Job Hamer’s “diary” or “journal”

20^th Nov^r 1865 10 P.M.

I write you this to say that I am expecting to reach Halifax somewhere about 2 O’Clock in the morning & as it is uncertain whether I shall be in time to write you from Boston by the boat of the 22^nd (Wednesday) I don’t wish to miss the opportunity though I have not much to say to you just now. The passage up to now has been rough & most awfully disagreeable in every sense of the word.

It has been very cold – some rain, & the sea washing over the decks & at last it found its way into my berth and I had to change into one about the same as my original one and rendered as uncomfortable as it could possibly be by the motion of the ship.

I have not suffered from sea-sickness, but I have felt worse in health, spirits and comfort during this trip than during all my other sea voyages put together. You may see by my writing that something must be shaking and you may be sure that it is not me but the ship. The captain has said in speaking of the voyage that we could not well have had it rougher. I think perhaps we might have had but I fancy not such a continuance of really bad weather. But I have now done as regards the weather part of the voyage except I may just say we had to stop for a short time on a/c of the machinery getting overheated on some account – I did not learn the particulars and am satisfied as we are now going on again all right. I have not so far been tempted to sit up to watch her go through the water and I don’t think I shall.

I have met with sundry people on board – Yankees – people from the West, and some from Havana. I have made the acquaintance more particularly of the latter, but though I have sat at the same table and talked with them every day I don’t yet know

I can scarcely write any-more and you must look for my next with more particulars & written under more pleasant circumstances. I shall be glad to hear from you how all are going [along] & your news.

New York 28^th Nov^r 1865

I wrote you off Halifax where we arrived a few hours after. I went ashore to look at the place and to see if I should see any acquaintances. There are some good stores in it and I recognised the names of parties who do business in England but I did not meet with anyone I knew which is not surprising as we arrived at 3 A.M. and sailed again at 8 A.M. Between Halifax and Boston we had a fearful time and I can tell you a many thought we should be food for fishes. If it has not been that it seemed so dangerous it would have been fine fun – the storm was at the worst at dinner time and it was scarcely possible to get anything to eat. The ship rolled down to the waters very nearly and it was impossible to keep the dishes on the table or the meat on your plates – it really was a fearful time & I was glad when we reached Boston and as soon as we did I then found my troubles and expenses begin.

I got my baggage through with the ordinary trouble and after all was passed & I was waiting for them to be taken to an hotel – in fact they were on the carriage – a fellow came & asked me if I were ready to go, & supposing him to be connected with the carriage I said – Yes, and waiting – and to my surprise he asked me to step with him as he wanted to speak with me. We went into a room where he says – Have you anything in your purse or on your person. I told him only my money. He put his hand in my coat pocket – opened my rug – (which had been previously examined and marked) and I opened my satchel. He told me he intended no offence – he said he knew I was a gentleman – hoped we should often meet again and be be friends. I remarked I was astonished at what had happened that I did not understand it and I should like to know

The fare to N York for me $6 extra luggage $2. From the station to the hotel $3 & because the hotel I went to first was full, & I went to another perhaps 200 yds off, he wanted 75 cents more which I did not pay & had a row about. My room is $3 a day and I expect that my breakfast and dinner will cost $3 or 4 more and that for only very plain living. As I find travelling in this country so expensive & I cannot think of any good that could come of my going via Cincinatti & then to N Orleans I have taken a passage for Havana direct and shall sail thence on the 2^nd Dec^r which I find is as soon as I can get away – only one Str offering 2 days sooner and she not a desirable boat – in fact I expect to arrive sooner by the “Corsica” on the 2^nd Dec^r than the other of the 30^th Nov^r. I have seen Copeland and have had a lot of talk with him but I cannot report anything good for business as the result. I shall however see more of him and if anything of interest arises shall report. I have also seen Scrivener (who used to represent A&PH&Co) whom I am to see again and talk over matters & I may be able to add something that passes in this letter. He now represents Julius Marx &Co.

Business here is dull just now so far as I can learn & I think if we do anything here we

Since writing the foregoing I have seen Scrivener again. He said there was a large business business to be done here and he thought there would be for the next 2 or 3 years and he advised that we should go into it. He says that all his business with one exception has been for cash in 30 days or remittance on receipt of invoice and the exception was cash in 60 days and this was with a large house who got 4 months from Thorntons. I said we wanted credits but he says the banks here will now very rarely grant any – this I think has not a very good look, but this is

Linbach nr Chemnitz – Saxony of whose name it may be well to take note. The others were not always so satisfactory. Then for Balbriggan Hose he gave me the price list of Smyth & Co 36 & 37 Lower Abbey Street Dublin [maxxx] factory Georges Hill Balbriggan which will serve for my government in case I find any enquiries. It is between seasons for ordering here now. The spring orders are all placed and it is too soon for fall so that I am at the wrong time if I thought of doing business, & I find that some people think that the Cholera which is expected here in spring will curtail business as for this I have no opinion but I do think if it do come it will stand a good chance of [sweeping]

P.S. I can hardly write with these manifold things. I send you some papers but I have not yet recovered my spirits sufficiently to read myself at least very little. Copeland gave me the Masonic papers. He belongs to the craft. I hope you can read what I have written for I can assure you it has given me a great deal of trouble to write with a manifold writer.

N^o. 2 Recd 3^rd Jan 1866

Havana 13^th Dec^r 1865

Soon after posting my N^o. 1 on the 28^th [xxx] I used the first of my circular notes for £50 N^o. 25756 & I intended advising you thereof from N York but at the last I got pushed in a corner and had to wait till I reached this place which I did pr Str “Corsica” on the 11^th inst after a fine passage but as usual the same thing over and over again. We could not start on our appointed day of sailing on account of the fog which I can tell you I did not relish, having to cross the river from N York to Jersey to go on board & not being prepossessed in favour of the American style of doing things. I however escaped any collision though there were a few during the day. I am beginning my letter today and shall write to you as I have opportunity till the day of mailing. After posting my last I met with Henry B Hart whom you will perhaps remember I met with in Matamoros and who was then expecting to visit England for the purpose of buying goods on Confederate a/c. and who then promised to do all with me

R.I. Scrivener treated me very kindly and I was at his house twice and had a deal of talk with him. He offered me introductions to parties in N York if I wished but I saw no

The Spaniards I met in the “China” are not the men for us: they were principally interested in Sugars and such like. The only one who had anything to do with dry goods was a Mr Pers on whom I called here.

When I got ashore at Havana everything seemed familiar to me and I very soon began to hear news some of which surprised me. Mr Fish whom I joined in the lottery had been in prison – some bars of gold being found in his trunk that belonged to a fellow pasenger. He was liberated on a/c of something or other – the affair took place under the flag over which there was no jurisdiction where he was imprisoned – I did not care for any particulars. I am satisfied now that I shall not get my share of what he owed me – if I was not before.

Jimenez Lob &Co. I was not ashore an hour before I learned of the dissolution of this house & I dare say you will not be surprised but rather that it has not happened sooner. Bonifacio [Lasa] did not of course agree & Bonif^o went over to London and saw his uncle and after 48 hours sailed again. B has not an opportunity of going into particulars with me, because [Lasa] was in and out but he told me the house in London will be given up – his uncle go to Paris, and that he shall conduct the house here alone. He told me his buyer went out by a steamer which sailed on the 11^th from this / the afternoon of the day I arrived with a private letter for you. He did not tell me what he had said – for he had no chance but he

[Lasa] is however going away for some days on the 14^th & I shall call again during his absence. ———— Lasa was in an adjoining store and seeing me passing called after me. He told me that he had done all the work of the concern & he was dissatisfied – that the concern would be liquidated by Bonif^o and as to what he shall do it is not yet fixed. He says there are several parties here with whom he can and may fix up – but that the old man wants to see him in London – perhaps to take that house and after seeing him he shall conclude that arrangement which will be best. He talks of going to England as soon as he can – by the WI Str leaving here on the 6^th prox^o – if not sooner. He said he believed I was always a friend of his and he was always mine – and he expressed himself able and willing to do great things for us adding after a pause – if we could do as well as anyone else. He has asked me to write to you the state of affairs and to say that he should call on you first thing. I fancy he will be anxious to get us& he promises great things, but he will go into all with you personally he says.

