postmarked Baltimore, Md 31 Dec [no year] McLain Esquire Washington City DC W m

Transcription

1 Charles Starkes ( [Liberia] ) Rev. William McLain (Baltimore, Maryland) postmarked in Baltimore, 31 Dec [1849] Records of the American Colonization Society, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washingn, DC; Incoming Correspondence, Letters from Liberia, 12 Nov May 1850, LOC microfilm no. 154 (image online: : accessed 11 May 2017) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mr McLain Dear Sir By this you will learn that I have received my Kettles, Pots and Nails Myself and family are all well and I hope that you are the same. I have lost two of my children since I have been here. Also another young man that Mrs Washingn sent out. Yours Respectfully Charles Starkes Envelope: postmarked Baltimore, Md 31 Dec [no year] W m McLain Esquire Washingn City DC [Letters filmed next this one are dated in 1849]

2 Charles Starkes (Mesurado County, Liberia Virginia) Rev. William McLain (Baltimore) 17 Apr 1852 Records of the American Colonization Society, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washingn, DC; Incoming Correspondence, Letters from Liberia, 9 Jul Oct 1853, LOC microfilm no. 155 (image online: : accessed 11 May 2017) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rev d Sir, Mesurado County Liberia Virginia April I am happy have the opportunity of writing you these few lines by which you may learn that we are all well, and I hope they may find you and your family the same. It may afford you a degree of pleasure here that I am geting on remarkably well in this new country far better than I expected. It is very true we have not the same means as we had there make ourselves comfortable and happy as some persons may suppose. But when we take in consideration the many priviliges with which we are blest we dare not complain. It is true we have wars fight with the natives and many other inconvenienceies which other new countryes have experienced. But from what experience has taught us since here we have been doubtlessly the Lord has been with us, and if we be greatful him and improve the prviliges with which he has bless -ed us he will be with us for the future protect us from all attacts which may assail us. Did I say that we are at the present des

3 -titue of the proper means make our situation happier - yes. Therefore I shall present you the name of an article which I need at this time which is a "Whip Saw" which if you can make it convenient send I will pay the cost of it Mr H Denace who is now in the implyment of your society. I would like have it by the next arrival of the Packet. By complying with this my request you will releive my wants much. To the Revd W m Mc Lane Washingn cith DCt C I remains your obedient servant with the highest esteem Charles Starkes Ps Be please send a Dozen files also for the saw. I shall be here from you by the Packet.

4 Charles Starkes (Virginia, Mesurado County, Liberia) Rev. William McLain (n. p.) 17 Apr 1852 "Letters from Liberia: From Charles Starkes.", Charles Starkes Rev. W. McLain, 17 Apr 1852, The African Reposiry, vol.28, no. 9 (Sep 1852): 273 (image online: : accessed 13 May 2017) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Sir: I am happy have the opportunity of writing you these few lines, by which you may learn that we are all well, and I hope they may find you and your family the same. It may afford you a degree of pleasure hear that I am getting on remarkably well in this new country far better than I expected. It is very tru we have not the same means as we had there make ourselves comfortable and happy, as some persons may suppose. But when we take in consideration the many privileges with which we are blest, we dare not complain. From what experience has taught us since here we have been, doubtlessly the Lord has been with us, and if we be grateful him and improve the privileges with which he has blessed us, he will be with us for the future protect us from all attackes whick Virginia, Mesurado County, Liberia, April 17, 1852.

5 may assail us. I remain your obedient servant CHARLES STARKES. Rev. W. McLain.

