[Mexican-American War]. Winsor, Daniel S.

[Letter Written by Daniel Winsor, a Merchant Ship Captain Describing Business in New Orleans During the Mexican-American War]

New Orleans: 1848. [2]pp. on a single folded sheet, verso of integral blank addressed in ink. Original mailing folds, minor wear. Very good. Item #5184

An informative manuscript letter providing a snapshot of the state of American shipping out of Mexico during the Mexican-American War. Daniel Winsor was ship captain and agent for Magoun & Son, Boston shipowners. Winsor was the son of Nathaniel Winsor, Jr. and Hannah Loring. Winsor and his wife, the former Sally Bartlett Simpson, lived in Duxbury, Massachusetts, but beginning in 1847 the family lived the first several months of the year in New Orleans. Winsor operated mainly out of Boston but spent considerable time trading in New Orleans. He owned, commanded, or had an interest in almost a dozen ships, and traveled extensively around the world during his career. Winsor sent the present letter to the merchants Magoun and Son, long-standing shipping merchants whose ships were noted for their speed and dependability. During the period in which the present letter was written, Magoun and Son operated between Boston and New York, south to New Orleans and the Caribbean, and eastward to Liverpool and coastal France. Cargoes typically included cotton, sugar, molasses, hemp, and Spanish specie.

In the present letter, Daniel Winsor, writing aboard the sloop Homeopathy, describes in detail the state of trade in Vera Cruz during the Mexican-American War. He provides news about the war through the lens of the American mercantile trade, writing that "the return Ships are coming in finely from V.C. [Vera Cruz] and the last company of volunteers up at Mexico came up this morning, and it seems that Timoleon had to go leeward of her port and was in tow of the Steamer going in when. Capt. T was coming out, therefore it is evident that she will bring Regulars & the Pharsalea, instead of going to Hampton Roads, will come here with Regulars & get $6,000.00 instead of $7,500.00. I have been told that the Government have stopped the sale of property in V.C. and all the horses, mules, camp equipage & stores is to be shipped to ports in the U. States. Horses were sold at $7 apiece before the sale was stopped." He also provides further details on the woeful condition of freight costs, which he describes as "growing worse & worse." He notes that a ship heading to Boston, which could demand a price of $3,500 two weeks ago, should now expect less than $1,500. An interesting letter detailing mercantile history during the period of the Mexican-American War.

Price: $650.00