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Cushing, George A.. George A. Cushing letter book, 1799-1802 (inclusive). Mss:766 1799-1802 C984, Baker Library Special Collections, Harvard Business School.

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Biographical Note

George Augustus Cushing was a merchant and slave trader active in Havana, Cuba, and Boston between the 1790s and early 1800s. He exported commodities including American lace, ribbons, flour, and staves and imported West Indies goods like molasses and sugar. Often in partnership with Captain Daniel Edes, he engaged in slaving voyages to Africa.

Scope and Contents

Letter book of Boston merchant and slave trader George A. Cushing, who lived for several years in Havana, Cuba, dating from 1799 to 1802. His letters from Havana describe the economic and political environment, and discuss sales of American goods in Cuba, including fans, lace, ribbons, feathers, and flour, and the items he shipped to Boston, such as sugar, molasses, cochineal, and cinnamon. A number of letters reference the market for slaves and opportunities for bringing enslaved persons into Spanish colonies. Additional topics were the yellow fever outbreak in 1799, an incident in which American consular agent John Morton attempted to smuggle specie into Havana in 1800, the temporary suspension by Spain of trade between America and Cuba, and the French Revolutionary Wars. He wrote to his uncle regarding his efforts to replace Morton as the U.S. consul at Havana and requested he intervene with President Thomas Jefferson on Cushing's behalf. Other correspondents included Captain Daniel Edes, with whom Cushing partnered on slaving voyages, Boston merchants John Hancock (active 1769-1800) and Samuel Parkman (1752-1824), and Spanish officials like Havana Governor Juan Procopio de Bassecourt, as well as Juan Clemente Núñez del Castillo, the Marquis of San Felipe and Santiago, and G.R. and Francisco de Azcárate. In December 1799 Cushing wrote to Boston lawyer Perez Morton (1751-1837; Harvard AB 1771) about a proposed voyage to Cape Horn and Canton, China. A January 1800 letter to Thomas Fletcher of Charleston, South Carolina, discusses the Havana market for slaves, and Cushing notes that "at this season of the year they are always high, it being the harvest time and their services much wanted." Similarly in April 1800 he writes William Clap that "prime slaves are quick at 500" dollars a person, though there are "but few guineamen in port," referring to slave ships. In 1801, Cushing sailed back to Boston via Charleston and Philadelphia, and sent letters during his visits to those ports regarding his business matters and activities. Cushing also corresponded with plantation owner Nathaniel Fellowes, Jr., in 1802 about an idea to sell Spanish customs papers to American merchants that would admit their ships into Havana. In March 1802 Cushing writes to J.L. de la Cuesta "on the subject of introducing slaves from Mozambique into Lima, wishing to know whether a voyage of this kind would be practicable, & what the probable price of slaves would be."

Pages

(seq. 6)
Complete

(seq. 6)

Contd

Shou'd this proposition meet your Excellencies approbation, I shall be proud, in the moment of danger, to be enroll'd as a Volunteer in your Body Guards, or other ways be dispos'd of in that situation, near your person, where my abilities shou'd be the most useful. I have the honor to be &c. GAC

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Havana March 4th. 1799 --

John Parker Esquire Merchant. Boston

Sir. I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your polite and very acceptable favor under date of January 10th. This day presented by Captain Delano of the ship Delight, accompanied by a number of late papers -- For this, please to accept my thanks.

I addressed you & brig Little Sally, under date of 8th. ult. which I presume, before this, is safe to hand.

This goes by the Ship Rebecca, bound to Providence, & sails with the fleet tomorrow, under convoy of the Delaware Sloop of War and the General Green & John Jay cutters. -- This little squadron is constantly cruizing off the mouth of this harbour for the purpose of intercepting the French, & regulating the English privateers -- retaking our own vessels and convoying the Havana fleet as far as the Gulph -- The fleets go out about once a fortnight -- Tomorrow about twenty sail leave this for different parts of the United States, some of which are strongly armed and manned in proportion. There are now in port about one hundred American vessels and more arriving every day -- You wou'd be astonished at the amount of bussiness done, and the spirit of enterprise that seems to possess these people. Very extensive shipments are made from this to La Vera Cruz by the Spanish merchants, which makes the vent for goods very great. This market is rather gluted at this time, but I believe after the Spanish

[Per Ship Rebecca Captain Teyers bound for Providence]

Last edit about 2 years ago by T. N. Baker
(seq. 7)
Complete

(seq. 7)

Contd.

me to beg the favor of an answer, and in the mean time Madam, accept the assurances of my Respect & Consideration with which I have the honor to be &c. &c.,

G. A. Cushing

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Havana, April 18th. 1799.,

My hond. father,

I have now been in this place above three months without receiving a single line from any one of my family. I do not asscribe it to neglect on their part, but to inattention of Master of Vessels by whom they were sent. At almost every direct opportunity for Boston, I have written You, but without return. -

How long I shall tarry in this place is rather uncertain, as the Climate is healthy and the Climate my business tolerably lucrative. This is beyond all doubt a more healthy place than Boston, the air being always temperate and not subject to those sudden changes, which in a more northern latitude are frequent and produce consumptions, which of all deaths is the only one I dread. -

On Sunday last entered this port two 74 S and 6 frigates from the port of La Vera Cruz, which is the port town of the City of Mexico from whence the whole world are supplied with dollars -- This fleet, (called the annual galleys) had on board 18,000,000 of Dollar, besides a large quantity of cochineal, which is a rich drug & peculiar to that place. Yesterday morning a part of this fleet sailed for Spain, & it may very justly be said had on board more intrinsic value than any other one of the same number of tons & protected by the same number of guns since the war. -- Shou'd this immence treasure fall into the hands of the English, it will give another tone to the war, & France would be the first to feel its effects.

