Biographical Note
A native of Linlithgow, Scotland, James Glen (1701-1777) served as Governor of S.C. from 1738 to 1756, but did not actually arrive in the province until 1743.
South Carolina historian David Duncan Wallace assessed Glen's administration as "one of the best, as well as longest in service, of all our governors."
After stepping down as governor in 1756 to be succeeded by William Henry Lyttleton (1720-1808), Glen remained in South Carolina until 1761. Glen's sister, Margaret, married S.C. planter John Drayton, Jr. in 1752; after Glen's departure from S.C., Drayton managed Glen's business affairs in the colony.
Summary
One hundred and eight manuscripts of colonial governor James Glen include official government documents, papers concerning relations with Native American Indians, business papers relating to his ownership of a South Carolina rice plantation, and correspondence between Glen and S.C. planter, John Drayton (1713-1779), who was married to Glen's sister Margaret (d.1772). The union between the families is recorded in a marriage settlement signed by Glen, Drayton, and Margaret Glen.
Among the official papers, the most important are Glen's leadership instructions signed by King George II (1727-1760), an undated letter from six Cherokee leaders signed with their marks and referring to future relations, and the text of seventeen articles of a treaty regulating Indian affairs. In a forty-eight page address delivered to the Assembly in 1750, Glen reviews "our situation with regard to Indians," discusses his agreement with Indian trader Charles MacNair, gives a detailed account of MacNair's activities among the Choctaws, and denounces his conduct.
The papers contain another speech by Glen delivered 11 July 1753 to King Malatchi, the Redcoat King, the Wolf King, the Otaffee King, and other Indians. A number of the documents concern Glen's meeting in 1755 with the Cherokees at Saluda Old Town in Saluda County, S.C. Glen made use of these documents in filing a claim for his private funds expended in providing food and other provisions at the conference.
After Glen's departure from South Carolina, his brother-in-law John Drayton managed his business affairs in the colony. Yearly crop accounts and the letters of Drayton indicate Glen's income and expenditures for plantation supplies, articles of clothing for African-American slaves, and wages for overseers. Drayton informs Glen of injuries, runaways, and deaths among the slaves and in one instance records a payment of £15 to constable Thomas Woodward for apprehending the man "who Stoled Your negroe Savannah." In a memorandum compiled around 1773, Glen presents an itemized statement of his annual income, his "constant yearly unavoidable expense," and a statement of his financial affairs since returning from S.C.
The correspondence between Drayton and Glen, 1761-1775, consists of thirteen letters written by Drayton to Glen and two letters from Glen to Drayton. While Drayton managed Glen's business affairs in S.C., Glen attempted to look after Drayton's sons who were studying in England. Drayton's lengthy letters apprise Glen of his earnings from investments, complain of his sons' conduct, and report political and economic developments. The expenditures of his sons and their apparent disregard of scholarly pursuits is a constant refrain of Drayton. When Charles Drayton failed to appear for a college examination in 1769, Drayton lamented, "Charles little knows the many hot summers day I have been out in the field broiling my Head, while he is spending with ease & pleasure what I so hard fatigued for." His anger was not exclusively vented upon Charles, for Glennie "is wild & ungovernable."
The correspondence occasionally reveals a straining in the kindly feeling of kinship between the two men. Drayton and Glen apparently disagreed over their accounts, and Glen berated Drayton for his critical opinion of his sons. When Glen's sister (Drayton's wife) died in Scotland in 1772, Glen sends a letter from Lithingow insinuating Drayton had not furnished her "a necessary provision." Mrs. Drayton's death severed a link between the men. In 1776 Glen advised William Henry Drayton that his father had ignored his delinquent account and by "this cruel and unjust treatment has put a final period to all future correspondence between him and me."
The papers also include 2 documents, 26 December 1749 and 8 July 1752, concerning a surveyor's report and deed of land in Fredricksburg Township, Craven County, N.C.; land grant and plat, 5 September 1750, George Brown, signed by James Glen; and a manuscript, 29 September 1838, with genealogical notes copied from A History of the Glen family of South Carolina and Georgia (published 1923), by J.G.B. Bulloch.
Calendar
Abbreviations / Legend
ADS = autograph document signed
ALS = autograph letter signed
ALS(T) = transcribed copy of autograph letter signed
DS = document signed
LS = letter signed
MP = printed manuscript
MS = manuscript
n.d. = undated
1730s
- ADS(T), 25 May 1738 (contemporary duplicate copy of William Bull's Representation to the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations presenting a narrative of South Carolina history, discussing the Spanish settlements, and detailing the competition among the French, Spanish, and English for the friendship of various Indian tribes, in response to a memorial presented to the Duke of Newcastle by Monsieur Geraldino, agent for the King of Spain).
