USA > Oregon > Sources of the history of Oregon > Part 19
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Vrs &c N J Wyeth CLXV.
Philadelphia Feb 18th 1834
Bro. L[e]ond
I have found in this place the Scarlett Cloths which I wanted, will you have the goodness to inform Mr. Stewart that he need not buy any on our acc.
Please forward any letters that may come to you for me on or be -. fore the 19th inst. to care of Charles Balto.
And believe me yr. afte. Bro. Nathl. J. Wyeth
CLXVI. Philadelphia Feb. 18th 1834
Bro. L[e]ond. (N. York)
Herewith I introduce to your acquaintance Mr. E. M. Samuel of Liberty Missouri. I have received from him the utmost kind- ness and attention when it was particularly acceptable. Any atten- tention that you shew him will much oblige me.
I hope you are by this much better than when I left you and am anxious to get a letter from you informing me of the state of your health.
Vr Afte. Bro. N. J. Wyeth
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CLXVII.
Philadelphia Feb. 18th 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams ( Boston)
Gent I have seen Mr. Samuel. He assures me that the buis- ness of purchasing mules and horses is going on as fastas economy will permit and thinks we will have no difficulty as to men or animals.
I do not feel like trusting to any particular house at the west- ward for funds, inasmuch as by possibility they might not be able to give me the amt. of cash that I might want. The amt. disbursed by you in Boston with what I have already drawn for is about $3900 and possibly here or at Cincinati I may draw for 600S more and $2000 which you arranged for through Rockhill & Co. This will leave of the original sum of $16000 $9500 of which amt. 5500$ [are reserved] to meet my drafts from the mountains [pay- ment] must be made through the bank as arranged.
I have procured from Mess Grant & Stone letters of credit backed by one from Mess T. C. Rockhill & Co. and you will please forward to Mess Grant & Stone authority to draw on you for 4000$ at sight whenever they have paid my drafts to that ora less amount. Also please forward the letters of credit from the Cashier of the Branch in Boston to the Cashier of the Branch in St. Louis to the care of Mess Von Phull & McGill.
Herewith you have notice of bill drawn on you from this place and also bills paid here also duplicate list of bills drawn on . you from N. York as per my letter of 14th inst.
I leave for Baltimore at 7 in the morning and Remain,
Vr. Obt. Servt. N. J. Wyeth.
CLXVIII. Philadelphia Feb 18th 1834
Mess Grant & Stone
Gent Since seeing you it has occured to my mind to request you to forward letters if any should come for me to the care of Mess. Wyeth & Norris of Baltimore. Also to say that my first draft on you will be No. 10, and follow in regular series till the amt. is completed.
I am Yr Obt. Servt N. J. W. CLXIX. Philad. Feb 18th 1834
Capt Thing,
Dear Sir I write merely to say that there is noth- ing for you to attend to in this place except to call on Geo. W. Carpenter Druggist Markett St .. and see Mr. Nuttall and let him know that you are going on, he wishes to keep company with you.
Yr &c N. J. Wyeth.
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
1;2]
CLXX. Balto. Feb 20th 1834
Col. E. W. Metcalf Boston
Dear Sir Your esteemed fav. of 8th inst. reached me on my arrival here last night. In regard to the sub- ject of it I think you have a right to suspect almost any thing ( from that quarter) but I assure you that I have no knowledge in regard to it. I am well aware that what you state in regard to the contract was common report at the time but I have not the slightest idea of what prevented its going into effect.
I desire you would believe that there is no desire on my part to withold information on this or any other subject and should be at all times pleased to correspond with you.
Respy. Yr Obt Servt. N. J. Wyeth. CLXXI. Balto. Feb. 20th 1834
Mrs Deborah Powers (Lansingburg New Troy N V.)
Madam Your fav. I have received, and most gladly com- municate the information you desire. Please direct your letter to the care of Mess von Phull and McGill of St Louis to reach there by the 15th April. I have frequently endeavored to find the directions of Mr Balls friends but had not succeeded.
You may be assured that your brother shall want nothing that I can supply on my arrival out. I will make some enquiries about the Box which you speak of.
And Remain Vr Obt. N. J. Wyeth
CLXXII.
Baltimore Feb. 21st 1834
Capt Thing Balto.
