswell, 1760 - 1828 ] has taken his passage home on board this ship. It’s rather a chance if you ever receive this as it’s a single ship [as opposed to a convoy]. We cant make out whats become of Lord Minto [ Governor General]. It has been reported several times that he was coming up the river but all unfounded. We are in a sad pickle if a war should break out having no good Kings officer to take the command. Sir ……. [?] Bayley is coming down the country, the most unpopular man in India.  Think of such a man at the head of his Men in War. Not an officer but who despises him.

In this ship there are two Cadets sent home dismissed from the Compy’s service. One I think by applying to the company may get back his commission as it was nothing else that kept him from studying the language but want of ability. The other was a complete blackguard.  I hope this may put a stop to cadets coming out as its only enticing them to run into debt & remain in the clutches of these Black fellows for years before they can pay off the sum. Not to say I am in debt for I can assure you that neither of us [he and his brother George ] are one Farthing in debt. Its one of the most difficult things to keep within bounds on account of the heat of the Climate. But as, thank God, I was never any great ….[?] for parties I am able to keep from the necessaries required on these occasions. I return my best thanks for the books you sent which I rec’d all safe. Books are invaluable here & the best investment a Capt. can bring out. But still they bring out nothing but trash. In fact, there is not a single Article they bring out that’s worth one third of the price they ask.

Geo has had a very narrow escape from losing his right eye but is now quite recov’d. He was overturned in a buggy with McHon [?] who was very much hurt; he fell straight upon his head & bruised himself very much but all is quite well at present. I have no news to tell you except the rainy season is coming on which is my last trial of the seasons here which I hope I may get over rather better than the others which I found rather troublesome to my former complaint. I was advised to take my passage home in this ship but since I have recovered more than I ever have before, under the same complaint, & therefore I have postponed it. If it should continue I will take a trip to sea by the October Fleet but I think I may rest easy as there are not the least symptoms at present. I wont settle upon it until I see the last symptoms nor too late either. Theres one thing it cant stop, my rank here.

Geo. Is very busy packing to go up the Country. He will soon be as far from me as you, so you must not expect letters quite so often. He is going to one of the farthest stations, up the country Bundle Cund [Bundlekhand, northern India, recently added to the Company's portfolio] 1 Reg.N[ative].In[fantry]. He was changed from the 4^th.

I hope you rec’d a great deal of benefit from your different excursions last summer & have not failed to make a few this summer. I am glad to hear Sarah found a great deal from her excursion into Shropshire.

I have written this letter in great haste as at present I am in Calcutta but must return to Baraset [Barasat, east of Calcutta] tomorrow & have taken the 1^st opportunity for fear I should be too late to write from Baraset. I shall write to Sarah by the same conveyance. I hope Mrs Ward is quite recov’d. It makes me quite uneasy being so long hearing from England. I hope some Ship will arrive soon. Remember us to all friends & join in kindest love to you & all family & am my dearest Mother your Dutiful aff. Son Augustus Moore.

 

Missionaries and Slavery: John Davies writes from George Town to the (London) Missionary Society in1810

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I am relying for part of this introduction to the following source:

https://guyaneseonline.wordpress.com/2020/07/26/education-the-growth-of-education-in-british-guiana-guyana-1800-1876-by-dr-odeen-ishmael/

The Netherlands formally ceded to Britain the territories which later became British Guiana in 1815 but the British had been in full control since 1803 and for short periods in the recent past. According to Dr Ishmael it  was a Dutch plantation owner, Hermanus Post, who asked the London Missionary Society to send someone to conduct the school he had established in George Town in 1808   - the “Town” of the letter transcribed below – the Reverend John Davies, writer of the letter arriving in January 1809 to take up the task. But the letter transcribed below suggests that Davies came out as a missionary and on arrival was asked by Hermanus Post  to conduct the school. That school accepted children of plantation owners and managers, local officials, children of soldiers, free Africans and slaves in government service. The slave trade had been abolished in 1807 though slavery not yet; Davies was an abolitionist but as his letter shows he thought that bringing the Gospel to the slaves (who he calls “Negroes” never “slaves”) was consistent with the interest of the plantation owners and managers, some of whom appear to have agreed with him. He wants to expand the areas in which missionary work is carried on and this is a principal concern of the letter. He can only do it with the agreement of plantation owners: he needs their permission to go on to their property to preach to their property.

