Only the
first page of this letter exists, written by an unknown correspondent to a Mr Cumberbatch (presumably in England) from a sugar plantation
in the West Indies. One of the lands is called Cleland, so it may be possibly
to identify the place.

Letter dated
27th April 1822

My Dear Cumberbatch,

I forward
you by this opportunity your plantation accounts. I wish they could be more
satisfactory for I am sure you will regret to find so large a balance due from
you. I am endeavouring to arrange with money of the creditors to pay them half
the amount of their account this year and the balance the next; if I succeed in
this it will still take a large proportion of Sugar to keep up a proper credit
without which an estate is materially injured. The crop at Cleland will be
about 90 thousands, and that of the farm 15 or 18 – from this you will
bear in mind the reduction of Duty sugar and what I am obliged to sell to pay
Island Creditors. The balance from 60 – 65 thousands you will receive. I
assure you I have complied with your wish to retain as far as possible. I could
not avoid paying to a certain extent leaving about ½ to be paid next
year.

The prospect
of the Island for a crop next year was never better than on this day that is to
say all the canes are planted and growing very handsomely, mostly masculine and
yours are as good as any, let us bear in mind though that this is only the end
of April and that it is a favourable year, altogether we have to look for an
abundant crop to make up the deficiency we have undergone. You may rely upon it
your estate is in excellent order and your negroes in
good spirits and condition. I had always a feeling of great kindness towards
them which has been strangely encreassed by a curious
act to show their good will towards me very much like the ordering of the widow’s
mite(?). It was nothing itself but the will and
sensation it excited. I did not hear of it till weeks after.

finis