NRA-L-000459 / 1847
Two letters from E. Stevens Sons to Otard Dupuy & Co concerning brandy imports, duties, insurance and a bill of exchange, 1847-04-30 and 1847-05-31
E. Stevens Sons report arrivals and condition of cognac cargoes, weak demand, temperance, warehouse insurance and customs duties, then update market conditions and transmit a sterling bill of exchange through Liverpool.
Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000459
Transcript and readable English text
working scholarly aid
Address panel
Original transcript
pr Steamer "Britannia", via L'pool
Messrs. Otard Dupuy & Co.
Cognac
France
via Boston
Notes
Editorial notes: The route notation reads via L'pool (Liverpool), not 'Spool'. The item contains separately dated sections of 30 April and 31 May 1847.
Address panel
Readable English text
pr Steamer "Britannia", via L'pool
Messrs. Otard Dupuy & Co.
Cognac
France
via Boston
Notes
Editorial notes: The route notation reads via L'pool (Liverpool), not 'Spool'. The item contains separately dated sections of 30 April and 31 May 1847.
Documentary page 2
Original transcript
pr 1st pr "Cambria" via England.
New York, 30th April 1847
Messrs. Otard Dupuy & Co.
Cognac
Gentlemen,
Since the preceding we have been in receipt of your esteemed
favor of the 28th Ulto, covering shipping papers for Brandies, & your a/c
Curt. to the end of the year: this document has been found correct and
entered in conformity.
We note that there was a doubt as to the exact number of casks on board
the "Frances Lord" now in; she will be discharged in a few days when it will
be ascertained. The "Alabama" & "Gazelle" have also arrived: the Brandy by
the first has been recd. in good order - the latter vessel is now discharging.
The simultaneous arrival of several vessels with Brandies has rendered
sales difficult, and the demand for your & other Cognac Brandies,
quite contrary to our expectations, is unusually small for the season; -
the temperance feeling undoubtedly naturally checks the consumption of
all spirituous liquors, and in some of the States the dealing in them has
been almost entirely abandoned. Unfortunately the risk of Fire Insurance
on goods stored in the public Warehouses being at onerous rates, & other
objections are so great as to compel Importers to enter everything for
consumption thereby adding to the loss of interest & losing the chance
of sales for Export - indeed thus far we have been unable to obtain
insurance on goods in the principal Warehouse. -
Besides these embarassments the Duties, by a recent order from
Washington, are paid on the full Invoice Cost, except in cases where
the casks show extra leakage from damage or accident on board the
vessel. -
The export of Breadstuffs is temporarily suspended from the
want
Documentary page 2
Readable English text
pr 1st pr "Cambria" via England.
New York, 30th April 1847
Messrs. Otard Dupuy & Co.
Cognac
Gentlemen,
Since the preceding we have been in receipt of your esteemed
favor of the 28th Ulto, covering shipping papers for Brandies, & your a/c
Curt. to the end of the year: this document has been found correct and
entered in conformity.
We note that there was a doubt as to the exact number of casks on board
the "Frances Lord" now in; she will be discharged in a few days when it will
be ascertained. The "Alabama" & "Gazelle" have also arrived: the Brandy by
the first has been recd. in good order - the latter vessel is now discharging.
The simultaneous arrival of several vessels with Brandies has rendered
sales difficult, and the demand for your & other Cognac Brandies,
quite contrary to our expectations, is unusually small for the season; -
the temperance feeling undoubtedly naturally checks the consumption of
all spirituous liquors, and in some of the States the dealing in them has
been almost entirely abandoned. Unfortunately the risk of Fire Insurance
on goods stored in the public Warehouses being at onerous rates, & other
objections are so great as to compel Importers to enter everything for
consumption thereby adding to the loss of interest & losing the chance
of sales for Export - indeed thus far we have been unable to obtain
insurance on goods in the principal Warehouse. -
Besides these embarassments the Duties, by a recent order from
Washington, are paid on the full Invoice Cost, except in cases where
the casks show extra leakage from damage or accident on board the
vessel. -
The export of Breadstuffs is temporarily suspended from the
want
Documentary page 3
Original transcript
want of them here; - the canals will however soon be opened when
considerable supplies from the interior may be looked for, tho' not sufficient
to fill the unusual large Tonnage in port. - this cessation of exports,
together with the large arrivals of specie has advanced Foreign Exchanges
2 @ 4 % - we think they will again somewhat decline, especially francs,
when we shall reimburse you for your last Invoices.