Since writing the foregoing I have again seen Bonif^o but had very little more talk with him being interrupted by the entrance of a customer. He spoke however about your knowing all about what suited their trade & that we should do something together. His buyer will call upon you but may be in London a day or two

[Lasa] spoke of returning to Havana by April or May so that I should like to know early what if any arrangements you make with him for my government in case I meet him again here at that time or before I reach Manchester. I feel pretty sure that he will be anxious to heal any old differences & work with us, for I fancy he has a good opinion of what we can do, but I prefer to leave you to act as you think best and whatever it is will be agreeable to me.

Del Val &C^o. I have seen Santiago and also Zamora and was very much surprised at the cordial and friendly reception I go from the latter. He is going out very soon and if you try him I think you may get business – he promises it. He is no doubt peculiar but by handling judiciously I feel persuaded the a/c may be opened. Santiago assure me that Z will open it this visit & says he bought so little himself he had to leave off some of their old friends. I said a good deal which you can imagine and now leave you to follow it up.

Ybanez &C^o Both [Teodoro] and Christie were very friendly especially Christie and if he were going out I am sure something could be done. T is going out at the end of the month or by the WI Str of the 6^th prox^o & he promises to do something and

Scherrer Richardson &C^o . I have seen both S & R & we have had some very pleasant talk together. Both were very friendly and they are now open to do business elsewhere than with R Bros. R is going out soon & you must see him early. I spoke about your experience not only with [A&Sx] but with I.I.&C^o and he promised me he would try and do something with us. Both are very nice fellows and you ought to be able to open the a/c & I think you will do so.

Aqueite Bros. I called on but got very little encouragement. Jose [Ramon] is still in Spain & he does the buying. We shall require time to get along here I fear.

Y.E.&C^o . I have seen them every day and Mr E is going to go through my samples so as to make a beginning. He was most friendly but speaks in the same gloomy style he wrote in as regards business. He says there are large stocks, only low prices can be got & nothing can now be done as regards the C House and I must say I find the same talk everywhere & people are not in very good spirits. He may be out again in the Spring but this will depend on Mr Y’s health which has been very bad of late – perhaps the buyer may come out & he is very well disposed towards me & has been from the first and you may depend I do all I can to keep up the feeling. We have had some talk of the ‘plan’ spoken of when E was in Manchester and it will have to be a work of time unless a change comes about. I am to dine with

He admired the Cartes and remarked “the rogue knows he is good looking” and spoke of you warmly & of the doings together – of the beer & whiskey. I shall I have no doubt more to say about this house yet & perhaps send an order by this mail.

Walsh arrived here by the [Tch] Str on the 6^th inst and left on the 7^th for Mexico & Colville remains in St Thomas and I hear is going through Porto Rico Hayti &c & is expected here by the 21^st and is to go forward to Mexico, but whether at once or not I cannot learn perhaps he will not go to Mexico at all. McCormack went to Veracruz on the 22^nd ulto on his way to the City, Guadalajaras &c. The news from Mexico so far is very unfavourable for business & for travellers and if half be true that is reported in the papers it would be as well to turn back but I feel disposed to try and shall unless something happens. I dont know [of try to go] by the Str of the 22^nd inst and see in Vera Cruz how matters stand and certainly have a try for the City and perhaps I may not reach Monterey – but it is impossible to form an opinion here.

Business here is very dull, large stocks, low prices, and not any disposition to give orders. The weather very hot for the season & some sickness about and a general expectation of the arrival of the Cholera. I have now to acknowledge receipt of yours of the 18^th ulto which reached me the afternoon of the day I arrived together with its enclosures & I have taken due note thereof and find your jottings down of great use & I am glad that you are going to write me often for your letters will be a great relief

PS I am very sorry to say that I anticipate a very great deal of trouble with my samples & some of them will be absolutely useless for the gum tickets I found quite loose and some off entirely – they have been very badly put on and it is a great pity we did not see to this. However I shall do the best I can. Write me till further instructions care of Inclan &C^o. I quite expect I

I find a great difficulty with this manifold writer & I dare say you may have found some in reading my letter —-

Havana 22^nd Dec^r 1865

Since posting my No 2 I have been knocking around among the merchants but as stated the business is so dull there has been no chance of orders. I have tried very hard with Y.E.&C^o and at one time I expected I was going to make a beginning with them. I spent two days going through samples and finally a lot were laid aside to order, but on reflection thay have deferred it either till I return from Mexico or the Spring when they hope to worked off some their stock which just now is very large although they assure me they have not ordered anything for a year. They have stocks of Hosiery, Don Juniperos, Contre Dore, [Liams] &c in large quantities also Victoria Launs & Drills. I saw some of the Don Juniperos & I can tell you they did not look at all to our credit. I said how anxious we were to begin & I was told in the most emphatic terms that as soon as anything was wanted they would write you & they were determined to do something with us, in fact all they could. I referred to the subject often whenever I could & I always got the same assuring reply. I must confess everyone tells me the same tale & I am inclined to believe we shall open the a/c as soon as it can be done. I am leaving with them the box of spools which they may order & it would be well to keep them advised of the change in prices whenever you write the house. They have got a man going through the paper hangings and he is making up an order which you may receive by this or next mail. He wants to see a greater variety of samples and also borders and centres. I have promised that you shall send a complete set and am quoting discounts. I have said that I believe it is 1 ¼ % but if it was more they would get the benefit. The buyer also seemed struck with the box of pins, but

BB Jimenez. I have spent some time with him & have had quite a long talk about doing business together. He is evidently of opinion that you know what is wanted in his trade and is anxious I think that you should do his business. He says he can do a fair line in printed furnitures, [Owens] Drills, Pta Drills & Contre Dores. I spoke of the advantage of goods being bought grey – & printed, bleached &c and said no one could do the thing better. I dwelt upon this a great deal and he seemed to agree with what I said & he will write his buyer (Edwardo Argudin) whom he says you will know as he was in the Paris house – and it remains for you to follow the matter up and try and keep him from [A & P] for Dawson is the one I should fear most on account of the friendhsip between the two (B & D). He tells me that the London house will be continued by the Uncle & that he shall have to do some business with him but he spoke as if it would be no more than he could help for he is of opinion that a house in London cannot compete with one in Manchester and cannot know what is going on so well & I took care to feed his ideas pretty well and added reason uopn reason to confirm the same. You will notice that he tells quite a different tale to [Lasa] as regards the London House and you can believe which you like. I showed him your ‘Carte’ and he took one promising his in return – which I have not got yet. He took notes of the following samples and will write M^r Argudin about them.

29in Brown Holland 919, 920

Platillas 938 – 941

Ruanes 356 -5841 d/z 29

25in Wht Coletas 202

Owens Cream Drills 201

Contre Dore 101 @ 139

401 Bramante Legitimo (Gilsgords) W1 332 43 72/70

Russias 3/7 3/8 4/7½ 6/8½ 8/10¼

40in Wht Russias 910 No 74

He also spoke of Listados Linen & Union in imitation of the German and he promises to send you a card to shew patterns – I told him we could do the thing right and he spoke about the boxes dovetailed sides – not nailed and lined with blue paper. I said this could all be done. He is also going to send you patterns of the Linen Platillas & Creas and will give the weights, &c for [xx] and he wants the exact finish when he can do a very large business in them & which he promises to us if can be done right and he will also from time to time send samples of any goods he wishes imitating or done exact – will write you fully. I spoke of the London House and said we regretted that we had done nothing together but I said we had not pressed the matter as we could not tell whether there were any reasons beyond what appeared on the surface for them wishing to work direct with Manchester. He said he thought it might be to the advantage of both the London House and ourselves to work together and he said it would be better for you to go and see his uncle and talk the matter over. I hinted that perhaps [Lasa] might have been the obstacle, to which he replied that he had now nothing to do with it, but I got no idea as to whether he was the difficulty or not.

