With a letter from James D'Wolf
Four letters from merchants to Edward Spaulding, shipping agent, Maztanzas, Cuba
Havana, New York, & Newport: 1821-25. All 4to (approx. 10" x 8", all bifoliate, docketed, and with previous folds; condition overall is very good to fine, but the last with a torn piece from the top of the letter barely nicking a few letters in the docket. Four commercial letters addressed to Edward Spaulding concerning shipments, sailing vessels, and account payments. Spaulding, a Rhode Island merchant and shipping agent spent much of his time in Bristol, New York, and the port of Matanzas in Cuba. He worked on behalf of New England merchants and ship owners and managed cargo shipments of coffee, sugar, cigars, and molasses. In the letters the names of James De Wolf and Jacob Babbitt are mentioned, two of the titans of Rhode Island trade in the first decades of the 19th century. There is also a discussion of the ship, the General Jackson, which was owned by James D'Wolf from 1815 to 1821. 1. Chauviteau & Hernandez. One-page autograph letter signed "Hernandez & Chauviteau," with a copy of Spaulding's one-page response on the verso. Havana, 13 June, 1821. The letter discusses the account of John Latting and a payment to him of $402 "corresponding to Mess. Jacob Babbit & Co. of $2613 paid by Dr. Joachim de Cardenas on account of his debts on sales made to him of the Pavo Real and for de la Mar's cargoes, viz. $8350 whole debt" [followed by a rigorous accounting]. In Spauldings reply he notes having received $402 from Latting "being the amt. paid by you for acct. of Mess. J. Babbit & Co. at my request. It is with deep regret I have to inform you that our mutual friend Mr. R. Davis died yesterday afternoon, after 60 hours sickness of a fever..." 2. Adams, Francis. Lengthy two-page autograph letter signed. New York, Sept. 24, 1823. To Edward Spaulding in Bristol, R.I. discussing the need to meet in New York or Bristol, mentioning John Latting and a cargo of lumber for the port of Matanzas. "I hope to have been able to visit R.I. by tomorrow's steamboat, but I have been to Phila. and only returned yesterday & have been engaged getting the cargo for Mr. Rathman's brig ... Tis difficult for me to account for my true ignorance of affairs at Matanzas ... I have not any species of information from thence since I left. The prize brought me five times from Mr. Letting - has no precis[e] sales or arrivals - Mr. Howland has a cargo on hand there ... I am constrained to seek information from others ... It is impossible that I can get away before the 1st Nov. ... The badness of the weather preventing seeing the Gen. after his arrival here, and if I do not come I will write to him - Mr. Smith could not do better with the prize than to send her to Portland to take a cargo of lumber to Matanzas. She could make $2000 for freight out - & be there in good time for freight here - it is indispensible that I see you ere long therefore say when you can come on if I cannot meet you in R. Island." 3. D'Wolf, James. Two-page letter signed "Jas. D'Wolf." New York, 15 March 1825. To Edward Spaulding in Havana discussing the “unpleasant news of the failure of Mess. Latting, Adams and Stewart, and what effect such an event is to have on my concerns and what with the Genl. Jackson I cannot tell until I shall be informed by you. I hope and trust you have so managed your business as not to expose me to loss - it is imposasible for me to give any positive directions without any knowledge of the situation of the business of the Genl. Jackson or how she is to be effected by the circumstances. If by this failure the ship should be disappointed of her freight, and you could not obtain freight for the same or any other port in Europe (prefering Marseilles) you must in such case order her to stop in at Bristol to be filled up for a port in Europe, taking care to clear the ship and make her manifest for Europe that she may proceed without unloading in Bristol." 4. Collins, Charles. One-page autograph letter signed, Newport, December 28, 1825. To Edward Spaulding in Bristol concerning the imminent change in Government in Cuba, the sailing of the General Jackson and a request for Mr. D'Wolf’s assistance. "I wish wish you would let me know how you are, and when you expect to sail - can you come here before you go? If not, when will you meet me at the ferry - or must I go and see you at Bristol? My letter begins something like Uncle Ben's story - Capt. Greene is taking freight for Havana to sail next week - I hope he will obtain enough to pay his expenses there - If the Gen. Jackson does not sail till the 15th of next month I will go in her if Mr. James D'Wolf will assist me in the undertaking ... The government of Cuba will surely be changed in a few months - and we ought to be on the lookout." A postscript is added: "Will the Gen. pay 99 cts. on the $-" A collection of Papers of Edward Spaulding are in the Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami. Collection of papers of James D'Wolf and Jacob Babbitt are in the collections at Rhode Island Historical Society. Each contains short biographies of these men and their businesses. Item #57397
Price: $2,500.00
