ALS to Benjamin Moodie dd Cape Town October 22 1816 de Fairbairn, John

Some minor tears, no loss, faded, overall at least good condition.. Four sides, four sides written, folded once to 230mm high x 185mm wide. (Initialled "JF" but not full signature). Addressed to Moodie at 28 London Street, Edinburgh. Fairbairn talks of a voyage by Moodie, the export of Russian farm implements, business ventures, sale of property, the value of agricultural produce, and personal matters. John Fairbairn was the founder of the Old Mutual, and as a prominent newspaperman he was also largely responsible for the departure of the convict ship"Neptune" for when it was anchored in Simonstown at the Cape Of Good Hope during the anti-convict rebellion from September 19th 1849 until March 19th 1850 when it sailed for Tasmania. The anti-convict movement denied the landing of convicts, employment for them, or food and provisons. Scans and transcription on request.