Scharfenberg Tolme &C^o. I have seen and had a very agreeable reception. [TT] thinks he may be going over in the Spring and if so we have a chance. They do a very large business in a few articles and have the reputation of selling very cheap in fact our friend E says too cheap and unnecessarily risky so BBJ tells me that AMH will no longer sell to them but I cannot get at any reason for it – they are considered as good as ever – they spoke very despondingly as regards business – quite as bad as YE&C^o.

Scherrer Richardson&C^o. When I last saw M^r R he spoke of the Manchester houses spoiling the trade here by looking after and affording facilities to small buyers, shopkeepers &c who went over and also coming here and asking them for orders. I improved the occasion and said we were doing only with the importers and refused even to shew samples to the people he named & I said we who confined ourselves to importers ought to be encouraged by them. You can follow this up when you see him if you have any opportunity.

Pequeño Barr&C^o. I saw M^r B who was very polite but it seems his brother misunderstood him – he referred to orders for provisions – not dry goods. He offered to introduce me to Mr Dex the partner here of Taylor & Meck who he said might do business with us but I did not see how and so declined.

Mr D.W. Bird a partner in the house of [pty] WJ Mali &C^o New York I have made the acquaintance of on board the “Corsica” and he has been staying at the same hotel here. He may call but I don’t

Pressler. I was astonished to meet with him here. I met him quite accidentally on Sunday evening in the Plaza when listening to the music. He is now in the house of L Well &C^o (Schwans agents here) his wife is now in Breton. It seems the Jacknell arrangement fell through but I did not learn all the particulars. He says he has written me several times. Is it not very strange that all these letters said to have been written to me should have miscarried?

L Aguabella. I did not go to Matanzas. I could not very well but I sent him a card and a message by a gent going there and he sent me word he would come and see me here but instead has sent a friend saying he could not leave home and wishing me to go there. I cannot do so and shall write him a few lines to tell him we shall be gald to hear of him and to see him in Europe &c &c his address is

34 Calle del Rio Matanzas

I find myself short of money again and applied to M^r E with one of my notes but he offers me all I want and wont take the note remarking he advanced me money when he hardly knew me and he will begin

PS Any news from Merino and has he given you any orders? & what from T Kidd &C^o?

N^o 4 rec^d Jan 12^th /66

Havana 23^rd Dec^r 1865

Since posting my No 3 which will go by this mail I have seen BB Jimenez again and in talking with him he spoke of the very large print business he could do if the patterns were right &c. I said as M^r Argudin was now over of course he would select his own styles but for the future I advised him to send us patterns from time to time stating which sold well and which did not sell and leave us to arrange for patterns

The Mr Arnold I mentioned yesterday may be in England in March and he has since said he shall want some dry goods such as Carpets, &c &c and he will call on us and will have the money with him to settle.

Lasa. I was told by Mr E that he understands he leaves the concern with a very small capital instead of a very large one – that he had much less than BB. The Str for Vera Cruz has not arrived yet. She was due yesterday. I expect she will be here today & sail tomorrow or Monday morning. I am anxious now to be off and see what can be done, but don’t be disappointed if we have to defer the opening business for a time. The mail is about to close.

PS The Str is just in and I hope will bring letters from you but I shall not know in time to write by this mail.

Vera Cruz 29 Dec Dec^r 1865

I left Havana on the 24^th and arrived here today having to lie outside yesterday on a/c of a “Norther” and so far I have not had much time to see anyone beside deViga Hermanos who received me very kindly, & Mr Miron the managing partner here has offered to introduce me to the houses here after the Steamer has returned to this place and has sailed again for Europe – in the meantime he & everyone else will be occupied with the correspondence and till then I have to defer the talk about opening a house in the City. Mr Giffords letter has been of great service & he has also had the kindness to write separately in my favor. I was expected & had been talked about & Mr Miron spoke of me as Mr R and Mr G’s friend. All in the house were exceedingly polite to me and I was invited to make the house my own with all frankness.

Perhaps you will drop Mr G a line saying I have arrived so far all well but shall not have an opportunity to write to him by this mail & thus keep up the acquaintance – I intend writing him as early as I can. The hotels here are miserable in the extreme & it is quite impossible to shew my samples in any of the rooms in any of them altho you would pay 30 dollars a day. I have therefore spoken with Mr Miron about taking a place somewhere for the few days I shall be here for the purpose of shewing my patterns & I expect to have one in a day or two when I hope I shall have some visits and business grow out of them. I think it will be very fortunate for us to be introduced by Mr Miron – certainly better then promiscuous calling on parties. I have already ascertained that there have been some changes in the firms since we knew them and after seeing them I may have something

FE Watermeyer &Co is changed to Watermeyer Schmidt &Co & is the one I saw here before. I shall try hard for this a/c. Ringil as you know has left the house and formed another viz Ringil & Goebel. He is however I am very sorry to say now in Europe so that my chance may not be so good but I shall see & if you should come across Mr R anywhere you had better tackle him.

Biesterfeld &Co remains the same and Mr Horne is the managing partner here.

Uslar Heymil &Co is now Heymil Bonne &Co & Mr Marteansin is the manager – A very good house. Ferrer and Gens is dissolved. F is dead and G is managing partner with Doorman &Co – a good all house.

Whilst in Havana I met with a Mr Chs Ganucheau from the house of J&J Prom &Co of Tampico & Bordeaux and we have become very friendly. He told me they did a very large business in dry goods almost if not quite entirely with Simpson (I forget the first name but I know the man, he used to have an office at Droeges & lived in Alderley and had a house & I Pitman San Luis & I think have it yet) & Bousoett &Co. He told me the orders were sent to Bordeaux and placed by them. Eduardo de la Torre is the manager in Tampico. I know him having made the passage out with him, when walsh introduced me to him & I called on him when I was in Tampico. I send my card to him by Mr G with an explanation of the change that has taken place since we met & asking for some business.

Mr G advised a call on the house in Bordeaux & I said de la Torre will give us an introduction to the house

Ynclan &Co. The complete set of paper hangings for this house will be too great a bulk to send by Steamer & Mr E would prefer it being send by Sailing Ship. You will receive an order from them I expect before this reaches you for Paper Hangings and perhaps some of the pins for which I have samples and they may aso order some brooches. They would like to have Samples of these things which you can send with anything else by Steamer. The box of rings I have is very poor and if you get some that would look as well as the pins

30^th Dec^r

Pressler I told you was in the house of L Will &Co & through him I made the acquaintance of their people especially Mr [Mus] (who has the ppro of the house) & Mr Brodeamann. They were very polite to me & I dined with them twice. I received other attentions. When coming away [P&] asked me if I would attend to small orders for their [] use such as shirts, Hose, &c as they said they were of the opinion that IM &Co put it on too thick. I of course said yes but asked them always to be very explicit so as to avoid any mistakes. Perhaps you may receive an order before I arrive but think not. P wanted to introduce me to Mr Will but I never called except when he was out or busily engaged. He said something might come of itbut I did not see how and so I told him. He hinted however that all was not smooth with IM &Co and a change might be [needed]. You must take this for it is worth. [IM &Co] do an immense trade there is no doubt but I hardly anticipated anything advantageous to [us] to grow out of the connection at all events [I] should be disposed to wait quietly for what they have to propose and at present prefer working with

(After posting my last and before going on board I received your letter of the 1^st inst advises of the 2^nd from M’chester via the States had been delivered 2 or 3 days before.

Continue to write me care of YE&Co who will always have my instructions.

What you say about the market is duly noted & very useful to me. Keep these reports up.

