JamesDOUGLAS_envelope-2

Two interesting envelopes have come to light in a Swedish company's auction catalogue.

This letter is from 1799 and sent from Hamilton, Scotland, to JAMES DOUGLAS, Controller of the Customs', St. Johns Island, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, the starting price is £220.00

James Douglas (c1757 - 26 Sept. 1803) who was an office holder and land agent. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of John Douglas, a writer there, and younger brother of John Jr, who became a well-known Edinburgh advocate.

Having suffered heavy losses in his trade and finding himself in an intolerable situation, Douglas petitioned the British government for some form of compensation on account of his services. Instead of receiving financial assistance, however, he was appointed controller of customs on St John’s (Prince Edward) Island at the meagre salary of £40 per annum.