Written by
Honesty, Eyo II, Nigerian
Received by
Turner, William
Signed by
Eyamba V, Nigerian
Date
1845
Medium
ink on wove paper
Dimensions
H x W (spread): 10 1/16 × 15 13/16 in. (25.5 × 40.2 cm)
H x W (folded): 10 1/16 × 7 15/16 in. (25.5 × 20.2 cm)
Description
This letter was written in Old Calabar, Nigeria by King Eyo Honesty II to Captain William Turner in Liverpool, England. The relationship between Eyo and Captain Turner developed as a result of the British banned slave trade. The letter is dated 23 February 1845. An excerpt of this letter reads: “Captain Turner / My old friend & brother for Egbo … After next year I am very glad to see you for first ship – I think river will come up good. Every body glad to see you & all men very well from Creek Town. Only Tom Eyo King Ebonys been sick long time – And I loose my first Captain – your Queen … send his compliment to you and all your family … I think my pocket a little big this time – And you try best you can to make one Calabar merchant send me out 2 long Egbo Dance cane … I hope you do that as good friend. Dont forget me – also I have write you by plenty men – I dont know if you got my letter or not. I Remain your old Friend / King Eyo Honesty head Trader / King Brass Egbo / And Eyamba Brass Egbo z Brother”.
Transcription Center Status
Transcription Available
Place made
Old Calabar, Nigeria, West Africa, Africa
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts
Type
documents
letters (correspondence)
Topic
Africa
Commerce
Correspondence
International affairs
Slavery
Trans Atlantic slave trade
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2018.46.8.7
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd547f4e417-e77e-488e-bf5e-3ee28a2a9a58

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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