So far as I have gone I fear this is not the time opening but whilst I am here I am determined to find out whether it is or not – & if not whether it can be done later & the best means of doing it & I fancy from the short talk I had with Mr Miron that Mr De Viga in the City will be the best guide & authority on this side but I shall look around me in every way & have the matter thoroughly ventilated. The roads here are not at all safe although a guard goes out with the train & I understand escorts the dilligences. Mr Ganuchean told me there had been no communication between San Luis & Tampico for 3 months when he left Tampico 2 months ago so that you have an idea that the country is in a rum state and it seems quite impossible to form an opinion when there will be a change. I shall do all I can to open a/cs here now for I fear if I don’t we shall have been to great expense for not much good. I think that Havana will be a good market for us however we shall have to follow up the matter thoroughly.

If it be possible I shall also go on to Matamoros & see Walsh & Gilgan there but I hear there are no longer any Steamers from this to that place – I think there must be and shall see further as to this. I am

P.S. Mr Lafontaine whom I think you will remember used to represent Mister &Co of St Thomas & afterwards had a place on his own a/c in Bond St 2 or 3 years ago I found here. I had heard in Havana that he was in Mexico & I understand representing the house of Jno Siltzer &Co or some other Manchester house. He was on the sick list so that I had not much talk with him. He told me that McCormik had told him of our being established & of my coming out & he has gone before me giving out this news generally for I have heard of it already several times. He tells me Mc is still in the City and not expecting to leave altho I heard in Havana that he intends going on to Guadalajara and San Luis – I shall perhaps see him in the City. Lafontaine told me he was detained here by a law suit, the particulars of which I did not learn nor ask, but I shall see more of him and may learn what he is after here.

Keep on writing – I may perhaps write you from the City of Mexico or defer it till I return here. I shall not miss any opportunity of letting you have all news & particulars.

Vera Cruz 3^rd Jan 1866

My No 5 was posted for the English Str which arrived from Tampico on the 1^st at 8a.m. & sailed again for Havana about 11a.m. She landed her passengers all right at Tampico so that Mr Ganuchean did not return as I fancied possible. The Norther abated somewhat on the 31^st ult and came again with renewed vigor in the afternoon of the 1^st inst since when it has continued without any cessation to the present time so that no vessels can come in & there is now due an American Str from Havana which will carry this letter if she do arrive. There is quite a change since I arrived here from very hot to almost very cold.

I have seen Lafontaine several times since my last – he says he has been slightly connected with a London House but I could not learn which or how. He has been sick here but is recovering & he has lost his wife during his stay in V Cruz – I believe almost a week or 10 days before my arrival & about the same time or a little later a young man died here who came from Mexico to be a clerk in one of the houses. I have been introduced to the VC firms with the following results.

Büsing Mertino &Co. I saw Mr Miron who received me with the most marked kindness & politeness but business was not the result. He is however going to write to Mr Wm Büsing Hamburg advising him of my call and of our being strongly recommended by the highly respectable house of the Viga Hermanos & asking him to give us a call & do some business. He says he shall use his utmost endeavours for our interest & urge that we have a trial & he will speak of our having been in the house of A[&Co[] ] and in

Doormann &Co I saw Mr Jens & he is going to write to the partner in Europe who buys everything – viz Wm Stürcke St Gall Switzerland asking him to call & try to do something with us. And it would be well for you to write him also. Just now saw their chief business is in staples & [more] especially Prints and Imperials and some Drills. [They] have done in Irish Linens such as Creas but lately have not derived profit from them on a/c [of] their well established and well known good qualities being imitated exactly in lower qualities, they may however return to them. Silk [scarfs?] they have generally got from London & Bandas from France. I spoke strongly of what we could do in this [xx] goods & it will be will for you to bring them to bring them to the notice of Mr J. They are going also to have samples from Switzerland

Ringil & Goebil. Mr G is the one here and I saw him & he expressed the hope we might do business together & will write Mr R who now lives in Hamburg and does the buying. His address is E. Ringil Jr Hamburg & lives in Ferdinand St there but Hamburg is a sufficient address.

L. Stoltzner &Co. formerly [Sturken] & Pollitz [I now xx]

H. Schnabel &Co. I saw Mr Jules Lievers the partner here. It appears they now do nothing here in dry goods – only Hardware – but Mr L said [most] likely I might be able to do something with the house in the city & I shall try what can be done there.

Leffmann & Geitheil. They chiefly attend to the forwarding of the goods for the city house whom I must try when I reach there. Mr Stroebil is the partner here & he said their firm in Hamburg Geilheil Leffmann attended to their purchases and perhaps to them I may be referred when I am in Mexico.

Biesterfeld &Co is now in liquidation and the firm D Horne &Co from the 1^st inst.. I saw Mr Mr H who has lately returned from Europe where he has bought goods & does not now feel inclined to order especially at present prices. He said he should be gald to enter into relations of business with us and asked us to send them a parcel of patts with prices & on comparison he might be induced to begin. He said it was in this way they began with AH &Co.

Watermayer Schmidt &Co. I have seen Mr S and he has arranged to have a look through my samples tomorrow or nest day so that I cannot report more at present except that

Heymal Bonne &Co. Mr [Marteansin] was very busy & I am to see him again & I shall have to report later the result.

Landero Pasquel &Co. This is a Mexican house that Mr Miron introduced me to as one that bought some dry goods now & then and that were very safe & good. They were not however disposed to operate just now & I found out in conversation that they have generally had what goods they have imported from HR [Uhthoff] London. Mr P has promised to look at my samples but not to give any orders just now – he has promised however to give us a trial when he is open. I hear Uhthoff sends to several parties here. You have now the results of my calls so far and I don’t know how you may feel on the subject. I don’t feel that the progress is by any means such as we should like. It may be perhaps as good as could be expected & though I find it very uphill work I am not quite discouraged but I believe it will require still a large amount of perseverance and downright plodding before there can be any harvest. I have had some talk with Mr Miron about the opening business. He says the people here buy on credit & can do so readily from the houses already established & the duties on goods here which are very heavy require to be paid in cash & hence a large capital would be required & altogether he gave no encouragement. He said the Banks here would be of no assistance for our object & no feasible plan could suggest itself to his mind. I have not been able to get any other information & must perhaps wait till I get to the City & see Mr Viga & also learn

You have heard of the vote of Congress “that the US shall send the French out of this” and I dare say a deal will depend on this as to trade &c here & it may make somewhat unpleasant travelling or being in the north part of Mexico & it may cause me to change my plans perhaps I may be detained in Matamoros again – it is impossible to guess –

4 Jan 1866

Heymil Bonne & C^o. Since writing the foregoing I have seen Mr [Mariteansin] who has recently ret^d from Europe & therefore not in a condition to place orders & besides he says he is going to quit this place & reside in Europe & will there buy for the house & look us up. He was exceedingly polite and civil & says he shall be happy to do business with us. He says Mr Haussen who used to act as their agent in Hamburg has retired from business & that Mr Woolff who was his clerk 20 years has succeeded him & is now their agent & besides Mr Heymil resides in Hamburg. I expect Mr M will be leaving here in about 2 months. It has struck me that seeing there are so many of these Mexican houses who have either got their partners or agents living in Hamburg Bremen or some such places it might be well if we if we could get some good German living there & who has some influence to act as agent for us – there is no doubt the Germans are very clannish & this might be a means of getting at them sooner & more effectually than one of us going over occasionally & writing frequently & I should think such a party might be got who work on commission – Will you think over the matters – if you like the idea – act upon it – or improve upon it any way you think best. I fancy something good may be the result.

In speaking with parties generally I have mentioned the fact of our having been in the house of A&I Lt which I find to have some weight for I have been told in reply – “then you have been in a good school – & know the tastes of these markets well”. I mention this for your government when you see any parties & this connexion may be liekly to be referred to. I have of course endeavoured to impress parties not only that we know the markets on both sides but that we are quite alive to the importance of goods being turned out well besides being bought on the best terms and that we superintend everything ourselves so that our friends should feel sure that they are as well if not better served by us than some of our neighbours.

