ENPages
(seq. 26)
Havana 23d Decr. 1799.
Peter Morton Esqr. of Dorchester.
Sir. Immediately on my arrival here, I embraced the first opportunity of addressing my friend at La' Vera Cruz upon the Subject of an India voyage by Cape Horn &c but have not as yet received his answer. The practicability of an expedition of this nature is without a doubt, but with a small deviation in principle from the one laid down by me in Boston. Say, fit out a large and fast sailing ship at Boston with an assorted cargo well adapted & proceed around Cape Horn to a port previously agreed upon where she will unlade and take in the proceeds in dollars and go direct to Canton across the pacific ocean and there procure a Cargo of Tea's &c and return direct to Boston. To effect this 18 mo is sufficient, and the profits (if conducted by a man of perseverance and intrigue) beyond any other voyage that can be named.
As soon as I receive the answer to my letter to La' Vera Cruz (which contain'd the whole plan) shall write you very lengthily, making you fully acquainted with every point necessary to be understood to enable you to proceed on this important Speculation.
With considerations of respect, I have the honor to be Sir, your most obet. & ms hbl Servt.
Cushing
[P Captn. Jno. Prince undercover to James Prince]
(seq. 27)
Contd.
bound to New York, and with whom this said Quazo took his passage, and with order from the marquis to make sales immediately on his arrival there and rest the nt proceeds in certain articles of which he took a memorandum, but nothing has ever been heard of this Young Gentleman since his departure -- Whether he was lost on his passage to the Continent, or has abused the confidence reposed in him is as yet undetermined.
I have to request that you apply at the Custom house in New York and be informed if such a Schooner has arrived &c. With any other information you can give on the Subject in a letter directed to me.
In return Shall be happy in being commanded by you in like and all other cases.
Yr ms hbl Servt. G. A. C
N. B. The enclosed letter to Mr Bernabeu, the Spanish consul at Baltimore, you will please to forward @ first opportunity.
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Havana Jany. 4th. 1800.
Alex. Jones Esqr. Mercht. Charleston.
Sir.
Your favor under date 4th ult. was recd. the 31st. P March, enclosing power of attorney &c together with a letter to W Lamotte. This I delivered and agreeable to your directions requested the payment of the nt. proceeds on the sales of the adventures of Mr Green consigned to him. To this he objected, saying "that he had writen to you and proposed shiping the property to Mr Simmons in Charleston, and
[P Brig. Fanny, Captn. Wm. Ormond]
(seq. 28)
Contd.
there let the right be disputed". I then left him 'till the next day, when I call'd for a further explanation, on which he still objected to making the payment and said "that he shou'd do no other ways than he had writen, for that was the mode pointed out by the Consulado". Yesterday I call'd on him for the third time with a view of showing him your letter to me & offering to be responsible for the amount rec'd, and fully to explain to him the disadvantages attending your receiving the property in Charleston, as your in that case wou'd not be the oldest, but as soon as the bussiness was named on which I came, he turn'd on his hell and said that "he was too bussy to attend to a bussiness of so little consequence"; upon which I immediately made application to the consulado and on Tuesday next the case will be tried; at their Tribunal I shall make every intent possible and doubt not of suceeding. Whether lost or gain'd you shall have the earliest advice on the subject. While I lament the misfortunes of Mr Green, shall leave no stone unturn'd in securing this debt to you.
I am &c. G. A. C
[Enclos'd him my coml address]
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Hav. Jany. 13th. 1800
Mr. Nathaniel Fellows Jr. Boston.
Dr Friend. The sailing of the Fleet tomorrow gives me an opportunity of droping you a line. I cannot write you any thing very interesting, as every thing
[P Ship John Captn Robertson.]
(seq. 29)
Hava. Jany 14th. 1800
Thomas Fletcher Esqr. Charleston.
Dr Friend. I addressed you under date of Decr. 6th. last, informing of my arrival &c. The present will serve to let you know a little the state of this market &c. which has considerably altered since writing you before. Sugars which were lately at 10 1/2 & 12 1/2 dls. are now 8 & 10 dls p cwt. Molasses at 1 1/8 dl. p keg of 5 1/2 Galls. Cochineal at 3 dls p lb. Indigo @ 1 1/6 to 2 dls p lb. the first quality of Spanish floor. Beer (of the Northward) at 10 dls. p cwt. if packed in half barrells. Pork @ 18 dls. p bbl. Flour 18 to 20 dls. Lard 25 dls. p cwt. Butter 50 cts p [?] if Yellow & sweet. White pine boards, of wide enough to cutt into sugar boxes @ 55 dls. p [?]. Fine ceylon cinnamon @ 8 dolls. p [?] but rather dull. German goods in general in some demand. All kinds of Wines are cheaper here than in Charleston. Slaves at 500 dls p head, that is for the first choice of prime. At this Season of the year they are always high, it being the harvest time and their services much wanted.
The merchants in this City have petitioned the court of Spain for permission to enter Goods at La Vera Cruz in neutral [bottoms?], & if this petition is granted this will be the best market in all the West India's.
There are but few vessels now here. Fourteen will sail tomorrow or next day under convoy of the United States armed brig Norfolk Captn. Bainbridge who is now cruising of this port. There has been but very few touring voyages made to this palce of late. The Charlestonians have done well this year, & in part repaired the Sacrafices of '98. I hope you will have the goodness to forward me a few newspapers now and then. Let them be sealed up and directed in form of a letter, otherways
[Ship John Capt. Robertson for Charleston.]
(seq. 30)
Contd.
they will be given to the United States cruiser or to the first man who goes on board the vessel on her arrival in port, so that I shall never get get hold on them.
Do not forget the letters of my female correspondent at the Northward, as yet I have not recieved any of her favors by way of Charleston.
Wishing you much health, and much happiness, I subscribe your very sincere friend.
G. A. C
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Havana Jany. 20th. 1800
Alex. Jones Esqr. Charleston.
Sir. Since writing you under date of 4th inst. Mr. La Motte, has frequently come forward and in a very flattering Manner offered to come to some kind of compromise upon your affairs with Mr Green intrusted to my care, but has always evaded a final adjustment with this plea that "he must consult his lawyer &c." From day to day (in the hope of effecting the bussiness) i've been put off 'till this morning, when I call'd upon him and he said that he was "determined to ship the property to Mr Timons in Charleston and there have it determined whose it shou'd ultimately be". In my letter to you on the subject, mention was made that the tuesday following it wou'd be laid before the Consulado & immediately be determined. Two days previous to this Tuesday, in a conversation held with one of its members, was inform'd that the same bussiness had already been before them, & that in their determination they were goverened by the same kind of papers which I have now in possession; this being the case (and considering the heavy expense attending a regular suit in this Island) I have to enquire
[P the ship John Captn Robertson bound for Charleston.]