NRA-L-000458 / 1855
Letter from John A. F. Rachau to Otard Dupuy & Co concerning liquor law, brandy demand and remittances, 1855-05-22
John A. F. Rachau assesses the effect of liquor legislation and temperance on domestic sales, reports weak demand for brandy, comments on European affairs and the gold drain, and forwards remittance papers.
Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000458
Transcript and readable English text
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Original transcript
p Asia, via Boston
Messieurs Otard Dupuy & Co
Cognac
Charente
France
via Paris
Address panel
Readable English text
p Asia, via Boston
Messieurs Otard Dupuy & Co
Cognac
Charente
France
via Paris
Documentary page 2
Original transcript
Messieurs Otard Dupuy & Co
Cognac
New York 22d May 1855
Dear Sirs
My last respects are dated
the 15th Inst. p Atlantic, since when I have had the pleasure of re
ceiving your favor of the 1st Inst.
The "Edward Everett" has not arrived yet, although we had a succession
of easterly winds. It appears she did not leave before the 18th April
I do much regret this long delay, as the best part of the season
will be gone for our friends to dispose of the Brandies before our real
troubles may be upon us under that confounded prohibitory Law.
As yet all is quiet here, the authorities having decided that no
penalties can be enforced for the retailing of liquors till the 4 July, though
several attempts are occasionally made to harass our dealers.
Preparations are made on both sides to enforce and to resist the Law,
and there is little doubt but the conflict will be severe. Well, better
it comes to a crisis at once than this continued uncertainty.
A few of the Lawyers, who were paid handsome fees out of the funds col
lected by the wholesale trade among the leading merchants, for legal opi
nions on the constitutionality of this Law, have already issued them
These, as might be expected, are all conclusive against the Law, as far
as foreign Wines & Spirits are concerned. At the same time, other men
versed in law matters, and paid by the water party, issue elaborate opinions
shewing quite the reverse; agreeing however in one point, namely,
that foreign liquors can be sold by the importer; but they loose at once
their nationality when mixed up with the domestic trade, and fall under
the general ban. This means nothing else than that such sales can
not be brought to any purpose, except for export, as every body is prohibited
to deal, hold, or sell any kind of liquor, unless authorized as Agent
under the Law, for medicinal & mechanical purposes!
Documentary page 2
Readable English text
Messieurs Otard Dupuy & Co
Cognac
New York 22d May 1855
Dear Sirs
My last respects are dated
the 15th Inst. p Atlantic, since when I have had the pleasure of re
ceiving your favor of the 1st Inst.
The "Edward Everett" has not arrived yet, although we had a succession
of easterly winds. It appears she did not leave before the 18th April
I do much regret this long delay, as the best part of the season
will be gone for our friends to dispose of the Brandies before our real
troubles may be upon us under that confounded prohibitory Law.
As yet all is quiet here, the authorities having decided that no
penalties can be enforced for the retailing of liquors till the 4 July, though
several attempts are occasionally made to harass our dealers.
Preparations are made on both sides to enforce and to resist the Law,
and there is little doubt but the conflict will be severe. Well, better
it comes to a crisis at once than this continued uncertainty.
A few of the Lawyers, who were paid handsome fees out of the funds col
lected by the wholesale trade among the leading merchants, for legal opi
nions on the constitutionality of this Law, have already issued them
These, as might be expected, are all conclusive against the Law, as far
as foreign Wines & Spirits are concerned. At the same time, other men
versed in law matters, and paid by the water party, issue elaborate opinions
shewing quite the reverse; agreeing however in one point, namely,
that foreign liquors can be sold by the importer; but they loose at once
their nationality when mixed up with the domestic trade, and fall under
the general ban. This means nothing else than that such sales can
not be brought to any purpose, except for export, as every body is prohibited
to deal, hold, or sell any kind of liquor, unless authorized as Agent
under the Law, for medicinal & mechanical purposes!
Documentary page 3
Original transcript
There is very little demand for Brandies, which appears to me
quite surprising for whatever may result from any attempted enfor
cement of the Law after the 4th July, it is reasonable to suppose that
every respectable person would be anxious to lay in a supply before
the evil day is upon us. The dealers in the Country are puzzled,
particularly at our various watering places and summer retreats, for
it will prove but cold comfort to the thousands who fly from this City
when the very hot dog days set in, to live on fresh cool water only!
