Autograph letter signed, dated “Norfolk January the 7th 1807,” comprising approximately 3 manuscript pages plus integral address leaf, written in brown ink on laid paper and addressed to “Asa Stevens, Merchant, Massachusetts, Taunton.” Postal markings include a clear circular NORFOLK / VA handstamp and manuscript postal notation. Folded for mailing with evidence of postal handling and wear consistent with early 19th-century transatlantic and coastal correspondence. An evocative and highly detailed commercial and maritime letter concerning the delays and financial difficulties surrounding a voyage to Granada in the Caribbean. The writer describes missing a vessel after arriving too late to reboard, complications with cargo loading, disputes over accounts and disbursements, and mounting concern over debts and securities. He references sails, spars, ship repairs, merchants’ accounts, and obligations to creditors, offering a vivid firsthand glimpse into the realities of early American coastal and West Indies trade during the Jeffersonian era. The correspondence contains numerous references to mercantile operations, shipping logistics, and financial settlements, including mention of “Christmas times,” accounts with “Mr. Dana,” cargo preparations, and intended departure “to Granada.” Particularly notable is the candid discussion of commercial hardship and uncertainty, making the letter an excellent research piece for historians of American maritime commerce, New England merchants, or early republic trade networks. Condition is fair to good for age, with toning, fold separations, edge wear, scattered ink burn and staining, and a small area of paper loss affecting a few words but not the overall readability. Handwriting remains largely legible throughout. A scarce and appealing piece of early American merchant correspondence from the Chesapeake-to-New England trade network.
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Capt. Jays January 7 1807 Norfolk Asa Stevens Merchant Massachusetts Saco NORFOLK VA Norfolk January the 7th 1807 Asa Stevens Sir, I have no doubt when you receive these you will be surprised first to find the ship in Norfolk secondly that I have not note you before. The reason is that when I first came in I expected to get away in a few days but when I found I was obliged (?) unload the ship entirely, it was too late to get return of freight. So I have put it off untill now have finished all my affairs and things drawing down. It is a very unfortunate affair for me and all concerned. I was out four days and had got up with (?) when the ship leaking so bad the sails and mast declared if I would not come back they would let her sink and left the pumps was obliged to heave about and was 16 days before I could get in anywhere finally arrived in this place in a leaky distressing situation and have been obliged to take out all the cargo and heave the ship down and put in (?) and hooks and have her caulked her all over and have got 2 top sails and fore sails and the other sails repaired have done everything in my power to get away in haste but we have had bad weather and Christmas times and New Year that it was impossible to get on. Mr. Dana will send you all the accounts with the greatest he has got the amount of disbursements. Send here for his security — you will observe that Mr. Dana has paid me on my freighting time to time as to pay the laborers being more convenient for me to them and board the ship therefore you will not call on the underwriters for the cash part Mr. Dana has carried 2960 on Liban (?) to his account. If you have any influence on Doane you will settle matters with them as well as myself. I am sorry that we are obliged to call upon them. You will excuse my bottom pen I have wrote in a hurry and am going on board. The voyage is intended to Granada as the freight is granted there and I suppose here you will forward security but I wish you to continue my policy to Granada and back to the United States with liberty to touch at any island which is safe. I am sir, your humble servant William Jay
