Warfare in North America, c. 1756-1815 | British Perspectives
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Title:
PRO 30/55/052/034 - Autograph Letter from A Leslie to Sir Guy Carleton
Date:
1782
Language:
English
Date from:
1782-10-18
Date to:
1782-10-18
Section:
2 : PRO 30/55 - British Army Headquarters Papers
TNA Shelfmark:
PRO 30/55/052/034
Full Description:
Leslie to Carleton. Charleston. Secret. Finds that no instructions have been given by Digby on the subject of rebel property being brought off from here. As all searches of ships must be done by Digby's order, imagines Carleton's intentions will be better achieved by a letter to Captain Swyney from Digby on the subject. He wishes to do his best but must fall very short of Carleton's expectations because officers who have been a long time in the country look on 'negroes' as their property, the slaves are exceedingly unwilling to return to hard labour and severe punishment from their former masters and from the numbers that may expect to be brought off, including their wives and children, if to be paid for, will be hugely expensive. Asks Carleton to mention any number of blacks, or (if paid for) a certain sum of money to be paid (or receipts given) to a certain amount as a guide to his conduct, because every department and every officer wishes to include his slave into the number to be brought off. He shall arrange for all those that are paid for or carried off by permission to be sent to St Lucia under a proper officer for the public service. Says that if they are valued here they will be very expensive because of the reduced number. If Carleton intends that they be paid for this needs to be settled by those at home well acquainted with the value of slaves of all kinds, [the American] General Greene and their Governor not seeming to agree in this business. That if Mr Greene continues to insult our front, while their commission are here, he shall break off the business - a letter has gone out to this effect. The Hessians are deserting fast, every precaution is taken to prevent it. Does not wish Digby to know that he has written on the subject of a letter to Swyney. The want of cavalry makes Greene take the liberty he mentions - has not 100 horses left from desertion from the South Carolina Regiment, mounted.
TNA Link:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C16372454
Format:
Handwritten
DOI:
10.1163/37612_WNA_PRO_PRO_30_55_52_34