1844 AFRICAN VOYAGE LETTER TO SHIP ' S CAPTAIN Salem MA Merchants SHIPWRECKED BRIG
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:4316324 | West Coast of Africa: Salem MA Shipping Merchants |
| Handmade: No | Modified Item: No |
| Bathurst, Gambia: The Brig "Tim Pickering" | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
1844Letter from Salem MA Shipping MerchantsEdwardD. Kimball & David PingreetoCaptainCotton L. Pratt of the Brig Tim PickeringSailingfor Bathurst, Gambia WestCoast of Africa.A fascinating letter from Salem MA shipping magnates Edward D. Kimball & his brother-in-law David Pingree, to Captain Cotton L. Pratt, Master of the BrigTim Pickering with orders regarding a trading voyage to Bathurst, Gambia, WestCoast of Africa.From the letter:Salem 2 Oct, 1844Capt. Cotton L. PrattDea...r Sir, You being the master of the BrigTim Pickering now ready for sea, on orders are, that you proceed on board andsail for Bathurst, River Gambia, on the West coast of Africa, and on yourarrival at that port you will follow the instructions of Mr. Thomas Chown, Jr., [British merchant in Gambia] to whom your cargo is consigned. After dischargingand taking in such cargo as he may direct, you will proceed to any ports, atthe leewards, that he may wish you to. You will at all times render Mr Chownevery assistance in your power, in landing goods, taking off produce, or insending a boat to any port, (should need be) in landing goods on the Coast.….. “ The Captain is also instructed to get receipts andgive his “personal attention, that goods are carefully handled, as cases of Drygoods, barrels of Breads, casks of Rum, ” … etc. The letter includes fascinating details about aspects of the trade of hides, rum and other trade goods.“Should any unforeseen accident deprive youof the command of your vessel, we do appoint your mate, Mr. John D. Farnsworth, to take command, and proceed as ordered. Your pay for services in full, is tobe Sixty dollars, per month and no privilege on board the vessel for anadventure. …. Wishing you a pleasant voyage. We are Yours very respectfullyDavid Pingree & E. D. Kimball.”Noted next to their signatures – Receiveda copy and promise to comply with the same [signed] Cotton L Pratt.Captain Cotton L. Pratt was participating in part of the Golden Triangle Trade in African ports notorious for slave-trading-- the things he must have seen. If he weren't from Massachusetts, where slavery was already outlawed, he may have been participating in the abhorrent trade.Interestingly in April of 1848 the Brig TimPickering was wrecked during a severe gale at Levuka, a town on the Fijianisland of Ovalau.Single sheet folded to make 4 pages measuring 7 ½x 10 inches, on unlined paper with writing on 3 pages. Creased at old folds, age tanning, some early staining and a few tiny chips along spine otherwise in very good condition.PayPal accepted.Mainstreetbooks has been a family business for more than 25 years. We focus on finebooks, historical ephemera, early photography & vintage textiles. Wemaintained a storefront in Amherst, MA for over 10 years, and we have beenselling on eBay since 1999. Our feedback speaks for itself so bid or purchasewith confidence and please take a look at our other interesting books, ephemeraand photographs. We pack carefully, ship quickly, and have thousands of happycustomers. Thank You, mainstreetbooks
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