Joseph W. Stow

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New York Jany [January] 11, 1864

Mr J. W. Stow San Francisco

Dear Sir

The bearer Mr. John Watkins, of Canada West late a customer of ours is about casting his fortune in the Western "Eldorado", and in passing may call upon you, any conformation you can give him, or any service rendered, will be appointed & acknowledged by

Yours Truly Russell & Erwin MfgC [Manufacturing Company] J D Russell

[Noted in top margin] Rec [Received] Mch[March]/64 [1864] Ans^d [Answered] Mch [March] 7, 1864

New York Feby [February] 3. 1864

J W Stow Esq

Dear Sir –

Your favor 24 Dec [December] was duly rec [received] but I have omitted writing, as others here seem to have covered the ground in a business point of views, and aside from business I have neither time or inclination to write − simply because the work is exceedingly hard work. If I had your will, I wd write between times as you must. – In fact I've asserted here, that I didn't believe you had slept a wink since landing in S.F. San Francisco! or do you wind up yr [your] manifold writer at night for the morning mail?

over

The power of atty I supposed was in the same envelope as the paper forwarded in Novr [November] the oversight is chargeable to the writer.

You ask some questions difficult to answer especially when it takes so long to get our reply. It wd [would] take considerable courage to put down an opinion as to the future in writing to be opened three weeks hence how foolish we should feel to give a very wise & sagacious opinion about prices & find before out letter reached Panama our wisdom was folly, but when we are face to face as here, one mans opinion is as good as another hence it sometimes

yes

Nails 6.25 5% cash – so we go – Yesterday I mailed two Hardware Reporter Newspapers with two entire sides devoted to cuts of our goods – we had 400 copies struck off for you to throw out as an advance guard to the forthcoming catalogue – which by the way you must be patient about. The printer Henry reports is building a new press & Steam Engine! to work them on! Your cards & circulars are beautiful and excudingly well executed – you've got'em on the currency question at least so thinks the subscriber – Hastily yrs [your]

A W North

yes manytimes it takes the ruling vote of three to determine just what to do – herein we can sympathize with you.

Of Screws I have nothing satisfactory to report – simply on account of the remarkable state of things in regards to raw meterial & labor – of course labor has nothing to do with screws directly – & only as other prices are affected. No – for the present all our engines are bent on obtaining goods at any price & any terms.

Wire I supposed you are advised is now sold at List 5% cash nails were advanced yesterday to $6²⁵