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University of Michigan William L. Clements Library

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Start Over Repository University of Michigan William L. Clements Library Creator Cameron, Charles, 1766-1820 Level Collection Places Philadelphia (Pa.)

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Charles Cameron letterbook, 1805-1807

1 volume

This volume contains copies of letters sent from Charles Cameron, British officer and governor of the Bahamas. The letters concern dealings with prisoners, interacting with officers, courts martial, colonial law and the state of the colony, crops on the islands, small pox and other sicknesses, and preparing ships for service.

The Charles Cameron letterbook (359 pages) contains copies of letters sent from his governorship in the Bahamas spanning from 1805 to 1807. The volume has an index of recipients, organized alphabetically by last name. Most letters are written by Cameron (signed C.C.) though some are from R. Roberts, possibly Cameron's assistant. Topics include descriptions of dealing with prisoners, interactions with officers, courts martial, orders from governors, colonial law and the state of the colony, crops on the islands, small pox and other illnesses, and the preparation of ships for service. The volume also contains many examples of Cameron's written orders to various naval officers. Several letters are to Major Charles Henry Darling, lieutenant-governor of Tobago, who married his eldest daughter Isabella. Many items are copies of "cover letters," created to accompany documents not present in the letterbook. Of note is mention of a mulatto prisoner named Tannis (September 23, 1805), and discussion of legal issues concerning transporting a group of slaves from Turks Island (August 2, 1806).

Locations mentioned include Jamaica, Crooked Island, Turks Island, Harbor Island, Eleuthera, Santo Domingo, Nassau, Ragged Island, New Providence Island, Andros Island, Cuba, Liverpool, New York, Philadelphia, Spain, and France. Ships mentioned include:

  • Nassau, Felucca John Bull, Packet (page 260)
  • Cartel (page 274)
  • Havana (275)
  • Vesuvius, Viper (page 284)
  • Mars (page 304)
  • Pitt (page 308)
  • RedBridge (page 310)
  • Patent (page 311)
  • Favorite (324)
  • Pike (page 326)
  • Jamaica Mail (page 333)
  • Atlanta (page 341)
  • Swedish Schooner Ulrica (page 353)

Many letters note, in light purple writing, the date they were sent from the Bahamas and the name of the ship.

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