Lot
559 
China, 1837 (Dec. 9) Canton, China to London, England, folded letter datelined "Canton December 9. 1837" from Samuel Wetmore to William Wetmore care Morrison Cryder & Co. London, endorsed per "Jamaica" at bottom left, flap with red "Ship Letter Weymouth" framed backstamp and manuscript "3/-" due rating, red London (4.26) arrival backstamp, opium war content including "…Many vessels are bringing up opium to Whampoa. There are now 1000 cts. It is pretty generally known among the Chinese & the Hong Merchants are dubious about securing vessels. It cannot I should suppose increase the Authorities…The hostilities on the Coast hindered him from obtaining as high prices as he would have done had affairs been quiet…"; light horizontal fold. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $1,250
Lot
560
China, 1837 (Dec. 23) Canton, China to London, England, folded letter datelined "Canton December 23. 1837" from Samuel Wetmore to William Wetmore care of Messrs. Morrison Cryder & Co at London, endorsed per "Ingleborrough" at bottom left, red "Ship Letter / Weymouth" framed handstamp and manuscript "3/6" rating, red London (5.15) arrival cds, market content including "…We are endeavoring to close sales of all our Opium…", Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $700
Lot
561
China, 1838 (Jan. 12) Canton, China to London, England, folded letter datelined "Canton Jany 12. 1838" from Jos. Archer to William Wetmore care Morrison Cryder & Co. at London, endorsed per "Ab. Robinson" at bottom left, "Ship Letter / Portsmouth" framed handstamp and manuscript "1/-" due rating, red London (5.24) arrival backstamp, some interesting opium content "…And if just the … at … Lintin passage boats was boarded just last night and three chests opium seized by the Madarines, old Tingana is in trouble about it, the Mandarines want to squeeze him $50,000. the plea is that just lives in me of his Factories and that consequently he is responsible for his acts. old Honqua has been sent to Whampoa to examine and report to the Vice Roy what vessels have opium on board. I think this business must be brought to a crisis…", fresh and Very Fine. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Realized: $1,350
Lot
562
China, 1838 (Jan. 12) Canton, China to London, England, folded letter datelined "Canton Jany 12. 1838" from Jos. Archer to William Wetmore care Morrison Cryder & Co. at London, endorsed per "E. Stewart" at bottom left, two strikes of red "Falmouth / Ship Letter" framed handstamp on reverse, manuscript "1/8" due rating, red London (5.23) arrival backstamp, some interesting opium content "…And if just the … at … Lintin passage boats was boarded just last night and three chests opium seized by the Madarines, old Tingana is in trouble about it, the Mandarines want to squeeze him $50,000. the plea is that just lives in me of his Factories and that consequently he is responsible for his acts. old Honqua has been sent to Whampoa to examine and report to the Vice Roy what vessels have opium on board. I think this business must be brought to a crisis…", Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $1,400
Lot
563
China, 1838 (Jan. 22) Canton, China to London, England, folded letter datelined "Canton Jany 22 1838" from Wetmore & Co. to William Wetmore care Messrs. Morrison Cryder Co., London, endorsed per "Genl. Kyd" at bottom left, flap with sharp "Ship-Letter, Plymouth" framed handstamp and manuscript "1/7" due rating, red London (6.7) arrival cds on flap; some interesting opium trade content "…we may possible give him the Teas taken in barter for the Opium and get him to take an advance on them from Jardine or Dent…There is no possibility of getting rid of Turkey in any other way than this. The Opium trade is now very uncertain the production is increased too fast, and my opinion is that it will annually go lower until the supply is decreased. I hope you will not have bought a chest of Turkey at any price. The consumption is very small, and the low price of the India will reduce it still more…" and also gives accounts to $1,000,000 in the vault with more money coming in, Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $1,250
Lot
564
China, 1838 (Jan. 22) Canton, China to London, England, folded letter datelined "Canton Jany 22. 1838" from J. Archer to William Wetmore care Messrs. Morrison Cryder Co. at London, endorsed per "L' McNaughter" at bottom left, entered mails with "Deal Ship Letter" framed handstamp and manuscript "1/4" due rating, red London (6.8) arrival backstamp, business content concerning opium trade and prices including "…possibly give him the Teas taken in Lintin for the Opium and get him to take an advance on them from Jardine in Dent… If no advance can we give them purpose to ship them and give him half interest. There is no possibility of getting rid of Turkey in any other way than this. The Opium trade is now very uncertain the … is increased too fast…I hope you have not bought a chest of Turkey at any price. The consumption is very small and the price of the India will reduce it still more…", Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $850
Lot
565
China, 1838 (Feb. 5) Canton, China to London, England, folded letter datelined "Canton Feby 5. 1838" to William Wetmore care Messrs. Morrison Cryder London, entered mails with "ShipLre. Folkstone" crown ship letter oval on flap and manuscript "1/4" due rating, red London (7.16) arrival backstamp, Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $700
Lot
566
China, 1838 (Apr. 28) Canton, China to London, England, folded letter datelined "Canton April 28. 1838" from Joseph Archer to William Wetmore care Messrs. Morrison Cryder & Co. London, endorsed "per Sarah Barry" at lower left, entered mails with "Deal, Ship Letter" handstamp and manuscript "2/8" due rating, some interesting opium market news including "…now preparing to recommend preparations and determined to do as "safe business and comply with every engagement legal…", Very Fine. Estimate $600 - 800.
Realized: $550
Lot
567
China, 1838 (Jun. 12) London, England to Canton, China, datelined folded letter sent to W. Wetmore Esqr. at Canton, in care of Thompson, Roberts & Co., endorsed "pr Jamaica Orient" top top, three-line "L'pool. - Forwarded / by Your obedient Servants / Thompson, Anderson & Co."; care endorsement crossed out and red "Forwarded by Thompson, Roberts & Co., Batavia" oval handstamp, large blue "Zeebrief" oval sea letter handstamp and matching "60ct" rating handstamp, letter concerns business matters and sailings, Very Fine, A scarce double forwarder letter from England to Canton. Estimate $600 - 800.
Realized: $1,350
Lot
568
China, 1839 (Sep. 28) Canton, China to New York N.Y., gray folded letter datelined "Canton September 28th 1839" from Samuel Wetmore to William Wetmore, endorsed "Oneida" at bottom left, New York manuscript "6" ship letter rating for port of arrival, pencil "Rec'd 30 March" arrival docketing, some interesting content reading in part "Had not Captain Elliot unjustifiably tampered with the collection of mostly mint of trade to which every British Merchant as will as those of other nations, has a claim upon to pursue, tell if become purely a government question, the number of ships which have come in, would have had no sensible effect upon prices such as it now has, but imports would have gradually advanced & exports declined… No vessel has done any thing in the way of discharging with the exception of the Canton Packet, which was the first vessel arrived… Thomching assures me that he has a letter from the Tea Counry, stating that the news of the stoppage of the trade had reached there & that prices for Twankeys & Hysons had fallen very much…". Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Sir Charles Elliot, KCB (1801-75), was a British naval officer, diplomat, and colonial administrator. In late 1833, Elliot was appointed as Master Attendant to the staff of Lord Napier, Chief Superintendent of British Trade. His position was involved with British ships and crews operating between Macao and Canton. He was appointed Secretary in October 1834, Third Superintendent in January 1835, and Second Superintendent in April 1835. In 1836, he became Plenipotentiary and replaced Sir George Robinson as Chief Superintendent of British Trade.
Realized: $800