6 Charles Starkes (Liberia, Virginia) Rev. William McLain (n. p.) 15 Feb 1849 Records of the American Colonization Society, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washingn, DC; Incoming Correspondence, Letters from Liberia, 9 Jul Oct 1853, LOC microfilm no. 155 (image online: : accessed 13 May 2017) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Liberia Virginia Sept 19th Honoured & Dear sir I am happy have the opportun ity of writing you these few lines which I hope will find you & family well. Mine is not so well at this time. Your kindness me at differ ent times merits my warmest gratitude, which I most liberally extend, & which I beg you axcept As I received the saw & files of Mr Denace for which I have settled with him. As I expected build a brick house next year I beg a favor of you which I hope you will find convenient besw. Be please send me by the next Packet 2 kegs of nales 1 of 8 & the other of 4 penies. 2 Boxes of Window glass 10 by 12 inches, and 25 or 30 lbs of putty. I am now ingaged in planting out coffee trees & sugar cane. I have about 500 coffee trees which I planted from the seed since my arrival here. They are bearing a little now, say 60 or 1,00, but next year they will bear more abun dantly, & I will be then able send you a sample. I have also 2000 in a nearsary which I intend plant on another farm What would three iron kettles cost at the following sise one hold 40 Gals one 30 & the smallest 20? As intend making a wooden mill I

7 should like know. Be please excuse my teadiousness as I wish send for no more than I can conveniently pay for. By complying with the above requests you will oblige your humble & obedient servent Charles Starkes

8 Charles Starkes (Liberia, Montserrado County, Virginia) Hon. Sir (n. p.) 10 Mar 1855 Records of the American Colonization Society, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washing2n, DC; Incoming Correspondence, Letters from Liberia, 9 Jan May 1856, LOC microfilm no. 156 (image online: : accessed 19 May 2017) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Liberia Montserrado County Dear & Hon Sir /. Virginia March 10th I received your letter & the invoice of articles I sent for all of which I received & have settled the ammount of them with Mr Dennis according your request for which I add my sencere thanks you for your benevolence ward me. Inclosed I send you Mr Dennis's receipt according your request of nineteen dollars. Suffere say your Hon that there was a mistake made in the sises of the glasses. I wrote for 10 by 12 inches those I received were 8 by 10 inches, would you be so kind as send two boxes 10 by 12 inches if convenient by the next opportunity. We are all well & doing well & hope you & fam ily are the same. I remain your humble sevt P.S. Charles Starkes excuse me for not writing before now, as I had not the opportunity. C. S.

9 Charles Starkes (Virginia, St. Pauls River, Liberia) Rev. William McLain (n. p.) 30 Jan 1858 Records of the American Colonization Society, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washingn, DC; Incoming Correspondence, Letters from Liberia, 11 Jan Feb 18599, LOC microfilm no. 158 (image online: : accessed 13 Jun 2017) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Virginia St Pauls River Liberia Jany.30/58 Revd Wm McLain Dear Sir Accompanying that I have put on Board the Caroline Stevens one package of Coffee; Which you will please for me the favor accept as A present Also one Box directed you Care for Mrs Jane C. Washingn at Charleswn Jefferson Co Virginia I beg of you do me the kindness take it in yr special care until you can acquaint her of its being in yr possesion or until forward it her by the Earliest Conveyance which ever may be most convenient you I regret State you thos circumstances. Will not yet admit of my complying with your request

10 of me some years ago "To Send you A sack of Coffee However I encourage the hope that it will not be very long before I may perhaps, be pre pared accomodate you. You have not, I suppose been informed of the distressing misfortune which befell me A while Since My House, and nearly all my property was consumed by fire Also I have among others experiences much distress & inconvenience lateraly from the Effects of the great drought which nearly impoverished our country last year I have undergone a long and severe illness since I had the pleasure of last hearing from you. But through the Mercies of Divine Providence, I have entirely recovered, and now with my family enjoy lerable good health they join with me in regards you But for the unfortunate circumstances that occurred me, I should have very likely had the pleasure of long Since paying you a visit Accept the assurances of my Sincere Esteem & regard & Believe Me Dear Sir be yrs f s Cha s Starkes