- DS, 7 Sept. 1739 ("Instructions to Our Trusty and Wellbeloved, James Glen Esq Our Governor in Chief and Captain General in and over Our Province of South Carolina in America. Given at Our Court at Kensington the Seventh Day of September 1739. In the thirteenth Year of Our Reign").
- MP, 22 Nov. 1740 (Reprint of a letter describing a fire in Charles Town on 18 Nov. 1740; includes a description of property destroyed which the writer estimates to be worth at least 300,000 l. sterling; also describes an embargo placed on all ships for 30 days, “as it is not known how far this Accident may encourage our Negroes and other Enemies to form some dangerous Scheme.”)
- MP (R), 3 Aug. 1744 (Proclamation issued by Glen describing an infectious disease among black cattle and requiring anyone who suspects their livestock may have died as a result to immediately bury or burn the carcasses; also prohibits anyone with cattle from driving the livestock off of their property unless they have obtained a certificate issued by a Justice of the Peace and signed by “Two substantial Freeholders of the Neighbourhood” stating that the cattle are from stocks free of disease).
- DS, 18 Oct. 1745 (bond of Robert Birch and Michael Bland, London merchants, indebted to Thomas Glen in the amount of £500).
- ALS, 29 Oct. 1746, Tug[a]loo, Six Cherokee Headmen (signed with their marks), to "The Cotobee King" (hoping for future good relations between their peoples, looking forward to their meeting at "Cong[a]rees" in the spring, and referring to their previous meeting with James Glen, "the Governor of carolina ower goode frende").
- ADS, 8 Feb. 1748 (John Savage of Charleston, "Merchant Attorney" of Robert Birch and Michael Bland, releasing Thomas Glen from an obligation to his clients).
- ADS, 26 Dec. 1749 (Land grant to Robert Seawright for 50 acres of land in Fredericksburg Township [near present day Camden, S.C.])
- ADS, 5 Sept. 1750 (Land grant to George Brown for 250 acres of land in Craven County, S.C., on the south side of the Wateree River, bounded by the lands of Bryan Toland, Roger Gibson, Anthony Wright, and the Wateree River)
- MS, 1 Nov. 1750 - 1 Nov. 1751 (“An Acco[un]t of all the Goods Exported from Charles Town of the Produce of South Carolina, from the 1st Novem[be]r 1750 inclusive, to the 1st Novem[be]r 1751 exclusive, & the supposed value thereof, in the period, at Charles Town Market").
- MS, [c. 1750] (James Glen's speech on "our Situation with regard to Indians" with additions and deletions reviewing his understanding of an agreement with Indian trader Charles McNair, giving a detailed account of McNair's activities among the Choctaws, and denouncing his actions).
- MS(T), 26 Nov. 1751 (contemporary official copy of the seventeen articles of a treaty regulating Indian affairs which was agreed at a meeting "In the Council Chamber" between Gov. Glen, with members of his council, and "Corawne the Raven King of the Valey, Commonly Called Tacit the Man Killer of Hywasse," Skiagunsta, and other Indian chiefs).
- 2 DsS, 27 Feb. 1752 (marriage settlement [indenture and counterpart] between John Drayton and Margaret Glen, sister of James Glen, made at St. Philip's, and signed by John Drayton, James Glen, and Margaret Glen).
- ADS(T), 11 Mar. 1752 (instructions re the appointment of royal governors and other colonial officials, directing royal governors to channel "particular or general Accounts of their Proceedings, or of Matters relative to their Governments" only through the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations and also establishing a procedure for "Occurrencies...of such a Nature and Importance as may require his Majesty's more immediate Directions").
- 2 DsS, 17 Dec. 1753 (bond and warrant of attorney of John Elliot, Indian trader, to James Glen for £8,000 of "good and lawful money of South Carolina”).
- DS, 18 Dec. 1753 ("Additional Instruction to Our Trusty and Wellbeloved James Glen Esq[ui]r[e] Our Capt[ai]n General and Commander in Chief in and over Our Province and Territory of South Carolina in America or to the Commander in Chief of the said Province for the time being. Given at Our Court at St. James's"--re the introduction of changes in the system of appeals of court cases).
- AD, [incomplete], 13 Apr. 1754 (bond between George and Elizabeth Saxby and Isabella Graeme re an annuity).
