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Slessor, Mary Letter no. 30 1906 Greetings postcard to Mr. Partridge at Ikot Okpene. The card, which is not stamped and has not been through the post, is of "Ben Venue from Loch Achray", produced by the Cynicus Publishing Co. Ltd., Tayport, Fife. The message reads: "With all the greetings of the season. M M Slessor". TRANSCRIPTION BY: David Kett, 1996 DATA ENTERED BY: David Kett, 1996 Slessor, Mary Letter no. 31 2nd. April 1907
Miss Slessor thanks Commissioner Partridge profusely for the surprise gift of a
cloak on the eve of her return home on leave. She is anxious to discuss Court
matters with him, and offers to stay a month longer to clear up affairs and render
any necessary assistance. However, it does look as though this would be a good
time for her trip.
To C.P.
Ikot Okpene
Use
2. 4. 7.
O Mr Partridge ! ! ! !
Im just speechless ! ! I simply dont know what to say! & I have just been
fairly crying because you went past & did not call.
I threw myself on the bed, & then Mr Russell came, & he & I have been talking
about you, & I have been telling him that I cant put off seeing you. I must get
carriers & go to Ikot Okpene - for he was *quite* *sure* you wd not stop at Ikot
Obon. Now you are, & if this lovely cloak would let me, I wd sleep. Im so
glad that I can talk to you.
I've waited in the house for 5 days in order to talk about the Court, if I go home,
& Mr Gray came up this afternoon & settled every thing about my going with
Mr Middleton of Lagos who has offered to take me to Edinr. [Note 1] and he
leaves in May. And now comes this Cloak, which says "Here your needs are all
met." It is simply wonderful, all except for you! Im sure I *ought* to go, but if
it adds to your burden? I wd. rather stay. Indeed, had Mr Dene not come, I shd.
never have mooted it, but it seems as if he were sent to help you, & while he
does So, I cd. perhaps get enough strength to come back & help you when you
will be nearer going home. Fancy my thinking I can help a man like you! I
mean in keeping back the detail which means nothing, & yet worries.
O my Cloak! O you dear!! It is so good of you & your family circle to care for
me like this. To whom am I to write to to say a - miserably incompetent "thank
you"! - Tell me truly, if you think I ought to stay a month later. If you have
any suggestions that wd. help you, please let me know tomorrow. I know I
wont sleep a wink this blessed night. O I wish the ladies were here, till I get
some one to speak to. Good night the boy is hungry he says. Thanks beyond
speech, & a good nights rest to you. I am Yours most sincerely
MMSlessor
P.S. "Our Father" will thank your friends *right* *of* *now*, just like the
Telegraph. May He bless you too & be very near to you.
MMSlessor
EDITORIAL NOTE:
1] Edinr. = Edinburgh, Scotland
TRANSCRIPTION BY: Leslie A. Mackenzie, 1997
DATA ENTERED BY: David Kett, 1997Slessor, Mary Letter no. 32 20th May 1907
Written to Mr. Partridge from the steamer Orcades on her way home. While
congratulating Mr Partridge on his promotion this letter expresses anxiety at his
moving from the District. Although the fever has rendered her incapable of
being moved around much, she is enjoying her voyage, and has hopes of a quick
recovery. Some news of her travelling companions.
To C.P.
Calabar
[Orcades?] [Note 1]
20. 5. 07.
Dear Mr Partridge
I did not answer your most welcome "book" [Note 2] when in Calabar,
as I expected to see you there, for it was the first thing I heard of in Calabar, & I
am proud & pleased at the preference given you; tho of course Im awfully sorry
for the District, while the Court is so newly left, for the Chiefs will be afraid of a
new man.
However I trust all will be well till Mr Bedwell comes back, & that you will
enjoy the change & be the better for it, & it will mean for the future A STEP UP.
We have fine company on board. Mr Gray did all he promised & more, & the
Wilkies can never be thanked enough, & now Major Trenchard has taken charge
of me & has been so helpful & kind that my every wish & want has been
anticipated & I have not only been happy & comfortable, but well. I am leaning
hard on my limbs, & after going up the stair can still fetch a bit of breath. Im
hoping to be walking quite well in a week more.
The Judges on board, & I have talked a little. I made my confessions, & I think
gave reasons for my decided & not over appreciative convictions regarding the
office, but we are good friends & have some nice talks.
There is no news. We have lain here waiting for the Branch Boat, but it is slow
in coming. We hope to be in Lagos tomorrow, & then there will be more
company I expect, & perhaps a lady. As yet no other member of my sex has
favoured us with her company. I wish you cd just have come up this estuary &
lain with us this morning. The breeze has been delightful, & the water so calm
& deep green & clear, & the lap, lap of the waves is most restful to wearied
nerves. But your time is coming & we cant all be away at once. What awful
rubbish you speak about *my work*. I wish I could see it, or that I could do
one tenth of what I would fain do to help you. You dear dear friend. Instead of
you speaking like this, it is for me to try to count up for tabulation all that you
have helped me, & done for me. That I cant do, & am not to try. Im just taking
it all & trust that *some* *how* & *some* *time* I may be able to repay. If
Im not, my Father is, & He is quite Cogniscant of all you have done. O just
look at your countermanding those C.Ms. [Note 3] as I said to Mrs Wilkie. You
might have snubbed me & told me to mind my own business. Still I am sure
you have done right. If you find it is not so, dont think of me. Do just what is
best in your own eyes.
I shall write when I have any news. I have not seen Davidson yet. I am not yet
able to walk about, thats the reason I expect, but I shall be sure to see him soon.