Davies may have not been the first British missionary to arrive; the Reverend Wray who is mentioned in the letter arrived in 1808 according to Ishmael who provides the following:

On Plantation La Ressouvenir, Rev. John Wray had arrived in 1808 to preach to slaves at a chapel Hermanus Post built. He also taught some slaves to read parts of the Bible and to write. The slaves who learned to read then taught their companions to do so.

Mrs. Wray was also involved in the educating the children of the “upper class” in Demerara, and later in Berbice, after her husband was transferred there. She received payments from the planters and was able to send her two daughters to England to boarding school. Later they returned to Guyana to take charge of Mrs. Wray’s school.

Correspondence from John Davies is archived at the London School of African and Asian Studies. This newly-discovered letter adds some details to what is already known and provides some colour to the story.

 

Transcription

The letter is addressed to the “Directors of the Missionary Society, Joseph Hardcastles Esq, Old Swan Stairs, London”. The docketing dates the letter to 4^th July 1810 and gives a “Received” date of 17 September. The letter had arrived in Britain at Port Glasgow on 27 August and reached London on 30 August according to postmarks; the delay in getting it to the final destination is not explained. The letter begins abruptly without superscription and it looks like two sides are missing from a single folded sheet but the text is entirely coherent as it stands and begins with a capital letter:

My hands are, as much as anything can do so, completely tied up from missionary labours, yet as I came out for Jesus Christ I will do all I can afford to do to extend his name.

Essequibo is a place I have long endeavoured to introduce the name of Jesus & his salvation. At length the Lord has opened a way. Some time ago, a Gentleman who is a countryman of mine [Welsh] & who has the management of two Estates in Essequibo belonging to Wm. Postelthwaite Esqr [ spelt Postlethwaite in the UCL slavery database, though it is likely that a son is the claimant for compensation] came to hear me. He used to attend the Gospel in England & his heart rejoices to hear it here. I interested him to try to get a place for me to preach in Essequibo. The Negroes there as you will see in Mr Postelthwaite’s letter are much addicted to Obea & of course in the most dreadful state. Mr P. asked Mr Williams, this is the name of the manager of the Estates, what must be done to save the Negroes from being completely destroyed. Mr W. advised him to apply to me. He did.

Sabbath June 24^th I landed there about two o’clock in the afternoon & preached at 5 o'clock to about 200 Negroes & others. All were very attentive. I left some Catechisms & Testaments to be given to those who could & would instruct the ignorant. I left Monday morning & arrived back [in Georgetown] Tuesday afternoon.

The school will diminish if I go often for the parents complained then & on it I depend for support [his salary] & to pay off the preal [legal term]debt of 9000 guilders if ever I can. Mr Wray & I continue to supply Mahaica. When last there I called on Mr Hopkinson who is the proprietor of 2 or 3 or 4 plantations [ over a dozen Hopkinson claimants in the UCL database claiming for over 3000 slaves. But the numbers are  duplicated across claimants and may relate to joint claims for the same persons] & asked if he would not like to have his Negroes instructed in Religion. He said he would consider of it. I hope he will permit them to be taught.

Mr Postelthwaite wishes to have a missionary out. I gave him your address. He will pay his expenses which I said would not exceed £200. Everything respecting money he will write you. I mentioned to him that Mr Post had not only promised to pay my expenses out but after I came desired me to take over the school [ NB. This differs from Ishmael’s account which has him come out to take on the school rather than as a missionary] & that he would pay all expenses attending it & doubtless would have done so, but he died & no provision being made in the will came on me & the Society ….. to pay it. He said he would fix it permanently & I hope it will be so that the missionary will not be left in the lamentable situation I am.

Experience in matters of the world & especially in Religion will be of more importance than being able to read Homer or any other Academical attainment in his situation among none but Negroes in general & far from the Town [George Town]. The good natural abilities & a habit of reading are absolutely necessary in all Missionaries in this land. The field is extensive & flaming zeal for the redeemer’s glory & ardent Love to souls together with good constitution & unremitting labour will alone be able to cultivate it. All things go on well in Town. I am honoured Gentlemen your humble & obedient servant John Davies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

1825 Richard Gurdon Bedingfeld writes home from Assam during the first Anglo-Burmese War

 

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Letters home from the front were not censored during this war though this one has been disinfected: there are numerous pin holes and one passage faded probably as an effect of the vinegar used. The writer gives his exact location and a fairly detailed account of his role as a Lieutenant in command of a flotilla on the Brahmaputra river. I have given in bold type this historically interesting account. 