- ADS(T), 17 June 1754 (contemporary official copy signed by Edw[ar]d Rushworth, "Deputy Register of His Majesties High Court of Delegates,” of an order to William Hopton, "now or late Deputy Naval Officer in the Port of Charles Town," et al., directing them "jointly and severally to restore the said Ship...Dorothea her Guns Ammunition Tackle Apparel and Furniture and all and singular the Goods Wares and Merchandizes that were on board or belonging to the said Ship at the time of her Seizure...to the said Pieter Block or to such other Person or Persons as the said Pieter Block or the Owners or Proprietors of the said Ship hers Guns Ammunition Tackle Apparel and Furniture Goods Wares and Merchandizes or their Representatives shall or may appoint").
- DS, 13 July 1754 (bond signed by Thomas Lynch and concerning his sale to Thomas Glen of twenty-five Negro slaves (all named) as security for payment of an annuity by Thomas Lynch to Thomas Glen).
- ADS, 23 Oct. 1754 (deposition of Robert Gouedy re his account with James Glen and including the account which includes chiefly expenses incurred in furnishing provisions to the Cherokees).
- 2 ADs, 1754 (indentures [between John Drayton and Thomas and Isabella Glen] with names and day-month dates omitted re a 2,000 acre plantation located on "Days Creek" in Granville County).
- MS, [1754?] (James Glen's draft speech or statement giving the background of the Dorothea's voyage and seizure at Charleston, giving a brief resume of important events subsequent to its capture, outlining legal developments in the case, and considering applicability of the Navigation Acts).
- MS, [1754?] (Mr. Wright presenting his compliments to James Glen in reply to the latter's note, informing Glen that while in England he heard nothing concerning the Dutch Owners of the Dorothea intending to sue William Hopton "for Damages for Seizing [and] detaining the said Ship and Cargo," and declining to express a legal opinion "With respect to the Question put by Mr. Glen, whether if the Dutch Should Sue Mr. Hopton for damages, the action would not be Barred by the Limitation Act of this Province").
- MS, 1754-1757 (James Glen's account with the proprietors of the "sugar house").
- DS, 16 Sept. 1755 (marriage settlement between "Thomas Glen of London physician of the first part Isabella Graeme...Widow and Relict of the honourable James Graeme late Chief Justice of South Carolina deceased of the second part and William Rugge...of the third part").
- MS, 29 Apr. 1756 ("The Humble Remonstrance of the Commons House of Assembly" to Gov. James Glen citing concern for the province's worsening financial situation, mentioning that work on fortifications would have to cease and that Glen would be unable to honor his commitments to the Cherokees to build a fort in the upcountry,and outlining the controversy between the Council and the Commons House which had made it impossible to pass a tax bill).
- DS, 1756 (contemporary official copies of letters of James Glen to Haigler, King of the Catawbas, re the request of the Governor of Va. that the Catawbas aid his province against the French, and a statement signed by John Evans, Deputy Surveyor of S. C., relating the "substance" of a private conference between Glen and Hagler).
- ALS, 18 Jan. 1757, S[outh] Carolina, J[oh]n Drayton, to [Thomas Glen](business letter re a sum of money which he owed, discussing land owned by a Mr. Owen and stating that Owen "passes in England to be worth thousands a year...[but] he did not make two hundred and fifty barrells of rice last year, and about fifteen hundred wt. of Indico," informing him that his son "Billy is making nothing at the Law," requesting that he not identify him as the author of such opinions, explaining his understanding of affairs with Owen re a purchase of land, giving a full account of his conduct of Glen's business affairs, and remarking--"could I have done more than I have done, have I not Inforced your Orders as much as I could on those who you Intrusted and commited the care of your papers to").
- ADS(T), 26 May 1757 (contemporary copy of "Articles of Accomodation agreed on between.. .James Glen Esq[ui]r[e] & William Hopton" re claims arising from the capture of the Dutch ship Dorothea).
- ALS, 14 Jan. 1760, William Simpson, to John Drayton, Drayton Hall (commenting on his activities, stating his intention of paying money he owed Glen, also intending to make payment for a Negro sold him by Drayton, and regretting a report that "the sma1-pox is broke out in one of your P1antations").
- ADS, 16 Apr. 1761 (James Glen acknowledging receipt from George Soaman of a bond of John Drayton).
- ADS(T), 1 May 1761 (contemporary copy of a memorandum "given by William Stone to Geo[rge] Soaman of the Cause of depositing in the hands of the said Soaman a Bond of John Drayton Esq. to James Glen Esq.").
