1828 Group of 7 Handwritten Letters from E. J. Mallett (Providence, Rhode-Island) to N & WW Billings (New London, Connecticut) Regarding Shipment of Goods, Including Opium, from Boston to New York
[Providence, Rhode Island]: n/a, 1828.
Letter. 7 Letters, measuring 8" x 10", written between February 1, 1828 to March 19th, 1828. A few chips, holes to the paper with minimal loss of material. Paper is folded with faded red postal marks from Providence on the back sides.
A sample of the letter contents follows:
February 1: Recommends that Billngs send their whale oil to Boston at 75 cents a barrel because the market is full; Sperm candles should do well because they are scarce; also discusses buying pig iron and shipping to the foundry;
February 8: Shipped oil to Josiah Beale of Boston; put 75 boxes of candles on the Brig. Blackston to sail on Sunday;
February 13: More mentions of candles, Brig. Blackstone, and sailing;
February 20: Could not find Pig Iron in New York under $30 except a broken parcel of 12 tons; oil and candles were shipped to New Orleans & Boston
February 25: Report Sales of of sperm oil and candles amounting to 640.35. Oil falls; Nantcuket sperm candles are 25 to 27 cents a box
March 17: mentions taking possession of Opium
March 19: quality of the whale oil he shipped is very inferior and maybe he can get it returned; paint oil is very scarce; Waterman's American oil is superior and sells well. Good. Item #27696
E. J. Mallet, a Jackson Democrat, was born in North Carolina and served as the 9th postmaster of Providence from 1832-1844. He married the daughter of Governor James Fenner in 1820 and worked as a shipper in Providence until 1829. Mallett then became assistant editor of "The Herald," a Jacksonian paper. He also erected various buildings in Providence, including the first courthouse in the State. In 1847 he resided in New York city and was elected president of the St. Nicholas Bank. Mallett later served as Consul-General to Italy. He was a strong Union man during the Civil War and Lincoln appointed him a paymaster. (See Bicknell, "History of the State of Rhode Island..." Vol. 2.
Price: $250.00