Now dear old Chief of mine, Goodbye for a bit. I shall *expect* you to be
blest. I am yours most affectionately & sincerely & gratefully
M M Slessor
Do go & call on the Wilkies. They are worth knowing & they appreciate you
MMS
EDITORIAL NOTE:
1] Presumably the P. & O. liner "Orcades".
2] "Book". Probably a local term signifying an official statement or document
3] C.Ms = Court Messengers
TRANSCRIPTION BY: Leslie A. Mackenzie, 1997
DATA ENTERED BY: David Kett, 1997
Slessor, Mary Letter no. 33 27th June 1907
Miss Slessor's letter on returning to Scotland begins with enquiries as to the state
of things in Calabar, and goes on to describe her improved health. She now has
the energy to go cycling but finds the traffic so alarming that she intends to go
cycling in the early morning until she is more used to it. She gives much space
to describing a novel she has been reading ["Fools Rush In"] and gives news of
many friends. She expects to complete her physical recovery with a visit to a
hydro for special treatment.
[At head of letter, but written after postscript is written "To C.P. Ikot Ekpene]
Kelton
Joppa
Midlothian
Scotland
27 . 6 . '7.
My dear kind patient old Chief
How are you? & are you still at Ikot - Okpene? It seems years since I said
goodbye to you, & last mail did not bring a word from Ikot Obon, so Im feeling
rather "out of it" and very *far* *far* away. Is Mr Bedwell back? & is he
better? And are you having a wetting every day or two on your journeys?
We have only had one fair day from the day before we reached Plymouth till
now, that was last Sunday. It is rain, & bitterly cold winds all the time. Winter
could not be much worse, & where are the Roses & the strawberries & the
beauty of the traditional June? I'm not feeling patriotic at all, but we expect a
visit to Edinburgh from the Prince & Princess of Wales in a few days, & it may
come then. I am very very well all the same, & as fat & hungry as ever I was in
young days. I shall be out again in no time if this goes on. I can walk, & go up
& down stairs, like anybody. but they were awfully shocked to see me at first.
What would they have been to have seen me at Ikot Obon? We had a lovely
voyage. & very good company, & glorious weather. I *never* *lost* *one*
*meal* all the way. Mr Middleton took such care of me, & cut himself off from
company & fun & everything to keep me company. He also sat with me at a
back table, as I could not walk up the long saloon.
I do not think you had any idea of how queer I felt for 6 weeks before I left. I
was sure it was paralisis. I could not walk a dozen steps, & if I did so, I nearly
fainted after it. And here I am now only waiting for the rain to go off to get on
my cycle & go anywhere.
We landed at Liverpool at Midnight, & got on to the hotel at 1.a.m. and my
Bicycle was amissing from the luggage. Mr Middleton made enquiries & by &
bye it was found & sent on, but was so long on the Railway that I had to write
about it again. However, it is safe enough now in the Cycle House, & the
friends here are only afraid for the wind & rain for me. I am only afraid of the
traffic, & these awful motor cars, but I am to go out in the *early* morning
among these country roads, till I get over the fear. I was up in Edinburgh for
the first time last Monday, & after getting in *somehow* to an Electric Car, I
nearly shreiked from the pain at my back, just from the fear, but I was more
afraid of a carriage, & refused it, as a Judge here had his caught between 2 cars,
& barely escaped with his life. It is an awful country for bustle & movement.
It is a splendid country for all that, & the achievements of Man are marvellous.
I will be going to a Hydro for special treatment in a week or two. It is in a
highland district, & used to suit me well, but my wardrobe is not yet complete
for visiting or going outside. This address however will always find me. The
cloak you gave me has been such a blessing. I could never have got home
without it, & ever since I came, it has been my comfort in every outing. It is a
beauty & my sister['s?] friend here who was at a concert last night asked for it in
preference to her falderal thing, as the wind was very keen. Of course she was
made welcome to it. Now it is breakfast time. I have written since 4 o/c am as
I cant sleep for the daylight. I have just answered one letter from Mrs Rattray,
who has invited us to spend a week with her, & one to Miss Darby, whose
brother is out with you, also one to him. He has lost a brother out east, & one
brother died less than a year ago at home, the two youngest of their family. I'm
awfully sorry for him out there alone.
27 June 1907
I did not see Davidson at first, as I was not able to walk, & could not find the
road to the back of the ship, but Dan & he got into company, so he came along
& we had a chat several times. I bade him call here, if he was near Edinburgh,
& he gave me his address, so that I might call on him if I were in Aberdeenshire.
A Missionary going to be Principal in the Training School in Calabar, called
here with his young wife, before they left with last steamer. She is a very sweet
pretty girl, a daughter of Dr F. Fergusson of Glasgow. He is an M.A. or B.A. of
a University & is a great improvement on Luke. He has been out twice before
in Calabar. Dr Rattray has bought a practice in Huddersfield, & after the
summer months, will go there.
I read the novel "Fools rush in", & was rather disappointed in it. It is rather thin
I think. The characters on the Government side are fairly consistent, but not
original or striking in any way. *Any* man with ordinary gumption, could have
been as tactful & clever & brave as the "Resident"--Who by the way was a
scotsman.
What is Brooke entitled to fame for?? Because with the help of Addie, & the
man he so foully wronged, he went to the rescue of a couple of women in a
native town? Bah!! Addie, poor gamin was worth a score of him in resource &
in everything. Brooke said to Addie "Im going to hang up this man". Addie
nodded, "By the living jingo I should think so. What were you going to do?
