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"The merchant and plantation owner Campbell Faloon (d. 1841) writes from Berbice in British Guiana 3 April 1832 in his capacity as overseer of the plantation Hope & Experiment, updating the wealthy owner Hugh McCalmont (1765-1838) of Abbey Lands Belfast (see: ODNB) with this monthly return for March 1832. Completed in manuscript, the printed sections include the heading: “Sugar account … rum & molasses account… cane cultivation account … negro labourers … live stock account … distribution of the gang.” Following this is a lengthy letter with much detail on sugar production, the state of the plantation, and extensive discussion in particular concerning possible construction designs for new housing for the enslaved labourers: “For some time I have thought of addressing you on the subject of 16 negro houses which require to be renewed in the course of 1833 ..." ----description from Samuel Gedge Ltd.

"Following the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, in which Great Britain provided for the immediate abolition of slavery in all of its West Indian colonies with a £20m restitution to the slaveowners, a few of their colonies passed their own legislative acts. Only two such acts were separately printed however; St. Kitts and the present one on the island of Dominica. Conforming to the 1833 British parliamentary act, the present act details the newly-formed apprenticeship system as well as stipulations concerning punishments, land ownership, the bearing of arms, etc." --description by Librería de Antaño

A watercolor reproduction of page 23, part 4 of the Codex Telleriano-Remensi, a codex which describes a series of eclipses and earthquakes that took place in Mexico between 1460 and 1542.

"Four manuscript signed letters from Mr. (and Mrs.) Sandilands, British Chief Justice, plantation owners, philanthropist, and abolitionist, who essentially founded the Fox Hill region, addressed to Mr. Bosanquet, their banker in London and dealing with the purchase of a mansion and a phaeton carriage, which is of historical significance. Together with one (1) small manuscript note to Mr. Sandilands trustees regarding freight and insurance for the carriage shipped to the island in November 1833.

Mr. Sandilands and his wife Mary had arrived in the Bahamas in 1830, only 3 years before these letters were written. Robert Sandilands is best remembered for taking a leading role at the time of abolition by offering, in 1840, small parcels of his 1200 acres of land in the Fox Hill District to freed slaves for £10 or the equivalent in labour, encouraging them to 'work hard, be loyal, and grateful for their boon.' His scheme formed a free-slave settlement, originally called Creek Village. Within it, he created a small 'Village Square' centered around an ancient cotton silk tree. In 1849, the recipients of the lots renamed the town Sandilands Village after their benefactor. His first land purchased, 60 acres, part of his estate later to be subdivided into 100 lots, is described in two of the present letters, an investment and vision he began investing into in 1833. [In August 1833, the Abolition of Slavery Act became law. In his final will and testament, Sandilands stated his wish that all of his slaves be freed. In gratitude, most or all took his name as their surname; as former slaves, none of them had surnames.]

Of utmost importance in these letters is the purchase of a phaeton carriage with a top for protection form the blazing sun. Eventually, after some hardship and a long wait, a carriage would be shipped to Providence Island from London. And, with a £100 colony grant, Mr. Sandilands built a 40-mile carriage that road through his private property and through Creek Village to the main Eastern road, creating better communication between Nassau and the southern fishing grounds and also facilitating transport between the Village and the Nassau Market. It is now called Fox Hill Road. The carriage so tenaciously pursued and finally acquired, as described in these letters, was the cornerstone for early road works and proper transport in the Fox Hill District.

Over and above the purchase of property and a carriage, these letters reveal the couple's financial struggles upon settling in the Bahamas, the length of time it took to deal with colonial matters from overseas, and their determination for success. Fort Montagu, which was built in 1741 and had played an important role in the American War of Independence, is also mentioned.

The recipient of these letters is James Whatman Bosanquet (1804-1877), an English banker, who at the age of 18 entered his father's bank, Bosanquet, Salt, & Co., and who in due course became a partner." –Voyager Press Rare Books & Manuscripts

"Very interesting letter from Laisné de Villeveque to Cyrille Bisette (1795-1858) Black politician and abolitionist born in Martinique, he was involved in the so called "Bissette affaire" who anti-slavery activities begin to be radicalized about this time. Bisette was born July 9, 1795 at Fort Royal (now Fort-de France) Martinique, and died on January 22, 1858 in Paris. He was a leader of efforts to abolish slavery in the French Colonies and member of the National Assembly from Martinique from 1848-1851." -The New Antiquarian

"...[56]pp...Folio. Contemporary three-quarter calf and marbled boards, marbled endpapers...Clipping from the July 15, 1797 issue of the St. James's Chronicle, or the British Evening Post laid in.