He is clearly missing home and anxious about not receiving letters. There were long delays: this one is dated 26^th January 1825 and addressed to his father Francis Philip Bedingfeld (1763- 1841) in Northallerton, Yorkshire. There are no postal markings on the letter before it was brought ashore at Deal in Kent and carried up to London where it received an arrival postmark of 12 September 1825, so almost eight months in transit. There are no arrival markings for Northallerton 

The writer’s mother Catherine died in 1812, so the “Mrs Bedingfeld” of the letter is not her. The family is fairly prominent over a very long period and is all over the internet but with very little about the writer who also appears mis-named Richard Goodson Bedingfeld; spelling of the surname varies with "field" for "feld" but the writer clearly uses "feld".  

The internet  knows about the fate of this young man, twenty-two at the time of writing:

 “Lieutenant Richard Gurdon BEDINGFIELD - Bengal Artillery - murdered 2nd April 1829. Murdered at Nunklow, near Gowhatty, Assam, by a gang of bandits. His head was cut off. The gang then besieged the house where Lieut. Burlton was holding out with a few sepoys of the Assam Light Infantry. He was born in Ditchingham, Norfolk 5th Sept. 1802. Son of Francis and Catherine Bedingfield. He served in the First Burma War”.

 

Transcription:

Addressed to Frcs [Francis] Bedingfeld, Northallerton, Yorkshire

Headlined: On the Burromporter [Brahmaputra] River near Aungpore, the capital of Assam 26^th January 1825

My dear Father

Since my last from Gohatti I have been anxiously expecting a letter from you but I regret my expectations have not been realised. I hope this will not be the case much longer and that the next arrival will put me in possession of some news from you. I have written to my Brother and Sister two or three times since I had the pleasure of receiving your last letter so that you will have heard of my welfare through them. I was much gratified the other day from Mary written evidently in good spirits. I only hope she has by this time paid you a visit, as change of air and scene are the finest things possible to eradicate what remains there may be of lowness of spirits. She appeared to be much pleased with your offer of meeting her in town and from what my brother said in his letter I should be inclined to think she had availed herself of the favorable season of the year to go down as far as Yorkshire – that abominable place.

Johatti was the cause of my getting unwell with a fever which had nearly obliged me to quit Assam for change of air; fortunately the setting in of the Cold season set me all to rights and thank God I have been i the enjoyment of excellent health and spirits for the past two months.

The climate of Assam is very prejudicial to all constitutions both European and Native owing to the whole face of the country being at present little else than a perfect jungle, the inhabitants being obliged from the Tyranny of the Burmese to run into the Company’s [East India Company’s] provinces to avoid fines, murders & imprisonments. Our detachment has now nearly succeeded in driving them out of the country and in two or three years time under a mild government it is to be hoped the aspect of the country will present a more agreeable appearance than it does at present.

I left Johatti on the 30^th of November last [1824] since which time I have been constantly moving up this extensive river which intersects the country and during the rainy season is more to be compared to a little sea than anything else. Its average breadth from bank to bank being nearly four miles.

I have command of the Artillery and a Flotilla of ten gun boats each carrying a twelve pounder Cannonade. I am sorry to say that my services have never been required since I have been in the country since the enemy in this quarter being always more ready to run away than stand a bombardment in their stockades. They are very expert in the construction of these defences which are made of bamboos with a small ditch inside rather than out i which they squat down and fire. The ground in front of the work is covered with spikes made from the Bamboos. These spikes run from two feet to six inches in length and are very formidable as the wounds they inflict disable the men from proceeding at once.

At Rangoon where the war has been carried on since May last [1824] the Burmese find that British Discipline is more than match for overwhelming numbers. They got a terrible thrashing the other day [ final stages of the Battle of Yangon, December 1824 ] and I hope two or three more examples of the kind will make them sue for peace, an event no one can more sincerely wish for than I do, as I have but little hopes of getting out of this country until the war is over.