Pension him"? That I think made Brooke a ninny, specially as his business was
to have done the same act at first without waiting to talk it over, & then with the
help of the [Hons - ?], he actually strung up a beast, who had murdered a white
man, & meant to do more than murder to a poor woman. Pollard having
throttled the man with whom he was in grips "looked up to see who had called,
"Barbara!" -- His own promised wife -- "They" Brooke & the girl "were locked
in each others arms". If that a West African Hero, I give it up. As to the
women!!! One had been a wife for twelve years, & in less than 2 days after her
husband had been murdered before her eyes, she was turning to another man
with her eyes saying "Help me". & in 3 days she cd have put her head down &
cried,. because it was for *her* safety & of *her* the Resident was thinking. "I
love you, I love you she whispered, Don't send me away from you". "He
crushed her fiercely to him. She slipped her arm about his neck & pressed her
face to his." That's one heroine! The other, the girl who chose & gave her
promise to a man, Left her home to go to him in a foreign land for the highest of
services & ere 2 days in that land had gone, she had given her heart once again
to another who simply did her an everyday service. She saw that man (ie her
promised husband) suffer. Saw him do acts of bravery yet never once had the
grace to shew him even a glance of pity. far less of apology, & in the midst of
carnage & death & worse she cd play with her hair & her bath & her
surroundings, and before many hours were over gave herself with extacy [Note
1] into the embraces of an almost utter stranger who was as void of one spark of
honour, or pity for the brave silent fellow whose pledged wife he was taking, as
she was herself. & that is a British soldier & gentleman!!!
As for Webley!!! There *may* be such duffers among missionaries, but they are
*not* *in* *charge* of Missions or of men's lives. He is *too* *palpably* a
Creation of the Author's. This novel may suit the tastes of a few who feed on
garbage in West Africa. It will disgust the Honourable, & so defeat its own end.
The other book "White Capital & Coloured Labour" is a gem. Thats a book, &
a *Man* to write it, if you like. I shall send it about as I have tried to do
already, & will induce some to buy it. But my time is up. I am reading (Ha -
throne? ) here, & find him good and restful as ever. Time is up, So for a time
Goodbye. Shall have better news next time when I get about: I am yours most
sincerely M M Slessor
P.S
Mr Maxwell had a letter lying waiting for me at Plymouth. An uncle of his was
a fellow passenger of yours from Canary. Will write to him soon, not the uncle
you know, but Mr Maxwell MM
EDITORIAL NOTE:
1] extacy, doubtless a mis-spelling of ecstasy (extasy being an accepted variant)
TRANSCRIPTION BY: Leslie A. Mackenzie, 1997
DATA ENTERED BY: Ruth Riding, 1997
Slessor, Mary Letter no. 34 Kelton: 11th. July 1907
Miss Slessor is very anxious to return to Calabar, and inquires after those there.
After paying her first "Call" she caught a chill which has kept her in bed several
days with fires on day and night, but is feeling much better. There is news of
friends, and she concludes by wishing him well on his trip home.
[At head of letter is written "To C.P. Ikot Ekpene"]
Kelton
Joppa
Midlothian
Scotland
11th July 1907
Dear Mr Partridge
I havent a morsel of news, this is only to say "How do?" & that I hope you are
well. It will be near your time to come home, & I am not yet able to come out,
& I hear the Ladies at Ikot Obon are leaving too in August. What then about
our home & bairns & people & Court? I wish I were able to come right away.
Indeed I was intending to go off to Grand Canary & stay there for a month or
two, & run back with any suitable steamer, for there has *not* *been* *one*
summer day yet. Only one Sunday was dry, so I got a cold making my *first*
Call; & have not been out of bed since till yesterday. I was in the Dining room
for a little seeing an Aunt of Mrs Wilkies. I have fire on night & day, but there's
no comfort, notwithstanding all this, they will not hear of my going anywhere till
the weather changes, & then I shall go to the Highlands. I have *not* *once*
had a run on my cycle. I never saw such miserable weather, but I can walk all
right, that weakness has gone. My fur Cloak has been a great blessing to me I
can tell you.
Are you back in Ikot Okpene? When do you leave? How is it with you? Are
the people doing well? Miss Peacock wrote that there was a lot of firing
somewhere near, but she could not learn what it was. Very likely it was a
funeral or a feast.
I have been reading Mrs Humphrey Ward, & "N5, John St." I suppose you have
read the latter. The book you gave me, "White Capital & Black Labour" has
been constantly on loan since I came. I was to tell you what I thought of it, but
have not been able to write the last 10 days. I hear Mr Watt is home, an Uncle
of His, a clergyman was calling here. His brother has got a very good post in
Edinburgh too just now, & a very intimate friend of his mother's lives near, &
visits often here, so I'm sure to see him. Dr McDonald has not turned up yet.
His home is in Edinh. The Prince & Princess of Wales were passing here 2 days
ago, & again were opening an Art School or something yest, in the City, but they
might have been in Africa for all I could go to see. There are not many tourists
in the neighbourhood, the weather is so bad, but letters from far north say it is
not so bad there. I do hope you will get something better than this. If August is
not better sport will be poor.
I thank you for ordering off all male visitors from the Use house. The girls say
no one bothers them, & that I am to thank you. Perhaps you will repeat the
proclamation before you leave. Have not seen Mr Middleton yet, nor heard of
Davidson, tho' he said he wd be coming to Edinh. He is hoping to get on to the
Road works.
Now keep strong. Keep cheerful, & come home able to enjoy yourself & to
give joy to your friends. When you come you will please let me know. Also
your address. All good be with & about you. I am most sincerely
Yours M M Slessor
TRANSCRIPTION BY: Leslie A Mackenzie, 1997
DATA ENTERED BY: Ruth Riding, 1997
Slessor, Mary Letter no. 35 Kelton: 21st September, 3rd. October 1907
Miss Slessor is feeling very well. She has been out and about visiting, and
shopping for clothes. However she expresses her fears at the thought of Mr.
