Records, 1864 Sept. 3 - Dec. 29.

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Records, 1864 Sept. 3 - Dec. 29.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/438071862

Three letters, 3 Sept., 22 Nov., and 29 Dec. 1864, addressed to Freeman, Almy & Co., New York, document the mercantile trade between entrepreneurs and businessmen in New York and elsewhere in the northeast and their representatives in areas of the Carolinas occupied by the Union Army. Letter, 3 Sept. 1864 (New Bern, N.C.), Ja[me]s P. Allen advised Freeman & Almy that as a result of the shortage of currency among the soldiers, imported goods were purchased first by the traveling merchants who provided soldiers with food, drink, and other items: "hard times in this Department" had made it "impossible to collect anything until the troops in this Department are paid.... Most of the goods sent here are sold to Sutlers and soldiers and they have to depend upon the Paymaster before they can pay their bills. The regiments that are now here have not been paid since January so that Green backs are as scarce as Gold. The Paymaster keeps saying he is expecting money every day and for that reason I have been waiting hoping to be able to send you balance due you.... I am very sorry that you have been obliged to wait so long for your returns, but it was something that could not be foreseen-before this year, they always paid regularly every two months-and when I talked with you before I left for this place supposed they would continue to. We have outstanding here more than double enough to pay all we owe which will be paid as soon as there is any money." Making matters even worse, the most recent general order, Allen explained, stipulated that "no Merchant can import more than three thousand dollars worth of Merchandise per month, and even then they have to make oath they will not sell it for more than 30% profit over and above the New York Invoice which with the Government Tax and heavy freights will not leave any margin at all." Two letters from David F. Thorpe on St. Helena I[slan]d (22 Nov. and 29 Dec. 1864), discuss his interest in purchasing and having shipped to South Carolina "a two wheeled vehicle....something without a top, light & with quite high wheels, with a plain durable harness that has a saddle suitable for a two wheeled carriage."

3 items.

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7534412

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Allen, James

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w67m49nz (person)

Thorpe, David Franklin, 1836-1909.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w69336p7 (person)

Plantation superintendent on Saint Helena Island, 1861-1869, and later Rhode Island businessman and state representative. From the description of Plantation account journal, 1863-1868. (University of South Carolina). WorldCat record id: 43327341 David Franklin Thorpe was plantation superintendent on Saint Helena Island, 1861-1869, and later Rhode Island businessman and state representative. From the description of David Franklin Thorpe papers, 1854-1944 (bulk 185...

Freeman and Almy

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6dr7jsq (corporateBody)

Freeman and Almy was a firm of commission merchants in New York City during the 1860s. From the description of Records, 1864, 1866. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 213098073 Shipping company based in New York City with representatives in Baltimore, Maryland. From the description of Records, 1864 Sept. 3 - Dec. 29. (University of South Carolina). WorldCat record id: 438071862 Messrs. Freeman and Almy operated a shi...