Brownsville, Sept. 14, 1850

 

Brownsville, Sept. 14, 1850
Sr. Don Leonardo Villalonga

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1️⃣ English Translation

Dear Sir,

We are in receipt of your respected favor of the 28th ultimo and are pleased to learn that you intend to visit Monterrey, and we trust we may have the pleasure of seeing you here.

English superior goods range from 5½ to 6½ dollars per yard according to quality. We have one hundred thousand yards on hand and would be happy to forward them to Roma for your account if you can arrange to cross them.

You will be informed that we now have a new Collector at Camargo and understand that full duties are exacted by him; at the Matamoros Custom House no favorable arrangement can be effected — all has to be paid in full.

You will meet Don José Lozano at Monterrey; he has a good assortment of staple articles, and we think he can sell them as favorably as anyone in that city. We would also recommend Don Bruno for selling any articles from this frontier. By river it is difficult to obtain transportation; in summer boats cannot proceed up the river. We think, instead, that you could effect a landing near Roma without running much risk. Most goods entering from abroad have reached Monterrey safely.

We are receiving an English invoice; it contains superior goods and several dozen bundles of fine quality. You could work with the merchandise you now have, or form a combination with Mr. Morrell in which the capital might be used to advantage.

Some of your friends have reported that you have lost $3,000 at play in the fires of Camargo — which is false. You have too much experience in gaming to risk such an amount. You know the affection I have for you and that I always act in your interest. If you have lost anything, advise me of the amount; and if it is true, I hope you will not gamble again, even for amusement. There are merchants who envy your success and would gladly see you ruined; knowing this, and having placed all your business in your hands, they might use such stories to harm our credit in the interior and cause us prejudice.

What we have written is with sincerity and frankness. If you sell or manufacture in the interior, let us know where we may send our correspondence. It may be that I shall make a trip there in the Comanche, and if so I will have the pleasure of greeting you in person.

We remain,
Your obedient servants,
Charles Stillman

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2️⃣ Spanish Translation (Modernized)

Brownsville, 14 de septiembre de 1850

Estimado señor:

Hemos recibido su atenta carta del día 28 del mes pasado y nos alegra saber que piensa visitar Monterrey; confiamos en tener el gusto de verlo aquí.

Los géneros ingleses superiores oscilan entre 5½ y 6½ pesos por vara, según calidad. Tenemos cien mil varas disponibles y con gusto las enviaremos a Roma por su cuenta si puede arreglar el cruce.

Le informamos que hay un nuevo Recaudador en Camargo y que exige el pago íntegro de los derechos; en la Aduana de Matamoros no se puede lograr arreglo favorable alguno: todo debe pagarse completamente.

Encontrará a Don José Lozano en Monterrey; tiene buen surtido de artículos de primera necesidad y creemos que puede venderlos tan ventajosamente como cualquier otro en esa ciudad. También recomendamos a Don Bruno para vender artículos de esta frontera. Por río es difícil obtener transporte; en verano las embarcaciones no pueden remontarlo. Creemos que podría efectuar un desembarque cerca de Roma sin mucho riesgo. La mayoría de los efectos que han entrado del extranjero han llegado con seguridad a Monterrey.

Estamos recibiendo una factura inglesa con artículos superiores y varias docenas de fardos de buena calidad. Puede trabajar con los efectos que ya tiene o hacer una combinación con el Sr. Morrell para emplear el capital con ventaja.

Algunos amigos suyos han comentado que usted perdió $3,000 en el juego en Camargo, lo cual es falso. Tiene usted demasiada experiencia para arriesgar tal suma. Usted sabe el aprecio que le tengo y que siempre actúo en su interés. Si ha perdido algo, avíseme la cantidad; y si fuera cierto, espero que no vuelva a jugar, ni siquiera por diversión. Hay comerciantes que envidian su éxito y podrían usar tales rumores para perjudicar nuestro crédito en el interior.

Lo que le escribimos es con sinceridad y franqueza. Si vende o fabrica en el interior, indíquenos dónde dirigir nuestra correspondencia. Puede que haga un viaje en el vapor Comanche, y si así fuere, tendré el gusto de saludarlo personalmente.

Quedamos de usted atentos servidores,
Carlos Stillman

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3️⃣ Analysis (Interpretation for Today’s Reader)

This is a very revealing letter — commercially and personally.

🔹 1. Customs Enforcement Tightening

Stillman confirms:

• A new customs collector in Camargo is enforcing full payment of duties.

• No favorable arrangements at Matamoros.

This reflects tightening Mexican customs enforcement in late 1850, which directly affects frontier trade and profitability.

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🔹 2. Smuggling vs. Legitimate Entry

He suggests:

• Landing near Roma may reduce risk.

• River transport is seasonal and unreliable.

This indicates the delicate balance between legal trade and frontier “creative logistics.” Stillman is pragmatic but cautious.

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🔹 3. Large Inventory Position

He mentions:

• 100,000 yards of English goods on hand.

This is significant inventory. It suggests:

• Heavy capital tied up.

• Pressure to move goods into the interior (Monterrey).

• Dependence on partners like Villalonga.

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🔹 4. Business Alliances

Stillman encourages:

• Cooperation with Morrell.

• Use of shared capital.

• Coordination in Monterrey.

This reflects the Stillman frontier model: distributed agents, interior partners, and cross-border coordination.

🔹 5. The Gambling Rumor

The most striking section concerns:

• A rumor that Villalonga lost $3,000 gambling in Camargo.

Stillman:

• Denies believing it.

• Warns that jealous merchants could weaponize such rumors.

• Emphasizes credit and reputation.

In 1850 commerce, reputation = credit = survival.

This paragraph is as much about risk management as friendship.

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🔹 6. Reputation and Credit Protection

Stillman fears:

• Envy from competitors.

• Damage to credit in the interior.

This shows:

• Frontier trade operated heavily on trust and perception.

• Rumors could harm borrowing power and trade relationships.

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🔹 7. Tone: Business + Personal

Unlike many letters, this one blends:

• Commercial pricing.

• Customs intelligence.

• Strategic advice.

• Personal concern.

It reveals Stillman not just as merchant, but:

• Risk assessor

• Credit guardian

• Relationship manager