Joseph W. Stow

took along our stock in trade (reputation) turned it over to an Insurance broker and he secured for us $25000 – @ 1% for 1 yr from the 4th Inst. at meridian.) We did not know how much you wanted, but concluded to take this amt & if you dont want it now you will soon, by arrivals. Premium & Loss if any payable in Greenbacks.

Mr Lillis has just come in to say that he will not be able to go to [S.F.?] before April! He will telegraph you to make all the use of his man that you can until that time. We notice the arrival of the "Ellen Sears" which gives you the tools to do a safe business. It seems the large safe that I wrote

Ansd. Mch 7/64

New York Feby 6/64 Pm

Mr J W Stow

D Sir,

I find on inquiry that Hookers agent did call sometime after the goods were shipped & requested us to let the goods go forward. With the exception of "Gillig Mott &Co", We have sold no locks to Cal@ for the past 6 mos. while the Norwalk Locks are shipping largely we know. If this is legitimate all right, but we suspect it is the terms they give there that takes the orders, which they point us to our branch as the cause

A resident here who formerly acted as agent

for several Cal? Houses (retailers) Says he can get no more orders from there, for the reason that agents are selling Locks there at same prices as here – You will of course soon touch bottom on that. We feel that while living up to the arrangement here, some of our competitors have been building, up a handsome business & have taken many of our olders & best customers – In fact we have proof of violation of agreement by the Branford Locke – but we thought it policy to let them off after bringing the matter before the meeting – altho they were liable to the association in $1000 damages – Had

we pursued them the association would be dissolved by their withdrawal which they wd have a right to do on notice – However, we are now making special Effort to sell our Locks or if we fail to sell we are bound to know why – and if we are cheated – perhaps two can work at that business. We'll see what we shall see

Meantime we remain

Yrs truly R & E Mfg

A. W. North

New York Feby 9. 1864

J W Stow Esq.

Dear Sir –

I have this moment learned that the box of Newspapers were sent by Adams Express at an expense of $14. in Gold – My sleep is never disturbed by a loss of a few hundreds or thousands even in a legitimate way – but $25 – paid to an Express Co that fattens on mens necessities and are inexcusable generally – disturbs me beyond expression In fact it spoils the whole thing – I can hardly contain myself to write about it – The fact is here – after being