Autograph letter signed to Stephen Fuller in London from Henry Shirley and Simon Taylor

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Autograph letter signed to Stephen Fuller in London from Henry Shirley and Simon Taylor

• 1794 (Production)

"Shirley, Henry. [Autograph letter signed, to Stephen Fuller in London, concerning the election of Roland Sewell as agent in England for the Jamaica Assembly and other matters concerning the island.] Kingston [Jamaica.] 16 November 1794. Autograph letter signed. 4to (19 x 22cm) [3] pages on bifolium, second leaf with marginal tear from seal opening (not touching text), verso with manuscript address panel & postal markings, old folds...[TOGETHER WITH] Taylor, Simon. [Autograph letter signed, to Stephen Fuller in London, concerning the election of Roland Sewell as agent in England for the Jamaica Assembly.]Kingston Jamaica, 13 December 1794. Autograph letter signed. 4to (20 x 24cm) [1] page on bifolium, second leaf with marginal tear from seal opening (not touching text), verso with manuscript address panel & postal markings, old folds...Sent from Jamaica to London addressed to Stephen Fuller (1716-1799), from 1764 to 1794 agent in England for the Jamaica Assembly, these two letters were penned by wealthy planters Henry Shirley II (1745-1812) and Simon Taylor (1739-1813), both supporters of Fuller writing to him after his loss of the post of agent following the appointment of Robert Sewell (1751-1828) by vote of the assembly in 1794. Taylor, one of the richest men in Jamaica (see: ODNB), explains in detail the political machinations behind the voting in of Sewell. In addition to discussion of the election Shirley provides a list of how each assembly member voted, also writing with details concerning the 'fatal pestilential fever' afflicting several parishes of Jamaica, commenting on losses to the army and navy as a result of infection and noting how plantation slaves were not affected." –Description from Samuel Gedge, bookseller