Adam Afzelius, Free Town, Sierra Leone, to James Edward Smith, 12 Great Marlborough Street, London

Summary

Description of a raid by the French on 28 September 1794; plundered stocks and razed public buildings, houses belonging to white people, and ships. The French left on 10 October 1794, leaving no provisions, but only two people were killed and three or four wounded, and the huts of the settlers were left untouched. Neighbours have provided food but he is devastated by loss of his tools for writing and collecting, and his journal and manuscripts; his losses are between £1500 and £1600. Asks Smith to inform the Marchioness of Rockingham, and to send paper for pasting plants onto.

Letter details

Record number

LINNEAN380

From

Adam Afzelius

To

Sir James Edward Smith

Date

19 Nov 1794

Sent from

Free Town, Sierra Leone

Sent to

London

Source of text

GB-110/JES/COR/1/31, The Linnean Society of London

Language

English

Contributor

The Linnean Society of London[View Ɛpsilon collection]

Also published in The Correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith, The Linnean Society's Archive Catalogue.

• Adam Afzelius
• Sir James Edward Smith