6^th Jan^y

Watermeyer Shmidt & C^o. Mr I and his salesman(Mr Micher or some such name) looked through my smaples & took some notes of White Goods but I don’t expect that you will receive any orders till Mr I visits Europe which will be in about 2 months when he has promised to call & if possible do something with us. You will find him a very nice fellow & I think something may be done with his house. The salesman will also visit Europe this year on Mr I’s return & he seems to have the selection and say generally. I have tried very

Sandero Pasquil C^o . Mr P has gone through my samples & has taken some notes. He is going to make some calculations & is to see me again in a day or two when if all goes right he may give me an order for some of the Owens drills & perhaps some prints but the order will be very small to begin with.

In consequence of Mr P not being able to make up his mind at once I shall be delaying here for some days longer but I expect leaving for the City in three or four days. Before going I shall use a draft for £25 which will about see me there & when in the city I shall use more. I don’t want to have mmore money on me in the journey than I can help on a/c of the “ladrones”, though I hope I shall escape them. The American Str arrived here on the 4^th but has not been able to begin to discharge before today on a/c of the Norther & the Mail closes this evening.

Write me as often as you can via US & Havana

Vera Cruz 11^th Jan 1866

I should like to receive a price list containing all counts & weights of Shirtings & Madapollams for my guidance. – for instance there is n^o 137 35/36in Grey marked x8587x of which I send a [patt] herein & according to these figures is 28×29 5lbs 8oz 37 ½ yds but it seems to me the usual calculations of 2p or 2p[s] per lb won’t do here – what is the price? You will receive an order or this cloth & finish by this mail about which I shall say more in this letter under another heading.

Sandero Pasquil C^o. will send you an order by the mail for some drills of which they will send patts & fix a price not to be exceeded. The patts are of goods sent by A&I Lt of Belfast to Ringit & C^o. & I fancy you will find them to be Owens. This is a rich & very honourable house who speculate in dry goods occasionally but are somewhat timid & afraid of giving orders to Europe just now as they are afraid of being caught with the goods when prices are lower. I have used all my arguments to assure them they would be safe just now in ordering Imperials & Prints, in vain, so we can only hope this may be the beginning of large & regular orders. They have funds in London in the hands of Uhthoff & C^o. , but they don’t want them to know of this transaction. & from the high character & large means Mr Miron represented them as possessing I consented that they should remit on being advised of the amount with invoice. Mr P said as if it was not sure the order could be executed he did not want to open the C^t with U&Co & then it not be used and thus excite the suspicion of U&Co. The order will be only for a small amount and is quite safe. They will give you all the instructions

Mr Miron introduced me also to Mr Wm Fitzmaurice who is what is called here a Corredor of what we should call in England a Broker or Agent & he introduced me to Mr Rueda of Puebla & the latter will send an order direct or through Mr Fitzmaurice for some Wht goods viz 137/x8587x/S Fch finish; 307/887/JT sent to Busing Mirtino & Co. I expect by Kessler & Co & bleached by Marsden & 417/6886 39/S & up of VG/I 346@7 with the world stamp. Now I quoted for 137 looking at the figures and withour seeing the cloth closely 14/.14/6 which if it is calculated at the usual price pr lb is all right & too much – for 317 about 9/ for 24 yds & 417 abt 19/. These quotations were for the cloths & widths of the patterns & I of course stated these were our last advices & the price might be higher or lower but I fancied higher. It is possible they want the widths changing which I explained would make a difference but the cloth & finish is wanted exact. The No 417 is wanted with the world stamp but they would like Puebla shown and New York & Lima left out and instead of Mr Gils motto & wreath a small Mexican Eagle and the word “Union” but all this along with the other instructions I expect will be given in

I don’t think you would like to live in V Cruz & you would have to go through the yellow fever before you would be safe. I found that £35 would not see me quite out of this into Mexico so I have used No 25755 for £50 through Graham Greaves & Co on the 9^th inst. My trunks cannot get away from here till the 15^th. & will arrive by express 300 miles on the

Colville arrived here yesterday by the Fch Steamer. He does not know whether is going to the city or not – is going to be governed by circumstances. I did not ask him any other questions & suppose I may hear from other sources more. I told him I was going to the city but gave him no idea of my other movements. Perhaps he is going on to Matamoros to keep Walsh out of my clutches. I shall go & see what can be done. Mr McCormick is expected here in a few days & has not been beyond the city I understand.I suppose that he did not find it prudent to go beyond. Perhaps I may see him & learn how it was.

12^th Jany

I saw Mr Fitzmaurice this a.m. according to appointment & he seems willing in fact glad to undertake the business. He mentioned the large connexions he had & that he expected to do a good business but he wants to have some idea of the expenses in England on goods besides their cost and our commⁿ – making up – packing – insurance – shipping ex’s – freight &c in fact so as to have a correct idea of what the goods would cost landed here. This wanted for men from the interior who have not been in the habit of importing hitherto & cannot therefore calculate what the goods would yield to them in the shape of profits. This you may be able to get at with the assistance of old invoices &c & I leave it in your hands.

It seems that Fitzmaurice has a partner & he wished me to write him a letter making my proposition & after they had talked the matter over

I believe Mr Rueda would have given orders for other goods if he could have known what they would have cost cost landed & the time they could be got ready to ship. It would be as well to mention in the price list sent Mr F the time required to get [sound] goods – about – I am calculating that he is our agent as you see.

Mr Miron has told me that he may require some Grey & Wht goods now & then & when they do he will send us the order with patterns of the articles wanted & that we may do something with them also ere long. I hope so & soon.

Mr Rueda’s order was not made out this morning but I expect it will go by this mail direct to you with all the instructions – at least so I am assured. They have not got any patterns of the goods & cannot have now as my Samples are packed up waiting to go by the express.

Tariff I have got one from one of the gentlemen of the house & send it by this mail under a separate cover. It is getting late & I have not received the answer from Fitzmaurice but I shall keep this open till the last moment to enclose if possible.

Vera Cruz 17^th Jany 1866

Rec’d 15^th Feb

My last I believe was no. 7 and posted on the 12^th inst. since when a Steamer has arrived from Havana but without letters from you. I have fixed to go to the City on the 19^th where my trunks have already gone, along with all my writing materials so that I have not them to refer to.

By the Steamer mentioned above I received a letter from RI Scrivener which for your governance I enclose herein & to which I have replied saying that I expect to return from Havana in May or June and to arrive in England at the end of one of those months. But I fancy the former though all will depend on how I am detained. I have not gone further into the question of our conversation but have asked him to see you should he arrive before or without me. I am at present ignorant of your views on the subject not having heard from you & therefore did not like to say more at present.

Agent. I sent you in my last a copy of my letter to Mr Fitzmaurice but I did not receive any reply in time to enclose. It appears the firm is I Mariano Bello & Fitz is a partner & he attends to the outdoor work. The reason the reply did not come in time is that the Son or Mr Bello was taken very ill so that B could not leave the house. He is still very bad and no hopes are given of his recovery. I enclose a letter from Bello in reply to mine & also copy of what I wrote in answer & I am now waiting for another from him which I hope to receive in time to enclose. Since I wrote my letter of the 15^th I have seen bello for a few moments and he said the commⁿ as stated by him was an error

Sandero Pasquil &Co Mr P told me the other day that he had been so busy that he had not sent the order forward but he would do so. I need have no fear.

Mr Rueda has also not sent his but he assures me he will do so and so does Fitz & he is going to try to get him to extend it. I have told them what I am advised about Cotton from N York and recommended them to order Imperials and prints at once.