- 2 MSS, 1 May 1761 (contemporary official copy attested by William Bull of 1756 reports on Indian affairs consisting of "Historical Relation of Facts delivered by Ludovick Grant Indian Trader, To His Excellency--the Governor of South Carolina" giving an account of Sir Alexander Cuming's relation with the Cherokees, the visit of the chiefs to England, and Grant's account of Christian Priber; "A Conversation between His Excellency the Governor of South Carolina and Chuconnunta a Head Man of the Cherokees, whose name formerly was Ouconscaw" re the Indian's recollection of discussions re Cherokee lands between the Cherokee chiefs and King George; and depositions of Richard Smith, John Elliott, and Ludovick Grant re the events leading up to the 1755 meeting between Glen and the Cherokee chiefs).
Top | 1730s | 1740s | 1750s | 1760s | 1770s | undated | Abbreviations - ADS, 15 June 1761 (abstract of the marriage settlement dated 27 Feb. 1752 between John Drayton, James Glen, and Margaret Glen).
- 8 MSS, 18 June 1761 (contemporary official copies attested by William Bull consisting of James Glen's memorial, 27 Apr. 1761, to the Commons House of Assembly re private funds spent for the public's benefit during his term as royal governor; Glen's account, 23 Apr. 1761, showing "Monies paid for the Public"; affidavit of Alexander Garden, 29 Apr. 1761, stating that he accompanied James Glen to the meeting with the Cherokees in 1755 and certifying that the governor had provided food and gifts; affidavit, 6 Apr. 1761, of John Chevillette and John Skene re Glen's meeting with the Cherokees; report of the committee to whom the memorial was referred recommending "that the Sum of One Thousand and Eighty Four Pounds Sterling being the Sum charged by him be provided for, and Inserted in the next Estimate in full for all Claims and Demands whatever, which he may have on the Pub1ick of this Province"; and extract from the minutes of the Commons House of Assembly, 8 May 1761, recording a negative vote on the committee report but agreeing "to make a Provision of Five Hundred pounds Sterling to be Inserted in the next Tax Act").
- 2 MSS, 18 June 1761 (contemporary official copy attested by William Bull describing Gov. Glen's conferences with the Cherokees "in the Woods...at a Place called Saluda" in June-July 1755, relating the concern of the Cherokees "That their Enemies were very numerous, and very near them, that the Banks of many of the Rivers near their Country were inhabited by them, Yet that the Cherokee Towns lay open and exposed to them, by which means their Country all around was covered with Blood. He [Cannacaughte] hoped the Governor would represent their Case to the Great King George and intercede for them, that they might have arms and ammunition to Defend themselves from their Enemies, and what else he thought proper for them, for they reckoned themselves to be his Children, and Brothers with the English, and that he was the Common Father of both," and giving the English and Indian signatories to the report).
- 2 MSS, 18 June 1761 (contemporary official copy attested by William Bull of extract from the minutes of the Upper House of Assembly, 17 June 1761, re the members' opinion concerning Glen's memorial requesting compensation for his expenditure of private funds).
- ALS, 11 Oct. 1761, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (pleased to learn of their safe arrival and hoping that "Dear Glennie" [Glenn Drayton] had recovered from the smallpox, explaining why he had been unable to send a bill of exchange "for the money due you from the Public," yellow fever in Charleston, stating that he had not received the money from Tom, reporting the sale of their rice and his disappointment at the price, relating the condition of Glen's Negro woman--"she does nothing being Incapable, always afflicted with fits, which has so affected her, she is now an Idiot," mentioning that another Negro had been killed, discussing the value of Glen's nineteen Negroes purchased in 1756 and concluding—“so you see you are a gainer, of upwards of £400," and commenting on his sons William and Charles--"as for Charles he may if you approve, go with his Brother [to college], or he may be directed as you please otherwise, so he comes not out in an awkward, or disagreeable light and if Billy can be accomplished without going to the College, he need not go, if it is with your approbation, but let him not, at all events come out before he attains an easy air, carage & good behaviour in company, altho' he stays two years to come").
- MS, [c. 1761] (draft of letter to the speaker of the Commons House of Assembly re Glen's' private funds spent in the public service and requesting that the House grant him compensation).
- ALS, [c. 1761?], William Simpson, to [John Drayton] (addressing him as the person in charge of Glen's business affairs, reporting that he planned to turn over to him £1,630 currency representing Glen's "claim upon the Public for issuing of Bounty Warrants of Survey of Land and passing Grants to Foreign Protestants," anticipating the receipt of an additional £908 "on account of an assignment made by Mr. Pinckney to him for a debt due," and relating that Mr. Legg of Ashley Ferry "informs me that some of the Gentlemen of the Parish intend to keep a Boat and hands there, in opposition to him").
- MS, 1761-1763 (account between John Drayton and James Glen).
- MS, 1761-1763 ("A State[ment] on the Protested Bill of Exchange sent James Glen Esq[ui]r[e] the 29th May 1762, Drawn by, or at least given John Drayton by DaCosta & Farr, on Messrs. Arne1d, A1bert & A1ex[ande]r Nesbitt Merchants in London, which said Bill, was in part of Payment of and for the Protested Bill the other Side").
