Extract of a letter from John Jepson, master of a snow from Rhode-Island, dated Annamaboa Road, 3 July, 1751. To the same.
“I am sorry you are going off the coast: but however, as I can do no more for you, beg to return you my hearty and sincere thanks for your many favours from time to time, not only from your willingness to supply us with any thing in your power of tradesmen’s work, or any other thing; but also for your pains and vigilance in protecting the trade, &c. which will always be justifiable, and hope will redound to your honour and credit, which is the sincere wish, &c.”
Extract of two letters from Henry Ellis, master of the ship Hallifax, from Bristol, dated Annamaboa Road, the 13th, and 28th July, 1751. To the same.
“The boards you sent me were of real service; I hope you will not omit charging any expence I put you to, as I can discharge that, though not so easily your good offices: we cannot help the death of the slaves, they are mortal; but do not think it adviseable to give them rice, as that kind of diet first gave them a swelling.”
N. B. He landed all his sickly slaves, which were kept and taken care of in the castle.
“We are not a little astonished at the pains these new agents take to prejudice the shipping here, by settling factories ashore to intercept the trade, and by giving equal prices with us, in order to distress us the more; it has already been some money out of the merchants pockets; we have been obliged to raise the price, or lie idle, under the hardships we endure. I cannot help observing the chagrin of the Liverpool captains, who loudly complain of the new management.”
“I entirely join issue with you, that this new-fram’d project will become an errand job, though but for a season; for I look upon it, the physic of commerce, which, though it may disorder, as at present, will in the end work its cure. I am, &c.”
Extract of a certificate of eight British masters of vessels, dated Annamaboa Road, 3 July, 1751. To the same.
“We being informed that a report hath been spread, that the late royal African company’s governor commanding on this coast, hath, during his command, acted in an arbitrary tyrannic manner, both to Europeans and natives on this coast; do hereby, in justice to the reputation of that gentleman, voluntarily certify, that we never heard of, or experienced, any part of his character or behaviour but what was humane and good, tending to promote the British interest and trade in these parts. And farther, that he has, from time to time, readily assisted us with all things each or any of us stood in need of at cape Coast Castle, during his command there, to the utmost of his power, as we sincerely believe. In witness whereof we have set our hands, &c.”