NAS GD23/6/427
Letter, John G. Fraser to James Grant, Inverness, requesting the latter to allow the said John G. Fraser to draw on him to the extent of £200 or £300, to assist in purchase of slaves, it being supposed that the slave trade would soon be abolished. From Demeraray [Demerara, Guyana]. 3/1/1807
In addition to info in hand list note: from Plantation Vigilance 3 Jan 1807
Money is to purchase 5 negroes.
‘The trouble I have already given puts me to blush when I think of intruding once more on your goodness . . .’
Addressed to James Grant, Redcastle arrived via Babados on 4th April
NAS GD23/6/484/1
Letter, John Gordon to James Grant, thanking him for his desire to have an important trust in Demerara [Guyana] confided to the said John. From Plantation Huntly, Demerary. 5/6/1811
Last season unfavourable for cotton, crops are far short than were expected. Considerable requisition of labour for the estate in Berbice.
NAS GD23/6/484/2
Plantation Litchfield, West Coast, Berbice 22nd March 1816
John Gordon to James Grant
My employer the Honble Mathias Rader Esq sets sail for Gt Britainn in a day or two and intends going to Inverness and Cromarty where he is a stranger. To this gentleman I am much indebted he having some months previous to the sale of Plantation Huntly given me the management of this estate . . . he is possessed of considerable property in Land and Negroes and is Attorney for several estates of which this is one.
. . . I understand Mr Donald Mackay from Demerara went to Europe some time ago . . . will have informed you of the hard times in the colonies . . . stretching every Nerve to cultivate sugar.
‘I am afraid this will answer but a few years onlyfor, if it be an established fact that there is an annual decrease of slaves on Sugar Properties, and that the prohibition of the slave trade continues . . . there is but one conclusion to be drawn.’ Goes on to argue that it may be more prudent to cultivate cotton.
. . . lamentable death of friend Robt Gordon of Huntly
. . . has continued in the line of manager to buffet the waves of disappointment. The Golden Days here are long past. A Negroe now costs more than a manager’s years salary.
NAS GD23/6/527
Letter, John Noble to Provost James Grant, Inverness, covering bill of exchange to the value of £114 11s sterling and referrring to the said John Noble's wish to have the amount of this and other specified bills placed to his credit with the said James Grant for education and maintenance of the writer's son, John, at Inverness Academy. From Demorary [Demerara, Guyana]. 4/10/1813
In addition to info in hand list note:
His boy John left here on 20 Jan last (1811) under the care of my particular friend Mr Lewis Corbet in the ship Sisters of Glasgow. ‘I hope in God they are both safe at Inverness long ere this.’
John to be placed at the InvernessAcademy as a boarder with one of the Masters or at any other Genteel Boarding House.
Asks for Inverness Journal to be forwarded regularly.
GD23/6/658 Letter, Lewis Grant to Duncan Grant WS, Edinburgh, requesting opinion as to how Mr. Simson [Simpson] of Demerara [Guyana] could be appointed guardian to John Winter Patterson [Paterson], son of deceased Robert Patterson, formerly a planter in Demerara, who was in his later years an imbecile and deeply involved in debt. From Inverness. Letter appended by Anne Ross in support of the above, dated at Ballmore, 24th February 1830. 13/2/1830
NAS GD23/6/364
Letter book containing:- (a) Copies or notices of letters, 11 September 1799 - 27 November 1799, from Thomas Cuming [Cumming], Innes House, Elgin [late of Demerara, Guyana] to Thomas Mewburn, Demerary, James Bailie [Baillie], London, Alex. Tulloh [Tulloch], London, C. S. Hunter, solicitor to the Commercial Commissioners, London, Thomas Cuming of St. Andrews Cuming [West Indies]; with copies of conditions on which the plantations 'Garden of Eden' and 'Ketty' were offered for sale. (b) Miscellaneous entries. (c) Copies of letters, 27 June 1803 - 20 April 1810, in some instances signed by James Grant and evidently all written by him, to Evan Baillie, MP for the city of Bristol, George Inglis, Clifton, Lachlan Duff WS, Edinburgh, Major Wilson, James Richardson, Perth, Charles Grant MP, George Cuming [Cumming] MP, Provost John Mackintosh [McIntosh] [Inverness], 11 Sep 1799-20 Apr 1810
Letters from Thomas Cuming (Innes House, Elgin) to Thomas Mewburn (Demerara)
11th September 1799
Discusses crops and sale of rum, sugar etc. Sugar has had a fall of late and insurance high, so no great demand – that sent by the Herbert would not sell in Glasgow and was shipped for Hamburg. Cotton is also dull.
‘Mr Bailie advanced me £20,000 to make purchase here but will do nothing more’ – concerned that Bailie may not accept Mewburn’s bills drawn on Bailie – ‘Since I had my property I never was in such difficulty for money as at this time. Mr van Nooten has come over to England and ? pressing, my daughter and myself establishing a House keeping in this country and the articles sent for the new work at the Thomas has brought be in arrears to Mr Tulloh[1] about £4000 . . . he [Tulloh] will [as a result] be unable to furnish Mr L Cuming with a credit he promised him. In short, if I cannot get a purchaser for one of my Demerary properties I do not know how I am to be extricated from my present difficulties.’
