Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
China Trade Logbook, June 24, 1809-June 8, 1810.
In 1807, Thomas Jefferson passed an embargo on all foreign trade in the hope that it would reduce the likelihood of American involvement in the Napoleonic Wars raging in Europe. After witnessing the devastating effects on the economy, however, and the wholesale flouting of the law by merchants throughout the country, the Embargo Act was replaced in March 1809 with a new law preventing only commerce with England and France.
This beautifully written manuscript ship's log, The Seaman's Journal, Being an Easy and Correct Method of Keeping the Daily Reckoning of a Ship, contains a record of a commercial voyage to China immediately after repeal of the Embargo Act. Written on blank pages printed by John Hardcastle in New York, and filled in meticulously by an unidentified junior officer on an unidentified merchant ship, possibly The American, the log contains a complete record of the voyage around the Horn, through Indonesia, to Macao, and back.
The log's author was remarkably consistent and careful, recording all the details of daily work aboard ship, the adjustments needed as they traveled, providing outstanding documentation of the labor needed to keep a China Trade vessel in peak form. Many entries read like telegraphic accounts of everyone's daily activity: all hands employed spinning spun yarn, marking points, sinnet, making a new foresail. Carpenters caulking the main Deck. Nearly every day is greeted with a similar run of tasks, the gunner overhauling the gun and carriages, the carpenters, boys, deckhands, caulkers, and more.
Although the voyage was relatively uneventful, the ship did encounter storms that provided their own challenges: Aug 16: Squally W all hands employed knotting Yarns, making points, sinnet fitting Bentick shrouds, sail makers making a new Mizen stay sail, Carpenters caulking Suks -- gunner fitting Gun carriages... On Sept. 22 in the Indian Ocean, the storm was even more severe: Strong Gales with cloudy Wr. Ship under 3d Top sails & courses, at 6 p.m. heavy squalls, in main sail, at the main. Stay sail sent the main t.g. Yard down… Midnight fresh gales with heavy blows, at 4 a.m. bent the Jib.... Let reefs out the Top Sails, set the staysails, Spanker, & flying Jib... Several days more of gales.
The one glimpse of a more traditional narrative comes with a lovely description recorded when the ship reached the Straits of Alas in Indonesia between Sumbawa and Lombok. the little town of Baly opens to the view, it consists merely of a few Huts belonging to the Natives who received us in a friendly manner & immediately commenced trafficking their productions which consists chiefly of Ducks, fowls, cocoa nuts, plantains, & other fruits generally found in these Latitudes for money, jack knives, Looking glasses & particularly Razors. They take care however to get te full value of what they dispose of.... The Inhabitants of this Island are of a copper colour, middling stature & well made, they chew great quantities of Beetle nut which renders their teeth Black & their gums very red. They are all armed with creeses & spears & wear nothing but a piece of calico or silk tied around the middle. The king to whom we were introduced was sitting on his Throne which was composed of a Block of wood, surrounded by Guards who were armed in the manner already described, he received us very graciously and promised to supply us with whatever we stood in need of.... The ship arrived at Macao on Nov. 29, 1809, after three month's passage.
An outstanding example of a China Trade log from the early Republic, worthy of additional research. Good condition, marred only by loss of half of the front blank on which the author's and ship's name were recorded, some minor soiling and age toning. Good condition for a fine piece of maritime history.
Condition:
Auction Location:
6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
Previewing Details:
Tuesday, June 23, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, June 24 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| Ohio |
5.5% |
Ohio State Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
17.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
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Buyers who are present at the auction must pay the full purchase price at the time of the sale. Buyers who bid by telephone or who are absentee bidders will be invoiced within 5 days after the close of the auction and must pay the full purchase price for each purchased lot within 14 days after the date of the auction. By signing the absentee bid form or placing an absentee bid by telephone, an absentee bidder authorizes Cowan's to charge the purchase price (hammer price, plus buyer's premium) for each lot for which such bidder is the successful bidder to the credit card number provided by telephone or on the absentee bid form, unless payment in full or alternative payment instruction is received within 14 days after the date of the auction. No property will be released by Cowan's unless the purchase price has been paid in full.
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Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
ADVICE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Cowan's will not ship any package containing a firearm to any location other than within the United States. Buyers outside the United States must make their own shipping arrangements taking full risk for the transportation of any firearm.
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Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial.
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