Heading: (Maritime - Cuba trade)
Author: Williams, Captain Elias
Title: Letter about the problems of an American sea captain trading with the Spanish in Cuba
Place Published: Havana, Spanish Cuba
Publisher:
Date Published: March 11, 1808
Description: Autograph Letter Signed, 1pg. +stampless address leaf. To his wife, Stonington, Connecticut.33 year-old Connecticut Captain Elias Williams wrote while on a trading voyage to Spanish Cuba, he was worried about the “jealous and savage“ Spanish after Napoleon‘s troops invaded Spain, occupied Madrid and placed the Emperor‘s brother on the Spanish throne. Consequently, American traders like his were subjected to special harassment by Spanish colonial authorities. They prevented Williams from hurriedly loading his cargo and sailing homeward, but at least he was not jailed, like other American captains on the pretense of aiding the British.“...I had hopes of leaving this port sooner but Spaniards are more than dilatory, still jealous and savage. Mr. Palmer has been confined in stock for the most frivolous pretences. I am in great expectations sailing from this in three days for Charleston, thence to Wilmington and from that home will be my next voyage... P.s. Embargo...has caused great scarcity...Flour...sugar...Molasses...“
Williams would die after another voyage to the Caribbean during the perilous period of the Napoleonic Wars when American trading vessels were in danger of capture by the warring European powers. French privateers were likely to seize a Yankee ship and its cargo, alleging that it was on its way to supply their British enemies.

Tear from seal opening with no loss of text; good.