A Guide to the Business Letters Describing the Financial Market in Cuba
Finding aid prepared by John R. Nemmers
University of Florida Smathers Libraries - Special and Area Studies Collections
October 2004
Descriptive Summary |
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| Title: | Business Letters Describing the Financial Market in Cuba | |
| Dates: | 1867-1871 | |
| Abstract: | Includes correspondence, dated 1867-1871, from agents in Cuba reporting on business and market conditions to merchants in Portland, Maine. | |
| Extent: | 3 Folders | |
| Identification: | Ms Group 176 | |
Biographical/Historical Note
J.B. Brown and Sons was one of the largest private banking houses in Portland. The firm was founded and operated by John Bundy Brown and his sons Philip Henry Brown and John Marshall Brown. John Bundy Brown was a leading capitalist of Maine. He was the head of the Portland Sugar Company, one of the original incorporators and directors of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad, a director or investor of several other railroads and corporations.
His eldest son, Philip Henry Brown, was born on October 16, 1831. He assisted his father in the development of the Portland Sugar Company, which became one of the most important manufacturing houses of the country, turning out five hundred barrels of sugar a day, and distributing its product to all parts of the United States. During this time, Philip Henry also became a founder of the West India house of Churchill, Browns and Manson.
Scope and Content
Collection of 118 handwritten letters dated 1867-1871 and written by various agents in Cuba reporting on business conditions to merchants in Portland, Maine. Most of the letters are addressed to J.B. Brown and Sons or to Churchill, Browns and Manson. The letters report the market prices and sales of molasses, sugar, shooks (knock-down barrels), and other commodities. Additionally, they discuss market conditions, agricultural concerns, grinding and manufacturing activities, and shipping. Descriptions of the ships and which cargoes are selling or not selling are also provided.
The letters are written from such places as Havana, Matanzas, Caibarien, Cardenas, and Sagua La Grande. The agents include Vanderkreft, La Puerta and Co.; D. Ruiz Toledo; Smith and Company; Juan Ferrin; L.Y. Stocker and Co.; J.C. Burnham and Co.; and C.P. Madan. The majority of the letters are written in English, but a small number are written in Spanish.
Access or Use Restrictions
Access
Collection is open for research.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Business Letters Describing the Financial Market in Cuba, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Acquisition Information
Purchased in 2004 from Charles Apfelbaum.
Contents List
Business Letters |
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| Folder 1 | Correspondence. January-December 1867 | ||||||||||||
| Folder 2 | Correspondence. January-October 1868 | ||||||||||||
| Folder 3 | Correspondence. 1870-1871 | ||||||||||||
Selected Subjects and Access Points |
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| The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog: | ||
| Organizations: | ||
| Churchill, Browns and Manson | ||
| J.B. Brown and Sons | ||
| Subject Terms: | ||
| Capital market -- Cuba -- History -- 19th century. | ||
| Cuba -- Commerce -- United States. | ||
| Sugar trade -- Atlantic Ocean Region -- History. | ||
| Sugar trade -- Cuba. | ||
| United States -- Commerce -- Cuba. | ||
For further information, please contact: Special Collections Access Services.