- MS, 1761-1763 :("An Account Between James Glen Esq[ui]r[e] & John Drayton, as near as may be, for want of knowing, Some Articles it cant be completely Settled just now, but it is for the Satisfaction of Mr. Glen").
- MS, 1761-1766 ("Rice acco[un]t" between James Glen and John Drayton relating revenue from the crop, expenses for plantation supplies and articles of clothing for Negroes, and wages paid to their overseer).
- ALS, 30 Apr. 1762, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (explaining that the delay in sending money was caused by the unavailability of bills of exchange, mentioning the poor rice crop--"on all hands we are badly off in Carolina," greetings to Mrs. Glen, and stating--"I hope my Boys are well, and be assured it gives me the greatest uneasiness lest they may be troublesome").
- ADS, 20 May 1762, London (listing accounts paid by James Glen in behalf of William Henry and Charles Drayton with a statement by Will[ia]m Henry Drayton certifying the correctness of the accounts).
- LS(T), 27 May 1762, Whitehall, [Samuel] Sandys, E[dwar]d Bacon, John Yorke, Edmond Thomas, Geo[rge] Rice, to "My Lords" (reporting their examination of documents re James Glen's petition for-compensation for private funds spent while serving as governor of S. C. and concluding--"So that upon the whole, My Lords, it does appear to us, that of the sum of £1,084, to which Mr. Glen was content voluntarily to restrict his Claim of Disbursements, there does still remain unpaid & due the Sum of £504 expended in Service which we do agree with the Assembly of South Carolina, in the opinion expressed by them in their Resolution of the 31st of March 1757, was of great Advantage to his Majesty's Interest").
- MS, Feb. 1764 - May 1767 (John Drayton's rendering of the account between James Glen and himself with a note by Drayton that "This Acco[un]t is to be considered as nothing. It is only to shew Mr. Glen whatever he may not understand clearly in the acco[un]t Cur[ren]t which is sent here with").
- MS, 1764-1767 (James Bullock's account with James Glen).
- MS, 1764-1768 (account current between John Drayton and James Glen).
- ALS(T), 15 Mar. 1765, So[uth] Carolina, J[oh]n Drayton, to Thomas Glen, care of Charles Crokat; London (contemporary copy of business letter reviewing the status of various accounts).
- ADS, 15 Mar. 1765, Charleston (bill of exchange for £318.15, John Drayton to Thomas Glen).
- MS, 1765-1766 (John Drayton's rendering of plantation expenses, overseer's wages, and crop revenue indicating to James Glen "his negros share of [the] rice crop" and including Drayton's explanatory notes that the 1765 figure was based upon five shares owing to the death of one of Glen's slaves and the 1766 figure was based upon six shares--"it is because I have put your lame negro fellow in the Boat").
- MS, 9 May 1766 (articles of agreement between Charles Crokatt and his creditors).
Top | 1730s | 1740s | 1750s | 1760s | 1770s | undated | Abbreviations - MS, 4 Sept. 1766 (statement of the case re an argument between Thomas Glen and Charles Crokatt whereby Crokatt, indebted td Glen for £1,000, sold Glen an annuity, citing Crokatt's financial difficulties "through misfortunes in his Concerns in America," stating Glen's opposition to Crokatt's plan for discharging his debts, outlining the points upon which a legal opinion was desired, and including the opinion of A1[exander] Wedderburn).
- ALS, 1 Mar. 1767, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (acknowledging receipt of his letter and regretting the report on Mrs. Drayton's health, stating--"I am very Glad of the Good fortune of Miss Glen & I heartily wish she may live with satisfaction and ease Injoying the Same with the Good things of this world for many years, & with the best Companion," expressing his gratitude at Glen's offer "to advance the Principal twelve hundred pounds to pay off the Doctors annuity in my Favour," and discussing his indebtedness to Glen).
- MS, 1767 - 11 Mar. 1770 (account current between John Drayton and James Glen "for two crops of rice").
- ALS, 5 Apr. 1768, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (sending him "a Pipe of Good wine which is the best that can be had in this Province," hoping to receive soon "from you or Mrs. Drayton a full confirmation of her Health," stating that he had received "not a scrap" from his son Charles Drayton "these two years or more," discussing the expenses of Charles' education and his opinion that the cost was justified if Charles completed his studies, advising --"but if you think all I can do will not, nor cannot make him shine in the Profession [medicine] in which he has chosen—I think then the sooner I am quit and rid of that Expense is the better," soliciting Glen's advice re funds Charles would require for another year, commenting--"a1tho' he has behaved Extremely Ill to me yet will I fulfill the duty of a Parent," discussing business matters and relating information re the substantial debts of [James] Bullock, reviewing his handling of Glen's affairs in Carolina, and requesting the necessary documents to conclude a transaction involving land and slaves).
