Item MFP/8/4 - Letter from Mr. Mark Forth to Mrs. Forth

1 item

There are two letters written on the same paper before being sent. Please note, this letter contains offensive descriptive terms.

10 February 1793
Describing the island and the population. Heat and illnesses that white people fall foul of. Negro population very superstitious, believing in Zombies. Describes various Islands and mentions the possibility of war with France and possible results.

Growing and picking cotton. The vegetables and fruit are new to him, and some are poisonous.
A plantation with ducks, pigs etc.; flour from America and butter from Ireland. Tells of sand flies and mosquitoes and the use of nets at night. No springs so rain water and pond water are all they use.

Mob entered Mr. Allardice’s home demanding hire - he was forced to leave without settling his affairs .

‘Canouan February 10th 1793
Dear Mrs. Forth,
I take the Liberty according to Promise of giving you a Description of the Islands of Canouan and Myrean, flattering myself that it will be acceptable.
The Island of Canouan is about 12 miles Long & 2 Broad a Ridge of Hills goes the whole Length of the Island, there are about 40 White People & about 500 Negroes & Mulattoes on the Island.

There is not above 8 Gentlemen Planters who are Englishmen the rest about 30 are chiefly Frenchmen so that French is more spoke than English on the Island.
Mr. Allardice, Mr. Slee & rest of English Gentlemen & some Frenchmen purchased about 2 years ago (of Wm. Snagg Esq. of Grenada) different Estates.
The other part of the Island is rented intirely by Foreighners the owner of it is a French Marquis of the name of Cayand who chiefly resides in London.
I need not inform you the Negroes are black, Mustees three Part Black, Mulattoes a Dark Yellow, besides there is different Names for others between Mulattoes & the Colours of the English.

If ever I should return to England you will find me become of a dull Complexion for the Sun has very great Powers and I am not affraid of my Complexion for I am generally walking about in the Day time, by Sweating so much I am considerably falling from my Cloaths but as I have my health and stand the Heat so well I am not alarmed at my getting thin, I make no doubt but you will be surprised when I inform you that the weather was hotter last Christmas than I ever found it in England, it is hotter the whole of the Year than in England

We are obliged to dress very light on Account of the heat the Dress in common is a Pair of Wide Trousers and a Light Jacket on and frequently obliged to go without the Jacket, the Stockings and part of the other Cloaths I brought from England is of no use to me for I never wear any Stockings except when I have been going to Dine with any of the Gentlemen and then I wear them. Mrs. Montravers brought me at Liverpool, the Women Dress in Muslinette Slips & short Muslinette Jackets tied with strings before and fine Coloured Handkerchiefs tied round their heads in the Form of Turbans the coloured Women wear a Profusion of Rings on their Fingers, Large EarRings and Beads round their Necks.

From the Manner of the treatment I have seen of the Negroes I can assure you a many Poor People in England would be glad to Live as well as they do they have each 8 Quarts of Corn allowed them besides Herrings or Dried Salt Fish allowed them in the Week, they boil the corn after Ground into a Pudding called Hango(?) besides they have every one a Piece of Land allotted them for Gardens which produces Sweet Pottatoes and a Green called Callilu & in general they have Saturday afternoon allowed them to work in their Garden & besides them that are Industrious work on Sondays(sic), when the Negroes are Sick they have Rum, Wine & other things that are Necessary for their recovery. It is the Interest of the Planters to take care of their Negroes for the loss of every Seasoned Negroe would be l00£ loss to the Planter

The Negroes hurt themselves sometimes for they are very superstitious they believe in evil Spirits called Zombies, they are supposed to be Spirits of Dead wicked Men that are Permitted to wander & torment the Living. If Mr. Wilberforce was to come to the West Indies he would not meet with much civil treatment. The Duke of Clarence has gained much Popularity here by his Supporting the merchants & Planters in the able manner he has done with regard to the Slave Trade.

The Principal Produce of the Island is Cotton & some Corn they Plant the Cotton in rows after they have reaped in their Crops which the reaping time Commences the latter End of December and finishes the latter part of March, they Plant the Cotton in rows at equal Distances in April & continues planting till August, the Cotton Bushes grow in the form of a Currant Tree, the Pods where the Cotton is in the form of a Small Pear the lower Part of Pod opens when the Cotton is fit to Pick, when picked it is Turned in a Machine to get the Seeds out when done it is ready for Boiling nearly in Manner of the Packing of Wool in England, the Planters grow Corn for use of the Negroes but they often fail of making crops & even if they do they have not the opportunity of reaping near the Quantity they ought to do by Negroes Stealing it, it is not the only Inconvenience Negroes stealing but they eat so greedily of the new Corn that they bring on dangerous disorders which sometimes endanger their Lives & the loss of a Negroe is a material Circumstance to a planter.