As far as procuring advantages go I am now very well off nevertheless I would gladly give them up for a change of Climate, as what can be put in competition with a man’s health? And this part of the world decidedly does not agree with me. I never was unwell until I came to Goalpara [Assam] and to my residence at that place I attribute my loss of health. I hope fortune will enable me to visit England when I am entitles to my furlough. I think every young man whose only prospect is living and dying in India ought to take a trip home whenever his allowance may admit of it as the benefit to be derived from it is incalculable.

Is poor old John still in the land of the living if so pray give him my regards. Were I to live a century I should never forget the old man & often remember the many happy days I have passed either fishing or shooting with him. The old boys fine upright figure & snowy head made him look like an old veteran and one that had derived every possible benefit from the instruction of a Drill Sergeant. I hope and trust the Scotts are well and prospering. Give them when you write my sincere regards as I have frequently before said, should I ever live to see England again, one of my first visits should be to them. I am sorry Mrs B. has not written to me although I hope she will put her promise in execution.

Before I close my letter I have one request to make to you and that is to send me the Miniature that you sat for at the time of my leaving England. I have often wished for it and hope you will oblige me with it. I hope you will pay my brother a visit soon, he appears very anxious for you taking a look at his Estate and seeing how he gets on. He has now …. [three lines faded her probably from disinfection vinegar] …. The Army & Navy are both short, and the professions of Law & Medicine are overstocked. India is the only field for a young man with ideas and that I believe is now only to be obtained with very great interest [ I think he means that positions have to be purchased].

I must again repeat how anxiously I am looking for a letter from you and I hope when it reaches me I shall have good accounts of you all. With kind love to Mrs Bedingfield believe me my dear Father

Your dutiful Son

R G Bedingfeld

 

Doctors and Slaves: George Richards writes from Edinburgh to his sister in Barbados 1832 and 1833

 

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In two letters dated June 1832 and January 1833 George Richards, a medical student in Edinburgh, writes to his sister Mary Richards (“Mames”) in Barbados. The letters contain interesting information about happenings in Edinburgh, including demonstrations in support of the great Reform Bill of 1832 and his own signature added to a petition in support of the Anatomy Bill of 1832 which permitted teachers of anatomy and medical students to dissect bodies which had been made available by donation. He also introduces a cast of characters many of whom are or are related to doctors practicing in Barbados.  Those doctors and their families appear in the UCL database of compensated slave owners but their holdings are generally small and it seems most likely that these slaves worked in the house rather than on the plantations. In these letters written a couple of years before the abolition of slavery, the writer twice asks to be remembered to the “servants”. The doctors gained their living from working for the sugar estates, treating both the owners but also overwhelmingly the slaves. A man who I take to be George Richards’ father (and now deceased: the letters send love to Mother but Father is never mentioned) gave evidence to an enquiry and I quote a passage to provide context:

Doctors and other persons concerned with the slaves gave evidence before committees of the legislature of Barbados in 18 l 8 and I 824. Though all the evidence favors the plantocracy and cannot be evaluated in the light of counterevidence, it may nevertheless reveal certain experiences of the individuals concerned. George Richards, M.D., testified that he practiced for about eight estates and other properties with a total population of about 2,500. He also had a general practice as physician and surgeon and visited many estates in that capacity.

Richard B Sheridan, Doctors and Slaves (1985, p 301)

The “Dr Hay” now residing in Edinburgh may be the Dr Hay whose life was spared during Fédon’s Grenada rebellion of 1795. “Mrs Collymore” is the Scottish widow of a Barbados doctor, Samuel James Collymore (1786 – 1820s). On the death of her husband Mrs Collymore returned to Scotland with her daughter and the widow is listed in street directories as “Mrs Dr Collymore”. Her pretty daughter of the second letter was Agnes (born 1817) who married John Sturrock of Dundee in 1842; she did not return to Barbados where the Collymore name is still common thanks to the very extensive slave holdings of Robert Collymore and his wife Amaryllis Collymore, a free woman of colour who in an 1826 will left 67 slaves to family members. Other doctors and their families are referred to in the letters and perhaps their most interesting feature is the extensive network of families to which George Richards in Edinburgh is connected and to whom he feels attached; the letter suggests homesickness.

