ENPages
(seq. 16)
Contd.
have arrived within the last 5 or 6 weeks is almost incredible. Yesterday your large Ships and two Brigs arrived with Flour, and more continually coming. Those vessels which arrived here on the first of the alarm have made very handsome voyages. The duties are now on again the same as usual upon every article except flour, which is 5 dollars less. This 5 dols. was given to the Conde de Jarucho in an exclusive priviledge by the King, but this grant of his Magesties has now expired.
Sweet oil in flasks, Naples soap, Catalonia wine, Boards and Hoops are now the only articles on which there is not a sacrafice. Slaves continue very high; this is for the information of Crowell Hatch Esqr. who has a rich Cargo of them daily expected.
The demand for sugars is now very great. in the months of Jany. Feby. March and April last there was shiped from this port 71,612 boxes by a statement made at the Custom house the 1st. inst. This sugar has been purchased at 8 1/2 and 10 1/2 dls on an average, which brings the amount to nearly 3,000,000 of Dols.
The alarm given by the English has nearly subsided, after costing the Spanish government some millions in the repairs of their Cottles, organizing new troops, procuring an immense quantity of military apparatus &c.
It is impossible to say what this market may 4 or 5 weeks hence, but I shou'd not advise the Shipment of a single article of American produce.
I see by the Centinal that you have not been without a share of the benefits arrising from this being an open port. My friend & companion Mr Geo. Gibbs Jr. left this place in the Mount Vernon on the 28th. ult.
I am yr. &c. ---- G. A C
(seq. 17)
Contd.
from the other Islands and others from the Continent. This being in General considered a healthy place, many come for the promotion of health. No place has a better Air. I enclose you a Gazette of this City, that you may see what a pretty thing we have for information; This is the only one published. Have nothing in particular further to remark, my love to my Brothers & Sisters & duly to yourselves from Your Son ---- G. A. C
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[?]th. Havana Nov. 21. 1799
To the Marquis of Sta. Phillip & Sta. Jago.
My D Sir. I arrived in this place on Sunday last, and immediately did myself the honor of calling upon you, but had not the pleasure of an interview, & was inform'd by one of your Servants that you was at your Estate in the Country. This being the case (and not meeting with your son) I resolved on addressing you.
Being convinced by the very obliging manner in which I have been received by you of possessing a Share of your confidence & friendship, I am now lead to Solicit your aid and patronage.
It is very currently reported & as currently believed that his excellency the Governor of this Island is about to send from this City all Strangers of whatever nation, and more particularly those who have in any degree engaged in any commercial concerns. If this be the case (and I have no reason to)
[Left at his City house with the Mayor Domo]
(seq. 18)
Contd.
doubt) it will be to me a very embarrassing circumstance, having in my last visit to the Continent made those arrangements which appeared necessary for a long absence & with the full determination of regularly establishing myself in bussiness in this place, and shou'd I now be under the necessity of speedily removing it will produce a compleat revolution in the course of my affairs.
With his excellency, I have now most respectfully to request your friendly interpossition in my behalf (shou'd the late proclaimation be carried into effect) that I may be permitted the liberty of a ressidence here for the purpose of transacting the bussiness of a few of my friends on the Continent who have a wish to make this market an object in their Speculations. I shou'd be happy in an answer from you on this Subject. I have the honor to be Sir &c. G. A. C
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Havana 30th. Novr. 1799. ~
My friend Ward.
A Gentleman of my acquaintance in this City has this moment call'd and informs that he Sails for NewYork tomorrow morning which gives me an opportunity of droping you a line, the purport of which is merely to inform you of my safe arrival in this port the 20th. inst. after a passage of 22 days.
Since my arrival, have been told that our mutual friend Mr. [Q????ies] has met with some unpleasant adventures since I had the pleasure of seeing him at Madam R_____s in
[Sent by Mr. Reinhold. bound to New York in the Brige. Fox. ~]
(seq. 19)
Contd.
Walnut Street in August last. For these revolutions in his affairs, I am truly sorry as he has the appearance of being a very good man. his friend Miss S. E__t must now console him. Please to make my compliments to this Miss E__t, as also to that fickle thing commonly called Miss B___ a I___ks.
I shall be exceedingly happy in the receipt of your letters, and be kind enough to enclose me a few of your New York papers.
Wishing you all the goodthings &c --- G A. C
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Havana Decr. 6th. 1799.
Mr. Tho. Fletcher.
Dr Sir. There being an opportunity for Charleston, I embrace it with pleasure informing you of my safe arrival here the 21st. ult. when I found all my old Friends well &c. As yet I have not been favor'd with any letter from you or my young female friends thro' your hands. To these letters of hers which may be addressed to you at Charleston I have to Solicit your particular attention, and in return command me when you please.
I have subjoin'd a Sketch of our markets which at present are very dull. Produce never was higher. As the crop is now coming in sugar must soon fall. Exchange on any part of the Continent is now 6 to 10 P Cent above par. Hoping for the pleasure of hearing from you soon, Subscribe your very sincere friend. G A C
[P Mr Munroe]
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[B]Havana Dec. 10th 1799,
Edwd Blake Jr. Boston.
Sir. By the Ship Thorn, Capn. Edes I have an opportunity
[P the Thorn, Captn. Edes for Boston.]
(seq. 20)
Contd.
of answering your Letter to me under date of Sept. 27th. 1799, enclosing some accounts between Mr. Geo. D'Wolfe and Dn. Pedro Laroudo.
On my arrival here I call'd on this Dn Pedro and requested an explination of this bussiness of his to [a?i??ting], and procured for answer that "Mr. D'Wolfe, on his first arrival in the Hope put his bussiness in the Hands of him (Dn Pedro) by whom a few of your Goods were retailed. This took place during the loading the ships, & that when Mr D'W. was about to sail, Dn. Pedro requested that the property might Still remain to be retailed as it wou'd fetch a much better price, but Mr D'W. insisted on an immediate sale which was effected and the Goods went by the Lump, for $.2,028 as appears by the account of sales." Dn. Pedro further observes "that he knew nothing of the Goods being yours, they being delivered to him as Cargo. It appears from what Pedro says that he was only a broker to D'W. and that he kept no books during this bussiness and cannot tell what part of your Invoice composed the Groce sale. In short he says he never saw an invoice of any part of the Cargo, & that he never had any thing to do with Pen, Ink or paper with D'Wolfe further than entering the manifest at the customs, it being his bussiness, as broker, to procure purchasers with whom DW. made all the negotiations, and it was utterly out of his power to give a new account of Sales. I asked