Partridge's leaving the Calabar District, and wishes to return there soon. She
has managed to persuade the Mission Board to let her return, and has attended
small meetings in the Border Country. She is distressed to learn that Mr
Partridge is ill. She has been doing more reading, and gives news of many
friends and acquaintances.
[At head of letter is written "To C.P.jr. Stowmt."]
Kelton
Joppa
Midlothian
21.9.07
Dear Old Chief
Your letter is a rare treat. But it makes me very Homesick, & the very idea of
your going elsewhere, & a new thing, & a new person at the head, is alarming. I
cant imagine it.
I have been visiting old friends, & am just overwhelmed with the love &
kindness of *all*. It is just restful to be called by your Christian name, & to
hear people say. "How like your mother you are." & etc - but it *is* *hard* on
the dear old mater! - I *have* been revelling in "frocks & furbelows." It is
simply lovely to see the shop windows, & to examine & very nearly *envy* the
beautiful creations the girls wear, & to look at the "milk & roses" of
complection, & the beauty & roundness of form they all possess. But of course
this is most unbecoming in the senior member of a presbyterian Mission! & you
must keep my weakness a secret, & I am trying to take the plainest & cheapest of
frocks out with me. Only fancy them telling me that my costume is like a brides
rigout!!!! Really the three junior mission ladies, Misses Bencock, Reid & Aimes
told me so when we all met the other day in Glasgow, & I confess to feeling
ashamed to be in grey & silk when they were so modestly & consistently garbed
in Navy Blue & I could be the mother of the lot!! Well, it is my last shew off, so
I may be pardoned. Anaemic & debilitated or not, I am *not* well pleased at
their leaving the station, & I should like to see the man or the Church Council
who could *make* me leave any place. But as you say "I get my own will with
my usual skill." I do not for a moment beleive that you will leave your district
for good, till "the approaching civilization" has *quite* arrived. It is far off yet
I fear.
I am trying to get an industrial Home of some kind started for women in Ikibio.
& my friends are willing to come to the rescue. I have the promise of £300.
from 3 individuals, but only for the Home, not for ordinary Mission funds. I am
hoping that *shoe* *making* be given them for an industry. as I beleive there
wd be great demand for shoes, the Plant costs so little.
October 3rd
Dear Old Ruler I *am* sorry that this was left by mistake when I went from
home, & that the whirl & constant engagements did not allow me the time or the
mood to write another, & then comes your last letter with its woeful tale of
sickness. & I could hit myself for my silence, tho' I thought really that you
would not be bothered with my effusions. You wd be so busy enjoying
yourself. This is MY turn now. I ought to be preaching to you. & telling you
"it serves you right" for you are such an agnostic. & etc. etc. but I am too sorry
to indulge in this, & I shall sing the *Other side* & remember all your constant
& uniform patience & kindness to me, through thick & thin, & shall say that you
are just a dear good old man, & that I *can-not* *beleive* that you will not go
back to your work. I too had a severe month of it from a chill when I came
home, and thought I should never get over the discomfort & the pain & fever &
weakness, but here I am cycling all over the country & behaving like a young
lady. So you lay aside that groaning & just "hurry up" & get better, & what if
the days *are* growing shorter!!! You have the comforts of your own home, &
you have the dearest ties earth holds, drawn tighter for your very sickness, & you
have the prospect of bracing from the coolness! and you have !!!
__________________!! Fill in this space as you know I should , & "count your
blessings one by one", & think of the blessings that "might be" & ought to be,
yours, if you * wd* take them, & then see if you are not brighter & more
hopeful.
Have you good reading? It is such a good help to keep off nervousness &
weariness to have a good book, & someone to read with.
I am home from a round of visits, & of small meetings down on the borders. and
I called the other day on Mr Middletons parents. They were away from home,
but he himself was at home with a young sister, & we had a good old Confab on
the "dark Continent." His parents, like your own are Christian people, & very
much interested in all Foreign Missions, & as they belong to our own Church are
specially interested in Calabar, & they invited me some ago to stay with them. I
was not able to do this, & was much disappointed at not seeing them. Mr Kirk
the Engineer has passed away he tells me. He was all right, for time & for
Eternity in any Case, for he was a devoted follower of our lord & saviour for all
the 11 years I have known him. There is not much from Calabar this time. Just
a note from Mr Wilkie, which tells of going to see the Use & Ikot Obon houses,
& of not finding Jean there, as she had gone to Okpo at the request of the Old
Chief there for a day. He found (Albuie?), & took her to Itu, & he means to
take Jean Okogru, but I'm sure Jean will not go. It *wd* be better for them to
leave things alone I think, for Jean has her side of the story, but I am sorely
perplexed about it all, & cannot sleep at nights because of it. I intend to leave
for Calabar by the boat leaving on 19th. the Mission Board are willing, though I
have had a hard fight to get away. They were persisting in making me stay all
winter "to get quite strong" on one hand, & on the other "To go through the
Churches telling about Calabar & its needs." as if I could at my age do the one
& gain the other. They are all (so?) very good though. They overwhelm me
with kindness & with their confidence, & only trust I shall be worthy of it. I
have very little news which would interest you. Mr Darlys parents & sisters
keep asking me to visit them. His father is a Clergyman, & they are all such
nice good people. Mrs (de-Rozwind?) also gives me repeated invitations, & I
shall try to run down there. They are R Cs but He is a good man, & has ever
been kind to me, & if they dont mind being of a different faith, I am sure I dont,
for they & we have one and the same master & saviour, & I should like to give
them any pleasure. if only to help pay back my debt to them. Mr Watt has not
been here again. His uncle who is our Church secretary asked me to dinner last
week but I was from home. I know many of his home peole here. Dr
McDonald, who was at Ikot Okpene called one day in my absence to take a run
with our cycles. He has not come back. I hear he has got engaged to be
married, so he will be busy with his fiancee. A Mr Aldridge from Sierra Leone
is writing a book - a sequel to a previous one, & he asked me to give him
something in regard to a limited emigration scheme for the 200 odd miles of
Railway which they have into a comparatively healthy & high hinterland. I
simply cant get it done, as I am deluged with correspondence, but I would like to
say something on the subject. Mr Middleton is to leave I expect about the
beginning of November. Miss Aimess on the 23, or 30th of that month of fogs
so I cd have company if I waited, but I cant see my way to wait, because of the
empty station, & my big girls.
