Beschreibung:

(Florida)A collection of manuscript letters and documents. Florida and Washington, D.C.: 1892 31 leaves (various sizes, ranging from 200 x 125 mm to 275 x 213 mm) of autograph letters, 1 typed letter (260 x 202 mm), and 1 autograph receipt (135 x 215 mm). On various papers, one group on pink ruled paper, several on attractive printed letterhead, including many on hotel letterhead with an engraved map of Lake Worth on the versos, and the receipt on paper printed in orange green, purple, and black; 2 letters quite browned and with some short closed tears, others overall with old folds and light wear. A fascinating glimpse of the plantations and economy of Florida in the late nineteenth century The primary subject of the present archive is Albert P. Sawyer, an investor from Massachusetts, who sought to purchase land in Florida to cultivate for pineapple plantations. The collection features letters from his lawyer Samuel Maddox, letters from others sent either to Maddox or Sawyer regarding deeding him land, and numerous letters debating the suitability of the land from a Howard LeTourneau and an Albert Robert. LeTourneau, a member of the Indian River and Lake Worth Pineapple Growers Association, who owned a large pineapple plantation in Eden, Florida, writes several letters to Sawyer regarding his land and possible arrangements for him to help work it: "I have received notice ... regarding the money, which will be expended as if it was my own. Referring to our mutual understanding, would say that, providing I can secure the mutual co-operation of Mr. Robert or some other reliable party - I agree to select the desirable Land for Pine Apple Culture, contract for the clearing of same, and approve of the work - I also agree to purchase the necessary plants ... at the best possible prices, to personally supervise the planting of same." Despite the auspicious beginnings, LeTourneau later relays, after considerable inspection of Sawyer's land, that he is doubtful of Sawyer's representative Mr. Robert, and further: "I am sorry to report it to be totally unfit for Pineapple culture as it is now. A fire swept over all your land & Mr. Robert's, burning off all the under-growth and leaf mould, leaving the ground perfectly bare, and white. The character of the land is different form what I expected, I find it to be hard Pine instead of Spruce, which is the most desirable. It will take the land 4 or 5 years to recover from this fire if it gets no more, and from all I can learn it is liable to occur at any time, as it is a lonely, uninhabited portion of the Lake, and the Indians are liable to start fires at any time. ... I foresee great difficulty before anyone making an attemp [sic] to grow anything down there." The numerous letters from Robert show him disagreeing with LeTourneau's judgment, and in several letters defends his noble motives in helping to secure Sawyer's land. "I do not know the text of Mr. Letourneau's report to you—but from the talk of my friends since my return, I cannot but believe that my judgment has been seriously assailed: As I wrote you—I am willing to fight my own battle by spending some thousands of dollars upon my plantation : I will prove that the land is good for—beyond a doubt—nor have I the slightest fear of the result." He concedes that he believes LeTourneau is "acting in good faith in the matter," but that it is a matter of difference of opinion.Condition reportCondition as described in catalogue entry. The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The