The writer records mail received and sent, a common feature of letters written when mail was slow and unreliable. But he is also making planned use of the Royal Mail Packet Boat service to the West Indies, receiving and sending goods as well as letters. The sailing schedules could be found at post offices or in the newspapers.  

It appears that George Richards has a romantic attachment in Barbados to “M a Misson” which I read as brother to sister shorthand for Emma Misson but who cannot be found online though Misson is a known family name. I cannot find this George Richards  either which may suggest either emigration to a distant colony or early death.

Both letters are tropicalised, fragile and in the case of the second letter with sections missing; damage to the first letter also prevents some words from being read. I have indicated longer missing sections by straight lines, shorter omissions with dots; my own comments in brackets in italics.

 

June 2d [1832] Edinburgh   45 Frederick Street

My dear Mames

I promised in my letter to Sale which Miss Duguid took the charge of that this packet [ HMS Frolic, sailed from Falmouth 14^th June 1832] should bring you a letter from me. I have heard from you twice lately and you must consider this an answer to both of your letters. I have also received letters from … M a [Emma?] Misson, Sale and Pearn [ all three members of slave-owning families]. Tell the latter for me that he may count on hearing from me by the next opportunity. I shall also at the same time write to Mr Maynard [slave owning family]. I am glad to see you have done as I begged you would in mentioning the Children, continue to do so whenever you write as nothing gives me greater pleasure than hearing of them. I received the sweetmeats and arrowroot safe and have divided them between Miss Mackenzie and Dr Hay They both of them seemed pleased and the Doctor called on me next day to thank me for those sent him. Whoever prepared the pine jam has destroyed its flavour by spicing it with cloves and cinnamon, the other preserves are well put up.

I wish I had been with you to lend my assistance during your moving but I was glad as I was not [sic] that my place had been so well supplied. Tell Mother [ Possibly Ann Richards formerly Hind] I fancy I stand on the same ground in M a [Emma] Misson’s affections to fear being rivaled by Mr Thomas [slave-owning family]. I am glad to find he is so great a favourite amongst you all. Keep him to his promise and make him bring Jane [Thomas, Daughter of Abigail Jane Thomas?] to pay me the visit which I am looking forward to with so much pleasure. I saw Miss Maria Jones [her father lived in London, later she was Mrs Tierney in St Kitts?] when I was in London, she was a pretty interesting looking girl but even then seemed to be very delicate. I have not heard of Mrs F Cobham’s arrival in Edinburgh [ Mary Harvey Cobham widow of Francis Cobham M.D. of Barbados, slave owner. She moved back to Scotland following the 1831 death of her husband] but when I do I shall call on her. I know her Mother is residing in some street to the South of the Town and I shall some time next week try and find her out.

You will be happy to hear that this town is free from Cholera just now or very nearly so. There were not more than four or five cases this week and I hope there will be none during the next week. I mentioned in one of my former letters that Earl Grey and Brougham had resigned and for some days there was a report that the Duke of Wellington was prime minister. Had it been so I should not have been surprised to have seen England and Scotland in open rebellion. Earl Grey has again accepted office and it is expected that the bill [The Great Reform Bill ] will go through the House of Lords about the middle of next week. When it has passed the people of England, Scotland and Ireland intend expressing their joy by processions, feasts and illuminations. As soon as it was known in Scotland that Earl Grey had resigned and the Reform Act in danger meetings were held to express their sorrow and petitions sent to the House of Commons telling them to refuse supply. There was also a general run on all the banks for gold and a determination to pay no taxes. In a procession of the trades in the town coloured flags were displayed and black flags with inscriptions such as Reform or Death, Better die in a good cause than die in slavery. They had also a flag with a skull and bones painted on it and a motto under it which I do not recollect, at the end of the meeting they sang “Scots wha hae with Wallace bled” and then quietly dispersed.

By my not saying anything of my state of health you may conclude I am quite well. I think rising early and walking to the Botanical Garden every morning before ….  tends to keep me in health. I have also to rise twice a week in order to be at college by six. Dr Reid [probably Dr John Reid 1809 – 1849] has examinations at that hour on what we have been doing the week previous. I must now conclude with love to M a Misson, Mother, Dear Mary, Aunty, Cousins Brothers Sisters the Hinds [ major slave owning family - if the Mother of George Richards is Ann Richards then she was formerly Ann Hinds] and all at home and believe me my dear Mames your affectionate Brother                G Richards.

