cover Slave trade stampless folded letter, 1785, letter headed 'Newport (R.I.), Sept. 13th, 1785' and addressed to 'Capt. Nath'l Briggs of Ship Three Friends, Africa', ms. 'p. Capt. Wolf', business contents mention several ships and captains by name, all involved in the slave trade, the Brig Betsy delivered a cargo of 140 slaves in South Carolina for £53 sterling per head, another Brig called at St. Lucia to try the market, but several vessels had been seized there for coming into port without first obtaining permission and suggests that other ships act with great caution in calling at any of the West India Islands, a further message on the back mentions voyages to Africa, another ship had arrived at Charleston (S.C.) and sold its slaves at £58.10 on average, it carried 115 (slaves) for cargo and 220 oz. Gold Dust (standard combined cargo from Africa's infamous Gold Coast), 'the best slave for (the) Carolina market is those from 16 to 25 years old', numerous paper erosions throughout, the letter has been professionally silked to stabilize and further preserve it, excellent early slavery contents dating from the Colonial period est.