With regard to Vegetables the Island Produces Sweet Pottatoes, Pigeons Pease nearly same as sweet Pease in England, a wild green called Callilu, Plantains which grow upon Trees & is used in times instead of Bread, Pumpkins which are in the form of a Melon and sundry other Plants English Garden Seeds are very valuable here for everything that is Produced in the Gardens in England would come to Perfection here & in much sooner time, there is a few Cocoa Nutt Trees, Water Melons, some Oranges, Limes, Ground Nutts &c, there is also trees upon this Island which are called Manginel Trees the Fruit of which is a Deadly Poison, even if a Person stands under one of the trees during a shower (and they are very tempting by spreading much) the drops of water that falls from the Leaves upon your Face, Hands &c Poisons your Flesh so much that Ulcers arises & if any by chance gets into the Eyes it will blind Person for several Days & causes the most excrusiating(sic) Pains so long as the Inflamation(sic) continues, the apples when ripe are a beautiful Yellow and has a very sweet smell which causes them to be very tempting to a Person that does not know how fatal they are, an Apple is sufficient to Poison several People, the Carib Indians Poison their Arrows with the Juice & when they cut the bark of the Tree they turn their Heads a Contrary way that none of the Juice may spurt into their eyes.

There is one different Plantations Muscovie Duck ( almost as large as a Small Goose), Fowls and Hogs, Mr. Slee has a Large Quantity of the finest Pigeons I ever saw, the manner of Living is on Fish, Mess, Beef & Pork, Fowls, Ducks, Pork &c. The Beef, Pork & Butter come from Ireland, Flour Biscuit from America so that none of them articles cannot be supposed to come at a reasonable Price.

There is several Land Crabs Red & White the White ones are Poison.

The Furniture consists of everything the same as in England Except the Articles for the Fire Place which there is not the least use for even the Fire Places in the Kitchen are formed by loose stones picked up on the Beeches, there is a Tree grows upon the Island called the Callibash Tree the fruit is seldom eaten; but the shell when dried is converted into a variety of very useful Purposes & serves to make Ladles & many other articles of Household Furniture.

There are several Asps but not Venomous also Sand Flys & a small Insect called Musketoes which are very troublesome when first I came my Face, Hands &c was so bit that I was covered with Small Swelling the same as if I had been going into the Small Pox & besides was very painful, at Nights we are frequently obliged to have Fire to Smoke them away, we sleep upon Matrasses laid upon the Beds with no Covering except a Sheet; round the Frames of Bed at top & for Curtains is thin Muslin called Musketoe Net tucked close in.
There is no Springs neither in Canouan nor Myrean the best water that can be got is Rain Water and am frequently obliged to Drink Pond Water, In Dry Season the Planters are obliged to be as careful of the Water as if it were of the Value of Liquor.

The Island of Myrean is Similar to Canouan in Produce &c. It lays between Canouan & Grenada about 4 Miles from Canouan. It is a Small Island has not above 8 Plantations upon it but a good Deal of land uncultivated, the Island belongs an English Gentleman of the Name of Ashwell Esq. there will at Present only be 2 Englishmen, myself and Mr. Harris Agent to Mr. Ashwell & has a Large Plantation near to where my Plantation is . There is also 3 French People, 2 Free Mulattoes & 1 Free Negroe have plantations. I have got my Houses built, we build them in form of Low Houses in England, Walled on sides with small Hefsils. Mrs. Britton will be so kind to explain the manner of them to you.

Every person that comes to this country is worthy of what they may accumulate in an Honest Manner for I can justly assure you Dear Mrs. Forth that it is rare to find any Person that has resided here (even with all the care they possibly can take of themselves) a few Years but their Constitutions are impaired and the great Numbers that never sees their Native Homes again for if they get the Fever & do not apply to advice immediately in the Course of 48 Hours they are in General past recovery, another Complaint called the Liver Complaint it begins with a Pain in the Left Side, the Doctors Bleed for it & gives large Quantitys of Bark but the best cure for it is to go a Voyage into a Cold Climate either to England or America but the disorder carries a great many off, a Cousin of Mrs. Couplands has lately been here at Mr. Slees for benefit of his Health in that Complaint but after he went to St. Vincent he grew worse and has since been obliged to go on a Voyage to America he is a fine Young Man from Lancaster in all probability the Disorder will get better of him, there is another Disorder which is the Flux, without a Man has an Excellent Constitution he has little chance of getting through any of the Disorders prevalent in the West Indies.

