| Description | 15 letters from William to Emmeline his wife and their children from West Africa 1908-09, where he was investigating the issue of contract labour with Joseph Burtt. The dialogue of these letters is mainly personal between William and his wife although they do give some insight into his activities and opinions of West Africa at the time and the controversy over Cadbury's purchasing cocoa from Portuguese West Africa.
26 October 1908, Sao Thome - a letter to Emmeline they have spent two days on Principe and he informs her that he thinks he has made a good start and it has been most interesting. He has met with the Governor. He gives details of the party and their general health and how he has dreamt that he is suffering from the sleeping sickness that is very prevalent on the islands. The letter expresses lots of affection for Emmeline and the children.
01 November 1908, Sao Thome - a letter to Emmeline in response to a telegram, gives general details of socialising with the Portuguese and how they get the news of the day from around the world at the Cable Station.
03 November 1908, Moule Cafe, Sao Thome - a letter to Emmeline outlining current details of the journey, they have travelled into the cooler mountains during the rainy season to see the cocoa growing areas. Details are given of a chapel and the religious life of the workers on the plantation. The party have ridden on a railway through the plantations. Details are given of others travelling in the area and ends expressing lots of affection for Emmeline and the children.
12 November 1908, Sao Thome - a letter to Emmeline written on his last day in Sao Thome before moving on to Loauda. He tells how he has found the heat difficult. He has spoken direct to the Governor gives few details. Discusses the details of the health of his party in some depth.
20 November, Loauda - a letter to the children regarding Christmas and his absence from the family group, also about the family pets. He also tells them about a visit he has made to a local school and local children, also about a wasp building a nest in his room.
22 November 1908, Loauda - a letter to Emmeline mentioning the heat, expressing concerns that she has been unwell and much affection, stating he has had a relapse of previous illness and how friends from the American Mission took him to their home in the cooler hills to rest and recover from the fever, details of Joe's (Joseph Burtt) fiancee, also giving his clear opinions of the Governor and stating that he thinks their task will be simpler than they first thought.
12 December 2008, SS Malauge, Lobilo - letter to Emmeline expressing lots of affection, outlining current details of the journey and companions. The letter states that the results of their investigation is unsatisfactory: the recruiting of labour in Angola is not improved William gives his opinion that the company have no other course than to be the first to refuse to buy the cocoa produced.
18 December 2008, Loauda - letter to Emmeline expressing lots of affection, outlining current details of the journey and companions and also making reference to a letter from George Cadbury, the meetings being held at home by Fox Bourne and Buxton about Cadbury Bros.' involvement in contract labour and stating that their independent report will not be favourable.
21/22 December 1908, Beugella - letter to Emmeline expressing lots of affection, outlining current details of the journey; that they are not currently planning to stop in the Canaries but come straight home from the Gold Coast because they are in good health. Also gives details of the local people of the area and other English in the area.
25 December 1908, Lobito - letter to Emmeline giving details of their journey, particularly includes that they are running two days late and arrived at Lobito at 3pm. He relates that the railway that is planned to cross Africa one day starts here and is currently 120 miles long. He refers to how difficult he is finding being away from his wife and family at Christmas and how he imagines what they are all doing. They were invited to dinner at the Cable Station at Beugella, a meal of a bird, Christmas pudding and shared the Christmas cake sent out by Emmeline and jellies made by the children. There are colourful descriptions of some of the other guests at the celebrations. The letter continues with his reflections on the news of family and friends at home. Enclosed is a party hat from Christmas Eve. (This item has been digitised and used for creative learning purposes).
03 January 1909, St Paul de Loauda - letter to Emmeline giving details of the parties plans to leave Portuguese West Africa soon. The letter makes reference to a number of letters received on New Year's Day and comments on the family news they have conveyed. The letter goes into his own concerns over a recent throat infection and refers to Burtt suffering from mosquito bites. He refers to papers from home and a 2nd meeting but it is unclear to what this relates to. He states he has been working hard on the report: he is finding it hard to phrase things against people who have been kind to him 'but so few get the chance that I shall have of telling the truth.'
25 January 1909, from SS Nigeria, off the Gold Coast - letter to Emmeline informing her that he is tired from finishing the report and letters he has just sealed for posting. He makes reference to a Sir Alfred Jones (African steamship owner) who appears to be unpopular in the area at the time. There are instructions for some mementos he has collected and parcelled up. The party is much more comfortable on the boat and the passengers are all men. He is bringing home 3 parrots. William is to go ashore staying as a guest of the Governor of the Gold Coast and fears that this will upset their timetable to return home.
31 January 1909, Sanatorium Abmi - a letter to Emmeline which goes straight into the issue of the Anti-Slavery/Contract Labour issue regarding Swan stating it would be best to keep things quiet and referring to Buxton as 'a leaky barrel'. Then giving details of current travel plans, planning to reach Canaries soon where they do not think they will need to stop and Plymouth on the 10 March. He has been to see a doctor at the mission about a cold. The letter discusses news from home, the Bick wedding. Croquet and Bridge appear to be the main activities and details are given of the day to day running of the Governor's house. The letter ends expressing lots of affection for Emmeline and the children.
07 February 1909, Abmi - a letter to Emmeline giving details of the group's current travel plans which state he should be home in a month. The letter discusses worries over John or Alan being safe after a serious illness this appears to be the main reason why Emmeline is not to meet the party in the Canaries, he is glad that he will not be staying at the Canaries because the islands are unpopular and by coming home he will have a week free of appointments on his return. Joseph Burtt is suffering from a cold. He has met the Governor and his wife Lady Roger. He gives details of the missionary activity here and states that Joseph Burtt is staying with one. He explains he is working hard and only gets peace on Sundays.
09 February 1909, S.S. Akabo, off the Gold Coast - a letter to Emmeline giving details of the group's current travel plans looking forward to the home coming. He states he feels the time for action about Contract Labour has come and that if the firms feel they must act before he comes home he hopes they can act together. Then there is discussion of the letters he has received from the wider family and the letter ends expressing lots of affection for Emmeline and the children.
A note that has come free from its original letter regarding bringing home the parrots. |