Last edit about 2 years ago by T. N. Baker
(seq. 8)
Complete

(seq. 8)

Cont'd. Shou'd this proposition meet your Excellencies approbation, I shall be proud, in the moment of danger, to be enroll'd as a volunteer in your Body Guards, or other ways be dispos'd of in that situation, near your person, where my abilities should be the most useful. I have the honor to be &c. GAL

John Parker Esquire Havana March 4th 1799 Merchant, Boston Sir. I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your polite and very acceptable favor under date of January 10th. This day presented by Captain Delano of the ship Delight, accompanied by a number of late papers- for this, please do accept my thanks.

[written down left column in a row P Ship Rebecca Captain Jegers bound for Providence]

I address you via brig little Sally, under date of 8th ult. which I presume, before this, is safe to hand.

This goes by the Ship Rebecca, bound to providence & sails with the Fleet tomorrow, under convoy of the Delaware Sloop of War and the General Green & John Jay Cutters. This little Squadron is constantly cruising off the mouth of this Harbor for the purpose of intercepting the French & regulating the English privateers - retaking our own Vessels and convoying the Havana Fleet as far as the Gulph. The fleets go out about once a fortnight. Tomorrow about twenty sail leave this for different parts of the United States, some of which are strongly armed and manned in proportion. There are now in port about one hundred American Vessels and more arriving every day- You wou'd be astonished at the amount of bussiness done, and the spirit of enterprise that seems to possess these people. Very extensive shipments are made from this to La Vera Cruz by the Spanish merchants, which makes the vent for goods very great. This market is rather gluted at this time, but I believe after the Spanish

Last edit almost 4 years ago by Jannyp
(seq. 9)
Complete

(seq. 9)

me to beg the favor of an answer, and in the mean time Madam, accept the assurances of my respect & dconsideration with which I have the honor to be &c. &c

G. A. Cushing

----------------------------------------------------------------------Havana, April 18th. 1799. ,

My hon'd father,

I have now been in this place above three months without receiving a single line from any one of my family. I do not asscribe it to neglect on their part, but to inattention of Master of Vessels by whom they were sent. At almost every direct opportunity for Boston, I have written you, but without return. ~

How long I shall tarry in this place is rather uncertain, as the climate is healthy and the Climatemy business toleraby lucrative] lucrative. This is beyond all doubt a more healthy place than Boston, the air being always temperate and not subject to those sudden changes, which in a more northern latitude are frequent and produce consumptions, which of all deaths is the only one I dread. ~

On Sunday last entered this port two 74 [?] and 6 frigates from the port of La Vera Cruz, which is the port town of the City of Mexico from whence the whole world are supplied with dollars -- This fleet, (called the annual gallup) had on bourd 18,000,000 of Dollar, besides a large quantity of cochineal, which is a rich drug & peculiar to that place. Yesterday morning a part of this fleet sailed for Spain, & it may very justly be said had on board more intrinsic value than any other one of the same number of Tons & protected by the same number of guns since the war. -- Shou'd this immence treasure fall into the hands of the English, it will give another tone to the war, & France would be the first to feel its effects.

[P the brig Jay, Captn. Atkins bound for Boston]

Last edit almost 4 years ago by vant
(seq. 10)
Complete

(seq. 10)

cont.

When I have the pleasure of seeing you, will tell you more of this arrangement of the galleys, of the Country of Gold & Silver, of Mexico in general & Peru, as my little knowledge of the Spanish language is sufficient to convince me that the accounts you have of this golden world are exceedingly defective. I am now paying all attention to this language, which bye the bye is a very beautiful one. My love & duty as severally due from your &c. GAC

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Havana April 19th. 1799.

The hon'd the Marques. de San Filipe of Santiago Most Respected Sir.

Mortified as I am at having unfortunately mistaken your extreme politeness and attention for an honorable friendship and esteem, I have to beg your pardon for having taken the liberty, some time since, of addressing you on the subject of making you a visit at your country seat agreeable to your honor's very obliging invitation of the 22d ult. Had I avail'd myself of one moments reflection at the time, on the great distance existing at the between one of the Lords of the Bed Chamber & a citizen of the Republic of the United States of America, common sence and delicacy wou'd have taught me that you never had even the most distant idea of a visit from him who has the honor to be, with sentiments of the most profound respect, Señor Marquis, your most obedient and most obliged humble Servant

Geo. A. Cushing

Last edit almost 4 years ago by vant
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