Since I came we have had several times large Parties of the Carab Indians come in their Canoes to Canouan, they inhabit the back Settlements in St. Vincent, they bring for sale Indian Baskets Plantains, Yams, Cassada, the Cassada being so singular I shall do myself the Pleasure of explaining it. It is used instead of Bread & made into Form of Pancakes out of the root of a tree, after it is dug out of the Ground they pound it with a Stone and afterwards presses it for some time, between large stones which drain of a Liquor which is Poison and of which they make Starch, after the Cassada is thoroughly pressed it is laid out into the sun to dry afterwards is sifted through a Fine Sieve & then made up into the thin cakes & baked on Smooth Stones, I can assure you it is very good I have frequently Eat of it and like it very well.

The Indians are a very War looking People, they are very friendly with people that behave Civil to them but they are of that temper they cannot take an affront & they will spare no pains to be revenged upon any Person the may offend them , the Planters if they not purchase any thing of them are very civil to them, they frequently come to Canouan to Christen their Canoes & are very proud of any Planter standing Godfather as they Stile it.

When Mr. Slee goes to England next Year shall send you & Mrs. Britton some Cocoa Nuts (as a Present) Indian Baskets Cassade and any other Curiosity I can get.

The nearest Island to Grenada is a very large one Called Carriacau, the Next Union belonging John Span Esq. of Bristol , in England, Myrean the Island I live on & some Small ones belonging same Gentleman, Canouan, Beckway belonging Warner Esq. an English Gentleman born in the West Indies and another Island near St. Vincent called Mustaks belonging Campbell Esq. born in the East Indies of English Parents, he is the only Person that has a Plantation upon the Island.

I forgot to Inform you that there is not any Churches in these Islands, I make no doubt you will be surprized they have not any in Islands when I inform you they have not one at St. Vincent although the Island is so large, the Place they use as a Church at Kingstown is where the Assembly sits in the Manner of the House of Commons in England, it is also used as a Ballroom when Balls is given upon any public occasion and as a Dining Room at any Grand Entertainment so that religion is not much attended to. The Clergymen enjoy large livings some of them amount to 5 or 600£ pr annum

I am in great Anxiety about the Arrival of Captn. Curry as I flatter myself that I shall have the Happiness of many Letters from England by him, Mr. Thomas rather thinks he is long being out, will not close this Letter until his Arrival

The Inhabitants on the French Islands have had the great Dissentions among them ever since I came and Several Lives have been lost they have emigrated so much from their own Islands to the English Islands that all the Houses were taken at Extravigant(sic) Rents and they even have built temporary Houses on the Beaches. Grenada and St. Vincent were full of them but the Governours are grown more strickt (sic) since there is a Probability of a War with England, If it be a War this Part will be the Principle Scene of War and this Island Particularly will be in a very Disagreeable Predicament having so many French Inhabitants amongst us and they give theirselves very great Libertys with regard to the English Constitution I hope you and the rest of my worthy friends will not make yourselves unhappy any wise about me, as I am in good spirits. If it be a War I shall not go to Myrean until the Disputes are terminated for if I did I should stand a Chance of getting my throat cut for I should be the only Englishman on the Island as Mr. Harris is going to leave the Island and take his Negroes to Grenada entirely on account of the War, there is several of the Planters on this Island will send their Negroes to the Large Islands Particularly the Woemen and Children, there is all the Preparations making that possibly can to give them a severe Drubbing and they deserve it richly from the English as they have always behaved in such a treacherous manner to English and I hope to God the War will be carried forwards with the greatest Vigour.

I have the Happiness of Informing you the all the Gentlemen in this part has shewn great Civility to me, I have the pleasure of seeing Mr. Allardice frequently and has had Invitations from him, he is a worthy Gentleman Mr. Slee and him are very Intimate, Mr. Slee is verymuch respected amongst the Gentlemen and I can assure you he is very worthy of it, he has behaved to me with a Brotherly tenderness since my Arrival here.

