Autograph letter signed “G. B. Snow,” dated Ponce, Puerto Rico, April 2, 1850, with integral address leaf bearing a New York Ship circular postmark (April 25) and manuscript rate marking. A scarce and highly informative mid-19th century Caribbean correspondence. This lengthy and content-rich letter provides a compelling firsthand account of life in Ponce during Spanish colonial rule, written by an American visitor or resident. Particularly notable are the detailed cultural observations, including: A vivid description of Holy Week (Semana Santa) processions, featuring religious imagery of Christ and the Virgin Mary Commentary on local customs and society, including the rarity of organized music and the arrival of what is described as the first band in Ponce Reference to the recent arrival of a bishop—the first in over two decades, underscoring ecclesiastical conditions on the island Insight into health concerns and travel conditions, including plans to depart by ship and the effects of sea travel Observations of Spanish colonial inhabitants (“the Spaniards”) and economic conditions Mentions of American newspapers (“Patriot & Sentinel”) reflecting transnational information flow The letter is also notable for its candid tone and occasionally humorous remarks, such as the description of musicians “playing as if they wanted to blow his roof off,” and the comparison of a religious statue to a “fine doll…dressed like a lady of fashion.” Postal History Highlights: Carried by ship from Puerto Rico to New York Clear “New York Ship Apr 25” circular datestamp Manuscript rate marking (12 cents) Integral address leaf to Buffalo NY Condition: Very good; typical fold lines, light toning, and minor wear consistent with transatlantic postal use. Writing remains legible throughout. An exceptional and scarce artifact for collectors of Caribbean history, Puerto Rico under Spanish rule, maritime mail, and 19th-century travel narratives, offering a richly detailed snapshot of cultural and social life in Ponce at mid-century.
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My Dear Friend, I have now been from home some five months and during that time the only letter addressed to myself that has come to hand is one from my cousin. So however I thought that somebody would have pity enough on me to write but it appears not. I have given up looking up for them and though they came I should not care much for them, as I will be there in a short time and probably know more about it than the letters could tell me. When we first came here we thought that we would gain all the important information from the weekly Patriot & Sentinel, but we found hardly any city items, though it gave the debates in Congress. My mother is failing fast; she never will be permanently better and never expects to be; indeed she seems to think it uncertain whether she ever gets home alive. I think she will; it will be but a very short time—we start from here in about ten days. I hope the difference of living on board ship will render her a little better. I hope so at any rate. Father and myself have been very well. His work has just begun to come in, and by working hard I think that he stands a chance of fetching things up so as to be about as he started from New York. I have scarcely anything to do. The Spaniards were afraid of being hurt I guess, so they all held on till he had near gone and then came in with a tremendous jump. The past week has been holy week. Last Wednesday was a holiday & in the evening they had a procession; in it they carried an image of Christ bearing the cross and another of the virgin Mary. The image of Mary would make a fine doll, being about four feet high and dressed like a lady of fashion. I don’t know how much she was worth but I suppose there was plenty of gold and jewels on her. There has a band arrived here last week from the city of St. Johns on the north side of the island; they are but indifferent musicians. They are the first band ever in Ponce I believe so you may imagine that they create a sensation. Last Sunday the bishop (for you must know that they caught a live bishop here about a month since, the first one for 22 years) had a dinner and they went there and played as if they wanted to blow his roof off and it is no trifle to do that I assure you. Such piping as you please. I am a piece of tape aside of him. Capt. H—— was in here yesterday and says he purposes to sail the first of next week if possible, if not, by the last. It is too late in the day to write descriptions as I am coming myself to give them in a short time. A vessel is to sail tomorrow morning so adieu. Yours respectfully, G. B. Snow [Address panel] George B. Snow Ponce April 2d 1850 Daniel Williams Buffalo NY
