Fine 1848 Entire ST VINCENT to JOHN SCOBIE, ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, LONDON. 👀 interesting contents. Transcript below

My dear Sir,

I have to tender many apologies for not addressing you ere this, but since my arrival in this Island I have been so occupied with business that I trust it will be an excuse for my silence.

Allow me more particularly to thank you and Mrs. Scobie for your kind attention to my wife and children during our stay in London. The hospitality we experienced in your house will never be forgotten so long as this heart of mine continues to beat. Never shall I think of you without emotions of gratitude, and I trust that time or distance will not diminish them.

May Almighty God bless you both in temporal as well as spiritual gifts.

My business here, I hope, will turn out to advantage, although I have had many difficulties to encounter, and I trust that I shall be enabled to surmount them.

These Colonies are in a most deplorable state owing to the depressed state of the sugar market at home, and will remain so unless relief is afforded. The cultivation of sugar properties cannot be carried on under present circumstances. The planters are unable to meet the expenditure, and, as a consequence, the supplies are stopped, and other establishments must be discontinued unless something is done to place us above our present depressed condition.

For my part, if I could procure a situation under Government, I would most willingly give over my business to my brother, who is now associated with me in trade. I trust you will bear me in mind whenever an opening presents itself.

I have not received the Anti-Slavery Reporter nor the British Banner since my arrival here; and if you would be kind enough to inform me of the subscription, I will give you an order to receive the amount from my agent in London.

Friend Bellot paid me a flying visit from Trinidad on his way to Dominica; he was looking uncommonly well.

Expecting the pleasure of soon hearing from you, and with kind remembrances to Mrs. Scobie and yourself, including the family, in which Mrs. Davis joins,

I remain,

My dear Sir,

Very faithfully yours,

James Davis