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TRADE AND THE TREATY OF PARIS LETTERS

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TRADE AND THE TREATY OF PARIS LETTERS
<b>34. TRADE AND THE TREATY OF PARIS </b>Fine content and interesting pair of letters between two Canadian merchants shortly after the Treaty of Paris and the British evacuation of New York. Eager to begin trading with the former colonies again, Montreal merchant William Taylor writes to fellow merchant in Detroit George Lyons in an A.L.S. 7pp. 4to., Montreal, Feb. 15, 1784, in part: "<i>...The definitive Treaty of Peace is signed & come to town but I have not seen it, however, I am informed that it differs nothing from the provisional articles. Its reported & believed that the British troops will evacuate the upper posts, at farthest by the month of June next in course the Americans will take possession at the same time, they got possession of New York on the 27th November last, the British Troops abandoned it two days before. Under the positive idea I have, that your goods will come out by way of New York from England next Spring, I have ordered boats and men to be got in readiness to transport them from Schenectady to Niagara without delay. General Haldermand refuses to permit a post to be established between this province and the State of New York. He however permits an Express to ply regularly but which any person that pleases may write to their friends in that country - & to go thither as many persons as pleases may obtain passes but it is but lately since these freedoms were permitted - No Commerce between Britain & America is heard yet of being signed...</i>". Taylor continues by discussing the dissolution of his partnership and shoring up his association with his Detroit correspondent: "<i>...I have sent my orders for providing boats & men for your goods at Schenectady to Mr. Hugh Mitchell & Mr. Andrew McFarlane. They did the cider business for me before the commencement of the late war to my satisfaction as boats will...be built it is necessary to apply in time. I am in hourly expectation of letters form New York by Mr. Felix Graham who is expected to arrive in like manner from thence where he has been since fall...I have some thoughts of buying the articles in New York as in that case the goods could be sent along with yours...After this year business will go on smoothly and afford much pleasure. Until the evacuation takes place on cannot divest himself of anxieties about hidden obstructions that may not...be foreseen. However you'll [word lost] on the look out as well as myself & warn me of anything you may discover, as I shall do you. Rum is said to be at a high price at New York. They continue to ask 3/6 for it here at present but I believe it might be got something under at some places with the case...</i>". Together with an A.L.S. of George Lyons, 4pp. 4to., Detroit, Feb. 20, 1785 to William Taylor reporting on various shipments at Niagara and Oswego, as well the state of the fur trade: "<i>...I have had no accounts this Winter as yet from the Indian Country from any of my Correspondents tho I have no reason to suspect but they will make out as well as the other Traders neigh them as they were Pretty early at their Wintering Grounds, and I conceive will not met with great Interruption...</i>". Two pieces, last page of Taylor's letter bears a few holes resulting in the loss of several words, light soiling, otherwise very good condition.<b> $500-700</b>