I dont know Bedell, & dont know whether I should do anything in the way of
working with him, & may go farther on to find new ground. & leave the old
place with the ladies who have done so well there. The governor leaves I hear
with an early boat, about the 14th, I do hope Lady Egerton is again with him. It
is so good for the country to have such a wife at ones right hand in times of
perplexity & worry.
I wish I had sent the P.P.Cs [Note 1] I gathered from place to place, but I thought
you would think them puerile. Would you have thought so? Had I known you
were ill, I should have done so. Well, will you take this scrawl for today, &
with it my apologies, & a great lot of sympathy, & hosts of good wishes, &
prayers too for your wellbeing in every sense. & hoping that you will let me
know how you are *very* *very* *soon* & that your Bulletins will be all good
I am Yours most sincerely
Mary M Slessor
I shall maybe write a book when we get to the other side of this world where the
wicked cease from troubling & the weary are at rest. Certainly I shall not do so
here.
MMS
so you can just take the time & place ( - ?) Mokop? [Note 2]
EDITORIAL NOTES:
1] P.P.Cs = Picture Post Cards
2] Mokop. Presumably an Efik word - meaning unknown
TRANSCRIPTION BY: Leslie A Mackenzie, 1997
DATA ENTERED: Ruth Riding, 1997
Slessor, Mary Letter no. 36 Aberdeen: 13th October 1907
In this postcard to Mr. Partridge on leave in England Miss Slessor asks how he is
and whether he is better. She is worried as he does not write, and asks him to
reply before she returns to Calabar.
[Postcard addressed to] Chs Partridge Esqr, (Junr)
Stowmarket
Suffolk
England
(Postcard post-marked "Aberdeen 11.20AM Oct 14 07)
Why do you not write? Are you better? Do let me know about it at once, as I
shall be off. with the "Fantee" [Note 1] on sat, first 19th.
I have not been much at home since I wrote to you. Am today & tomorow in
Aberdeen but hope to be at Kelton, Joppa, Edinburgh, on Tuesday. After that
address c/o "Alexander & Christie," 64 South Castle Street. Liverpool. Can I
do anything for you? shall write when-ever I hear from you. With kindest
regards, & hoping to get better news from you this time. I am very sincerly
yours, M M Slessor 13.10.'7 Dr McDonald called on Friday. He leaves in
a week
EDITORIAL NOTE:
1] "Fantee". Name of ship.
TRANSCRIPTION BY: Leslie Mackenzie, 1997
DATA ENTERED: Ruth Riding, 1997.Slessor, Mary Letter no. 37 25th & 29th October 1907
The voyage back to Calabar proves monotonous as the company on board is not
to her taste. However the weather is beautiful, and she is in excellent health.
She describes something of her time in Scotland and gives a list of people
expected to follow her out. She gives her friend, Mr Partridge, good advice for
his recovery, recommending him to spend his time recuperating by writing about
the many aspects of life in the Protectorate that he knows so well, but he is to
leave religion severely alone! The bicycle and cloak which he gave her are both
on the ship, and she would part with neither. Apart from the dull company, she
is enjoying the voyage and her appetite remains good. She looks forward to her
return to Calabar.
To C.P.Jun.
Stowmarket
S.S.Fantee
off somewhere 25.10.07
My dear old Chief and friend,
I *shall* pity you, because you are not on board this boat.
- not because the boat is fine, or the company good, neither would be the truth,
but the weather!! It is superb. The sea & the sky vie with each other as to
which shade & depth of blue is finer. & I am at odds with myself as to which I
should crown, till another gleam of sunshine comes & obliterates the former
glory. We had it heavy on Sunday, but from monday on , it has been beyond
expression lovely. The night being even lovelier than the day. We passed the
Islands during the night & are now fairly started for Sierra Leone, which we
hope to make by Thursday next. A certain man named [Pinnet?], a D.C.[Note
1] somewhere they say, is here, & a couple of Govt. doctors, elderly men, but
with the exception of Lieut Meiklejohn, there is not a man I care to speak to.
Indeed it is too tiring to listen to the empty froth, about sweepstake & Bridge and
drink, & the noise is sometimes like what one would expect in a gang of
Hooligans, or from a taproom in a [slum?]. It is degrading to a woman to have
to bear it. Still we are being borne to home & bairns & work, & so it has its
particular compensation. I am glad, not with standing the heartaches of parting,
to be here again on my way out. Had you been out, I should possibly have
stayed a steamer later, or even two steamers, but the fear for what may be is too
strong. I shall go to Use first & see to the two houses. They will be sadly out
of repair after the heavy rains. I have seen a little of both Miss Peacock & Miss
Reid at home. The latter called on us in Edinr, [Note 2] the former travelled
with me on a journey to Aberdeen, & once to Alloa. They both seem quite fit &
will be out early in the year. All the friends as well as the church people tried to
keep me at home for the winter, & when I would not stay, they tried to bind me
to a 2 years term, but I hold that in my own option, & though it was good to be
at home, & to enjoy many things, it is far too tame, & far too exacting, to be
borne willingly. Life is so full of conventional duties, which are as hard in their
way as the real things of life, but much less satisfactory. Still I have enjoyed it,
the white washings & pullings about to get me into society shape, not with
standing. & I hope I shall be more Civilised & Christian in my manner of life
for it all.