- ADS(T), 12 Oct. 1768 (contemporary copy of James Glen's "General Discharge" to John Drayton).
- ALS, 3 July 1769, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (advising him of his injuries suffered in a fall from an "old ladder," relating that he contracted a fever when recovering from his accident so "that I am now with the assistance of my other complaints no longer that Corpulent Man that I was when you left me," expressing his appreciation for Glen's attention to his business, stating his plans for paying off the bond which Glen purchased from the "Doctor," informing him of remittances for sales of rice, expressing some hesitation to accept Glen's proposition that Mrs. Drayton reside in England, planning to send Tom [Thomas Drayton] to Eng1and "since you think it will be a step so necessary for his improvement," stating that the affairs of his nephew William Drayton had not changed appreciably and criticizing the actions of Bu11ock--"I have no good opinion of his integrity & I know of no Person who has," expecting Charles to return home by Christmas and asking Glen "To furnish him with necessaries to enable him to exercise his Profession, and such C1oaths without finery, as may be requisite for him to come over with," discussing the political situation in S. C.--"All ranks of People are now forming themselves into an association & agreement by subscription not to Import or purchase any British commodities excepting a very few articles which are indispensably necessary for our trade," mentioning that the "negroe Merchants" would be compelled to send their cargoes to other ports, anticipating a stormy Assembly session, criticizing the governor--"His Excell[enc]y has assumed a greater Power than our Soveraign can constitutionally exercise," pointing out two areas likely to provoke controversy between the governor and legislature, and commenting on Mr. Wragg, his marriage to a young woman, and "his declining to accept of the Bench").
- ALS, 24 Dec. 1769, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (wishing his friends "your side the water the Compliments of the approaching Season & a Happy New Year," informing him--"I hear but poor performances of Charles in the Progress he has made in the Science he has chosen," stating--"Hard is it for me Endeavouring to give my Children Education at a great expence and so many years spent on Charles's Education & yet he is not able to go through the least part of his Examination at the College," discussing his son's opportunities and his rejection of the branches of medicine in greatest demand in S. C., explaining that he had given Charles £250 since October 1768 and exclaiming-¬"Charles little knows the many hot summers day I have been out in the field broiling my Head, while he is spending with ease & pleasure what I so hard fatigued for," rejecting Glen's statement that Charles was spending his own money and advising that Charles' slaves "for several years...have not made forty barrels of rice," asserting that his son was not grateful--"I have but two letters from him I know nothing of his motions,." remarking that Charles could have married a girl of "fine fortune" if he had not stayed away so long--"there was many then in the market but none now," also conveying discouraging reports of Glenn-¬"he is wild & ungovernable, his Governor has no sway or Power over him," thanking Glen for his "care & goodness to Glennie & Charles and I am sure you do for the best," giving an account of his handling of Glen's affairs and the inadequacy of his power of attorney re Bullock, quoting from a letter of Glen's and seeking clarification of his wishes in a business matter, relating his efforts to collect debts owed Glen by John Stewart and Campbell, pleased to learn that he received William Drayton's annuity, stating that he intended to take all actions possible against Bullock--,"he is a Villain and a Cruel Grandfather to Isaac Nicholas's Children," and advising Glen re another business transaction).
- MS, 1767 - 11 Mar. 1770 (account current between John Drayton and James Glen "for two crops of rice").
[Repeated from above.] - MS, 11 Mar. 1770 (James Glen's account with John Drayton for two crops of rice, 1767 and 1768, indicating overseer's wages, plantation supplies, and income and including an entry "to Thomas Woodward Constable E15.-- for taking up, and out of a White Mans Hands who Stoled Your negroe, Savannah").
- ALS, 14 Mar. 1770, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (re health of their families, commenting on his request that Charles return to S. C. and the latter's noncompliance, instructing him “not to advance Charles a Shilling more on my acco[un]t," asserting that Charles remained in England on the pretense of preparing for his profession "whilst all that time I am his Slave making money for him to spend at his ease, & suffering in a hot firey furnice to give him pleasure,” Charles squandering money and opportunity, remarking that "his Brother William also has disobliged me much & has run through a great part of his Fortune," requesting that he ignore all Charles' requests for money, reviewing their accounts, and explaining the cause of Glen's small crop).
- ALS, [incomplete], [1770], from J[oh]n Drayton. [South Carolina](reviewing their business relationship and computing the balance).
