2007

Papers of a Newburyport Seafarer. Splendid gr

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:75.00 USD Estimated At:150.00 - 250.00 USD
Papers of a Newburyport Seafarer. Splendid gr
Papers of a Newburyport Seafarer. Splendid grouping of letters from the papers of Moses Brown, a fascinating character who rose from chaisemaker in colonial Massachusetts to sugar tycoon and promoter of the U.S. Navy. Born 1742, he headed a committee, said to be the first such in America, advocating private construction of ships-of-war, to enhance the fledgling American Navy. With his profits from Sumatran pepper, he became a major Newburyport figure, investing in a woolen mill, Merrimack Bank, an insurance company, and the Plum Island Turnpike. Comprising seven letters and documents to or about him: Philadelphia, 1792, 2 pp., with stampless markings "Moses Brown, Merch(an)t, Newbury, N(ew) England / via Boston." "...The Iron I have now sent thru to my own ag(en)t in N. York. I was too ignorant of its Quality to send it to my friends...however I have no reason to think it bad...Have lost about 5 hds. of rum, which leaked out being in very bad casks...." With a recitation of prices of "raw Spanish hides," "best beef," pepper, coffee, etc. New York, 1798, 1 p., with "Malaga price current" in manuscript on second leaf. "The ascendancy which the British have again obtained in the Mediterranean has so much lessened the risk of adventuring that way, that many speculations are now on foot...West India produce in general has been extravagantly high in Leghorn & Naples...." Tear at top of price list where opened, with loss of a few words, else fine. N.Y., 1799. "...Request you contract with one of your best shipwrights for a ship of the following dimensions, 75 ft. keel...She must be built of the best white oak that your country produces...She must be built strong...." Heavily waterstained, but satisfactory. St. Petersburg (Russia), 1800. "...Your ship William...is safe arrived...from Dublin...." Very fine. Phila., Nov. 12, 1800, from Sam(uel) Coates, a Quaker. "...Penna. I think will have no vote for President. 13 votes out of 25 in the Senate are against Jefferson. A compromise is talked of...If it takes place, Jefferson will have no more than one vote; if it does not take place, Penna. will lose its voice in the Election for President altogether." Some foxing. Lengthy A.L.S. of Quaker Coates, 1799, on yellow fever sweeping the Philadelphia area. Heavily waterstained, some loss. Interesting letter on transporting "a worm of a still from Mr. Moses Brown...," 1803.