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Exceptional 1783 Revolutionary War Baltimore Merchant Letter Regarding Sailing an Armed Brig with Flour to French New Orleans but it is Captured by a British Warship

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March 31, 1783-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Baltimore, Maryland Manuscript Letter Signed, “W.(illam) Smith” to Jean Baptiste Macarty in French New Orleans, regarding their ill-fated joint venture to Ship Flour to New Orleans, which Ended in the British Capture of their Vessel only a few days Sailing from Baltimore, Fine.

A historic lengthy well-written Letter in rich brown ink on laid period paper, 4 pages, large folio, measuring 15" x 9.5" dated at Baltimore, MD., March 31, 1783. This Letter is also preceded by customary copies of several previous letters sent (in case they miscarried), which were prior dated: July 25th, Sept. 1st and Dec. 23rd, 1782. The Letters were from William Smith to John Baptiste (Captain Jean-Baptiste) Macarty (1750-1808), who was born in New Orleans, being the son of a French Colonial Officer. Macarty began in business as a small wholesale merchant in the 1770's and by 1784, he was one of New Orlean's leading merchants.

This superb content Letter regards a joint venture between Smith and Macarty, with Macarty to fit out a Brigantine, which they named the “New Orleans.” That ship, which was armed with two 4-pounder cannon, in order to defend herself against blockading British barges in the Chesapeake Bay, and also to be able to purchase needed Insurance on the Vessel and its Cargo of over 700 barrels of flour to be shipped to New Orleans. The Brigantine “New Orleans” was to sail under convoy of a French Frigate, but the “New Orleans” was captured by the British, along with several other vessels, only a few days out of Baltimore. This Letter reads, in part:

“Baltimore July 25th, 1782 --- Mr. John Baptiste Macarty - Sir --- By letters from my son, Mr. Robert Smith, dated at the Havana... containing orders to purchase a Vessel for your joint account & his, I have purchased, a new Brigantine which by his directions is called the New Orleans, to be loaded with flour & to proceed to your address. She is a fine hull, & shall be fitted out in the best manner, and from the opinion of the best judges, I expect she will be a prime sailer, but as my instructions is not to arm her, it will be almost impossible to effect the Insurance ordered by my Son to be made on your one half of the Vessel & Cargo... The Brig, fitted to sea, will, I expec t, cost from Eleven to 12,000 Dollars & carry upwards of 700 barrels... Sept. 1st, 1782... She is a fine vessel & I expect will sail very fast.

You will observe that I have given her two four pounders & some Muskets &c. which were absolutely necessary to defend herself against the enemy's Barges which greatly infest this Bay... And indeed, without this very necessary defense, I could not have effected any insurance, and even with those arms, it was with difficulty I got covered what has been done, which [is] not the amount of your one half... I will still endeavor to cover the whole of your half... but on this head I am not sanguine, as our underwriters have suffered so much lately, they are very shy of touching policies, more especially to your port, with which we are little acquainted.

The Brig, however, goes to Sea under convoy of a French frigate, & I flatter myself she will go safe. Flour has taken a sudden rise at this market owing to the French Army being stationed here... We flatter ourselves that the enemy are about to evacuate New York, which will much lesson the risqu on those coasts, & report says they have already abandoned Charlestown... December 23d, 1782 (wrote 1783 in error)... I am sorry to add that the Brig New Orleans was captured by a British frigate a few days after she left the Capes of Chesapeake, in company with sundry other Vessels from this port, which were all carried to New York, only one small boat having escaped out of fourteen Sail, mostly Ships & Brigs... March 31st 1783. I embrace this opportunity to forward the above copies...

The hull of the Brig N. Orleans, which I fitted out as speedily as possible, but she was for some time prevented proceeding to Sea, by the enemy's cruisers having closely blocked up our Capes. Here unlucky fate you will learn by the above copies of my letters... As we are now on the eve of peace, should you think proper to try a further adventure from this place, I beg leave to tender you my services... (Signed) W. Smith”

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF

AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II

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Lot Number: 137
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