Either the Ketty or Garden of Eden to be sold – TC prefers selling Garden of Eden.Mewburn to make this known in the Islands. The Thomas could not be sold in the present situation and may soon bring same returns as the Ketty.
‘I am so distressed in mind and cannot rest and perfectly unhappy. For God’s sake make every exertion in collections from outstanding debts and send to Tulloh.’
Reference to a carriage and a cotton packing machine. TC is sorry for the unaccountable conduct of the negroes at the Ketty but was assured they had no just cause. Hopes Mr Martin’s (manager?) health is better – uneasy the trouble he has had about the new buildings. Regrets the fate of poor Damon, a valuable man and a great loss. ‘I will send the things still wanting for the new works and the cases for the Garden of Eden mill.’
‘I wish you to settle with the Gravesands in the colony for the money left them by Mrs Cuming as soon as they become of age.’
‘Are any more of the lotts in the Newtown disposed of?’ – followed by another plea to collect money due.
‘My nephew has come over here from Holland and is now with me. I propose sending him and a nephew of James Cuming out from Glasgow . . . My daughter is well and will soon bring me another grandchild . . . Mrs Cuming I expect will make me a father in a week’s time . . . Lawenia is in good health as Mrs Lach Cumings.’
14th October 1799
Discusses poor crop and low quality. Mewburn will know from newspapers of total stop to sale of W India produce. Many houses in London and Hamburg have failed and a loan has been granted by Government for their support and of West India merchants. No sale for a West India Plantation from the fall of its produce.
‘I will attempt to dispose of the purchase I lately made in Scotland’ probably at a loss. Going to London to make an arrangement with Mr Van Nooten. Without a clerk since my arrival in Europe and my accounts in illorder. I have now got one.
‘I much fear I will be under the necessity of paying a visit to Demerary . . . a sale of one of my properties can only prevent it.’
I am still receiving letters from the sisters of Joseph Allan; I wish to close that business.
By the last apprisement of the Ketty there was about 580 people. In case of a sale 250 must be put on the Thomas; a proportion of tradesmen and principal people as Fanning & Co and Beddigt have a security on some of the Negroes, these ought to be put on the Thomas.
Mr L Cuming writes that he wishes to have the old Buck at the former Brickery where Compaan lived – he is perfectly welcome.
Expenses for some time last have run very high. As things now complete at Garden of Eden I hope f18-£20,000 will answer the year.
‘Mrs Cuming brought me a daughter about 10 days ago. I am sorry to add her recovery is not so favourable as I could wish, the child is doing well.’
Mrs Bagot was a few days past delivered of a fine boy (both well).
My nephew Thomas Cuming and young Duncan does to Demerary by the Herbert also a brother of Capt Bagot’s and a Donald Grant, a cousin of mine L Cumings James will provide for Duncan, Thomas Cuming I suppose will remain with you, I will write Lachlan to endeavour to place Grant somewhere on the sea coast and I hope you will be able to place Bagot in the coast as a planter or perhaps as a clerk with some Merchant House.
You wrote me the bush had grown up along the front of the Ketty. How far does it grow towards the Fort.
Negroes inoculated for the small pox. ‘Nothing but to prevent my going to jail as a Bankrupt would make me part with the Ketty.’
14 Nov 1799 onwards
Lists letters forwarded to Thomas Cuming Esq at St Andrews Cuming
Conditions on which Garden of Eden and the Ketty are to be offered for sale.
Garden of Eden
Sum that will be accepted £41,750 payable by £20,000 followed by four instalments of £5445.
1000 acres land, 1000 in canes, 1000 in provisions; water and cattle mill, boiling, curing houses, distillery.
300 negroes
Average crop 350,000 lbs sugar @ 34/- = £5950
55 gals rum for each 1000lb sugar
19250 gals rum @ 2/2 per gallon= £2085-8-4
Total £8035-8-4
Less expenses of £1800= £6235-8-4
Suppose 7 years purchase £43,647-18-4
Ketty
Sum that will be accepted £70,000 payable by £25,000 followed by four instalments of £9000.
No specification of land.
300 negroes
Average crop 600,000 lbs sugar @ 37/- = £9250
55 gals rum for each 1000lb sugar
27500 gals rum @ 2/2 per gallon= £2984-3-4
Total £12234-3-4
Less expenses of £2000= £10234-3-4
Suppose 7 years purchase £71639-3-4
James Grant to Evan Bailie Esq MP for Bristol27 June 1803
George Inglis has sold all his property inInverness since brother’s death but retains his landed property (outside the town).
‘I am sincerely for our Demerary friends and regret the necessity that could at this time have obliged James Fraser to go out to the West Indies . . . Our cousin Reelig who entered into speculations in that Country without being at all aware of the nature of them may suffer most seriously from the effects of the present time. I have no doubt that there will be some superiorities soon on the market.’
Ditto 1 Aug 1803
Young Belladrum Fraser passed about 10 days in the country but set out the week before to London from where I fancy he will have sailed for Demerary. I exceedingly regret the embarrassment he must be in at this time.
[1] The Bankrupt Directory (1843): Hen Tulloh, Gloucester place, Hoxton, late Demerara, merchant., May 15, 1829