1832-1837 – Four letters to William Shepard Wetmore concerning his business operations in South America, China, and New York

Item Details

Chile, Spain, and New York, 1832-1837, Letters

Very Good

Two of these four stampless folded letters were written to Wetmore by his business partners, Alsop and  Company, in Valparaiso, Chile in April and November 1832. One was from a Cadiz merchant, A. Burton, in 1833, and the fourth was sent from a New York merchant, Thomas P. Bucklin. Ten pages of text in all. All bear proper postmarks, auxiliary handstamps, and rate marks. Some opening holes, only one affects a bit of text.

William Shepard Wetmore was a long-time international trader from Rhode Island. He entered the mercantile business under the mentorship of his uncle, Samuel Wetmore. Although only fourteen, Wetmore journeyed to England, South America, and the East Indies. In 1823, while travelling as a supercargo aboard the Ship Lion, Wetmore became stranded in Valparaiso, Chile, where he eventually formed a partnership with Richard Alsop. Within four years, Wetmore had amassed a small fortune and left the firm. He entered the China Trade in 1833, establishing Wetmore & Co. with a partner, Joseph Archer. He remained in China until 1839, trading tea, silks, and other Chinese goods throughout the world.  Although Wetmore found the opium trade distasteful, his company was actively involved in its sales and distribution, but not to the extent of other British and American firms. Wetmore remained an important player in international trade, especially concerning Asian goods, until 1847, when he retired to his Newport, Rhode Island, mansion, Chateau-sur-Mer.

Although Wetmore had already severed his partnership with Richard Alsop by 1832, the two earliest letters from Valparaiso provided him with trading information, suggesting the men continued to cooperate professionally. Alsop specifically mentions a ship from China and the status of silk, Nankeen trousers, and tea.

“The writer of this intends going to Santiago to endeavor if possible to get your and Captain Lords claims settled . . . and give your more particular information. . ..  The Ulyssess is the last arrival we have had from the United States and from all we can understand the sales thus from her cargo have not be very  large. . .. Messers Wilsons . . . conducted the Michelle unto here come from China. . .. We expect the Edward here in about two weeks and shall dispatch her immediately . . . with a cargo of Hides and Copper . . . for Boston, she stops at Coquimbo. The George Gardiner is now due from Callao, she also will load with Hides and Copper. . .. The market is generally well supplied with foreign goods. . ..

“The only arrivals (American) we have had are the Cygnet from Marseilles . . . and the Maria from Montevideo where she put in with distress. . .. Silks have declined in price but not so much as was anticipated. . ..  The Tongu Hdkfs. Which are printed in the U. States are much liked here. . .. Blue Nankeens are very scarce and for a large parcel we think we could obtain 11sh. Per piece. Yellow are quite unsalable. . .. Soap is scarce and would easily command our quotation. . .. Yerba is very abundant. . .. Tar and Pitch [and] Gunpowder is scarce. . ..”

The 1833 letter from Spain discusses quarantines and disease.

“[There has been] a Royal Order regarding quarantines. . .. [Vessels] coming from Countries lately afflicted by Cholera are to be into Ports of this country provided they bring clean Bills of Health duly certified by Spanish Consuls at the Ports of their Departure. . .. Quicksilver will come to Market in the course of this month Government having given orders to that effect. . ..”

The New York letter includes a comment on the current state of the market for silk.

“The silk market remains in the same inactive state it did when you were here. We have not had a single sale at auction and but a few private sales not enough to furnish quotations.”

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