Asbridge
Charleton December 15. 1819
Dear James
I wrote my Mother on the 30^th
of last month the day after my arrival here and you would
no doubt be surprized to see a letter at Longstone as much
sooner than the time I told you that one would be due.
We were unusually fortunate in making the passage, an event
I am very thankful for.
Charleston is now quite healthy and has been some
weeks. In regard to poor John's sickness I wrote every particular
account that could be collected. His case from the commencement
was most malignant and never shared a ground for hope. He
made great exertions to speak the day he died, but was quite
unable, and this probably hastened the fatal moment a few hours.
He was often and often used to leave the City on the first symp
tons of fever, but {^^he} steadily returned - At present I have done
nothing toward putting up a stone over his grace, though I
frequently think about it.
His family calamity has also produced some
immediate misfortune in business. John had places various goods
in the hands of an auction house which failed after her death, and
I shall be an individual sufferer to the amount of near £100 -
in consequence his funeral expenses are about £120 so
that you see our little property is sadly diminished, if not

exhausted. Her loss in one way or other arriving to us from
S.G's adventure I reckon ay circa £400. I am now working
hard to ascertain my precise situation, but it will be a job of
time. Just now I have a great deal on my hand, more than
keeps me intensely occupied till nine o'clock every night -
However my labour begins to tell in the books and accounts and
will be easier in another month - Nothing new has suggested
stuff to my mind respecting future business - I shall proceed
steadily on at all events through next year, and then determined
by circumstances. It would suit my taste better to be emassa-
ated with any body in future.
By some early oppertunity I will now send you John's watch
and a broach to my mother - they are the only relicts of the
kind she left some negro servants who remained in the
House after M^r Campbell went to the Island committed
repudations upon his property and I know not to what extent
but many things are wanting. For the watch you must allow
me £10 - this is named with reluctance, yet necessity obliges me
to it - of the two seals which he had, one formaly to my
Mother's and I now wear it at her request. The other I keep for
the sake of its late owner. With the watch however you will
receive a seal which I gave to John, and now wish you to possess.
Pray try if you can ascertain what became of the
Document by which my uncle gave us the £650 - I cannot
find it any where, here or in England.

You will be sorry to hear that M^r Campbell is now
detained at Savannah in consequence of a severe wound received
last Saturday at S in a Duel. Two shot were fired at eight
Paces - His antagonist was a worthless villain who ought to
have been shot, though he escaped unhurt
I hope soon to hear from Longstone. Remember
me most affectionately to my Father Mother and sisters, and
don't forget very kind respects to my Uncle and M^rs Baxter
when you see them
yours entirely
m^r Longsdon

15^th Dec^r 1819

M^r James Longsdon Jun^r
Ashford, near Bakewell
Derbyshire