ENPages
(seq. 41)
Contd.
prize wine has gone to Charleston, being purchased here at 160 dls. P pipe. In reality worth 300 dls. Draft porter was also purchased from this prizes Cargo & design'd for Charleston. The prize was a London ship bound to Jamaica of 600 tons and had a cargo on board of Five hundred thousand Dollars & some few odd thousands. A handsome speculation this. With my respects &c. C
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Havana 11th. Mar. 1800.
Friend Fletcher.
I have but a moment to write to you. Your favor, inclosing a letter from my female correspondent at the Northward was duly recd. by Mr Munroe who arrived here yesterday. Accept my thanks for your attention to this little bussiness, & in return, command me when you please.
By the gazettes with which you favor'd me, I see you are doing large bussiness. God prosper you. The worst of my wishes for you is that you may be obliged to give me an airing every day in your coach drawn by six horses. That you may live long & happy, friend Tom, is another of the wishes of your Sincere Cushing.
[P same.]
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Havana Mar. 17. 1800.
Jos. Haywood Esqr.
Sir. Don Mariano Carbo having brought his affairs to some kind of conclusion, I have to inform you that there is but little prospect of your ever receiving anything from him on account of the money deposited in his hands by Captain Edes on his own and the owners of the the ship Thorns all. Notwithstanding this I think there is a possibility and even a probability of collecting it of Mr Ross (the Junior partner of Carbo's house) as the obligation you hold is in the name
[Dr. Mr. Allen Smith.]
(seq. 42)
contd.
of Carbo & Co. and of course equally binding on Mr Ross. Mr Ross is now in Baltimore and reported to be in possession of a large property. It is reduced to a certainty that he carried a large amount from here. He has lately fited a ship out at Baltimore in company with some gentlemen there for the River la Plate. Every thing shall be attended to here for your interest in this affair, but there is no probability of your ever recovering a farthing of Carbo, but I shou'd advise your pursuing Ross & have great hopes of your success. He is some part of his time in Baltimore & at others in Norfolk, having bussiness in Both places, but so notorious a character that you will easily trace him out.
I am Sir Yours &c.. G.A.C
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Havana March 30th. 1800
Alex. Jones Esqr.
Charleston. Sir. Your favor P Mr Munroe was duly recd. This, together with Mr Greens had a tendency to throw some light on the bussiness. When I call'd on Mr. La M___ and questioned him again respecting Mr Greens draft, his reply was that he (Mr G) was going to draw &c. but had not actually drawn &c. Mr. La M___ does not on all occasions so stricktly adhere to truth as some other Gentlemen who make less professions. The Attorney who is employed in your behalf is now confin'd to his house by indispossition, but will probably be out in the course of a few days, when he will continue to prosecute the suit. He feels confident of success. From time to time as we proceed, shall inform you of the state of the case. Of one thing give me leave to make you the strongest assurances, that is, 'twill never be lost for want of attention on the part of your most humble Servant. G.A.C
[P Mr. Munroe]
(seq. 43)
Contd.
to retire in early life. For your success no one is a more ardent wisher than myself. Whatever dispossition you make, I hope you will be frank & inform me. I will not write any more altho' I've a thousand things to say. My mind is full & I wish to see you. I wish in person to command to your particular care my friend Hannah. She is now an Orphan! She is my first care, & by the long friendship that has subsisted between us let me enjoin it on you, dear friend, to approve yourself to her a father, Brother & protector; this alone can make her happy, & 'tis this that will bind (if possibly) more strongly your friend. GAC
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Havana April 18. 1800.
Mr Wm Clap.
Sir. I addressed you under date 15th. February informing of my intention to remit exchange for the balance of your account. I have now to say that a good bill cannot be procured at any price, and what few there are of the uncertain class are held at 10 P Ct. above par. I therefore have concluded to ship you the Dollars to the amount of your account in the Ship Lydia Captain Selby who sails in the next convoy. By him also you will have your account Sales. The risque of privateers I conceive to be very triffling, however shou'd you wish to insure, let it be on between for & five thousand Dollars.
Sugars are now 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 cash. German Goods of all kinds answer tolerably well in general, and if of a superior quality will sell at a very handsome profit.
[P the Ganges]
(seq. 44)
Contd.
Prime Slaves are quick at 500 dls P head, & but few guinemen in port.
We hear that sugars are not worth any thing on any part of the Continent, consequently but few are purchased here.
Shall write you particularly by Captain Selby, mean time am yours &c. G.A.C
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Havana April 10th. 1800
Mr Nathl Jones.
I had the pleasure of addressing you under date of the 11th. ulto. acknowledging the receipt of your favor [under] P Mr Munroe of 12th. Feby. since which I have not heard from you.
Captn. Childs has not as yet arrived, in Short 'tis not time. By your letter he must have left Charleston about the 5th or 6th of Jany. Shou'd he get in Safe (as I sincerely wish he may) he wou'd make a capital voyage; Slaves now being quick at 500 Dolls P head for the first choice of prime.
As there are a number of brokers, small dealers, secreet speculators &c. that belong to this place & make it a point to board every Vessel immediately on her arrival with the view of obtaining the consignments of their Cargo's (Many of the vessels being consigned the the Captains) and offering their Services at one or two P Cent Commissions, & thereby embarrassing in a degree those who are regularly established; I have to request that you will have the goodness to foreward your printed directions to your Captain which I can show him on shore, it being contrary to the principles of both myself & partner ever to board a vessel
[P the Ganges.]
(seq. 45)
Contd.
with a view of obtaining the consignment of a cargo by pimping with the Captain. I am of opinion that any man who does bussiness in this place on a pretended half Commission will eventually make himself whole by cheating in making up the Sales. Messrs. de la Motte, Rodericks & Latting are of the class above alluded to. These men will go any lengths with the view of procuring consignments. No vessels enters the harbour that they do not immediately board, and by persevering Cupidity get round an unsuspecting Captain. The first of these Gentlemen is an outlandish Jew, well known to Mr. Marsh, the second was formerly a Segar Maker [of] but of late turn'd merchant, and the third a bankrupt from Long Island in the State of New York.
Yesterday a vessel arrived here from New York, having on board a Super Cargo whose letters were to me. Mr Latting went on board (a thing which no merchant wou'd ever be seen to do) and procured the consignment by saying that no man in the Havana cou'd do the bussiness so well as himself, & that he wou'd charge but one third the customary commission &c. In order that your proper under the direction of Captn. Child under cover to Mr Azearate (my partner) Mr. Marsh being personally acquainted with all these people has it in his power to explain more fully to you their characters and particular mode of doing bussiness. In the hope of receiving your favor soon, I am Sir with sentiments of respect & esteem your much obliged & very sincere friend. G. A. C