Dr. Lettsom was born in the West Indies, and inherited fifty slaves,
which was all the property his father left him. He gave freedom to his
slaves; and during a long life, with a large practice as a physician
in London, he kept up a correspondence with some of those who were
indebted to him for their liberty. When he went to the West Indies to
settle his father's estate, he made a visit to Tortola, and wrote to a
friend as follows:
"I frequently accompanied Major John Pickering to his plantations, and
as he passed his numerous negroes saluted him in a loud song, which
they continued as long as he remained in sight. I was also a melancholy
witness to their attachment to him after his death. He expired
suddenly, and when few of his friends were near him. I remember I held
his hand when the final period arrived, but he had scarcely breathed
his last breath before it was known to his slaves, and instantly about
five hundred of them surrounded the house and insisted on seeing their
master.
"They commenced a dismal and mournful yell, which was communicated
from one plantation to another, till the whole island of Tortola was
in agitation, and crowds of negroes were accumulating around us.
Distressed as I was by the loss of my relation and friend, I could not
be insensible to the danger of a general insurrection; or, if they
entered the house, which was constructed of wood, and mounted into his
chamber, there was danger of its falling by their weight and crushing
us in its ruins.
"In this dilemma I had resolution enough to secure the doors, and
thereby prevent sudden intrusion. After this precaution I addressed
them through a window, assuring them that if they would enter the house
in companies of only twelve at a time, they should all be admitted to
see their deceased master, and that the same lenient treatment of them
should still be continued. To this they assented, and in a few hours
quiet was restored. It affected me to see with what silent, fixed
melancholy they departed from the remains of this venerable man."