The Collector of Tobago has been at Mr. Allardices Ltely for a week he was obliged to Lave the Island, the Mob entered his house and told him they wold Mrder him instantly if he did not get a way Imediately he was obliged to Hire a Vessel fo 15£ Currency the money that goes here which is Equal to 10 Guineas English, although the Island is only 2 days sail from here, he even was not allowed to stay to settle his affairs but was obliged to leave all his Property behind him to the amount is £4000 English Money and to the Mercy of the very people that threatened to murder him, he had been above 20 years in the West Indies it is extremely hard that a Person should be endeavouring for such a Number of Years to get a Competency to support them in their old age and to have it taken from them by a Lawless Mob, he has a Little hopes of getting his Property again if it should be a War.

25 February 1793
I cannot express to you the Happiness it caused to my Mind on Receipt of yours and the rest of my Friends kind Letters by Captn Curry and particularly my having the Honor of such a Friendly Letter from you. Wm Snagg Esq. was so kind as to bring me the Packet from Grenada the 13th Instant, Captain Curry arrived the Day before he left Grenada, I scarce knew which Letter to open first it caused me to be so happy.

I cannot speak too much in Mr. Slees Favor with regard to his behaviour to me but this I can justly afsure you that he is universally respected by the Gentlemen and is very worthy of it, he cannot be too much repaid for the great Hardships he has gone through in the Sea Service and the fortitude he always bore adverse fortunes with but now he is in such a fine way of doing well that in the course of a few Years ha can return to England with an Independent Fortune, even now Mr. Slee could return to England with a Genteel Competency.

It was impossible for Mr. Allardice to go to Yorkshire as he had such Little time on his Hands he is a very worthy Gentleman I frequently have the Pleasure of seeing him.
I am sorry that my Letter to my Brother should give him so much unhappiness with Regard to the little Illness I had, by taking a Dose of Salts it prevented any bad Consequences, it also hurts me much to find it made my Brother unhappy about my mentioning sending part of my Cloaths (Which were not of use to me) to England, far be it Dear Mrs. Forth my wish to cause my Brother to be unhappy in the least, God knows, I have too often done it but I have seen into my errors and hope to be by the Blessing of God and if I continue in health that I shall return to England with a Moderate Competency so that I shall be enabled to live amongst my Friends with Credit, it is not my wish in the least to return to England until I have accomplished the Intentions I hold formed in my mind before I left England, my wishes to come to the West Indies was not a resolution framed in a hasty manner but the result of about 2 years consideration in my own mind of which Mrs. Britton can inform you.

I hope you would receive benefit from your residence at Scarbro’ last Summer.

Am much obliged to you for not forgetting to drink my Health on your Birth Day, on Christmas Day I wished you all a Merry Christmas & happy New Year.

In my Brother Thomas letter he mentions that Mrs. Silburn intended doing me the Honor of sending me a Letter, I shall think it a great Honor of a letter from a Lady of her rank. I take the Liberty of sending my best regards to your Aunt, Mrs. Silburn.

Am sorry to find you are so unfortunate with your Servants but hope by this time you have got a good one.

I hope you will excuse the liberty of sending you this Long Letter but as you requested before I left England to write to you and after receiving such a friendly Letter from you a few Days ago emboldened me to write to you, I am certain you will excuse any Imperfections in this Letter, the Friendship I received from you when in England and the sincere well wishes I am certain you have for my welfare and Happiness will always be in my Mind to the latest Hour I have to Live. May you and My Brother enjoy Health and Happiness is the sincere wish of
Dear Mrs. Forth
your most Obdt and Hble Servt & Sincere affectionate Brother
Mark Forth.

P.S. I hope you will excuse my signing myself Brother all the Preparations are making for a Vigorous Defence at the Approaching War, I hope you will not make yourselves in the least unhappy about me as I am perfectly well & in great Spirits, there is a New Battery erecting on this Island, all the French on this Island are gone to St. Vincent to take the Oath of Fidelity before to our Government before the Governor, I am affraid I shall tire you.

I send this letter to London by the Zephyr Captn Scott, I am much obliged to Mrs. Britton, Brother Thomas & Robert for their kind Letters would have wrote to them but has not time as the Zephyr Sails in a few Days and I have an Opportunity of sending my Letters to St. Vincent by a Vessel of Mr. Couplands that is taking up Cotton, If I can learn when Captn Curry sails will favor all my Friends with answers to all their Letters they were so kind as to send me, please to give my Love to Brother Thomas & Mrs. Britton. by the time Capn Curry Sails shall be able to acquaint you more, particulars about the War, at present this part is all confusion.

There is a French Gentleman on this Island has had 3 Good Negroes run away Yesterday Morning they took a Vessel away belonging to another French Gentleman it is a great Loss as they were very capital Negroes.

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