Early California

Answer fully Mch 7/64

New York Feby 6, 1864

Mr J W Stow

Dear Sir –

The Str of the 3 Inst. took a letter & the power of atty for you and the present is to confirm our telegram of the 4 Inst. "Betting bought at (30%) thirty per cent. Twenty Five Thousand Insured at one per cent." many of our Insurance Cos have agency in S.F. those, will not entertain any proposition here, hence we have to work with those who do not think enough of far off risks to make it their study – and of course but little headway could have been made were it not for our reputation at home, so we

& you would be shipped has not been got off Mr L says the new National Banks take all that class of safes as fast as they can be turned out. but he will write you on this subject, We have to endorse you of per their advance on nails, to $6.25 5% off cash price firm we can sell all our nails at this price – now if your market will not bear this advance over expenses, what do you think about our selling here & so secure a profit, would you be injured more than our gain? we have ordered 500 kegs to be delivd on board a Cald Ship – but since doing so this advance takes place and we are really at a loss to know what to do. Query what will be the price of nails on arrival 5 mo hence? Strap & Hinges are now 30% advance & 7½% cash by the case at Factory & 30% advance & 5% cash here – always net cash – our profit is our coms 7½% – This com you know is highly confidential as it is not strictly regular. In conclusion let me impress you with the fact that goods are very very very hard to get and you will please take off your hat should you have a pile of goods to look at. our shipments will pour the necessities of the case grow beautifully less just now.

Yrs truly

A W North

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

bled freely by the Engraver on the Cal(?) Store I suggested using the cuts which we were getting together for our catalogue in the way you find them in the H C Wave Reporter – Simply because we could get it done for a song & it would be an agreeable surprise particularly if at trifling cost – 1st the regular change for the papers – would be $8. Hundred – we subscribed for 600 @ $8. or say $50. = for the original foreign Edition & then agreed for 400. for you – calculating to send them in a paper bundle by the Lillis – but as Mr L did not go – I was told it would cost only 3 or 4$ at most by Str [Steamer] & so ordered them

(Side bar) The regular Postage by mail you observe is $8.29 ea [each] & payt [payment] here.

If this explanation will make you feel more amiable towards those expensive advertise[ments] (corner folded over end of word) my purpose will be accomplished – I first hoped the str [Steamer] wd [would] sink!

sent that way – later I was told we were too late & I then drected them to go by the next Str [Steamer] – but it Seems the Shipping clerk that he had done a smart thing to get them aboard the express – some bribing I believe – so it goes – but never mind in $ & cts [cents] it can be endured – but in feeling it must graduallly wear out. Changing the subject – below are the figures of shipments to Cal?

Genl Mdse Including Ins a/c 149.574.81 Factory Goods – 47.591.56 Consigned Goods – 67.246.72 }To Jany [January] 1/64 $264.413.09

Shipped inJany [January] Genl Mdse – 16.639.72 Factory Goods – 9104.48 Insurance say – 1000. – Consigned – 2831.07 29575.27 $293.988.36 Total

Belting is not in the consigned goods – The above are Mr. Olivers figures made up for our use –

A. W. North

The regular Postage by Mail you observe is $8.29 ea [each] & payt [payment] here.

If this explanation will make you feel more amiable towards those expensive advertise[ments] (corner blocking the rest of the word) my purpose will be accomplished – I first hoped the Str [Steamer] wd [would] sink!

Answr March 15/64 See letter for copy filed.

N. Y. Feby 13/64

Mr Stow Esq

Dr Jim –

I am obliged to hartin unpleasant news to you in order to avail of the Olivers Str Mail – & without note or comment – Last Eve the Lock acsociation held their meeting in our office and made more trouble for you – advancing the price of Locks Knobs & c (as for Jany price List 1853 –) & 50% – and special terms 40% – ie where it was 30% it is now 50% & where 20% it is now 40% – Pad Locks are 30% added – and from