Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
MS050 B02 F26.05 |
Title |
Joshua Martin to John Langdon |
Scope & Content |
Four page letter from Joshua Martin in St. Pierre, Martinico (Martinique) to John Langdon in New York. Joshua Martin (1770- ) was a shipmaster in Portsmouth. He gives a full account of what he calls "our dull sale." He sold the boards that Langdon bought from Captain Storer first and it turned out tolerably well. They sold for 120 livres a thousand. But beyond a thousand boards, they were very rotten, contrary to the agreement that he and Mr. Hobart had engaged in. But, in the end, after consulting a number of Americans there, they decided that since the boards from Boston that were being sold were in far better condition than theirs, they would have to compromise with the purchases they made. So he discounted them by 8 livres the thousand as long as the merchant took all the cargo. Tar and pitch are in no great demand, nor is anything they have on board to sell. They were able to bring the two horses safely there, but not without some injury to them and they were not able to get a good price. The boards Langdon bought from Mr. Thompson sold for a very poor price. As for going to Carolina, he cannot see it being possible in the vessel in the condition it is in. Besides, he has heard that lumber commands a high price there and the ship strains excessively with a loaded deck. If they were in a sturdier vessel, going to Charlestown (Charleston) might make sense. He cannot get any offer for the vessel in Martinique, where everything is dull and business slow. Says the troubles in France and Liberty is all the conversation. Shall set sail in about six days for St. Martin to get a load of salt and head to Portsmouth directly from there. Expects to be back by February, Dated December 19, 1789. |
Collection |
John Langdon Papers |
Object Name |
Letter |
Date |
December 19, 1789 |
People |
Langdon, John, 1741-1819 Martin, Joshua, b. 1770 Hobart, John, dfl. 1761 Storer, Clement, 1760-1830 |
Subjects |
French Revolution Cargo Shipmasters Merchants Carolinas Charleston, SC Salt Lumber Boston (Mass.) St. Martin |