Beschreibung:

(Florida)A collection of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century letters and documents concerning affairs in British East Florida Comprising: Robert Campbell autograph letter signed (“Robt. Campbell”), 4 pages, “Exiled Pensacola,” 5 September 1763, to the Earl of Loudon, reporting that his regiment has left Havana and is now based in Pensacola which it has taken over from the Spaniards in accordance with the Treaty of Paris. He describes the town, “which is a small village consisting of about 150 Hutts enclosed with a Square stockade,” and thinks that industrious settlers could make much of the area. Further describes the topography, climate, soil, and local Indians. The Battalion has only 300 men with food for three months and Campbell asks for twelve months leave of absence. Robert Campbell autograph letter signed (“Robt. Campbell”), 2 pages, [Pensacola], 10 December 1763, to the Earl of Loudon, reporting that the Battalion has been reduced and “as I am among that number, and destitute of any Interest to get employ’d, allow me further to presume upon your Lordship’s Goodness. … I am ordered to New York to finish the Regimental Accounts: I have desired my friends to let me know there whether or not I have any chance of full pay. …” Thomas Bond, autograph letter signed (“Thomas Bond”), one page, “St. Augustine in East Florida,” 14 September 1770, to his “Honoured Father,” informing him of his “safe arrival here, in a very disagreeable part of the world.” Malcolm Ross, autograph letter signed (“Malcolm Ross”), 3 pages, “east Florida, Mount Oswald Plant,” 11 July 1773, to Richard Oswald in London, seeking to be released from the terms of his indenture as a carpenter, John Moultrie, autograph document signed in text (“John Moultrie”), [St. Augustine?, ca. 1783], 4 pages, being “A Schedule and appraisement of the property of John Moultrie in East Florida which he is now in possession of and did possess at the time that province was ceded to the crown of Spain.” Fourteen properties are described, including “an orange grove that has produced juices that sold for about £70 in one year,” with a total valuation of £9,432. John Moultrie, autograph manuscript signed (“John Moultrie”), [St. Augustine?], 16 May 1784, 4 pages, titled “Thoughts that may be of use to my people and plantation in the Bahamas and orders that I beg may be obeyed.” The text was evidently written when Moultrie was preparing to return to Great Britain after serving as a deputy governor of East Florida and is largely given to advice on how to treat illnesses, but the conclusion of the “Thoughts” is devoted to Moultrie’s instructions on the treatment of enslaved persons, including the unintentionally ironic admonition, “I would have them made as happy as their condition will admit.” John Ballinger, autograph letter signed [but signature defective due to a cut-out of a frank on address page], 2 ½ pages, Washington, 15 December 1811, to Fulwar Skipwith. Skipwith had been elected Governor of West Florida on 29 November 1810 by the Independent State Party at Baton Rouge. President Madison had proclaimed the Territory as part of the United States and dispatched General Claiborne to take possession, but he was resisted. Major Ballinger’s letter discusses the Florida situation: “Congress are also so much engaged on the grand question of Peace or War. … But on Tuesday next I shall have a conference with Mr. Monroe after which I shall bring the business of Florida forward. On a former occasion Mr. Monroe requested I would wait till that time. … He declares unequivocally that the people of Florida nor no individual thereof has suffered anything in the estimation of government on account of any part that they have taken in the affairs of that country. I have had a great deal of friendly & familiar conversation with Mr. Monroe, Madison & Gallatin, and I believe they are determined to hold West Florida as a part of the purchase of Louisiana and attach it to the Mississippi, & form a st