A significant account book documenting transactions with several plantations in the West Indies in the last years of (legal) slavery in the British Empire. Possibly belonging to a bookkeeper for a plantation agent/merchant, the manuscript records document debits and credits, noting trade in rum, cattle, flour, sheep, sugar, wine, lumber, oats, and even lottery tickets. There are also two slavery transactions (embedded in larger transactions), both dated July 9, 1832: '...to the sum assumed on A/c of Miss Mary Robertson for the manumission of Thomas a slave belonging to Meldrum [Estate]...assumed the sum on A/c of Miss Bess Urquhart for the freedom of her daughter Nancy...' The account also includes orders for books of magazines, including Blackwood's Magazine, Glasgow Courier, and a copy of J. W. Norie's Epitome of Practical Navigation, acquired for Daniel Polson. There are also expenses for 'repairing the clock' (July 22, 1833), 'Shoeing a horse on his fore feet' (June 24, 1834), and credit related to the 'Hurricane at Barbados' (June 25, 1832).

This book appears to have functioned as a receipt book, and it seems unlikely that it was the master record for the merchant or plantation agent to whom his bookkeeper reported. The transactions are not ordered chronologically or alphabetically. Each set of transactions are headed by a name, although it is not clear how the name is associated with the transactions listed. Finally, there are transactions with the entries 'Remitted to my Parents...' throughout, and a few transactions with entries 'Cash given you...' and 'To your order...' which seems to lack the formality or clarity expected in a ledger. Nevertheless, the hand is professional, strong, and clear through about two-thirds, at which point it changes to a smaller, tighter hand. Corrections are rare, although a few pages have partial pages pasted over previous entries.

A number of individuals and estates recur throughout the volume. As well, a few of the individuals noted are non-resident owners (or trustees or beneficiaries), with addresses in England and Scotland. Notable recurring people include: Alexander George Milne (London), John Dallas, George McLean, William Kirkland, and Simon Fraser. Many of these people owned or held shares in several different estates, sold and bought estates from each other, and were often related through marriage. Estates mentioned include: Harvey Vale, Craigston, Limlair, Beausejour, Dumfries, Belair, Grand Bay, Orange Vale, and Meldrum. The prevalence of Scottish names is due to the large number of Scottish settlers who came to the Caribbean as prospects in Scotland diminished after the Jacobite rebellion and subsequent Highland clearances.

One particularly interesting figure mentioned in the volume is Edward Gibbs, of Edward Gibbs & Co. of Grenada and London. Gibbs was a 'free man of colour' and acted as the London agent of the 'free coloured' community of Grenada. While not larger, the freed community played a significant role in the plantation economy. At the same time, it is likely that most of the owners had not forgotten that Julian Fédon, who led the slave revolt in 1795, was a 'free coloured' Grenadian (his mother was a freed slave from Martinique) who owned a substantial plantation and many slaves.

An intriguing glimpse into the plantation economy of Grenada as slavery was ending." –Description from William Reese Company

A lengthy and informative letter from S.P. Anderson to United States Navy Captain David Conner, congratulating him on the birth of his son and offering insight on the prospects of finding a winter home in Florida. After some hearty and cheerful words of encouragement and advice to the new parents, Anderson offers a verbal tour of the homes around St. Augustine that might be for sale.

Anderson goes on to provide similar descriptions of several other homes, noting that "Houses are very much in demand" around St. Augustine. The demand for housing in Florida is perhaps surprising given the ongoing Second Seminole War – which at this early point had been progressing rather poorly for the United States military. Anderson alludes to the war briefly at the close of his letter, when he notes that he will "send the latest Herald, for I am always afraid to say anything about the war, one report contradicting another so quickly." The latter part of Anderson's letter discusses the election of Charles Dowling as Florida representative "by a very large majority," which meets with Anderson's approval as he considers Dowling "the only man in this territory worthy of succeeding [Joseph] White....He is employed in almost all the claims for losses in 1812-13 as well as those of the Indian war." Anderson himself appealed for losses sustained in 1812, and expresses a cautious optimism for their redress.

The recipient of this letter, David Conner, was a noteworthy figure in the United States Navy in the early 19th century. During the War of 1812 he served on the HORNET and saw considerable action, eventually suffering grave wounds and capture as a prisoner of war. He returned to service after a prisoner exchange, and in the years between the war and this letter was steadily promoted until becoming a Captain. He is most well known for commanding the Home Squadron during the Mexican-American War, which included the unprecedented landing of 10,000 soldiers during the siege of Veracruz. His wife, whom Anderson affectionately refers to as "Mrs. C," was the daughter of Dr. Philip Syng Physick, known as the "Father of American Surgery." Appropriately enough, a slightly later pencil note on the address panel labels the contents as "Congratulations on my birth – PSPC;" that is, Philip Syng Physick Conner, the very child discussed in the letter. Philip would fight briefly for the Union during the Civil War as part of a Pennsylvania volunteer artillery regiment.

An interesting and informative letter to an important American figure, with much content on Florida real estate and politics at the start of the Second Seminole War.

"First edition. Second issue of this short-lived periodical founded by Mariano de Aycinena (1789-1855) after this return from exile, his drafting of the Law of Guarantees, and the government of Galvez. 'Early in February he founded the bi-weekly newspaper El Observador and took up his pen in behalf of law and order and the application of reason to the conduct of public affairs. He lashed out against what he saw as the two sources of discord in the state - general lawlessness and governmental despotism. The state government had become as ineffective and despotic as that of the federation.'" --Description from Kaaterskill Books

The diary of Amos Beebe Eaton begins on July 31, 1837 and concludes on August 24, 1838. This handwritten journal chronicles an extraordinary year in the life of a young lieutenant who served in the Second Seminole War. The diary contains personal observations, detailed reports on military activities, occasional sketches and drawings, and extensive  commentary on the Seminole Indians and life in Florida. All notations are in Eaton's hand, including the transcription of letters and military documents.