Dear Sir I leave here bills lading for Two Cases goods for Wm. G. Sublette, also Bills lading for goods from Phil- delphia also Bills lading of goods from N. York and the Bills lading sent by you from N. York. In addition to these goods you will have those from Boston of which I presume you have the bills lading, as they have not been sent me. On the receipt of all these goods you will have the Cases &c overhauled and made strong and put them on board the wagons for Wheeling or Pitsburgh taking receipt for the same in the usual manner. Have its weight marked on each box, in order that there may be no need of weighing more than once. If by the time you have done this the traps have not come, you will leave them behind, in which case I have left directions with Mess Wyeth and Norris to take care of them. All charges incurred of the Two Cases of Wm. G. Sublette you will keep separate. Pay all bills here and take and preserve all the bills and bring them on.
-
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I leave here $150 for you which I have charged to you. You will call on Mess. Josiah Lawrence & Co. of Cincinati where I will leave a line for you
[No signature.]
P. S. You will manage the reshipping the goods when it is requisite. You will find here 2 cases marked S. 16 and 17 and at barrel [marked] S No 18.
CLXXIII. [No date.]
Mr Bradenburgh [?] Dear Sir You will oblige me by seeing that 2 cases goods for Sublette and Campbell and one for me per the Union line from Phila. are brought to the store also if goods from Bos- ton or N. York should arrive before Capt Thing comes have them brought to the store. All these goods are to be sent to Wheeling or Pitsburgh and you will oblige me by putting Capt. Thing in the way of doing this in the best manner and advise him as to the suitableness of the cases. Expenses to be paid by Capt Thing.
Should any goods come after Capt Thing leaves this you will oblige me by forwarding them to Von Phull & McGill St. Louis in the best manner. Some traps are the only [things] which I now expect will be too late for Capt Thing and the expenses on these Mess Wyeth & Norris will pay and and collect the same of Mess. Tucker & Williams of Boston. Please address me to the care of Mess Von Phull & Mc Gill of St. Louis.
There is here a package of letters for Wm. G. Sublette also the two cases goods which please deliver [to] him. You will find him at Bells House[?] on Saturday or Monday. If he wishes the goods can come on with Capt. Thing.
All letters for me you will please forward to the care of Mess. Von Phull & McGill St. Louis and if Bills of lading are wanted for the goods from Boston you open letters for me to find them.
N. J. W
CLXXIV.
Baltimore Feb. 21st 1834
Mess. Tucker & Williams Boston
Gent. Herewith you have duplicate notice of draft drawn on you from Philad. and notice of draf[t] from this place, and list of Bills paid here. I have lef[t] with Wyeth & Norris $150 to the Cr. of Capt Thing for the payt. of freight of goods out.
List of Bills paid here
No. 21, Wyeth & Norris 35.IS
22, Thomas Tyson 35.93
23, Densmore & Kyle 69.78
Duplicate notice draf[t] as per letter of Feb. 18th from Philad.
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
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viz Liter Price & Co 6 months, 230.18. Draft Drawn from this place Feb. 20th fav. of Mess. Wyeth & Norris $300.00 at sight.
I am to leave this to morrow morning therefore in [the] future please address all your letters to the care of Mess Von Phull & McGill of St Louis.
I am yr obt. Servt. N. J. Wyeth CLXXV. Baltimore Feb 22nd 1834
Capt Thing (Baltimore)
Dear Sir Since mine of yesterday it has occurred to me that it would be well to try an observation with our instrument during the time that you will be waiting for the goods, this in order to see that you have all the requisites and such as are suitable. If you find any thing deficient you will pur- chase it here if possible. The sextant had better cross the mount- ains in your trunk if you can find the room. You will examine the two cases carefully and see that all is tight. The bbl. of Rum at Wyeth & Norris will require to be carefully examined to see if it is tight and the Boxes should be hooped.
If you find that there is not enough money left for you you will obtain more by shewing that more is requisite of Wyeth & Norris.
I am Vr. Obt. Servt. N. J. Wyeth CLXXVI. Pitsburg March [Feb.] 26th 1834
Capt Thing
Dear Sir Since writing you at Baltimore it has oc- curred to me that some medicines for the clap and pox may be wanted the men often contract these disorders before they leave the settlements and unless there are some remedys the conse- quences are bad often inducing the men to desert in order to obtain relief. They should be of small bulk and little cost, and please get them at the first place that you can find them. Of these medicines we have plenty on the Brig and probably very few cases will occurs before we reach her.
I am Vr. Obt. Servt. Nath. J. Wyeth
CLXXVII. Pitsburgh Feb 26th 1834
Dear Wife (Camb.)
Since leaving home have had good luck enough to get so far and being detained here one day have time to write you. About the time this reaches you it will be time to get the things about the house in order. Please send my comp- liments to Mr. Weld and request him to see to it the small trees must be dug round except those set out last fall. Have them all trimmed but tak[e] off only dead branches. Have the the fences
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[175
righted upand all things made decent, in order that when I send any friend to you you may be able to receive him.
