Letter from Frank Otard to Otard... (1863)

NRA-L-000412 / 1863

Letter from Frank Otard to Otard Dupuy & Co, 1863-03-24

Frank Otard discusses a bill connected with Echeverria & Co and Mr Barsalou, the New York market, gold and government bonds, Vicksburg, the American Civil War, shortages in the South and the absence of commercial prospects while exchange remains high.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000412

NRA-L-000412 image 1 showing a folded address panel to Otard Dupuy & Co in Cognac, routed via England, with postal marks, a red wax seal and manuscript docketing. — **Image 1**Address panel to Otard Dupuy & Co in Cognac, routed via England, with postal marks, wax seal and docketing.

NRA-L-000412 image 2 showing the first page of a handwritten French commercial letter dated in New York. — **Image 2**First page of a French commercial letter dated in New York.

NRA-L-000412 image 3 showing the continuation and closing signature of a handwritten French commercial letter. — **Image 3**Continuation and closing signature of the French commercial letter.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000412
Date: 1863-03-24
Original date: New York 24 Mars 1863
Type: Commercial correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: Frank Otard
Recipient: Otard Dupuy & Co
Places: New York / Cognac / New York–Cognac
Extent: 3 documentary sides: Address panel; Letter text page 2; Letter text page 3; 3 digital images.
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000412.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

Messrs Otard Dupuy & Co:
Cognac
Charente
France.

Address panel

English translation

Messrs Otard Dupuy & Co:
Cognac
Charente
France.

Letter text page 2

Original transcript

New York 24 Mars 1863

Messrs Otard Dupuy & Co
Cognac

Je viens confirmer, Messieurs, ma lettre du
17 Ct et je suis depuis sans lettre de votre maison.
Je vous remets ci-inclus une 2e de Change de
Fcs 20,000.— contre facture de Cavan Stevens, également
f 8014.00 que m'a remis Mr Barsalou et dont veuillez
le créditer, il est vrai que la traite n'est pas endossée
par lui, mais c'est du bon papier; du reste si le papier n'était
pas bon je le retournerai fort bien à Mr Barsalou. Messrs
Echeverria & Co sont fort riches et il n'y a aucune inquiétude à avoir
à ce sujet.
Depuis ma dernière, l'état du marché est sensiblement
meilleur, l'or est tombé à 47 et les bons du gouvernement
sont fort recherchés, le marasme que je craignais s'est dissipé
pour le moment, la prise de Vicksburg ferait baisser
l'or de 20 %.

Letter text page 2

English translation

New York 24 March 1863

Messrs Otard Dupuy & Co
Cognac

I come to confirm, Gentlemen, my letter of the
17th instant and I am since without a letter from your house.
I remit to you enclosed a 2nd of Exchange of
Fcs 20,000.— against invoice of Cavan Stevens, also
f 8014.00 that Mr Barsalou remitted to me and for which please
credit him, it is true that the draft is not endorsed
by him, but it is good paper; besides if the paper were not
good I would return it very well to Mr Barsalou. Messrs
Echeverria & Co are very rich and there is no worry to have
on this subject.
Since my last, the state of the market is noticeably
better, gold has fallen to 47 and government bonds
are highly sought after, the slump that I feared has dissipated
for the moment, the capture of Vicksburg would lower
gold by 20 %.

Letter text page 3

Original transcript

Je ne crois pas que le Nord l'emportera sur le Sud, mais il
pourrait bien l'amener d'ici quinze mois à la famine, l'or
est à 650 % de prime et les souffrances sont énormes, tous
les objets de première nécessité sont hors de prix et il est
probable que la lutte ne pourra pas durer long temps.
Le Sud devrait accepter un accomodement et plus il tardera
et moins il sera favorable.
Il est inutile de parler d'affaires, je n'en vois pas de plusieurs
mois à moins que le change ne tombe de 30 à 40 %.
Agréez, Messieurs, l'assurance de mon entier
dévouement
Frank Otard

Letter text page 3

English translation

I do not believe that the North will prevail over the South, but it
could well bring it to starvation within fifteen months, gold
is at 650 % premium and the sufferings are enormous, all
objects of prime necessity are unaffordable and it is
probable that the struggle will not be able to last a long time.
The South should accept an accommodation and the more it delays
the less favorable it will be.
It is useless to speak of business, I do not see any for several
months unless the exchange rate falls by 30 to 40 %.
Accept, Gentlemen, the assurance of my entire
devotion
Frank Otard

Discovery Terms

Cognac trade
Otard Dupuy & Co
Bills of exchange
American Civil War
Gold market
Vicksburg
New York
Cognac
United States

Transcriptions and English translations are provided as working scholarly aids, not as replacements for the images of the original documents. Some readings may remain uncertain, especially where handwriting, spelling, damage, abbreviations, names or places are difficult.

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