The Wilkies are on their way home. I spent one day at Dr Robson's, Mrs
Wilkies fathers', & they are looking for them early in Novr. I saw Dr
McDonald, who comes by next boat, also Capn Grays people, & Mr Middleton's
& Mr Watts, but have no news. Mr Maxwell says he is to come & meet me at
Lagos. I shall give him your good wishes, for I know you like & appreciate
him. I am not sure if I shall see Colonel Montanaro at Sierra Leone, but we
have a Colonel & his wife on board going there, so I shall try to through them.
They have kept to their Cabin most of the time, as she has been rather sick.
I have no other hope of a break in the monotony of the voyage till we reach
Calabar. No one seems to know whether the Governor has sailed, tho it was
reported he had early in the month. I shall let you know as I get on how I find
things, but I do trust the doctors will prove false prophets, as they so aften are, &
that you shall be back at your post with in the 6 months. Are you able to write?
If so, you should make the short wintry days in your room memorable for more
than the invalids fretful life. You have so much to write about. Write!!! It
will only need a beginning. What has been done, What *may* be done, What
should be done in the Protectorate, the native, His habits, Life & Laws, Etc the
Country, its produce, its possibilities, etc. but please leave *religion* out this
time, as I don't deem you fit to write on such a wide, & inward subject. I think
one should be surer & more strictly *located*, if I may say so. Your ideas on
that subject are too loose & disjointed, & take too little reck of such facts as Sin.
You don't even put them scientifically, & though the science of God will evade
definitions, as final. It should be scientifically studied before being written
about. How do you like that for plain speaking? You are my Friend, so I
*dare* do it. However no one who has been in the Protectorate can do better
work for it than you can, & I trust your being laid aside will stimulate you in this
direction. Perhaps the stimulus will react on the body, & give you power to
subdue the illness to a great extent. I like your pluck, & determination to
conquer & to do it gracefully. I wish you good speed, & if your past is any
criterion for your perseverance I hope the best, & may welcome you at Use, or
much further on before very long.
Now don't be angry when I call your attention to a way which I have *proved*
*often* & which it is well worth your while trying. It is an old fact & promise
given in the Old Book which professes to be more than a human document. It
says "I am the Lord Who Healeth Thee", & centuries later, the "Son of Man"
verified the same fact & promise, & has been doing it still every where & at
every time, where & when He has found a believing heart. *Try* *it*. I am
always asking Him to do this for you & more. This is of course between
ourselves, but I'm serious.
You think I should take a Bicycle out with me! Do you think for a moment that
I shall ever part with the Bike you gave me?? How dare you think so? I have
been all over the country on it, & at the last I was taking the hills as well as other
elderly ladies did, & my precious Bike is packed & in the hold of this ship &
will be my companion as long as it will hold together. I took it by train
wherever I went, & I love it, & could be on it all the time. I got a carpenter to
pack it in the same case as it went home in. I only wish I could get you for a
race. I think I shall be able now to keep step with you. O do hurry up & come
out, & I shall accompany you to Ikot Ekpene any day.
Now I must stop, as there are so many interruptions, & it gets cooler, so I must
obey your advice & get on a wrap. What a comfort that cloak has been!! *&*
*is*.
29th
We expect to make Sierra Leone tomorrow morning, so I just finish of [Note 4]
this in a sweltering heat. It is simply unbearable down in the cabin. I have no
news. I have been writing a lot, as I must make up arrears. They had games
Yest., which took up all the time & the interest on board. I am rudely healthy.
My appetite is the wonder of all who sit at my table I think. I wish I could give
some of it to you. Now "Hurry up" & get well, for one at least will be watching
& waiting for you at the old district. I shall send on all news when I arrive.
Good bye. God bless you, & thus pay some of the debt I owe you. Remember
me to your family circle.
I am yours very sincerely
Mary M Slessor
EDITORIAL NOTES:
1] D.C. = District Commissioner
2] Edinr. = Edinburgh
3] Colonel Montanaro, had headed the Aro Expedition of 1901, and during the
aftermath had shared his launch with Mary on a visit up the Enyong Creek to
Amasu, a major Aro town.
4] Presume she means "off"
TRANSCRIPTION BY: Leslie A. Mackenzie, 1997
DATA ENTERED BY: Ruth E. Riding, 1998
Slessor, Mary Letter no. 38 23rd. November 1907
A letter to Mr. Partridge who was still in England recovering his health. It tells
of clearing up operations ordered by Miss Slessor on her return to Calabar. She
has a poor opinion of Mr. Biddell, the new District Commissioner, who had not
sent her any message for the fortnight she had been there. She plans going to
Ikpe to see if she can start work there. She relates the tale of a local man who,
having got drunk, ran amok with a sword and narrowly missed killing the man
who disarmed him.
To C.P.jr.