[Cross-written] I shall be glad of anything you can send me in the way of curiosities provided I have to pay no freight …. no expense for them …. will be a good opportunity to send them by them or anyone coming direct to Edinburgh. Excuse this hurried letter. I am glad to hear both Rob and Tom have got …. and more so as Rob will be near you now. Give my love to him. Remember me kindly to Dr Cutting and his family [slave owning family] and to Mr Maynard and his …. And also to Mr Hinds & I hope Bessy is well again. We have now fine summer weather daylight from half past two in the morning to nine at night. Remember me to the servants.

 

 

Second letter:

Edinburgh January 12^th 1833 45 Frederick Street

My dear Mames

Your letter of the thirtieth of November I received only a few minutes ago and I must make haste and answer it immediately as I wish to put this in the Post Office before I go to bed. It is now past eight o’clock. I am glad to see you have written to me again and not taken offence because I neglected answering your former letter. I however scarcely received one from you as this is I believe the third I have received without giving you one in return. Tell Jane I was not aware that the nickel was sent to me by her but to show her that I do not disregard the present I will have it converted to a seal, in the meantime give her a kiss for me and my best thanks. I have _________the flower seeds. I think _____me if they grow and _____desires and once ______heard from me. On the ____Mr Jamieson the ________ after at the Doctors, and Wednesday evening I spent at Mrs Collymore, at this last place we had dancing. The party consisted of about eighteen or twenty young ladies and gentlemen and I passed a very pleasant evening. Miss Collymore is a very nice girl rather pretty about your own age or a little younger and to sum up the whole a Barbadian although she has been from Barbados since she was an infant. The father married in Scotland but died three or four years after his return to Barbados. I have received a good deal of attention both from this family and from the Jamiesons. I have an invitation for nine o’clock on Wednesday next, so I suppose it is to be a dance. It is from a family I have occasionally met with at the Miss Mackenzies [with whom he lodges in Frederick Street]. I have not accepted it yet but I think I shall.

On New Year’s morning I went out with two or three others to see if the old custom was still kept up. There were a great many people in the streets but not many females. The privilege of saluting those you meet is still the same, but I think the custom _________________. We have for the three ___________ yesterday and today ____________the ice strong enough to   ________ [succeed]ed in reaching the op[opposite]______ I went again today but __________not venture on. Only one __________. The ice broke and a boy narrowly escaped being drowned.

You have told me how you like Miss Jane Duguid but now I must ask you to tell me how she likes Barbados and its inhabitants. I am sorry to hear Prescod Williams [ slave owning family]is forced to marry against her will. I hope if it is the case that ways and means will yet be found to break off the match, I am glad to hear Mr Maynard intends writing to me. I have not by the Packet received a letter from him but I hope I may by the next. You do not mention when you are to remove to Warrens [ the name of or named for an Estate just outside Bridge Town] when you do write and tell me ____ you like a country life. You will have company enough ___ and those friends who care about you and have a gig will not mind the short distance of three miles.

Tell Hal [?] I approve of his good taste for I think little Malvina Trotman [slave owning family] the prettiest girl of her age I now recollect of in Barbados. Remember me kindly to Dr Cutting and Mrs Cutting and Mrs Williams. I must write soon to the Doctor when you see Golding and Pilgrim [slave owning family] tell me what you think of them. Dr Jones I believe merely went out for his health and not to remain.

I had when I sat down a good many questions to ask but I have forgotten them all and I have now only room left to give my love to Mother M a [Emma] Misson, Dear Mary, Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Cousins and friends ever believe me my dear Mames your affectionate Brother George Richards

 

Cross written postscript: When the Higginsons arrive [slave owning family]let me know if the book I sent by her have been of use to Sam and if I have any more he may require. I have nothing new to tell you about the college and the classes. The Modie [? local term for club or union?] of Students here have sent a petition to the Lord Provost and the graduates  praying them to enforce the late Anatomy Bill. I signed it yesterday & hope it may have some effect but I fear not. I am

__________________about her will not enquire her

__________________ free from the Cholera year to now

___________________  this week you mention Sale

_________________ her but you say nothing of Mr

__________________ by the same opportunity tell me

___________________ got his. Remember me kindly to

_________________ servants and once more believe me your affect brother GR

 

