Welsh Journals

excellent Coffee for which it seems peculiarly calculated. The Windward part, consisting of the Parishes of St. Patricks, St. Davids and St. Andrews (particularly the latter) is a fine flat practicable Country, very extensive, and possessing several good shipping Bays. It abounds with Rivers, and appears by Experiment to be excellently calculated for Sugar. I still keep my health very well in this Climate and if I am lucky enough to enjoy a continuance of it I have the most flattering prospects of suceeding in my Pursuits. I should be glad to hear from you as frequently as may be convenient to you as good Intelligence from England is often of great consequence to us here; particularly what relates to Peace and War; and I know you have opportunities of being well informed on political subjects. I am with great Regard Dear Sir Your most obedient and humble servant R. G. Bruce. E3. [R. G. Bruce], Dominica to Nassau [Thomas] Senior, [?London]. Dominica ist July 1771 Dear Sir I come now to Business, on which I have much to say. My letter to your Brother of the ist May would inform you of the Purchase I had made for him, which I have the greatest hopes will turn out extremely well and answer his Intentions; altho' its Cultivation will be a work of time, and it is entirely covered with wood, and in a State of Nature. This Island promises to reward adventurers well, as its Soil is gratefull and its Seasons regular. It is at present in the highest Credit of any of the new Islands, if we are to Judge by the Sales both publick and private. Wood Lots far from the Sea have sold for eighteen and nineteen pounds sterling an acre. St. Vincents is injured by the Charibs, who as yet have been brought to no Terms with Government about their lands. They possess all the windward part of the Island, and are troublesome Neighbours to the Settlers on the other Side. Tobago is as much afflicted with dry weather as Barbados, which has greatly discour- aged the Settling of that Island; so that upon the whole Dominica meets with a general Preference By your letter I should suppose you are not inclined to embark largely in West India Connexions, but was it agreeable to your wishes and Convenience, I would undertake to get you Consignments enough from this Island to satisfy you had no other Business what- ever, provided you could give small Credits upon good Mortgages. And although some Merchants may be sick of their Connexions in the New Islands, yet depend on it they will answer in time. People in general have been too sanguine in their Expectations, from hence in point of time only. They expect returns too soon, and young adventurers have too much contributed to these Expectations-whereas it not only requires great attention and labour, but also a considerable Portion of Time to bring one of these new Estates to make propper Returns; but those who have patience to wait the necessary time, will not, in general, be