Stowmarket
Use
23.11.'07
Dear Old Man,
How are you? & Where are you today? I am sure you would enjoy this brilliant
sunshine more than the grey misty bleakness of that far off land. But you may
by this time have escaped from it all. Are you to winter in England? or do you
go to some of those southern places where you will have the joy seeing invalids
of all conditions, & of all stamps & types. That seems to be the role invalids at
home have to play. I am sure it will be a very disagreeable one to you. If you
saw how rudely healthy I am !! It would make you envious! I was amazed to
find myself walking up & down that hill, & to go along to church, finding it
quite easy, & wondering how I ever found it difficult. I got here on the
Saturday before last.
A number of officials came on board, but I did not know their names. They said
that Mr Beddell was expecting me to take up the work again. One man came
round from (Fascados?), who said he was to releive Brooks. I saw a note to a
"book" [Note 1] of Hallidays, from the Ikorofion Court, saying that Ikot Anye
was his, so he must not yet be gone.
Mr Beddell passed up from Calabar on the Thursday before last , & went to the
Court, where he evidently thought he would meet me. He asked them if they
wanted me back, or some such thing to that effect. He said he thought I wd be
here, & that he did not know Use. But he could have sent a note with a
C.M.[Note 2] if he had not time to call. However, I have not heard of, or from
him as yet, & it will be a fortnight on Monday since I came up. He may not be
well, or he may be busy, but a note wd not take long to write, & I certainly will
not take any notice of any thing till he does write or call. I could not fancy you
in such a position that you wd not get a message sent. I went up to the Court,
just to please them, they were all bothering so, but I sat at the back, & only
listened. The children were meanwhile working at the House taking down the
bush & putting on fire. I told Halliday to give two boys on the first day he had
time, to put in a post that had fallen, inverting the roof of the back verandah, &
also paid a visit to the school. There were only 20 scholars but it was a market,
& a Court day, & the bell was but newly rung. The old Chief Udo Ekandem, is
very poorly. His jaws are stiff, & he is worn to a shadow. His chief wife, the
mother of Imana, died on Sabbath morning, but the town was quiet, & 300
people were at the service. It is worth going home, to get such a welcome. The
chiefs were all down the morning after we arrived, & they cleaned all the bush &
the road before the sun was high. The place is begun to be homelike & clean
now. The main road would raise your ire, I had a proclamation made at Court,
that it was to be cleaned at once, I am intending to go to Okpo this afternoon, as
tomorrow is the Communion day there. Only my litle girlie has hot fever.
They have built a new Church at Ikot Obon, a fine building, & have straightened
all the road. They dont know how to express their admiration of the White
Man's country, which could do for me what this visit has done. I purpose going
up to Ikpe, to see if I can begin work there, in order to reach some of these
incorrigibles behind. They always tie up my C.Ms. I shall probably go next
week, but shall be tied to Ikot Obon till the ladies come back. I have no news.
Things seem to Hmm at Lagos, & Railways form the subject of discourse.
Northern Nigeria is to the fore, but all our men, Gray, Middleton, & Maxwell,
etc. wish to come back to Calabar. There is great upturning among Political
Agents, in Calabar, Daniel Henshaw is on bail for something like £250, &
several others are up. Your own boy Esien is up, but his people do not know
what the charge is, or whether he is convicted or not. My children saw him in
Church at the first, but he was not there the last 2 Sabbaths before we came up.
I saw the Enyon men at Church that Sunday we came. They were down for
Ekandem Nmo Akpans palaver [Note 3]. He has paid £200 to one lawyer I
think he has had 3 employed in trying to get out of the finding of the Courts.
They are waiting I hear for Coco Basseys finding which was given to you at Ikot
Okpene. The dependents were down for a week & were told, that the Case was
again put off. Ekandem says, he will spend his money fighting them rather than
give them the money. He is a very obstinate man, & as proud as Lucifer, & he
will accept no overture of reasoning to better issues. Everything seems quiet,
even to stagnation. But there is plenty to do here. Mr Gray says we can
develop the cocoa nut fibre for matting, also basket making in our women's
industrial scheme & he will help us.
Dr R, was telling me he had been telling Beddell that so & so, an Itu man - was
a brute, & etc. etc. Is that fair? though indeed the man is not good. Is it fair to
the very worst, to (pregiduce?) [Note 4] them in the eyes of a Magistrate? He is
an insufferable man. There was a narrow escape from a tragedy at "Russells" on
Friday, or Thursday. A runaway, these (Bonry?) people, of Adelines, had been
in the bush for some days, seeking to escape with a household, & goods etc. etc.
He got mad drunk, & went into the shop & broke everything, & took to the
drink, & flourished a sword to those who interfered. Everybody ran, & left Mr
Underhill to tackle him alone. The man made to stab him in the body, but he
put aside, & got only a wound in the hand or arm, in wrenching the sword from
him, the man was then caught & taken to prison, where he died immediately
from the drink presumably. Again, there was an Efik boy stabbed by his own
boy that night, but the wounds - in the side, & arm are not very serious. It
never rains but it pours.
Now my time is up, see that you get well quickly, & come out. Gentlemen are
scarce here,
God bless you & heal you
I am very sincerely yours
M M Slessor
EDITORIAL NOTES:
1] "Book". Probably a local term for an official document or statement
2] C.M. = Court Messenger
3] palaver = usually a discussion, consultation, Court Case
4] presumably "prejudice"
TRANSCRIPTION BY: Leslie A Mackenzie, 1997
DATA ENTERED BY: Ruth Riding, 1997Slessor, Mary Letter no. 39 7th December 1907
Miss Slessor gives details of a proposed move by her to another area, Ikpe, when
the new ladies arrive from England. She has already been there and describes
her visit, demonstrating her powers of diplomacy. She apologises for her hasty
judgement of Mr Biddell, who was on patrol, and gives various general news.
