1701

A Sea Captain's Last China Voyage.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:65.00 USD Estimated At:130.00 - 160.00 USD
A Sea Captain's Last China Voyage.
Fascinating manuscript relating to the China trade: statement of "Estate of Capt. G.M. Patrick in Account Current with Owners of Bark Nabob," Boston, Apr. 30, 1866, 8 1/2 x 16. Showing amounts in gold, "currency," "Mexicans," and "Taels" (a Chinese unit of weight, usually linked to silver), the captain demised toward the end of a long trading journey from the Orient - and evidently interred there. "...Recd. by him in N. York in Jan. 1864...Cash recd. by him at Hong Kong in Jan. 1864, unaccounted for...at Shanghai...His washing bill paid by Capt. Pettingill, $7.64...bill of Funeral expenses, Taels 75; Cost of tombstone in Olyphant & Co.'s acct., Taels 35; Freight on effects sent home, Taels 5...Allowance for use of Chronometer for 17 mos. at $5/mo...Wages from Jan. 6-Nov. 29, (18)64 at $125/mo...." Signed by John L. Gardner, Jr. for Joseph P. Gardner - the ship's consignee for tea and silk according to a New York Times item (copy accompanies). Short break at fold affecting no text, some toning, else very good. Unusual. Research finds references to the Nabob at Calcutta, the Hawaiian Islands, and black-tea port Foochow, the latter account dated just two weeks earlier than this document, bringing "a full cargo of 13,430 packages of China tea, the first direct importation for several years."