Lafontaine is still here, when I saw him the other day he was repeating what he had said many times before that he wished he was back in Manchester & regrets having given up his business to run the blockade. He says he does not know what he shall do at present& says he can buy for 2 houses (in 2 places) whose commⁿ at 2% will yield £800 & £700 – together £1500 & that he can get business in other places. I fancy he was fishing for me to make him some proposition – from his bringing the matter up so often and dwelling upon it, but the extent I went to was to say I should be glad to see him in Manchester. I dare say he will give us a call but I shall hope to be back first when if necessary we can talk over the subject. He speaks as if he had influence with the Porto Rico houses but I don’t know if he is all square. He speaks a deal about Woods at Dunbars as if they were very intimate & from him you might perhaps learn something. He says G Wildes would have given him a position

Matamoros The last news from this place is very discouraging. It is said that Bagdad (or the mouth of the river) is in possession of the liberals & that the whole of the Imperial Forces with the assistance of some Americans have been taken prisoners & the communication is cut off from Matamoros & it is also said that the Merchants & principal people have all left Matamoros. There is no doubt a deal of trouble there & the truth is not published here & unless there is an improvement by March it is useless my attempting to go. I think it would be throwing money away. I would rather advise making a special trip at the end of the year – or a more favourable time. I shall however try to get at the bottom of the truth & if possible go along – I wish I could have your opinion on the subject.

Mexico. After trying what can be done there, and perhaps I may not meet with much encouragement among the chief houses at first as they have generally their agents in Europe I shall turn my attention towards founding a house there or establishing an agent for procuring orders same as in this place but I shall have the benefit of the experience and advice of Mr de Viga there who may probably prove of great service – He is not now in any business there [is] believe.

I expect my next will be from the city and as I can form opinions as to my return so I shall advise you until I say for certain when I shall start.

With care of YE&Co.

McCormack arrived from the City yesterday & is going on to Havana on the 22^nd by the American Str thence to New Orleans St Thomas Hayti & expects to arrive home in April. He tells me that business is very bad in the City and that he has not taken any orders there or here & he did not go beyond the city as it is quite unsafe to do so. The Guerillas 300 in number had a fight yesterday with with the “Contra Guerillas” on the road between this and Paso del Macho (the terminus of the Railway) & two of the CGs were wounded. I understand it was a tremendous affair but I cannot get at the full particulars.

Agent I enclose you the reply of Mr Bello which I got yesterday afternoon and the commission is now all right. I saw both B & Fitz & had some talk with them. They seem pretty confident of being able to do business & with this place too & Fitz added of course it was to interest as well as ours to get orders in order to get money. In writing them or rather Mr B let your letters be in Spanish & as soon as you can have the samples prepared let them be sent in the meantime if they can get any orders without they will be sentpart of the business here is now finished & I hope we shall find it to become of importance.

I heard yesterday that a buyer from Puebla bought from one house here goods to the extent of $80,000 & from others to the extent of 10 10 and 20m dollars but it was not our friend Rueda so that Puebla ought to be a place of some importance & I believe it is. The purchases were made in 4 months time with 4% dis. The sales generally are 8 months.

I have experienced very great kindness from all in the house here besides being a saving of hotel expenses & I should like to return it in some way, & I shall look to you to look

McCormack seems very intimate with Lafontaine here which you would not expect if anything had been wrong with him & L is pretty intimate with a lot of Germans here who are the largest buyers.

No 9

Mexico 28^th Jany 1866

Rec^d 3^rd March 1866

I saw Mr de Viga on the first and he received me very kindly. He tells me there are already some houses established here on the principle we want to establish one among the Germans & he says he knows only one person here that he thinks might suit us – he is to see him & report – so that my next must contain the news.

I called on Mr Hagenbeck & in the beginning he gave me to understand that A&I Lt did his business & so well that he did not intend to change & besides he said that just now he and others held stocks larger than for many years past & the prices that could be obtained were so much lower in proportion to English prices that no orders could be given. However I was not going to be bluffed off & after talking about the great changes in H&Co since he was over and about old times I got him to be not only very civil but friendly & he asked me if I have any samples and when I told him I was expecting them daily he proffered to look at them. I can hardly hope to secure him but I will try my best at every point and leave no stone unturned.

I saw Mr Miron (of Busings) before leaving VC and he told me he had written Mr B in our favour & he hoped something would be done. Have you heard anything?

No. 10

Mexico 31^st Jan 1866

Rec^d 5^th March 1866

C Hagenbeck I have called again upon him and had a long talk with him in which we got more friendly but as to business he is in very low spirits> He tells me he has got a very large and well assorted stock of all kinds of goods some bought at the lowest prices but for which he cannot get cost. He showed me a lot of his goods. 33In Imperials for which he paid [22/6] counting 27 threads in the ¼ Mexican inch & from the heading I think the cloth is McConnels (it is their fancy) 9/8 Shirting prints I should think 17×17 which he said he paid 9/6 and is now advised the price is 14/. He says he has some idea of giving up the dry goods business & investing his money in some other way. Now he would not give orders because the goods would arrive during the rainy season but he will look at my samples and talks as if later he might try to so something with us. You may imagine I have strained every nerve to get hold of him to prepossess him favourably with what we can do & I have even gone so far as to say that an order I must have either now or later. If trade were right and I were here some time I feel sure I should do something in the meantime I can only keep calling upon improving the acquaintance.

The other houses I have no yet called upon as Mr de Viga wishes to introduce me himself & he has already spoken of me to some and as he is an old man and not quite ready yet I must wait his time. His introduction ought to be valuable & I have no doubt will be, so that I am not perhaps losing anything by waiting. He has not yet seen the party that he thinks of as agent for us when he does I shall hear and report as soon after as I can.

I used draft No 25754 for £50 on the 29^th inst with Graham Geaves &Co here.

The news from Matamoros is such that I don’t think it will be of any use going there at present 10,000 troops (French under Gen Doury or some such name) are going and others to Monterey, so that it appears to be it would be throwing money away to go there. I am however anxious to go & if I see the slightest hope later I shall go or perish in the attempt.

Continue to write to me care of YE &Co until I advise to the contrary.

Forwarded from Havana by YE&Co 17^th Feb.

Mexico 9^th Feb 1866

Recd 12^th March 1866

On the 31^st ulto I wrote my No 10 since when I have nothing from you. I the meantime I have called round and seen the houses here viz Heymil Bonne & Co Lingstack & Co Brehen & Co H Schnabel &Co Watermeyer Kauffman &Co & Mr de Viga introduced me to A.G. Lasermann &Co. I have not much time to write for the mail the mail so I must be as brief as possible. I may say I found all in the same tune as regards business – all say it is very dull large stocks and only very low prices can be got so that my calls generally have only led to improving the acquaintance so far & it is well to keep this up & perhaps some business may follow later. Patience & perseverance are very necessary here. Heymil Bonne &Co Mr B is very polite & gracious & will look at my samples later.

Lingstack &Co. I have always been unfortunate to find them busy – but polite – I cannot say yet what will be the result here.

Brehen &Co were very friendly & Mr B will give me the address of their Hamburg partner & he will also write him. Something may be done here I am sure. Mr B was remarkably friendly & chatty after about 10 minutes talk & explanations of mine.

H Schnabel &Co are very polite but I have not yet seen Mr S himself.

W Kauffmann &Co very friendly. Mr K holds out no hope for the present on a/c of the times but gives a little for the future. I shall keep calling.

The foregoing houses I called on without Mr de Viga as I did not like waiting & I could not hurry him.

AG de Lasermann &Co. Mr de V introduction

C Hagenback I have also kept up his acquaintance and got him one day looking at my samples. He wanted [Hud Yd] goods & I had no patterns. P’d Camb^c Hdkfs & it was the same. I then got him among White Goods & he is to make some calculations and see later the same with Silk Bandas. I find he gets Silk Hdkfs from Bakers either direct or through Uhthoff & I said a good deal to induce him to give us a trial for comparison & perhaps we may get one some day. He spoke as if he would give us a trial with the Imperials such as I mentioned in my last that he got from Henry’s. He says he can only do with the good quality. I will if I can get a full dyed pattern & certainly if I can get an order. He liked No 401 WI 33243 Bramante Legitime such as Gil had. He asked the price in 66in & 82in. I told him I thought about 1/ per yd for the former and 15 or 15 ½ for the latter width but that the market was in such a state it was of course impossible to quote exactly as he wanted

2 Boxes 150 each Silk Umbrellas one half steel & one half cane. 50/24 4/6 100/26inch 5/

5 Boxes 120 “ D^o D^o D^o

D^o 28 inch 6/-

2 Boxes 100 D^o D^o various qualities 29/30 inches, Steel frames 7/6 @ 10/ each

3 Boxes 150 [?] Cotton Umbrellas 28in 18/3 Blue Green 1/ pr doz extra.

The colors for all to be Black Coffee Dk Green & Blue. The shades for the last three colors are enclosed herein.