11 Charles Starkes (Virginia, St. Pauls River, Liberia) Rev. William McLain (n. p.) 24 Jul 1858 Records of the American Colonization Society, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washingn, DC; Incoming Correspondence, Letters from Liberia, 11 Jan Feb 18599, LOC microfilm no. 158 (image online: : accessed 13 Jun 2017) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Revd W m WeAF Upper Virginia St Pauls River, Liberia July. 24th 1858 McLain Dear Sir, In the recent arrival of the Mary Caroline Stevens I expected receive inteli gence from you, as pr request whether you received or not, the Box which I forwarded your Care for Mrs Washingn, with a letter and pack age for yourself Having however received from the Post Office one Annual Report of the Am Col. Socty, 1858, thinking it likely have been sent me by you, I avail the opportunity ack nowledge you my gratitude for your obliging favor, kind the agreeable satisfaction which its interesting pages afforded me and will at any time, most thankfully receive any pamphlets or newspapers that you may be disposed remit me, I am yet pursueing Agricul ture for support, and am about extend my asperations this year in the cultivation of the sugar cane My Coffee farm is lerable compared this year, I anticipate being able gather in December or January Therefor you d very great favor by forwarding the Care of your Agt H.W.Dennis at Monrovia confer on me a

12 by the next trip of the Vessell wgt 1 Ts. unbl d Cotn " 1 BBL Mess. Pork,,,, No. 2. " 1 Do Herring,,,, " 1 Cnt Codfish,,,, on terms as low as possible, and I will take great pleas ure in making returns for the same in Coffee. I may be able procure, and the balance in money,,,, as my present exigencies, really require the above articles which my means will not admit of my pur chasing here, at the exorbitant rates they sell for. I anxiously beg of you spec ially attend this request, if possible, with out fail,., please send a Bill of the same and let me know what coffee is worth Please write me particularly, if you have for warded the Box Mrs Washingn, Mark the BBls &c with my name With anxious wishes for your health and happiness Sir, I have the Honor Be, with the most profuse regard, your very Humble & most on Svt Charles Starkes

13 Charles Starkes (Upper Virginia. St. Pauls River, Liberia) Rev. William McLain (n. p.) 19 Feb 1859 Records of the American Colonization Society, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washingn, DC; Incoming Correspondence, Letters from Liberia, 11 Jan Feb 1859; LOC microfilm no. 58 (image online: : accessed 2 Jan 2012) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Upper Virginia, St Pauls River Liberia W Africa February 19 th 1859 m Revd W M c Lain, Dear Sir The departure of the M.C. Stevens for Baltimore, afford me an opportunity of respectfully ad dressing you a few lines, acquain that I have for a long time been la boring under much painful anxiety of mind in consequence of having repeatedly written you recently & re ceived no answer, whether my letter reached you or not I know not how decide, Also I sent Your care last year By Shipp M. C. Stevens a Box containing sundries, for Mrs. J. C. Washingn. Since which she has not written me you would Sir confer on me a great fa vor by writing me if it reached you or has been forwarded so ~ I had also a- bout one Hundred Pounds of Coffee Send you, of my own cultivation, which I declined remitting, not knowing wheth er would be prudent hazard on an uncertainty, I sent you a sample of

14 my coffee a year ago, Did you receive it? I requested of you in a former letter be kind enough send me certain articles in Exchange for Coffee; if you recd it & desire me send you my coffee, as I have disposed of my former lot, please say, by the return of the Vessell & I will endeavor Be ready Shipp you the following trip Also you would do me a favor by sending me by the next trip of the vessell or so the care of Mr. H. W. Dennis the Soctys Agt at Mimma One Barrell of Salt Herring. Good qual ity & I will Make you returns in Cof fee as pr Charges. You have doubtless been satisfac rily informed, that the report so widely circulated, that the Liberian Govnmt, was implicated in encouraging and assist ing, the Regina Cele purchase a car go of Slaves in her jurisdiction, was un grounded false & malicious During my Ten years residence in this Republic, I have not seen the slightest sympms of any attempt on the part of our legal authorities or citizens encourage the Slave trade under an circumstances, our laws expressly forbid it. & the rigid penalty attached a Violation of said laws must ever speak volumes in our favor & establish our innocence, as they have uniform by striclty adhered & impartially adminis tered, Please do me the favor Sir ac cept my humble & sincere regards for your & family s health & prosperity Both Spiritually & temperally & Believe me Be Sir with the most profound Re- Spect yr very obt svt Charles Starkes