William Hardin Burnley 1780-1850, Trinidad Slave Master, writes to his wife Charlotte in 1836

 

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The author of this 1836 letter is the subject of a recent, comprehensive biography The Slave Master of Trinidad by Selwyn R Cudjoe (2018), a Wellesley College professor who grew up in the shadow of the Orange Grove estate in Trinidad and who is descended from slaves who had laboured there. William Hardin Burnley (1780-1850) settled in Trinidad in 1802 and became a dominant figure there until his death in 1850. He was a leading activist in defence of slave-holder and then post-slavery interests; the mansion at Orange Grove was his home. When slavery was abolished in 1833/4 Burnley successfully claimed compensation for the loss of over 1100 slaves according to the University College London database. He travelled extensively in the USA, Great Britain and Europe to further his and what he saw as Trinidad’s commercial and political interests.

But in this letter from Antwerp he is writing to his wife, Charlotte neé Brown (1782-1858) in Paris. She lived there or in London, refusing to live in Trinidad. By 1836 the couple were becoming estranged, partly in consequence of Wiliam’s infidelity, and though this detailed 1500 word letter is polite it is also obsessive and pedantic and contains few signs of affection or interest in Charlotte. In contrast, Burnley is much concerned with the future education of his teenage younger son, nicknamed Humy. That son, Joseph Hume Burnley (1821 – 1904) - named after Joseph Hume MP to whom Burnley’s sister was married - clearly benefitted from the German education chosen for him; he joined the British Diplomatic Service and among other postings served as British Chargé d'affaires at Dresden.

 

Provenance: a collection of European business and personal letters dated before 1850, sold in an English auction 2024.

 

 

 

Antwerp Friday night 28 Oct 1836

My dear Charlotte

I received your letter of the 21^st at Brussels where I arrived on Monday the 24^th. It surprises me to hear that your weather has been so unfavourable at Paris, on the Rhine it continued beautiful and only began to rain on my arrival at Brussels and today it is perfect winter, the therm: having fallen from 60 down to 48 and I am writing in my bed room by a famous large fire of Belgian Coals – the first time I have found the necessity to order since I left England.

Immediately after I wrote to you from Frankfurt, I went to see Dr Becker [ Dr Karl Ferdinand Becker 1775-1849] at Offenbach principally for the purpose of learning from him whether his son in law at Oldenburgh was disposed to take pupils as Joe Hume [? Not entirely clear but if so then Joseph Hume] had informed me that he did not think Dr Becker would suit Humy [ his son, Joseph Hume Burnley born May 1821] as he thought him (Humy) too old for the junior school and too young for the senior establishment where they are treated as young men and allowed to study or not as they please – the Doctor only being able to give them an hour in the day. But when I was there, which I was three times dining and spending the evening with them, I was so much pleased with their whole family and establishment that I proposed to the Doctor To take Humy into his senior establishment and allow him at the same time the benefit of a private tutor to superintend his studies and overlook them during the period when the Doctor cannot give his personal attention to him himself. This is so great a deviation from the usual routine of his establishment that he is to consider of it and let me know his determination immediately after I arrive in London. If he does not consent I will then send him to Dr Strahl’s at Bonn with whom I was perfectly pleased and satisfied. But the advantage at Dr Becker’s of there being 4 or 5 very gentlemanly lads there  whose tone and manner, both by themselves and with the Doctor pleased me so much that I think Humy would reap great benefit both by emulation and imitation by being placed with them and acquire more manly habits than he is likely to do with Madame Strahl and her two daughters – the sons being so much younger than him – at the same time the whole concern seemed so unexceptionable otherwise that I shall feel no disappointment in sending him there if Dr Becker does no accede to my proposition and feel now quite comfortable in the idea that the object of my journey has been happily accomplished and that there is now nothing more to be done than to carry him to the one place or the other as early in March next as the weather will permit – all idea of Oldenburgh  I very early gave up. The road to Bonn or Offenbach will pass from Paris to Brussels through Liege and Aix la Chapelle to Cologne which is close to Bonn – Offenbach is further up the Rhine, the whole distance in steamboats through the most beautiful parts of the river, making a delightful excursion and passing close to Wiesbaden and several other German Baths now much frequented. Frankkfurt is a pretty nice place and the Hotel de Russie there decidedly the best Hotel I ever was in as respects beauty of the building, accommodation, meals and attendance and at the same time reasonable – abundant Breakfast at any hour you please with Caffé au lait, excellent Butter and eggs for 36 Kreutzer or 1/= sterling. Dinner more abundant than you ever saw served including positively better roast Beef than I ever eat in England with a pint of Rhine wine for one florin 54 kreutzer or about 3/4d including excellent desert. My bedroom 1 florin – or 2 francs per day – so that my whole expense at Frankfurt did not exceed 10/= Stg per day. Sir Thomas Hislop [ 1764 – 1843, Lieutenant Governor of Trinidad from 1802 to 1811] and his Lady were at the same Hotel. He was woefully fallen off, looking dottled and with hardly a leg to stand upon. She – sharp, active and voluble to a degree to be suffered but by such a poor miserable as himself. I hardly knew which language she is most fluent in – English, French or German. On my return I stopped at Wiesbaden and took a bath in the Chicken broth, which Head [slightly unclear; a travel writer?] compares it to & which it really is not unlike, being about the color with a greasy scum on the surface. I did not venture to take it. I dare say it is a pleasant place in the height of the season but every soul had left it, the shops all shut up and the whole appearance most woebegone. The country around it is by no means so pretty as at Aix nor to my taste the town half so handsome. The waters at Aix are clear but some of them so hot you can just bear your finger in them. I took no Bath as there were none in the Hotel where I put up and the country between Aix and Liege, a ride of about 35 miles is positively equal to the finest and richest parts of England, being covered with fields and surrounded by Hedges, and studded all over with villas and farm houses; what can make such a difference in the habits of the people in different places I cannot discover. I always thought before that the farmers inhabited towns on the Continent because the Country was so liable to be over-run with armies – but no part of Europe is more subject to such a casualty than the Country of Liege and yet they live as we do in England, whilst their neighbours in Brabant act as they do in France and elsewhere with the Country open in every direction.

