Transcript of letter from Robert Lancaster Rawes of Seatoller, Borrowdale, Cumberland to his elder brother John Rawes in Jamaica. Written in 1809 when Robert was 15 years old. (Originals with Judith Mary Rawes of Poulton le Fylde, Lancashire). (Seatoller Line to Jamaica Line)

[Letter addressed to: Mr John Rawes, Sheerness, Jamaica from Robert Lancaster Rawes.]         Seatollar, Decr 14th 1809 My dear Brother,                            I am glad to hear of your safe arrival at Jamaica. Your last letter afforded us much pleasure, by informing us of your welfare, and that you had a fair prospect of succeeding in your views, in due time. I assure you, my dear brother, this in- telligence is truly pleasing to me to hear. I am happy to in forme you, that since you left us, I have made considera- ble progress in my learning, Latin is my principal ob- ject, at present, tho I do not totally neglect figures. I have now begun to read Virgil, which, tho' difficult for me at pre sent, yet I hope soon to get the master of it if I have an op- ortunity of proper instructions. As to Arithmatic by ge nerally attending to it every Thursday, I have got so far as double rule of three. I have sent you a knife, which has two small blades, & I hope you will like it, how- ever you will accept of it as a mark of my regard and affection for you. Here has been much fruit all over Eng- land this summar particularly in the North, such as plumbs, berries, nuts &c. tho' I should except apples & pears which were rather a failing crop. Since you left us, you will have seen many curiosities, & witnessed many curious customs & manners, consequently you would now be able to afford us much amusement were you now with us. Travelling into different countries must doubtless be a means of gaining much useful information, & enable a person to be very pleasant & amusing in conversa- tion. You say that Jamaica is a fruit-full place, which I do not doubt, but some people say it is a very un- healthy place. You say you have many slaves under your command which I suppose are black people who work very hard. I would be pleased if you could in- form me what they do & how they live. Is learning of great esteem in Jamaica? Some people please to think it is not. But generally speaking, it is esteemed and highly too. No person will refuse to acknowledge that it is creditable when properly applied. I greatly desire to be a Scholar, & then I hope, if it please God, I will be able to get into a comfortable situation in life, & be useful to my fellow creatures, so that I will be respected & esteemed by the wise and good for it is not worth while to try to gain the respect and good word? of the profane. No, I hope I shall ever avoid bad company for it will spoil all, and render a man of learning an object of contempt to every body.                               I am, My dear Brother           yours affectionately            Robert L. Rawes Notes:- St. Mary's is situated on the north western coast of the island and the plantation was almost certainly a sugar plantation probably catering for the rum industry. The port of Whitehaven, Cumberland was heavily involved in this trade. Robert continued with his learning and became Secretary to the Royal College of Physicians. Transcribed from the original by Julian Rawes of Cheltenham, 1997