Give my love to all friends and excuse this short letter. I have many to write and am unused to writing to ladys any way.
Vr afte Husband N. J. W.
CLXXVIII.
Pittsburgh Feb. 26th 1834
F Tudor Esq. (Boston) Sir Your fav. of 17 inst. came to hand at Baltimore. The very flattering and liberal expressions used in it demand an acknowledgement. I am quite well aware of the value of testimonials from such a source and persuaded that I owe to similar ones the power to proceed in an enterprise which you are pleased to say has disappointed some of your expectations.
It affords me much pleasure to hear that the ice buisness is like to assume an importance worthy of the perseverance and talent bestowed on it for so many years. If true satisfaction is to be found it must be I think in the success of ones plans against the current of the worlds opinions and the ridicule of fools. I do not doubt that the extended ideas which you take of the buisness are sound and the belief affords me gratification unalloyed except by a fear that I shall have no part in the excitement of the strife or the glory of victory.
While you are successfull in N. Orleans these oppositions in Charleston are not of so much account, and up to the time that I left circumstances to me indicated an unexampled success in these but other plllaces aside I am persuaded that experience enables you to manage an opposition to perfection.
In regard to my returning to the ice buisness I can only say that "I am pledged" to the buisness I am in, as long as those con- cerned in it carry it on in the right spirit but I will not suffer small and parsimonious views, in others, to ruin me past redemption, or consume my time and prevent me from availing of a great op- portunity. I consider the buisness I am now in as of sure result but will not yield adequate returns until the third year. In the mean time if those concerned fail in confidence or preseverance all is ruin and I shall not again essay to trouble the waters of these seas. Having engaged good fait[h] impels me to leave noth- ing undone to make this thing successfull and if so to pursue it for the benefit of all, but if they put this out of my power and you are inclined I shall then return on the best terms I can to the ice buisness.
I shall write you at all opportunities and next from the rendezvous in the Rocky mountains when I will give you any in- dication that may then appear as regards the probable result of this buisness.
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
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I note the kind wishes at the end of your letter if mine in re- turn are an equivalent you have plenty of them and be assured sincere. I am yr. obt. Servt. Nathl J Wyeth. CLXXIX. Pitsburgh Feb 26th 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams (Boston)
Gent Some conversation while on my route hither and a previous acquaintance has induced me to give letters of introduction to Mr. Ira Smith of St. Louis direct- ed to you. He thinks of visiting Boston on his return from Santa Fee and if so he will present them at that time and also to com- municate to you the following ideas. The present letter on this subject is only intended to call your attention [to the matter] in order that you may collect what information you can in regard to it, and if such examination is favorable to the project and after those in hand now have been made to pay and leisure afforded to establish new sources of profit then to take hold of it. The fol- lowing statement is my view of the Santa Fee buisness, derived however from superficial observation. viz
First cost of goods carried to St Fee and duties paid the Mexican Government $100,000
Outfits and expenses on same 50,000
Profits and interest in the States between the importer and the St Fee Trade 25,000
Returns made from St. Fee in Specie and Beaver $200000 Profits remaining to the St. Fee Traders $ 25000
$175000
This is I presume about the result of the trade. The goods are carried to St Fee by about 30 distinct traders in about 75 wagons. The largest trader has rarely more thail 12 wagons. More than one half of these people are farmers and buy their goods on 12 months, and often mortgage their farms and conse- quently are obliged to make returns the same year, and will not follow the trade more than one year with bad success under any circumstances and certainly not when you consider that unless there is a sufficient company it is not possible to go through on the Sta Fee route. The idea that I have is this (when we are ready to make such large investments) take $50000 first cost of goods to the mouth of the Columbia with say $5000 in silver to pay the duties transport them up country and encamp there near Sta Fee and enter only to the amt. of 5000$ duties from the sale of these goods get the means to enter the residue. The mildness of the climate west of the mountains will enable to bring these goods to Santa Fee two months earlier than the St. Louis traders will come during which time considerable sales will be
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made when they come put the goods down so that they must loose at the same time buy them out so that they will loose a little. They must return in about 2 months, after which time and dur- ing the rest of the year goods will resume their accustomed prices. The sales of the first year will probably be one half consumed in purchases made. I do not believe that a company could be got to go from St Louis the next year if so a very small one and must be treated the same as the first after which time I think it is a matter of absolute certainty that we should get the whole trade. I have not made the requisite enquiries but do not calculate on any saving of distances by taking the goods from the Columbia but only of duties merch[an]ts profits in States and animals and in transporting to which there will be an offsett of in- terest. I think that after the 3d year one third of all the re- turns of the trade might be profit. The route from the Columbia to Santa Fee is the same in part as to the mountains and the returns such as would not interfere materially with the cargo of Salmon being entirely Beaver and specie.