- MS, 25 Apr. 1771 (a record of James Bullock's annuity payments to James Glen,1767-1771, signed by John Drayton).
- ALS, 13 Aug. 1772, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (discussing their business interests and the poor crop, advising that he would be able to make more regular payments when Glenn returned to S. C., commenting on Charles' ingratitude—“You have been full in former letters of Charles's praise. I wish to my Soul I could say so also," and conc1uding--"I am unhappy in two of my Sons & I fear as I have been told I shall be unhappy in a third very Soon").
- ALS, 6 Feb. 1773, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (informing him of "my Dear Glenny's safe arrival" and expressing his gratitude "for so long care of him," discussing their business affairs, re bills of exchange sent Glen after Mrs. Drayton's death, stating--"Had you Sir four sons and you to furnish them so liberally as you seem to want me to furnish my sons, give me leave to tell you those four sons will leave you not a penny to spend," defending his treatment of his sons and remarking--"I think to act as I have done it is better than to go to Jail," advising him of vacant government posts in S, C., mentioning the ingratitude of his son Charles--"for four years last of his time in Scot1and and in England he has not wrote me a single line," discussing the studies of Tommie [Thomas Drayton]-¬"I can't bear with such a temper he will soon lose the regard I have for him if he pursues that plan to have every thing his own way & to say this is not for his good or that he will be of no service to him as he is to be a planter, can't he be a learned & sensible planter, is it not better I say to be counted a sensible man than a foolish planter or a foolish man," explaining why he did not place Thomas under Glen's care, agreeing that Thomas should study Latin if Glen thought it necessary, advising that Glen could decide when Thomas should return to S. C., apologizing for Thomas' behavior when dining with Glen, relating his understanding of an agreement with Graham & Clark and explaining why he had not sent funds to Mrs. Drayton, asserting that Clark "has used me Grossly ill," wanting to know the cost of a "Handsome monument" to Mrs. Drayton's memory and requesting him to order mourning rings, discussing the Hopton bond re the Dutch ship Dorothea and expressing his opinion that "yourself, nor me nor my Children nor your heirs will ever see a single coper of the Principle of that Bond," urging Glen to take immediate action in the matter, reviewing their account since 11 Mar. 1770, and stating--"I have no other guide to go by than what appears in your letters, and if you their commit any errors you are to be blamed").
Top | 1730s | 1740s | 1750s | 1760s | 1770s | undated | Abbreviations
- AL, [incomplete], 10 Sept. 1773, from [John Drayton], South Carolina (itemizing their account over a period of several years, indicating Drayton's debt to Glen to be £517 on 29 May 1773, also itemizing his debt for the educational expenses of his son Thomas, giving an account of Mrs. Drayton's expenses from Nov. 1771 until her death in July 1772, discussing expenses for herself and their sons, and stating--"But, an actual computation to the amount of £8O.14.9 & £593.3.3.in hard money besides, in her possession for her own personal expenses, ought in common justice to me, to have preserved me from the cruel imputation, of not having made a necessary provision for her").
- MS, [c. 1773] (James Glen's itemized statement of his annual income, "my constant yearly unavoidable expense," and a statement re his earnings and expenses since his return from Carolina).
- ALS, 24 Aug. 1774, [Scotland], to [John Drayton] (reviewing their business relationship with accounts showing payments and interest, etc., evaluating Thom[as] Drayton "as a Sensible Well inclined Boy," regretting that Glennie "Seems so much the reverse," giving him advice re Glennie--"Send for him, write to him, get Charles [Drayton] to deal with him, perhaps Gov[erno]r Bull or Mr. Wragg may at your desire expostulate with him & if after all he will not be a planter, something else must be thought of for him," commenting that other professions were available in Carolina--"one of them may perhaps be purchased for him or a Commission in the Army may be bought and the sooner the better," relating the terms for a recently purchased commission, and concluding--"We are told by the best Authority that if a Brother offends Seventy times Seven times, we must forgive him--but the forgiveness of a Father is unlimited, a thousand faults must be forgiven, & still he must Consider that he is a Father. It is an indelible Character").
- ALS, 8 Dec. 1774, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (stating that he did not intend to enter into any altercation over Glenn's expenses in England and observing--"But I must confess, the unusual stile in which you now write gives me an uneasiness the more sensible becuase it has a tendency to show you are on the point of forgetting an alliance which I shall always remember with sincere affection," advising that he had made recent purchases of land and slaves and "am under some difficulty to pay an unexpected demand," conveying his understanding of their account and contesting Glen's interpretation of his debt, mentioning the rice crop and advising that "Savannah your sixth hand ran away in March 1772 & has never been heard of since," intending to make a remittance as soon as possible, and concluding--"Such being the Situation of affairs I cannot avoid telling you that your making a legal demand upon me cannot but be very Injurious in its consiquences to your nephews").
