September 13, 1850

 

Brownsville, September 13, 1850

To: Messrs. Southmayd & Harrison

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1️⃣ Transcription (Original English)

Brownsville Sept 13th 1850

Messrs Southmayd & Harrison
Gentlemen

By the Brig Amada Parsons from New York, we receive due advice of 41 Bales and four cases of Mass all bonded goods, all of the samples we shall require; if any of them should be in the invoices please pay duties on the same.

The Capt made his report and upon the measurement of the cargo on the tariff of each bill lading turned out that our invoice made 19½ freight from England was paid on 33½ feet for the same goods, this difference was more manifested to him in New York, and he reports to the latter measurement, consequently you will pay freight on 33½ feet.

No. 75 to 79 — 21 Bales superiores, which have appeared in several entries say 1 Bale, 2 Bales, 3 Bales, 10 Bales & 12 Bales with quality in entry of invoice.

No. 81 — one entry
No. 85 — one entry
No. 89 — one entry
No. 90 & 102 — one entry
No. 160 — pay the duties on it — will send you invoice for them
No. 23 — other entry
No. 235 & 236 — one entry
No. 237 & 238 — one entry

These goods you will please forward as convenient after their arrival, and we will in time and would willingly pay you for them.

We remain
Your obedient
Chas Stillman & Bro

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2️⃣ Spanish Translation

Brownsville, 13 de septiembre de 1850

A los Sres. Southmayd & Harrison
Señores,

Por el bergantín Amada Parsons procedente de Nueva York hemos recibido aviso de 41 fardos y cuatro cajas de mercancías de Massachusetts, todas en depósito aduanal. Tomaremos todas las muestras necesarias; si alguna de ellas figura en las facturas, sírvanse pagar los derechos correspondientes.

El capitán presentó su informe y, al medirse la carga conforme a la tarifa indicada en cada conocimiento de embarque, resultó que nuestra factura indicaba 19½ pies cúbicos de flete desde Inglaterra, pero el flete fue pagado sobre 33½ pies por las mismas mercancías. Esta diferencia le fue señalada en Nueva York, y él confirma la medición mayor; por consiguiente, deberán pagar el flete sobre 33½ pies.

Nos. 75 al 79 — 21 fardos “superiores”, registrados en varias entradas: 1 fardo, 2 fardos, 3 fardos, 10 fardos y 12 fardos, con la calidad indicada en la factura.

No. 81 — una entrada
No. 85 — una entrada
No. 89 — una entrada
No. 90 y 102 — una entrada
No. 160 — paguen los derechos; les enviaremos la factura
No. 23 — otra entrada
No. 235 y 236 — una entrada
No. 237 y 238 — una entrada

Sírvanse remitir estas mercancías tan pronto como sea conveniente después de su llegada, y en su momento les pagaremos con gusto.

Quedamos de ustedes atentos servidores,
Chas. Stillman & Hno.

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3️⃣ English Translation (Modernized)

Brownsville, September 13, 1850

To Messrs. Southmayd & Harrison,

We have received notice via the brig Amada Parsons from New York of 41 bales and four cases of Massachusetts goods, all bonded. We will require all samples. If any of them appear on the invoices, please pay the duties on them.

The captain has submitted his report. Upon measuring the cargo according to the tariff listed in each bill of lading, it was found that although our invoice listed 19½ cubic feet freight from England, freight had actually been paid on 33½ cubic feet for the same goods. This discrepancy was pointed out to him in New York, and he confirms the larger measurement. Therefore, you are to pay freight based on 33½ cubic feet.

[Detailed customs entry numbers follow.]

Please forward the goods at your convenience after their arrival, and we will settle payment in due course.

Yours obediently,
Charles Stillman & Brother

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4️⃣ Analysis (Interpretation for Today’s Reader)

This letter highlights several important aspects of Stillman’s commercial system in 1850:

📦 1. Bonded Warehouse Strategy

The goods are “bonded,” meaning duties are deferred until withdrawn. This allowed Stillman to:

• Delay paying customs duties

• Maintain liquidity

• Withdraw goods strategically based on Mexican market demand

This was essential in frontier trade where capital turnover was slow.

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🚢 2. Freight Dispute — Measurement Matters

Freight was charged by cubic footage.

The invoice listed 19½ cubic feet, but freight had actually been paid on 33½ cubic feet — nearly double.

Rather than disputing aggressively, Stillman:

• Accepts the captain’s corrected measurement

• Directs his agents to pay on the higher figure

This suggests:

• Maintaining business relationships was more important than contesting minor discrepancies.

• Freight measurement inconsistencies were common in transatlantic trade.

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🧾 3. Customs Entry Complexity

The long list of numbered entries shows:

• Each group of bales entered separately under bonded status.

• Detailed compliance with U.S. customs procedures.

• Tight accounting oversight.

This is the machinery behind frontier commerce — not romantic, but administrative and meticulous.

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🌎 4. Multi-Layer Trade Route

The goods likely followed:
England → New York → Brownsville → Mexico (via Matamoros/Monterrey)

Brownsville functions as:

• A re-export hub

• A tariff-sensitive frontier gateway

• A liquidity buffer before Mexican inland sale

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💰 5. Cash Flow Management

The closing line — “we will in time and would willingly pay you” — reflects:

• Payment lag built into frontier trade.

• Reliance on trust between merchants.

• The importance of credit networks in 1850 commerce.