cover 1840 (19 July) twelve page E.L. from Capt. Huntley at Government House to his friend Dr. Harding in London, readdressed to Glamorgan, variously rated, showing step-type "DEAL/SHIP LETTER" and London Paid arrival d.s.; the contents give a vivid description of the state of the Colony and the way of life including reports that "the state of the Colony is in the most dissapated and lawless condition", on the difficulty of making laws because drafts had to be sent to the Governor and Council of Sierra Leone for approval and the attitude of Governor Randall, his predecessor, who "thought of little beyond eating and drinking in which occupation he succeeded in fattening himself up to about 20 stone and died". The letter goes on to tell of the dancing girls ("Griotes") and his signing of a treaty with the Chiefs of Concho which gained more territory for the Colony. The E.L. with some self-adhesive tape stains (mainly on reverse). A very early and important item of Gambia postal history. Photo