"Pair of manuscript letters, February 14 and March 24, 1838, written by University of Pennsylvania Medical School graduate (Class of 1835) Dr. George Goodell from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Mycatea, Venezuela, respectively, to Abram and John W. Brown at Mt. Holly, New Jersey, partly to keep them apprised of the health of their son and brother (Goodell's medical school classmate) Alexander Brown (d. 1859), who was traveling with Goodell's help at least partly to slow his demise from a tubercular lung condition. As recorded here, good air and exercise began to improve Alexander Brown's health as early as their departure from St. Croix. In Venezuela, they settled into the small coastal village of Mycatea (15 miles from Caracas and 1 mile west of Laguira), where they rented a furnished residence with a cook. Goodell describes the still evident effects of the 1812 earthquake on the inhabitants and with a cook. Goodell describes the still evident effects of the 1812 earthquake on the inhabitants and buildings of Laguira (portions of the town-including cathedral -where 'the poor wretches fled...in crowds to prostrate themselves before the hallowed images of the saints.'- still in ruins containing hundreds of skeletal remains. Some aspects of Venezuelan life and culture struck Goodell as different rom those of the Middle Atlantic states early in the Victorian era, e.g., 'Widows are so innumerable and in some cases they have actually offered their daughters for sale to the highest bidder...In no country is there such licentiousness among the male population - and female too.' And yet...'So far as personal charms are concerned I think the Spanish Creoles of South America are unrivalled.'" –Description from Carmen D. Valentino American Historical Manuscripts

A series of letters associated with a shipwreck off the coast of Florida, circa 1837-1839.

"Writing from Birmingham, 21 September 1839 the Quaker abolitionist Joseph Sturge (1793-1859), founder in 1839 of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, thanks the writer and bookseller Josiah Conder (1789-1855), editor of the Evangelical newspaper The Patriot, for reprinting extracts from the American abolitionist periodical The Emancipator. Sturge then discusses the visit to England of the Jamaican Magistrate Richard Chamberlaine, who he had met in 1837 during his tour of the West Indies: 'Chamberlaine is not a missionary but a stipendiary magis-trate, he has been at my home at the time of the association meeting...when he returns to London I will try to bring you together – he is a man of colour & never been in England before. You will I think be much pleased with him...' Sturge, occupied at this time in opposing the apprenticeship system in the Caribbean, makes reference also to the organisation of various meetings." –description from Samuel Gedge, bookseller

"This detailed report is a primary source on England's efforts to stamp out the African slave trade, with correspondence on conferences in London, and many diplomatic exchanges between England and Austria, Russia, Buenos Aires, Egypt, Haiti, Mexico, Montevideo, New Grenada, Peru, Venezuela, and the United States. This item reports much information on the illegal traffic, with data on ships, their captains, slaves brought into western ports, employment of the American flag in aid of the slave trade undertakings." –Description from vendor

"An important primary source on England's efforts to stamp out the African slave trade, printing many diplomatic exchanges with France, Sardinia, Tuscany, Haiti, and Venezuela. These items report on the illegal traffic, with data on slave ships sailing illegally under the flags of nations that have outlawed the slave trade; the inhumane treatment inflicted on the captured Africans; and material on international Slave Trade Conventions. Palmerston writes, 'The demand for human begins as articles of traffic on the Coast of Africa keeps up among the Africans the practice of war for man-stealing, and occasions an infinite variety of crimes and atrocities." –Description from vendor

Diary of G. Dearborn from 1836 to 1841. The papers also include a letter with an envelope addressed to [B]? G. Dearborn, 1st. Infantry, Fort Pleasant, Via Tallahassee, Florida.

"The Republic of Haiti had been established as the result of a successful slave revolt. This convention pledges English-French-Haitian cooperation in suppressing the slave trade. This Treaty "for the suppression of the Slave Trade" originally was concluded between England and France, to which the Republic of Haiti now accedes." –Description from David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books

Correspondence between the Burrows family of Key West and Charleston.

"In the document, Gewin claims that he does not detain the slaves, named Jane, Clarissa, and Peter, but that they are in fact the 'lawful property of one Alexander D. Neill,' and that Leeper should drop the complaint. On March 9, 1841, 'the branch of the Bank of the State of Alabama at Decatur obtained judgment in the circuit court of Morgan County, Alabama, in its action against said Neill for the sum of fifteen hundred & seventy five dollars.' The case was turned over to the Sheriff who, according to state law, was to 'sell the said negro slaves Jane, Clarissa & Peter (with the other said property) so levied and detained as aforesaid as the property of the said Alexander D. Neill.' --description from Bernett Penka Rare Books, bookseller