The handles to be assorted & chosen with taste as a good deal depends on the nice and good appearance of the handles for the sale of the umbrellas. Mr H laid great stress on this subject. I cannot guide you very well. I may however say I see many stick handles & canes such a handle as your umbrella or that of mine (if you remember it) would not do – A nice appearance is the great thing here.

Packing. To be in tin – very good and secure – for the roads are very bad indeed. Great care must be taken to prevent the umbrellas shaking about thus cutting the cloth and damaging the frames. A great deals depends on the packing & it must be attended to with the greatest care and vigilance.

Insurance to Vera Cruz with 15% added.

Ship through A Duranty &Co L’pool by Steamer to vera Cruz to the consignment of Mess^rs

Manifests to be sent to Doormann &Co & a press copy to Mr Haghenbeck. Mr H writes to D&Co about this order & respecting the declarations of the Umbrellas & it may be that D&Co will write you giving instructions – to which please attend in every respect. Whatever they instruct attend to particularly although the number of cases – or quantity of umbrellas in a case may be changed.

Invoice to Mr Haghenbeck as early as possible.

Time The earliest possible say by the Steamer leaving 15^th April (I think this is about the time of sailing). It is important to have them out here soon so as to be in time for the beginning of the rainy season. Mr H wished me to send this order by this mail to save time, as he cannot write himself.

Discount I said I was not sure about there was a difference in makers.

I now commend this beginning to your greatest care & I hope the result will shew up increased business. I can assure I have worked hard for a beginning – for this a/c may be valuable to us.

Agent for this place. Mr de Viga introduced me to a party. Mauricio de Maria Campos who has not only a connexion in the interior but also here & is very well known and respected – but I am sorry to say that at present he cannot see his way into entering into the business I proposed. He says in the first place just now all his clients would not give orders for goods from Europe – as a change in the tariff is expected & that it will be higher – thus they will only buy here from Stock – then he has as much as

I don’t think anyone else will do.

Mr Haghenbeck – again since writing the foregoing I have had another interview with him in which the matter of commission came up again & he found on enquiry that A&I Lt charged 2% so that we may charge the same therefore our commⁿ is 2% instead of 1 ½ of which I am glad. He remarked that the essential point is to have the goods bought cheap – put up well so as to sell quickly so as to get orders repeated – which cannot be done if the goods are dear and won’t sell. I told him we were quite alive to all this & as we intended to extend out business with him we should take the proper means of doing so. He is going to look through the Bedstead Book & I expect an order for some of them as well as for other goods ere very long. Among the best silk Umbrellas you may include 10 or 15 or 20 Silk Umbrellas of different good qualities as samples of what can be done to compete with the French

In the best quality of Silk Umbrellas you will see the size altered from 30 in to 29/30 (Mr H understands that 30 in measures only 29 28- 27 and so on) this is that by reducing the size of the lower quality – the quality of the cloths may be improved.

Mr Lascmam. In speaking with him the other day I took occasion to refer to McLintocks chest protectors. Bed covers &c. He had never heard of anything of the kind & was very much taken up with my description of their properties. It would be well to get samples to put before Mr Spalding on his arrival. They ought to go in the City to some extent but I would keep the idea to myself and not let Mc know where they were for.

Vera Cruz. I do not know but I think I have not said that low qualities of prints go for this place – it is however a fact for your guidance in getting up patterns. It is something like Havana – appearance is what is wanted. On the roads between Tampico & St Luis there have been some serious doings a goods train attacked by guerillas. I have not heard anything about Matamoros lately but expect news every day which will decide whether to pay a visit to that place or not. I am anxious how you are going along with Argudin Lara & what has become of Merino

Mexico 15^th Feb 1866

rec^d 22^nd March

my No 11 was dated the 9^th inst handing an order for Umbrellas for Mr Haghenbeck to which I must ask your attention making the following change – the low price silk ones must be all cane ribbed instead of one half steel & this Mr H thinks to get better quality – anyhow send all cane and do the best you can in every respect. I have seen him a many times since and he has now given me the following order for Bedsteads from Cooks book.

2 Bedsteads No 183 6ft 9ins x 5ft 6 ins @ 520/

6 “ “ 187 6 “ 6 “ x 3 “ @ 215/

4 “ “ “ x 5 “ @ 255/

2 “ “ 190 x 3 “ 6 “ @ 290/

2 Spring Cots “ 238 3 “ x 1 “ 8 “ @ 220/

8 Bedsteads “ 269 6 “ x 4 “ @ 210/

2 “ “ 275 x 3 “ 6 “ @ 260/

2 “ “ “ x 4 “ @ 270/

2 “ “ 304 x 3 “ 6 “ @ 235/

2 “ “ “ x 5 “ @ 280/

2 “ “ “ x 3 “ @ 220/

2 “ “ 315 6 “ 9 “ x 5 “

but to have angle-iron frame & to have 4 legs only instead of 6 as shewn in the drawing- to be similar in the frame to No 183 – this price is quoted 450/ and 45/ less with angle iron frame but as there are only 4 legs instead of six there ought to be a still further reduction but you will see to this.

4 Brass tube reclining chairs No 252 @ 185/ with Coffee Brown Morocco Fittings @ 45/. These Mr H supposes can be packed in parts (i.e. not whole chairs) and they are

Drawings of each chair & bedstead to be sent. Ship by Steamer from L’pool through A Duranty &Co to Doormann &Co Vera Cruz and follow the instructions of the latter firm as regards manifest packing &c &c &c

Insurance of these goods to be free from particular average.

Mr H wants a book of these bedsteads to sent him which be good enough to get in time to send along with the first parcel. He has now got the paper hanging patterns & I expect will make out an order but I don’t know whether it will be in time for this mail.

So far he has not made up his mind about white goods and it is these I am most anxious about. Perhaps I may get an order before I leave this. I don’t expect I shall get orders from anyone else for everybody talks in the contrary direction – an inundation is expected and even this is given as another excuse not to order.

Yours of the 12^th ulto reached me here on the 13^th inst.

B.B.J. I am not surprised at Argudin is working with the uncle as he said such would

Lasa I shall be anxious to know the result of his call and your decision in the matter.

Merino. I am glad to hear that he is at last fixed and has written and also that you replied to him. I hope you have been able to follow out your idea of paying him a visit and that you will have been more successful than I was. I like the idea of your going very much & think of course it is the best thing that could be brought about for us and for him. I shall be anxious to hear how you have gone along in the matter.

17^th Feb

Mr Haghenbeck I have had some talk with him about opening credits & I may perhaps induce him to open one for us before I leave – I shall try.

Mr Lascurain & I are getting very friendly. In the course of conversation the subject came up about confining one house’s business here to one in M’chester & I found him a very willing listener & he approved of the plan and objected to so many houses here being supplied with the same designs &c & at a subsequent interview

Buhen & Co. write by this mail to their agent in Hamburg A Huber &Co to see us & it will depend on the latter house how we succeed. I think I have given B&Co a good opinion of what we can do – this will require following up perhaps visiting Hamburg or getting an agent as I suggested in a former letter – Mr B may be out next year when we may stand a better chance unless we arrange with A.G.L.&Co which will be better.

Doormann & Co act as agents for Haghenbeck & their instructions must be followed. When you

Mr Calacich of Tabasco came up in the diligence along with me from V Cruz & is still here. He will be going to England in May and will give us a call. He does business in dry goods & tells me he wants no credit – perhaps we may manage to do something with him.

