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A MERCHANT PREPARES AS WAR WITH BRITAIN LOOMS

Manuscript Document. One page, 7 7/8" x 12 3/4". New York. April 6th, 1812. The document reads, in part: " … We herewith hand you Invoice and Bill of Lading of Flour ship'd by us on board the Sloop Prudence. Captain Hunter bound to Nassau in New Providence and consigned to your address for sales there and return for our account, as it is certain that an Embargo will be if it is not already, laid as the Collector of this City expects to receive by to morrows mail the law officially after which no vessels will be permitted to leave this port and as soon as this event reaches the West Indies no doubt but flour will take an immediate rise, therefore on your arrival, unless a very handsome price can be obtained we would advise you to defer selling for a few days. You however will be better able to judge of the propriety of this measure being on the spot and we are fully persuaded no exertions on your part will be mounting to promote our interest to the extent of your power. Should you obtain certain information while at Nassau that the non importation act is repealed in that case the prudence of G. Britain or her colonies will be admitted in this country and if you can meet with any articles that in your opinion will yield some profit here you are at liberty to invest our funds in such articles sufficient to load the Sloop home and should any funds remain after thus loading the Sloop bring them home in dollars, but unless your information is positive and certain that the non importation act is repealed by no means venture to bring home any article which that law prohibits, but bring the whole nett [sic] proceeds of your cargo home in dollars … " Just two days before our document was written, President James Madison had in fact enacted a ninety-day embargo on trade with England. The natural extension of a series of embargoes designed to protect embattled American merchant ships, this peaceful trade measure proved as unsuccessful at its predecessors in averting a looming conflict with Britain; subsequent to the passage of the above reference embargo, British vessels continued to harass American ships and impress American citizens just as they had following the passage of earlier embargo measures. In the face of continually mounting tensions between America and Britain, the U.S. formally declared war on Britain in June of 1812. Minor soiling at folds and edges. Else Very Fine.