Description:

BRITISH GUIANA JUDGE'S LETTERS, 1872-75
A series of 19 lengthy letters, mainly from Georgetown, Antigua by Henry Kirke Esq., who is serving a period as a District and Plantation Court judge; to his lawyer and friend Tom Goodman who is in practice at Leek in North Staffordshire. The letters contain details of his personal affairs at home including houses and lands he owns, his interest in the local Methodist Chapel, as well as an excellent insight into early British Guiana and his life and work there. He relates his opinion that Georgetown itself is very pretty, the houses are all made of wood white and green, all detached and surrounded by tropical plants. '...The country outside is hideous, perfectly flat and covered with sugar cane with here and there a tall chimney with its accompanying crushing and boiling houses...We have every nation in the world wild red Indians in a state of nature-coolies from Calcutta & Madras, their wives covered in armlets, necklaces & anklets of solid silver - Portuguese, Chinese, Blacks, Browns, Yellows etc, etc.' He reports that he can only reach his courts up the Demerara River by boat and has to keep both a carriage and boat with its crew, the farthest districts he can reach only once or twice a year, and he details a journey to the foot of the Great Falls, describing two miles of rapids and cataracts, and the natives and scenery on the way. His wife and children join him and he looks forward to an increase in salary to £1000 a year as prices are dear. He reports periods of taking charge of the Colony at Esequibo, and selling his wife's inherited sugar plantation in Jamaica. Social activities besides the usual dinners include cricket, croquet, amateur theatricals, etc. He reports of the ordering of all black troops to Ashantee in Africa on the outbreak of war and their replacement by a company of the 98th. Reg. (2nd Batt. North Staffordshires) sent from Barbados, the first white troops since 1856 when 15 out of 16 officers died of yellow fever. He details the problems of his court cases with mixed languages, a very good description of the Island of Dominica during a months leave, and much more. A most interesting group of letters.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

January 19, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000