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Webb, Mary (fl. 1817) to Miss Ratledge

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00496.250 Author/Creator: Webb, Mary (fl. 1817) Place Written: Saint Helena Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 September 1817 Pagination: 4 p. : address ; 32 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy

Webb, on the Island of Saint Helena while Napoleon was there, writes to her friend in London. Mentions a recent earthquake on the island. Refers to mutual acquaintances. Discusses ordering goods from the India Company. Comments that her daughter is her only female comfort, that she made a mistake in bringing only female servants, and complains of the lack of British goods on the island. Writes "the gaiety of this place is sickening to say nothing of the dissipation- We often often talk of the many pleasant hours you have suffered us to pass in your presence and the recollection affords me more delight than possession of St. Helena pleasures..." Discusses social life on the island and British military affairs. Referring to Napoleon, states "No house at present thought of for Bon__e he never is seen- but has all the good things of this place I have made him a Complete Set of green sattin blinds- I have made 5 setts- this pays well..." Accompanied by a printed description of the letter and it's contents.

Following Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo, he was exiled to Saint Helena, an island west of Africa under British control.

This must be short Sunday 20th 1817-11 at night

My Dearest Madam St Helena
Considir this as Moiety an "Avant Courier" to form Sheets of Paper already Written and, lying in my Desk-I thirst for private hands as the Post is so heavy-I write this under the greatest constination-this might at a [illegible] before 10-a most severe Shock or an Earthquake was felt here-the Concussion was so great as to throwed open the Doors of the Book Case Where I was, and the noise awful-My Black Girls flying out of the Kitchen and, People out of their Houses our Next Neighbour Nearly thrown from his Bed-and, poor Me frightened to Death Mr Webb also and, in My present Situation have something to fear from the Fright--- this May be the last Letter I may Ever write and I would send a line --- I pray God Mr vernon, Miss Hart & Yourself are well__We Received the Box by the "Baring"---of Which (Exception grateful thanks to Mr Vernon) I have spoken fully in the above Menthoned 4 sheets__Which I shall send the first opportunity to be [illegible] __the L_ce fetched double---and I will Enclose a Bill upon the India Company_for Another [inserted: Packet] to the same people (should we be spared Pattern is Nothing-but the people are Lace mad Many thanks, My Dear Madam for the case [2] You Will hear more of this also__My Girl is a lone__She grows__and quite healthy, I wish you could see her __ she has one strand__and is the only Female Contest I have__the Report as to Betsy Was false (quite so) we lament much bringing a White Servant with us-they are all Larchies here-and Consequently of little or no use to their Mistress ____We Received the Bond-and it is Returned to be Registered__then I suppose We shall have some Island Allowances -Which are needful-for my part had I Conncsious With my WareHouse in England that I could be Supplied With English Goods-[struck: we] [inserted: I] might do Wonders as it is I shall Lemit through the Compy and I am Sure You My Dear Madam Will give the Order for me Laces Hurtings fetch anything--Every Inch, Was gone in a week-Every one here traffic no stigma attaches thereto---My Father sent Me by some ship a Mall Box of his eforts [sic] there I partly sold---I have some things I would much wish to send you__Could MrV point out any way otherwise fear to Risque [sic] I am the same Old fashioned thing as When I left-Dress here beggars all description---the Quiety of this place is Sickening to [3] say nothing of the dissipation-We often often talk of the many pleasant Hours You have suffered us to pass in your presence and, the Recollection affords me more delight than possessions of St Helena pleasures- I am superlantiachs happy in my Husband_am [Horacy] Moon has not diminished [text loss] Except when she Yeilds to Sunshine__the Valley is all Confusion-they say the whole Island has felt it-the Bell in the Tower tolld With the Violence of the Shock I am all Affliction -perhaps We are near more to meet __pray my dear Miss Ratledge Mr Vernon often Sense of this Condescen[text loss] kindness to us-it is almost Indelicate to say a Word about good se_but it Will be Materially serving me & my child_and I fear I might soon say Children -ready made stays at 4/6 pair-fetch here 30 & 240 shillings We are distressed at this time for fresh Meat 2 Butter/5/6d Per Pound---We English depend upon it live too well at home---I have made myself uneasy as to Miss Stevens-When I think of his past Services the Regard she manifested for me I [illegible] myself for ingratitude_ a vice so horrible to me that I would not even be suspected of it_but it is my wish (as you have honored me by your Correspondence) thereto, to Confine its with your leave) though no doubt she expected I should have Written to her _as the parted friendly of My Friends have any faults---they are totally lost in immense distance between us ---at any rate I will await your [4] next Letter-our new Admiral is arrived/Otway/ lives at the Buars has a Lady with him-farther this Depornt Sayeth not __the Govrs Lady has given me a Comy.s/Slave as nurse to Helena -all the Females of my Family have Rations. This is just arranged and a good thing- my health is much better and I work hon d & With pleasure-We have Plays, Balls - Races - and music the Valley through- but unlike the strains of [illegible] it does not even Charm the Bantes -I have no acquaintance whose-I am more retired than at Aldro there are great changes here- part of troops gone to Indiana some to England_discoveries as to defalications in the stores fresh officers appointed & Sea New Bridge Building by our Company- no House at present thought of for B[illegible] he never is seen- but has all good things of this place I have made him a Complete set of green sattin Blinds I have made 5 setts- this page Well_And as Sir Willm & I pull together _ I trust we shall do please to tell Mr Vernon he has had an Unexpected allowance of Passage Money/64/ -- 84 with deductions- so I shall Conclude this with saying thank God for all things-And, believe me My dearest Madam pray do me the kindness to (send) yours truly Gratefully
[strikeout] My Regards to Mrs Emily & tho Hall Sc____
Mary Webb

[address leaf]
Miss Ratledge St Helena 27th Sept 1814
Revision O vernons Esqr
31_Cumberland Shert
New Road
St Mary Lebonne
London
Qualas
28

Will You just have Miss Stevens apared
I have not forgot ten her ___________
I am all [illegible] for your next

[written upside down on the top of page 1]
I have some beautiful Cosnelians in Do me the Favor to give
Necklace &c &c for you my kindest love to
If I can get them over. Miss Hart Mr ld- begs
his respect________

Webb, Mary, fl. 1817
Bonaparte, Napoleon, 1769-1821

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