Price list of Mexican goods as sent you in Jan for Mr de Viga has subscribed for one year for us & I expect you will receive the Feby one by this Str and the subsequent ones regularly which I think may prove useful.

I expect I shall leave this in about a week & after spending a few days in V Cruz embark for Havana which place I hope to reach about the 15^th or 20^th March or perhaps a few days later & shall leave by the Str of 6^th April if I don’t go by way of N York, but I shall advise you more particularly later.

No 13

Mexico 27^th Feb 1866

recd 31^st March

Since my last I have been going the rounds of the houses here but not with much success as regards orders for people generally are in the same dull mood. Young Kessler from the house of K&Co is now here but without samples & I understand is going into the interior along the West Coast to South America. He was introduced to Mr Haghenbeck by Mr Doormann whilst I was

I have also had some more talk with him about credits – I told him that as money was so dear in England & likely to be for some time and as we paid Cash for everything we should like to have our means about us to use in case of need &c. He saw the force of my remarks & has promised to make a remittance of the probable amount of the orders we are sure to execute and very likely by this Str he will not open a credit – he has some objections – among which the cost is one. I have got a different times the following order from him.

5 B 30pc ea 33in Imperials 40 yds not over 18/ per pc

5 “ 25 “” “” 35 2/36 in D^o “ “ “ 20/ “

the quality finish and samples to be exactly the same as the samples herewith. To be 40yds exact. To be packed in double canvas and good linen oil cloth and an inside wrapper of 9 yds of 33in Wht Madapollam 5 @ 5 ½ pr yd. If possible 9 yds of the 33in Imperials.

To be shipped by L’pool Str as early as possible to Doormann &Co whose instructions as to manifests &c are to be followed.

6 Bales about 50 pc ea 30/31 in Regatta prints not over 11/6 per pc quality and finish of patterns herewith and assorted in ea Bale as follows8/Purple 10/Red 4/Yellow 5/Coffee 6/Pink 4/Blue 3/Grn 3/Magenta 4/Violet de las Alpes 3/Cobalt Blue. Colours enclosed – made up face out. Packing same

1 Bale 66in Bramante Legitimo abt 40/45 yds ea pc not over 11 ½ per yd.

1 Bale 82in D^o D^o D^o D^o not over 13 ½ per yd.

quality and finish of No. 401/W1/33243 a sample of which I enclose – the bales to weigh not over 200lbs gross. Pack and ship same as the prints & imperials. These orders are given as trials. The gross weights to be stated in invoice.

For your government I may say as regards the Imperials a pc of the 36in goods (which measure 35 ½ in) weighed 7 ¼ lbs Mexican – & 100 lbs English equals 98 ½ Mexican & the heading was the same as shown on the bit of paper enclosed – of course not as regards distance of stripes – but you may have an idea for it is a common heading. As regards the prints – face out. I had a sight of Henry’s invoice dated May or June – the price was 9/6 & I observe they charge 2 ½ for swissing & making up & 6/9 for packing which was the same as now ordered viz Linen a/c & dbl canvas – for the inside wrapper 9 yds of Linen was used @ 6/. The prints to be 24 yds. The patterns enclosed are all good and so are the colors. The large pattern is for quality and finish which are wanted exact. The number of pcs is marked on ea pattern besides being stated on the order – for colors – In the Assortment from A&I Lt

The small pattern of heading inside the pattern of imperial is cut from the 33in goods but as all are sold I could not get the weight of a ps.

Mr H has got the book of paper hangings from which he is making out an order and I expect to hand it in this letter. There are no patterns of borders. Let a set of them be got up and send to him as early as you can. I am leaving the book with him & hope it may lead to some more orders. Also send him a book of bedsteads from the man who left us at Wards several books.

With being detained at M by Mr H I think I shall not be able to reach V Cruz in time to go by the Mail Str to Matamoros & I think it will be better for me to go along to Havana so as to arrive in England end of April especially as there will be several buyers there about that time & I fancy it would be useless as regards getting orders going to Matamoros just now – though I don’t like missing the chance now I am here & I may even want to go in April if I hear better a/cs & if not I think one of us might go end of the year.

David Jolly is here from Tampico & he tells me he

As regards the prints orders by Mr H all the patterns send are good – he wants small patterns pretty close together – as these are – in fact he likes these so well you might send the same – those with the quantities on are the color – the large pattern is for quality and finish and the one without any figures is sent because it is a good pattern. The large pattern is the size of the pattern on the duplicate pattern cards.

Paper Hangings You will remember that some of these I brought out entire and of such I enclose you a list with our and the makers Nos & prices as I think Mr H will order some of them.

Manrico Levek (whose card I send herein) is a party whose acquaintance I made here casually & he is anxious to do business direct. I enclose an order from him for some watches & small Knives – that for watches explains itself & as regards the Knives he wants small ones. Mother of peral Shafts – legs and arms of the Knives to be finished and to look well.

He expects to do a large business in these goods cutlery plated spoons forks &c &c. He has been to the Bank here & the arrangement is that we send the Invoice B/L & do [???] to the Bank in London who will pay us in cash & they will remit the same to the Bank here who will understand with Mr Levek.

I would of course have this confirmed by the Bank in London before I did anything with the order – though I think Mr L safe for the amount – but I expect it will be all

Mr Giffard I enclose a hurriedly written letter which send or detain as you think best.

Mr Haghenbecks order for paper hangings I enclose but I have only just taken it down & as there is little time nothing has been said about pattern cards &c. I will write by next mail on the subject.

I am not sure that the Bank will be advised by this mail – but I expect it will be by the next. In the meantime you can make enquiries & put the order in train when the next mail arrives (in abt a week). I shall write by NY in a few days –

Mexico 3^rd March 1866

rec^d 2^nd April 1866

My No 13 was dated 27^th ulto – I expect my trunks will be on the road to V Cruz in a day or two (they are now out of my possession) & I shall quit this city in about a week, but I have my doubts as to whether my trunks can arrive in time for me to go by the American Str of the 21^st from V Cruz & if I am detained till the RM Str of the 10^th prox I think I shall go straight on to England without staying at Havana so you need not write me again unless I write you advising a different arrangement. I shall try hard for a week in Havana.

Mr Levek Please consider this order cancelled the arrangement fell through at the last moment owing to the bank which I will explain when I arrive.

Mr Haghenbeck’s order for paper hangings. Pack in boxes of light wood about 200lbs gross and patterns of each Case wanted. Ship by Steamer as the others and wait Doormann’s instructions. He has given me the following order for Bandas from Baker I &Co Samples 2 ½ % dis, as sample

1 Tin 20 doz 10 ½ in Bandas 36/ asst^d ea dozen 2/Green 1/Brown 5/Crimson 1/Carmelite Brown 1/Napoleon Blue 1/Nacar 1/Purple. Shades for Green Carmelite, Nap Blue & Purple enclosed the others to be shades of the Samples I brought out.

1 Tin 20 doz 12in D^o D^o 39/ same assortment

The 2 Tins in 1 wood box

Enclose samples of Bandas in Cotton same as Bakers got up with silk and patent cotton

Ship by Str as the other goods.

I left with him my sample box of reels and Cotton Balls & orders may be the result a little later. In the meantime advise him from time to time of the prices of each also of Spools Nos 8 @ 150 90 yds marked 100 yds. I told him that now the true length was only marked but he says he receives it otherwise and wants to know the price. See what can be done. I cannot send you the shades of the samples of Bandas that I brought out for they were packed up & sent off before Mr H decided about the shades. I expect that Frost of BI&Co will know them if not they will be in England soon after you get this, i.e. in a month. I am getting along with Mr H better every day & we stand a chance of working into a good business with him.

I have today used No 2389 for £25 to pay for the transit of my trunks &c

Brehen &Co I was under the impression that it was Mr B that was here – it is not – it is Mr L. Vivanco who is the partner here.

4^th March

So far the news is not such as to induce a visit to Matamoros – but I shall see more when I get to V Cruz