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1799 Letter: VA Jewish Merchant Moses Myer

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Judaica

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1799 Letter By Norfolk, VA Jewish Merchant Moses Myer

January 3, 1799, Autograph Letter Signed, "Moses Myer," Being a Letter of Introduction for Capt. Robert Emery of Salem, MA, Choice Extremely Fine.
This original, 1 page, 9.5" x 7.75," Handwritten Letter from prominent Norfolk, VA Jewish merchant, Moses Myer, introduces Capt. Robert Emery to Richmond, VA merchants Banks & Gilliat. Emery was seeking a cargo for his return trip. Myer suggested that Banks & Gilliat might have a cargo to ship. This letter reads, in full:
"This will be handed to you by a very Respectable friend of mine, Capt. Emery, who has a ship he wishes freight for. I beg your attention to said friend & any service rendered him will be considered as if to myself. His bills are good where he wishes to draw them & for which to any amount I am his Guarantee. I am with Esteem, Moses Myer - Norfolk Jany. 3, 1799."
Moses Myer was a well known merchant in Norfolk, Virginia and also Collector for the Port of Norfolk. As such we would have been well acquainted with shippers and ship captains. Robert Emery (1773-1841) was a ship's captain from Salem, Massachusetts. This letter is addressed on the integral address leaf to "Mr. John Banks & Mr. -- Gilliat, Richmond." Apparently Myer couldn't recall Mr. Gilliat's given name. This letter is clean and bright, easy to read, and in excellent condition. A wonderful example of early Jewish mercantile activity in the South.



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