ENPages
(seq. 11)
Contd.
This invoice, amounting to eleven thousand, eight hundred and eight dollars and 66 cents, I wish safe to hand and to a good market. --
Unfortunately the vessel wou'd not take but three heighths of sugar in her hold -- This being the case, there is a little part of her tonnage lost, which however wou'd not have been the case, if I cou'd have bought any article in this country which wou'd have answered to remit. I first thought of putting in some coffee, but this is now 22 to 23 cents pu. which I think too high for your market. --
In consequence of the yellow fever, which now rages to a great degree in this place, it was highly necessary that the great
... Williams
((**Above text is from seq. 13, as the top portion of seq. 11 is missing.**))
... in the Ship mercury, and as I am fearful [th?] have not rec. this remittance (altho' duplicates have been forwarded) I now enclose the third. -- This I hope will arrive to hand.
This place is now exceedingly dull, being as full of every kind of merchandise as London, and to be bought nearly as cheap, it is therefore no time for speculation -- Every kind of northern produce is amazingly low.
I hope you will avail yourselfs of the first oppory. of acknowledging this draft.
Mr. Keith says in his [adventure] letter that you propose sending another adventure this May, I shou'd not recommend it, being confident it wou'd be sold at a sacrafice.
Mr Smith (altho' in this place but a very few days) has become so tired of the Havana that he can hardly have patience to tarry till the vessel is ready for sea -- He is also much afraid of dying -- however I cannot blame him for this, as it is now very sickly in the port.
As I have nothing very particular to write which I think would engage your attention, will only add my compliments as severally due and Subscribe most sincerely Yours.
GAC
(seq. 12)
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. the Marques.
((**The above text is from seq. 10, as the top half of seq. 12 is missing.**))
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Havana May 6th. 1799. ,
Mr. William Clap Merchant of Boston.
Dr Sir. On the 26th. ult. arrived here Your schooner Volant, Cyrus Williams Master, after a passage of twenty two days, during which they had but little hard weather and received no damage. ~
She has landed her cargo outward, and received another of sugars, of which you have herewith an invoice and bill of lading -- There is 90 boxes white marked WWC and 60 boxes brown marked BWC which are on account of those goods immediately address'd to me, and 60 boxes white WSC with 40 boxes BSC which are on account of those goods address'd to the care of Mr. Allen Smith which are left with me for sale -- There are also ten boxes marked S (6 of whites & 4 of browns) which are on Mr. Smiths account and four more of SC which belongs to the first 150. -- The whole of the above are put into one invoice, as I shall carry the next proceeds of the goods left with me by Mr. Smith to your account.
[P the Scho. Volant, Captn. Williams bound for Boston, & a duplicate P the Ship Lydia Captain Delano]
(seq. 13)
Contd.
This Invoice, amounting to Eleven thousand, Eight hundred and Eight dollars and 66 cents, I wish safe to hand and to a good market. --
Unfortunately the vessel wou'd not take but three heighths of sugar in her hold -- This being the case, there is a little part of her tonnage lost, which however wou'd not have been the case, if I cou'd have bought any article in this Country which wou'd have answered to remit. I first thought of putting in some Coffee, but this is now 22 to 23 cents pu. which I think too high for your market. --
In consequence of the Yellow fever, which now rages to a great degree in this place, it was highly necessary that the greatest dispatch shou'd be given to Capt. Williams, and therefore have not had it in my power to effect the Sale of a single article of his cargo, My whole attention being directed to his return, and I have the pleasure to inform you that he has met the greatest dispatch of any vessel that has loaded in this port this season, the benefits of which are lessening his Disbursements, portage bill and salvation of his crew (having lost but one man). --
A few cases of the Goods have passed the Customs, on opening of which we found them to be considerably damaged, & of course a survey will be made. Mr Smith will inform you their situation.
I see by the Invoice a number of articles which are exceedingly unsaleable, and no one but what is very high charged. Were they fresh, and well adapted to the Market in general, they wou'd command a handsome price, but as they are old and many of them shop worn, will be sold under the Invoice. The fans are good, also the Silks -- Laces and ribbons are now very low.
Those laces which were among the articles
(seq. 14)
Contd.
of your first consignment are still on hand, and I am afraid it will continue to be the case, as it is utterly out of my power (and always has been) to obtain any thing near the Invoice price. The Ribbons, Good & Bad, are principly sold at 75 cents and upwards to 3 dols P piece which is not near the Invoice price -- The narrow black ribbons are here considered on the common No 4[?]. and command the same price. -- The canes are dispos'd of at 2 1/2 to 3 dls P doz. whole & broken. -- The silks at 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 dols P yard, some of which were so rotten as scarcely to admit of measuring -- The Flowers & feathers are in a Shop retailing out, the first a 10 to 20 cents, the latter at 30, 40 to 50. The Cambricks are still on hand. -- You request of me an account of sales in full, which is imposible to render as a part of almost every article remains unsold. I cou'd give you a triplicate of my letter of 12th. ult. if necessary, but I presume 'ere this you have recd. both original and Duplicate. In this I stated to you the particular situation of all your Goods.
It is possible that from the above you may be lead to think that I under value your Goods and the bussiness you have so politely thought fit to put into my hands, but be assured, my dear sir, that every article of both the first and the last consignment are so novel an assortment of antiquity that the sale of them has been & will continue to be a work of time and patience. --
Agreeable to your request, shall keep the sales all seperate, and as soon as possible shall forward them.
As you have, in your last Letter given me liberty to ship Sugars to Salem, Newport or New York, it will be the means of Facilitating my remittances, and immediately on my being in Cash for you, shall not fail of letting you hear from your correspondents in some one of these ports.
(seq. 15)
Contd.
Captn. Williams has recd. a certificate for cancelling your bond for the drawback on Soap, Anchovies, Capers, papers &c. Also his acc. of disbursements which I have discharg'd. -- I have (as you will see by this) paid one of his Seaman for an advance month due him in Boston. --
You will undoubtedly wish to be informed of the State of the Markets here -- I can only say they are compleatly glutted with every commodity of every nation on Earth, and I cannot advise the shipment of one single dollars worth in any article whatever. --
For the box of Nutts please to accept my thanks-- They were really a rarity -- In return, please to accept a couple of pots of Sweetmeats, which I have put on board directed to you Lady, to whom please make my respects. --
The Schooner Volant sailing under convoy of the Delaware Sloop of war, you will most probably save the Insurance. --
As I have nothing further particularly to observe, will only add my best wishes for your health, and subscribe Your most hbl Servt. -------- GAC
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Havana May 9. 1799 ~
Jno Parker Esqr. Merchant. Boston.
Dr Sir. ~ The sailing of the Fleet this morning gives me an opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your favor by the Orion, Captn. Richmond, who arrived he safe last evening.
Since addressing you last, this port has been filled with vessels from almost all parts of the continent, which have compleatly glutted the market. Flour 9 dols. Beef 6 and Pork 13 & all kinds of English and French manufactures selling at a sacrafice. -- The quantities of Beef and Flour which