- ALS, 19 Jan. 1775, from J[oh]n Drayton, So[uth] Carolina (sending him a bill of exchange "in Consiquence of your several unkind and hard letters" and relating his difficulty in raising the money--"Money is so Scarce it is hardly to be found. We on this side of the water is oblig'd to discount debts with each other as we can find them &c or must wait--Our courts are all shut up, no money can be recovered").
- L(T), May 1775, Golden Square, London, to [John Drayton] (draft copy of letter complaining of their business and personal relationship and imputing to Drayton responsibility for the difficulties between them, stating--“What your views are, or why you should take such pains to get ridd of the best friend you ever had, I cannot conceive, but I am determined it shall not be in your power, for I will still wish for your wellfare, still pray for the prosperity of your family, and promote it when in my power," reviewing their financial partnership and contending that "You have ruined my Credit both here and in Scotland, for when one is advised frequently to borrow (which has been allwayes upon your account) and is not punctual in repaying (which has alwayes been owing to your being in arrear to me) it is in vain to think Credit," and citing the financial demands imposed upon him).
- ALS, 26 Oct. 1775, from W[illia]m Draytbn, St. Augustine, [Fla.] (sending him a copy of a letter of 10 Feb. 1775 which Glen had not received, explaining his uncle's failure to make a payment due Glen--"It is owing I suppose to the present unhappy disputes, which put a stop to all commercial Business between the Mother Country & the Colonies; & which likewise affect us here so much, that I seldom have an opportunity of hearing from my friends in Carolina," and discussing a business matter between them and apologizing that Mr. Grubb had failed to make payments).
- ALS, 15 June 1776, from W[illia]m Drayton, London (re the annuity owed Glen and apologizing for the long delay in payment, stating that he had written his uncle [John] Drayton to advance the £300, and advising him to call on "James Graham six weeks hence for payment of £1OO for me”).
- ALS, 23 Nov. 1776, Golden Square, [London], to David Erskine, Edinburgh (informing him that "Our late good news from America makes me hope that matters will soon be cleared up in that Country," mentioning that [John] Drayton had assured him in Dec. 1774 that he would make a payment of £l,500 sterling but had only sent a draft for £208 "and not one farthing since," and discussing his personal finances).
- AL, [c. 1776?], to [William Henry Drayton] (draft letter including James Glen's statement of his account with John Drayton and complaining that J. D. had ignored previous correspondence re the matter--"this cruel and unjust treatment has put a final period to all future correspondence between him and me[.] I have however by this Conveyance sent him his Acct. and as nobody ought to have a greater regard for his honour and Interest than yourself let me beseech you for his sake and for mine that you will prevail with him to clear it”).
- MS, [1777] (W[illiam] [Henry] D[rayton's] memorandum re his account with James Glen and his opinion that Glen had made an error in computing Drayton's debt).
- MS, n.d. ("Table shewing the Value of the Different Species of Coins in the several Provinces in North America") .
- 2 MSS, n.d. (James Glen's memorial "To The Right Honourable The Lords Commiss[ione]rs of the Treasury"seeking reimbursement for his expenditure of personal funds during the conference with the Cherokees at Saluda Old Town in 1755 and for his assistance to General Forbes in the campaign against Fort Duquesne; also draft copy of his memorial).
- MS, n.d. ("Proforma" accounts of sales of rice).
- MS, n.d. (James Glen's "attempt towards an Estimate of the value [of the rice crop] of So[uth] Carolina").
- 9 MSS, n.d. (drafts and copies of memorials of James Glen to the Marquis of Rockingham, George Grenville, Lord North, Duke of Grafton, and Lords Commissioners of the Treasury giving background information in support of his claim for £5,384 based upon the unpaid balance of his £1,084 claim for private funds spent in the public service while serving as governor of S. C., his defaulting of two hundred pounds "which had been made from the usual Salary enjoyed by all the governors" of S. C., and for personal monies "advanced by him in prosecuting, upon the Opinion of His Majesty's Attorney General, a Dutch ship," and also giving an account of his influence upon the Indian allies of General Forbes during the campaign against Fort Duquesne).
Administrative Notes
- Location: Pob+3, Pob, and Plb
- Accession number: 1001, 2000, 3000, 3900, 7521
- Referenced: Description published in University South Caroliniana Society Program, 1975, pp.2-3.
- Information concerning copyright must be secured in writing from the Director of the South Caroliniana Library.