Signed Caillbie (1 results)

A substantial and highly detailed late eighteenth century manuscript letter written in French and dated from Corinthe Grenade on 18 November 1780, offering a vivid firsthand account of plantation management and colonial conditions in the Caribbean. The letter, extending across multiple pages, is written in a refined and confident cursive hand and is addressed to a correspondent in Bordeaux, indicating active commercial and administrative links between the Caribbean and France during the period. The content is unusually rich, discussing agricultural production, labour management, financial pressures, and the operational realities of maintaining a plantation. Of particular note are the references to enslaved labour and the economic challenges surrounding plantation productivity, making this an important primary source document within the broader context of eighteenth century colonial history. The writer discusses workforce issues, provisioning, and the costs associated with sustaining operations, offering direct insight into the structure and economics of plantation life. The letter also reflects wider environmental and operational concerns, including references to storm damage and the difficulties of maintaining output under changing conditions. Such details elevate the document beyond routine correspondence and position it as a valuable historical record of lived experience within the colonial system. Signed at the conclusion with an elaborate flourish, the manuscript retains strong visual and historical appeal. Documents of this nature, combining length, legibility, and substantive content, are increasingly sought after by collectors of manuscripts, colonial history, and economic history. Bibliography; Unpublished manuscript Publication Details Dated Corinthe Grenade, 18 November 1780 Condition; Good condition for a working eighteenth century manuscript. Fold lines as issued. Minor edge wear and light toning consistent with age and handling. Ink strong and clearly legible throughout. A well preserved and visually attractive document. Why This Matters; A rare and substantial primary source documenting plantation life, labour structure, and colonial economics in the Caribbean. Manuscripts of this depth and content provide direct evidence of eighteenth century global trade and colonial systems. Offered by Atlas Rare Books, specialists in rare and antiquarian books.