We are Gentlemen,
Very Truly,
Your Obt Servts
Francs 5.35 pr Dollar
Sterling 6 1/2 @ 7 %.
May 31st 1847
Gentlemen,
We confirm the preceding and since hold
your esteemed favors of the 15 & 28 Ulto, contents of which have
had the requisite attention, and the items for our respec-
tive accounts been passed in accordance.
The Brandies by the "Frances Lord" turned out according
to your Invoice. - This article has continued in limited
demand since we last wrote, and prices of all descrip-
tions have given way, both on account of the increase of
stocks & the expectation of lower prices in France, already
advised as having taken place at Bordeaux &c. -
In the expectation that sterling will yield something
better than Francs, we forward by this conveyance, and
per steamer "Washington" hence, to Messrs. Baring Brothers Co
Liverpool, for procural of acceptance, the 1st & 2d of
the enclosed Bill (the 3d) for £ stg 1,000, as at foot. - We
ask said Gentlemen to advise you of its acceptance,
& to retain the Bills for the holder of the third, or
Documentary page 3
Readable English text
want of them here; - the canals will however soon be opened when
considerable supplies from the interior may be looked for, tho' not sufficient
to fill the unusual large Tonnage in port. - this cessation of exports,
together with the large arrivals of specie has advanced Foreign Exchanges
2 @ 4 % - we think they will again somewhat decline, especially francs,
when we shall reimburse you for your last Invoices.
We are Gentlemen,
Very Truly,
Your Obt Servts
Francs 5.35 pr Dollar
Sterling 6 1/2 @ 7 %.
May 31st 1847
Gentlemen,
We confirm the preceding and since hold
your esteemed favors of the 15 & 28 Ulto, contents of which have
had the requisite attention, and the items for our respec-
tive accounts been passed in accordance.
The Brandies by the "Frances Lord" turned out according
to your Invoice. - This article has continued in limited
demand since we last wrote, and prices of all descrip-
tions have given way, both on account of the increase of
stocks & the expectation of lower prices in France, already
advised as having taken place at Bordeaux &c. -
In the expectation that sterling will yield something
better than Francs, we forward by this conveyance, and
per steamer "Washington" hence, to Messrs. Baring Brothers Co
Liverpool, for procural of acceptance, the 1st & 2d of
the enclosed Bill (the 3d) for £ stg 1,000, as at foot. - We
ask said Gentlemen to advise you of its acceptance,
& to retain the Bills for the holder of the third, or
Documentary page 4
Original transcript
as you may request.
We are Gentlemen, Respy.
Your Obt. Servts.
E Stevens Sons
Bill Enclosed
3d. Exch. on a/c a/c: N/Orleans May 19th, No. 256, £1,000 stg.
bot/st non J.W. Robb & Co on Laughtry & Co Liverpool
payable in London, endorsed to by W.A. Cavenagh and
Nevins Townsend & Co to p/res, & by us in blank.
Documentary page 4
Readable English text
as you may request.
We are Gentlemen, Respy.
Your Obt. Servts.
E Stevens Sons
Bill Enclosed
3d. Exch. on a/c a/c: N/Orleans May 19th, No. 256, £1,000 stg.
bot/st non J.W. Robb & Co on Laughtry & Co Liverpool
payable in London, endorsed to by W.A. Cavenagh and
Nevins Townsend & Co to p/res, & by us in blank.
Discovery Terms
- Cognac trade
- Commercial correspondence
- Brandy imports
- Customs duties
- Warehouse insurance
- Temperance movement
- Bills of exchange
- Liverpool
- New York
- Otard Dupuy & Co
- E. Stevens Sons
- United States