Yesterday the amended Law in Boston began to rejoice the people
there. I am anxious to learn how it will work. Fines & imprisonment
for a single glass of Brandy is rather a serious matter.
It is very certain we shall have a very dull summer before us, as
nobody is likely to increase his stock till it is ascertained what
positive dangers threaten. All our hopes rest on the result of your
growing Vines. If we are blest with a fair vintage, and prices recede,
we may look for a favorable influence here. Till then it is probable
that something definite about our prohibitory Law will be decided,
and a legal way be found to release the trade in foreign spirits
from the incubus now pressing upon it.
Complaints about dullness in business continue general, except
Cottons which are brisk, as is usual at this season. Our breadstuffs
are extravagantly dear, and almost scarce. Some heavy rains have re
freshed the growing Crops and improved our hopes for a good harvest.
I am grieved to see that in Europe the weather continued very wet
and cold, but sincerely hope that ere this every thing has improved
for the better. It would be a great misfortune indeed, if a short har
vest, and consequent high prices, should add to the calamities of the
war. Things in Europe look extremely squally, of which the end is
not yet. It is fortunate for us here that we have the California mines
to back us. The drain of our Gold to Europe is excessive. The last
Steamer for Liverpool carried 10 millions of Francs!
Documentary page 3
Readable English text
There is very little demand for Brandies, which appears to me
quite surprising for whatever may result from any attempted enfor
cement of the Law after the 4th July, it is reasonable to suppose that
every respectable person would be anxious to lay in a supply before
the evil day is upon us. The dealers in the Country are puzzled,
particularly at our various watering places and summer retreats, for
it will prove but cold comfort to the thousands who fly from this City
when the very hot dog days set in, to live on fresh cool water only!
Yesterday the amended Law in Boston began to rejoice the people
there. I am anxious to learn how it will work. Fines & imprisonment
for a single glass of Brandy is rather a serious matter.
It is very certain we shall have a very dull summer before us, as
nobody is likely to increase his stock till it is ascertained what
positive dangers threaten. All our hopes rest on the result of your
growing Vines. If we are blest with a fair vintage, and prices recede,
we may look for a favorable influence here. Till then it is probable
that something definite about our prohibitory Law will be decided,
and a legal way be found to release the trade in foreign spirits
from the incubus now pressing upon it.
Complaints about dullness in business continue general, except
Cottons which are brisk, as is usual at this season. Our breadstuffs
are extravagantly dear, and almost scarce. Some heavy rains have re
freshed the growing Crops and improved our hopes for a good harvest.
I am grieved to see that in Europe the weather continued very wet
and cold, but sincerely hope that ere this every thing has improved
for the better. It would be a great misfortune indeed, if a short har
vest, and consequent high prices, should add to the calamities of the
war. Things in Europe look extremely squally, of which the end is
not yet. It is fortunate for us here that we have the California mines
to back us. The drain of our Gold to Europe is excessive. The last
Steamer for Liverpool carried 10 millions of Francs!
Documentary page 4
Original transcript
I enclose the seconds of my last remittance together
f 34532.78/100 to serve if needful. My next I expect will hand
you the Balance of Brandies p Ciudad Bolivar.
This doing little or nothing is extremely dull work, but there is
no help for it at present. I remain with esteem
Dear Sirs
Yours faithfully
John A F Rachau
Documentary page 4
Readable English text
I enclose the seconds of my last remittance together
f 34532.78/100 to serve if needful. My next I expect will hand
you the Balance of Brandies p Ciudad Bolivar.
This doing little or nothing is extremely dull work, but there is
no help for it at present. I remain with esteem
Dear Sirs
Yours faithfully
John A F Rachau
Discovery Terms
- Cognac trade
- Commercial correspondence
- Liquor law
- Temperance movement
- Brandy demand
- Remittances
- Gold shipments
- New York
- Otard Dupuy & Co
- John A. F. Rachau
- United States