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Letter of Adriaan Spoors

Correspondent’s letter

Honourable Sirs,

Captain Jan Menkenveld, with your honourable ship The Unity and a remainder of 142 slaves, has arrived from the Berbice on the 7th of this month and has reported to me immediately. As is my duty and habit, I have looked after those interests as good as possible. The slaves were subsequently sold on the 19th of this month at a public auction to capital, yes soaring prices, with which I have the honour of congratulating your Honourable Sirs.

Further I will take the liberty to refer to the sales conditions and the account of the public auction, which the captain has the honour to send to your Honourable Sirs. From the first your Honourable Sirs will see that not only have I delivered you a home cargo, but that I have also made sure that the last payment will be paid in sugar. I have done this willingly so that by that time your Honourable alliance may have a ship that can make use of this cargo, which is better than to leave it unused! Finally, Honourable Sirs, my intentions are sincere and it would please me if my instructions will be responded to.

Having nothing further to expand on, the only thing left for me to do is to commend your Honourable alliance and respective persons and families to the godly protection and would like to recommend myself to your favourable frienship and to remain, will all due respect,

Honourable Sirs

Your Honourable humble and obedient servant

Adriaan Spoors

1762

Rio Essequebo, 26th August 1762