To C.P. jr.
Stowmarket
Use
7th Dec. 1907
Dear Old Workfellow & Boss,
How are you on this bright morning? Im hoping to hear something from you by
this mail, for truth to tell Im rather anxious. It seems a year already since I left
Britain. Yet I have not done anything. The last week I set off by canoe from
Okpo, for Ikpe, the big market town at the head of the Anyan Enen Creek. How
I have wished that you were at hand, with all your knowledge of roads & places
to help me. I mean to seek pastures new, when the ladies come, which will be
before very long, & as Ikpe have come so often to beg for a teacher & a visit, I
went before beginning the Court work. I found that it was a very large market.
That it is a monopoly of Eniyon & Efik have been strictly kept out. That from
Abiti Okpenyon's farm I can get a road to Ikot Obon, that from Asua Abasias
farm I can get a short road to Ikpe which wd suit my cycle in the dry season.
That the Nkana town was a little over an hours walk from Ikpe, & 3 hours faster
than our canoe was, that from the latter 2 places & from Ikpe, one can make Ikot
Okpene in one long days walk. That from Ikpe my policeman - whom I met
there, had gone to Amamowo, - Aro - & walked over in the afternoon, & that six
hours takes one to Bendi. While our bad & hostile members of Use & Aka &
eversomany more, are all on its borders & attend its market. That there is a
Church built, & 21 names of full grown men are to join as Xtians [Note 1], & 20
lads at least, with a sprinkling of women, who were not guaranteed as they may
succumb to pressure. that they have advanced some distance in the knowledge
of Xtianity, tho' no one can read, & that they regularly meet for worship, & keep
the Sabbath. - This thro' the Eniyon Xtians, who wish the Sunday market
stopped. The Chiefs were riled at the Xtians not hunting for, & offering
sacrifices, lest they should all die thro' the neglect. But they were pleased that I
gave command to obedience in all unessential matters. They gave me plenty of
chop [Note 2] & fowls, a sheep & etc, & if all goes well, I shall stay in the vestry
of the Church till I build a House, & make that my head quarters, when the
ladies come. How will you like to meet me there?
I have not yet seen Mr Bedwell! He was on patrol so I was judging him hastily,
still I think he might have written a note. He called while I was away, but left
no note, & as he did not send to say he was coming, I was not to blame for being
out. His A.D.C. [Note 3] came up one day. The day I came from Okpu
service, & he saw my cycle. He had just come up at my back. I was not yet in
the house. Sidney I think his name is. The men came - at this busy season
from their farm work to attend the Court on Thursday but found Halliday was at
Ikop Okpene, but no word had been sent. I'm glad I did not make a fool of
myself by going to find no Court. In fact I had fever that day, so did not attempt
it. I found Okono Nguo the C.M. [Note 4] at that distant market, & he said the
Consul at Ikot Ekpene sent him. If he did, He did a greatly indiscreet thing. It
is too big a temptation to the man, & it is an infliction on peoples who only
partly belong to this Court, & it is besides too far away from supervision for a
boy to have a roving Commission - with Blue Clothes and Brass Buttons.
I could not buy a penny worth with English money. They lied like Troopers.
Every thing was either sold, or they had just bought them. However I did not
say anything. The C.M. came to tell me some men called him "Dam fool" when
he asked them what they did with a gun, & they threatened to kill him, which
they cd. easily have done & escaped. I went to seek them, but they hid, & I told
the boy to forgive because of the master of the house, as they only lodged their
things in his house on market days for the few hours they were there, & I am
sure they, the Culprits, were hearing me, so I did as diplomatically as I could,
assuring the C.M. that when they knew us better, they wd. act differently. The
Chiefs here said, the White Man had done a few good things, but had done many
bad things to them. I met that too, as tactfully as I could, trying to let in light.
Esien is to be tried at the Assizes I hear. For raping 14 young children, *for*
*holding* *communication* *at* *least* - if nothing more, with Slaves &
Murderers, & etc. It is a dreadful indictment.
I had to stop here as my provisions came up. Mr Rosario kindly sent to Itu for
them, & then before I got them opened Fever was on again. Ive had a fine night
of it, but it does not reduce me to the weakness it used to. I'm staying in bed
tho' & am sending the Children to help in the service. However it has put an
end to my writing, for the whole day was lost, & I'm afraid to attempt anything
more. - Jean saw a White Man whom she did not know, go down the beach
road yesterday. Mr Fosbery sent his kind regards up, saying he did not know I
was coming else he wd. have come on board, but I have not had a chance yet to
speak to him to convey your message. If I could get a way back, I wd. go to
Duke Town on business, but there is only the weekly str. [Note 5] & that is a
long time to wait. There is no news. Did I tell you of the mad man's attack on
the store at Russells? & of Mr Underhill's personal bravery in tackling him? His
wound is quite healed. He has turned out much *finer* than we thought. He is
not a bad fellow, & is a prime favourite with the people, so very kind hearted, &
loved by the poor. He has a young clerk named Jones, a fine lad, who has been
having fever like myself lately. Robertson says he is going home by March
boat. I wish March were tomorrow. Now. I must get my letter sent down to
the beach. So say good day, with an apology for such a shabby letter. God
bless you & supply your every need, as He *only* can. I am ever yours
faithfully & sincerely
M M Slessor
EDITORIAL NOTES:
1] Xtians = Christians
2] chop = food
3] A.D.C. = Aide-de-camp
4] C.M. = Court Messenger
5] str. = steamer
TRANSCRIPTION BY: Leslie A Mackenzie, 1997
DATA ENTERED BY: Ruth E Riding, 1997 |