Mr. Smith is Brother of the Smith killed on the Sta Fee route in 1829. He bears an excellent reputation here and thinks he would put $10000 into such a buisness. He has been two years in this trade and is the largest Dealer in it. If anything should be done it would require another partner in the Indian country, and I presume no better person could be found. I object however to any further proceeding in this matter other than collecting information until what we have now in hand has proved itself which will be about three years then if successfull and it be found expedient, I am for it. In the mean time let us blow the coals, that the fire in Smiths mind may not go out. It is a buisness that he opened to me and I think that he may be kept in tow until we are ready to say yes or no.
I am. desirous to get the Hudsons Bay Cos. public sales in Lon- don and all other information touching furs that can be obtained which please forward by next vessell
I am yr. obt. Servt. N. J. W. CLXXX. Wheeling Feb 27th 1834
Mr. Jno. Bradenburgh [?] Baltimore
Dear Sir There is a package of letters for Mr. Wm. L. Sublette at the store which please have forwarded to the care of Mess A. and G. W. Can & Co St Louis. The Goods which belong to Mr. Wm. G .* Sublette you will please have forwarded with mine
'&c N. J. W.
*The second initial of Wm. Sublette's name was uniformly written as "G" in the letter book. A reviser has however written an "L" over the "G" in almost every instance. The "L" has alone been given wherever it thus occurs.
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
CLXXXI.
Cincinati Feb 28th 1833[4]
Capt Thing Present,
Dear Sir I leave here no buisness for you to attend to but wish you would call at the Post Office in Louisville where if I purchase any thing I shall leave a letter for you. Should you be in want of money here you will obtain it of Mess. Josiah Lawrence & Co.
I am Vr obt Servt. N J Wyeth CLXXXII.
Cincinati March Ist 1834.
Mess Tucker & Williams Boston
Gent Yours of 18th ulto. received here. What you say of the traps is good. I presume that you have rec[e]ived notice before this that Capt. Thing joined me in N. Vork, and of the arrangement I made in regard to drafts from St Louis. From this place I drew on you for $300 in fav. of Lawrence & Co sight. I purchase no goods here Sublette pre- ferring to buy his Powder in St. Louis which is better for us. $165 of this money goes to pay a draft which Abbot drew on me in fav. of Mr. Sublette of which I had no notice until lately and did not justly owe but choose to pay to save discredit. After I have finished spending I shall endeavour to forward means by which you will be in funds to the extent of my deficiency so far as I shall then know it but am afraid that if money continues as present in Boston I shall not be able to come quite up to the mark.
Duplicate notice
Draft fav. of Mess. Wyeth & Norris [at] sight for $300.00 Feb. 20th 1834
N. J. W.
CLXXXIII.
Cincinnati March Ist 1834
Mess Grant & Stone Philad. Gent I write only to inform you that my first draft will be from St Louis No II having since I wrote you had occasion to draw one draft more on Boston than I expected And remain
yr obt Servt N.J W
CLXXXIV.
Louisville March 3d 1834
Mess Allison and Anderson Louisville
Gent. For fear that in the hurry of buisness you might forget my directions I recapitulate viz Mark from 20 upwards. W. and ship to Mess Von Phull & McGill of
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[179
St. Louis by first direct opportunity. Capt. Thing calls on you before you have done this deliver them to him,
and oblige Yr Obt. Servt. N. J. W. CLXXXV. Louisville March 3d 1834
Capt. Thing (Louisville)
Dear Sir You will find at Mess Alli- sons & Andersons 3 bbls Alcohol and II packages Tobacco, provided they do not ship the same before you arrive in this place in which case you will proceed direct to St. Louis. I am &c N J Wyeth
CLXXXVI. Louisville March 4th 1834
Mess Von Phull & McGill St. Louis
Gent Above you have Bill Lading of some goods which if they arrive before me please receive and take care of until I come
And oblige Yr (bt Servt. N. J. W
(Enclosing Bill Ladings 11 packages Tobacco, 3 bbls alcohol and 3 coils of manilla rope.)
