Letter: Edward Stabler to William Prince and Sons, March 30, 1839

Sandy Spring, P. Off 3d Mo. 30 1839 not Harewood, residence

Respectd fds Wm Prince & Sons

Yr two favours of of 19 & 22nd came to hand to day — my friends, Bartletts advise me of the arrival of the box in Balto. — & suppose it for me — why did you not put my name on it? — They opened the box to know its contents — I shall send for it day after tomorrow — and hope to find the cuttings to please, as from your representations I do not doubt they will — I shall remit long before 1st May as I sold for Cash—

If I had 15 or 20,000 good cuttings I could sell them in a day or two at 2 1/4¢ to 2 1/2¢ P [per] bud & possibly 3¢ — I can now buy in Balto what many consider good cuttings at 2 1/4¢ bud; but they are smaller than I like to plant —

I am so frequently interupted in my various engagements, by person calling on me for information as to prices of Morris Mult. & wish to know where they should buy — &c &c, that it occurs to me to propose to you to send me 20 to 30,000 cuttings (i e buds) of prime quality, to sell on your account — provided you have them to spare — I can do much better with them on the spot, than by ordering them — indeed many will buy, that would not order for fear of delay, & also not seeing what they do order — One of the persons already ordered for, wishes 500 instead of 200 $ as ordered — but will not let me order again.

If you send them, do it at once, via Rail Road — You will of course pay expenses (transportation only) & allow 10 pct [percent] commission — I will do the best I can for you & have no doubt, better than by ordering them.

To guard against future difficulty or misunderstanding, you must agree to my counting — for two reasons — the first is, I shall of necessity have to count them in making sales — and secondly it is neither to my interest or inclination to do it wrong — and I will effectually guard against the possibility of making a mistake.

Do not understand me as casting any reflection on you. I intend no such thing — You may possibly make a mistake, (I know you have made them) & 10 pct [percent] is no object, if this is required.

When I acted as your agent before, you gave me 4 mos. to collect & remit — befor they have had half expired, wrote for the money — I remitted promptly, tho' not due or collected — ^X

In the present case, I will guarrantee all sales, and either sell for Cash, or advance the money to you & take notes in my own name — this is cash to you.

It is quite probable I shall plant 15 to 20,000 more buds than at first contemplated (I wished to plant 100,000 at least) and if I do, that amt will be engaged, provided I like the Cuttings.

There was a lott of 20,000 N. Carolina Trees, bought by L. J. Cox in Balto. last week — one of my nighbours got $500 worth of them, and I never saw so fine Trees — they are 6 to 8 feet high. I think Cox paid 2¢ a bud — he sells at 3¢ [& root] 15¢. I would rather give 3 to 3 1/2¢ for such, than ordinary cuttings at 2¢.

You may ask why I do not buy at once — I reply, that I am afraid to speculate — if I once begin, I may pass the proper stopping point; as I well know how infatuating it is.

In reply to your remarks & charge of 2 1/2¢ a bud, in the bill, would say, that in your letter recd Feb 8th you say "You will please sell at 2 1/4¢ P [per] bud for any orders for Cuttings — our Northern Cuttings are worth more &c" and in a letter Feby 19th you say, "We will supply 5 to 10,000 untrim'd trees at 20¢ P [per] foot, cutting the root 10¢ — we will also sell 200,000 buds at 2 1/4¢ prime ones — and not the injured French cuttings such as they are selling in Balto."

I also observe you charge me in the bill with $22.50 for 900 buds — is it desired that I also remit that amt?

Please write me in reply on rect of this. If your letter is in the Southern mail that reaches Balto. at 2 P.M on Thursday, I ought to receive it next morning — otherwise it must lay in Balto. a week.

I am respectfy Yr friend Edwd Stabler

P.S. I [now?] understand 2 1/4¢ a bud the lowest rate. If you send me to sell on Commission, of course I will get as much as I possibly can.

^X [side note in shorthand - can pick out a "10 P", or 10 per]