The weather was so bad in Brussels I saw little and did not even go to Waterloo which is only at a short distance; as the Colonel [ who?]  is now at liberty tell him I hope he will accompany me there in March next. I saw William Drury (Mark’s son) [ William James Joseph Drury (1791–1878) English  schoolmaster and chaplain to Leopold I and tutor to his son Leopold II of Belgium.] and spent the evening with him. His wife is a pretty, amicable woman with ten children to take care of – 4 of them only her own. They tell me that Miss Warner [daughter of Trinidad's Attorney General ? ] is positively married since we saw her at Paris – to some foreigner and they think not a man of fortune – so I fear that she has made a bad concern of it after all. She is a kind sociable gay creature and would have made a compatible wife for a man fond of company and possessing the means of enjoying it.

I arrive here at 2pm by the Chemin de Fer, which seems to answer admirably and everybody is so well pleased with it that they are anxious to have the one completed to Paris but this I fear will not take place in a hurry. On Sunday I embark on the Steamer “Ocean” at 9.a.m. and hope to find myself in London, Monday morning [couple of words lost from breaking of letter seal] letter from Maria dated 24^th when she was [ word lost from letter seal, could be "feeling"] better and I am engaged to dine with Hume [Joseph Hume MP, 1777-1855; Hume married in 1815 Maria Burnley, the writer’s sister] and the Lord Mayor on the 9^th of November. I am well pleased to have the opportunity to see one of these dinners.

I am glad to hear Humy has got a good German master, it will make everything much more easy and agreeable to him when he changes his quarters. I recommend you not stand too much upon etiquette with Mrs Brevoort, she is a sensible amiable woman of which we have not too many in our society and with a large family of children to attend to probably does not study etiquette herself. I heard from the McGregors [ Alexander McGregor of the Glasgow West India Assocation? ] when at Frankfurt – they were at Vienna and hoped in 3 or 4 weeks to leave it for Paris so that they may be with you before I am. How long my stay will be in London I cannot until I arrive there and see what has been done or doing at the Compensation Office [established to make payments to former slave owners] but I shall certainly be disappointed if I am not in Paris before the end of November as I find travelling in cold weather by no means agreeable. It has been snowing here all the evening – which for October seems an early exhibition - accept dearest of kind love for yourself and Humy and believe me always yours affectionately William H Burnley