CLXXXVII. Louisville March 5th 1834
Mess. Tucker & Williams (Boston)
Gent Permit me introduce to your acquain- tance Mr Ira G. Smith from him you can obtain much useful in- formation in regard to the Santa Fee buisness in which he has been engaged some years. Any assistance which you can render him in Boston will much oblige your
Obt. Servt Nathl. J. Wyeth
CLXXXVIII. Louisville March 4th 1834
Mr. Jas. Brown Boston Dear Sir Herewith I introduce to your ac- quaintance Mr. Ira G Smith. Any politeness or attention which you can shew him will much oblige your old friend Nathl. J. Wyeth
CLXXXIX. Louisville March 5th 1834
Bro. Charles (Baltimore) Allow me to introduce Mr. Ira G. Smith an acquaintance of mine to you. He is just from Santa Fee and will amuse you with long storys of Indians &c. Shew him what attention you can and oblige
Vr afte Bro Nathl. J. Wyeth
E
.
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
[So]
One of the above to Leond. I. Wyeth.
CXC. St. Louis March 10th 1834
Mess Samuel & More
Gent. Since mine of 12th ulto. I have not heard from you and do not know what you have done in re- gard to Horses, mules and men and desire that as soon as possi- ble you would inform me. I shall engage here if possible 20 men but shall not purchase animals. The riding saddles please get as heretofore ordered.
While in Philadelphia I saw Mr. Samuel with whom I ar- ranged in regard to money matters and he informed me that he had written you on the subject. In addition to the money that you have received from Mess Von Phull & McGill and the letter of Cr. from T. C. Rockhill & Co. I shall want about $3000 which in all will be about 5400$. Please inform me if this will [be] convenient at your earliest opportunity.
And oblige Yr Obt Servt Nathl. J. Wyeth.
CXCI. St. Louis March 11th 1834
Mr Jas. Brown
Dear Sir Expecting, as usual, to be a little short of fulfilling my engagements to the company with which I am concerned I have to request of you the favor of getting a dis- count for me provided they call for it.
I have left with Tucker & Williams a note against F. Tudor for $300 also one against Jonas Wyeth 2nd $1000. These you know are perfectly good and if not formal can be used collaterally and are due about the Ist Sept and Dec. next. If you are not at liberty to endorse owing to stipulations with your partners you might probably get the Colonel by way of importance to do it or some one else. If you will exert your self in this matter you will essentially serve me. I shall write to T & W. to call on you for this purpose if they find it requisite.
Yours of the 17 ulto. was received am sorry your neighbors are cracking and glad that you are not. Shall write you again just as I leave the world.
Yr Afte Friend, N. J. W. CXCII. St. Louis March 11th 1834
Mess Grant & Stone
Gent. This is to inform you that I have this day drawn on you for $1000 at 10 days sight fav. Mess. of A. and
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[18I
G. W. Ken* No II for the amt. of which please draw on Mess. Tucker & Williams Boston as arrange[d] and oblige
yr. ob Servt. N. J. W CXCIII.
St. Louis March 13th 1834
Mess Tucke[r] & Williams Boston
Gent. Your favours of the 18th and 22nd ulto. are at hand. I presume you have before this received my letter of 21st Feb from Baltimore and 26th ulto from Pitsburgh. Your letters of Cr. on the Branch Bank here for $4000 I shall not be able to use and I have already drawn from this place on Mess. Grant & Stone for $1000 10 days sight. For remaining $3000 of this credit I shall endeavour to get the time provided by your letters with the bank, from Samuel and More. But Mr. Samuel having gone to Liberty the day before your letters were received and having made an arrangement with him it might be a serious disappointment to him not to obtain my bills to make his pay- ments at the East but still it will amt. to about the same thing as the bills will be drawn much later. Had your letter arrived one day earlier I should have avoided drawing say No. 11 at so short a sight. The Cr. of $5500 to be used from the Mountains is entirely satisfactory.
The Traps will be in Season under ordinary circumstance and I have taken out an open policy for $3300 from Pitsburg to this place on such goods as may be shipped at I pr ct.
I note that you have written to Mess Samuel & More. Mr. Coxe charges on drafts one per ct. and Interest 6 pr ct. I have hired here for 3 years one man $300 pr An. one for $250 per An. 18 at $250 for 18 mos. time to expire in the Indian country. Advances and Horses will exceed the estimate I think but can not yet say how much. I arrived here the roth inst having had as I believe the Cholera on the route but am now well.
Fitzpatric was robbed by the Crow Indians of his horses and goods but has made 2300 lbs. Beaver and 2 of his parties not heard from when he wrote. Should his other parties do as well it will be a good hunt after all.
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