James Bruce letters

Scope and Content

Correspondence with and relating to James Neave in London, whose business interests in Dominica were being looked after by Bruce. Bruce was trying to sell Neave's property and collect debts. The subject matter of the correspondence reflects this. In particular, Bruce was convinced that the French would settle after a peace settlement and would be potential purchasers. Debt settlements involved the intervention of the Provost Marshall. Subject matter also includes allusions to slavery and slaves on the island.

Administrative / Biographical History

James Bruce was the son of Captain James Bruce of the Royal Engineers, who built many of Dominica's fortifications in the eighteenth century. He was born in Fife but settled on the plantation that his father had purchased.

Arrangement

Catalogued to collection-level.

Access Information

Open for research although at least 24 hours' notice is required.

Note

The collection is held at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies - University of London

Archivist's Note

Description uploaded by Clara Cuccu (30.01.2022).

Related Material

Centre for the Studies of the Legacies of British Slavery - University College London: James Bruce Lt-Governor of Dominica - Profile & Legacies Summary: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146645581