Description:

Civil War

Two Civil War Letter Books (1858-1863) Written from Paris, France by J. K. Smythe of Henderson Smyth & Co. Approx 600pp in total

 

The letters give an insight into financial and business transactions between Europe and America just prior to and during the early years of the Civil War. Some of the letters concern a house Smyth is having built in New York. His architect is Calvert Vaux who, with Frederick Law Olmsted, had just designed Central Park.

 

The first letter-book is 417 separate pages, 8.5 " x 11", and contains copies of business (Henderson Smythe & Co.) and personal letters written from Paris between May 27, 1858 and July 25, 1863. It is signed "J.K. Smyth" on a label on the cover.

 

Excerpts from the first book:

 

(to Henderson, 1858) "in regard to the contact or license you signed in London with Goodyear which if it should be put forward by Goodyear as his agent, as he interprets it - it might in such case be disowned by the Stockholders of the company as not being a legal document binding on them"

 

(to Dr. Edward G. Ludlow, N.Y., 1858) "I enclose herewith a sketch of my Harlem lots…they are now entirely free of encumbrances. I think they are very desireably situated if the central Park succeeds and more especially if they make the Harlem River navigable so as to connect the Hudson & east River their value will be much enhanced" Central Park was designed in 1858; Harlem borders Central Park on the north.

 

(to Henderson) "Mr. Hutchinson, Wagner & myself may individually purchase the large property at Manheim and fit it up for a rubber factory…I would rather have by a great deal the Golverin than the French market especially if we are obliged to share it with Rattier who make better shoes than the Cohens"

 

(to Dr. Ludlow) "Property on Broad way below 10th St will always be very valu[able] for Hotels and wholesale Stores as also cross Sts near Broad way in the neighborhood or as far down as Canal St or perhaps a few streets higher"

 

(to Henderson) "On account of the collision between the Cunard boats we have no mail from New York this week." On August 17, 1858, nine days before this letter, Cunard cabled from New York to London about the collision of "Arabia" and "Europa," the first telegraphic message to report a collision at sea.

 

(to Dr. Ludlow) "I also enclose copy of mem you sent me some time ago of the land patents recd by Henderson Smythe & Co they I suppose are for our first purchase in Minnesota…it is time the patents were made out for all our purchases in western lands."

 

(to Lee in 1861) "The unfortunate state of affairs in America of course been hard upon my interests there which altogether is large but as I am out of debt I cannot be prostrated as many others will be. I have to finish my house…and hoe to have something left even though the war goes on. I hope they will go on until a permanent peace is conquered, it had better be done in our day than left to our children to settle."

 

(to E.V. Welch, N.Y., May 1861) "I hope that many of those who cannot meet their payments as they become due will be able to do so in full if peace is restored. We have Telegraph news up to the 4th which appears more favourable inasmuch as it shows the north to be very strong to cope against the rebellion."

 

(to Welch, June 1861) "We have just got telegraph that Harpers Ferry has been evacuated."

 

(to Calvert Vaux, 1861) "I beg herewith to enclose you draft on Messrs Jno Munroe & Co of your City for $7000 (three days sight)." The New York banking firm of Messrs. John Munroe & Co. had an office in Paris.

 

(to Welch, March 1862) "I…am glad that the favourable progress of the war is making you more hopeful and in better spirits. The Fort Donelson capture that comes of later date than your letter is another and a greater victory than anything that has preceded it. In fact it is sublime and magnificent and I trust every week now will bring us word of new victories if things go on as they hve began in Kentucky you may yet have a fair trade ."

 

(to Welch, 1862) "I believe Mr. [Calvert] Vaux to be thoroughly honest and honourable still I cant help but think he has been careless in keeping them to dates. Mr. Vaux terms are as follows - 2 1/2 pr ct for plans, elevations & specifications, 1 pr ct for details to larger scale…"

 

The second letter-book is 175 separate pages, 8.5 " x 11", and contains copies of business (Henderson Smythe & Co.), personal, and family letters written from Paris between October 18, 1860 and July 25, 1863.

 

Excerpts from the second book:

 

(to Morris Tasker & Co., Philadelphia) "I am commencing to build a dwelling house in the suburbs of New York and have written to my architect Mr. C. Vaux in regard to your furnishing the heating apparatus for warming the same." The company's products included radiators, and cast and wrought iron pipe.

 

(to C. Vaux Esq.) "Have recd drawings of the house and copies of contracts with the mason and carpenter builders."

 

(to Lee, March 30, 1861) "You see the American papers and no doubt know as much as I do in regard to the political State of our Country All is rumour and uncertainty - I wish I had not contracted for the building of our dwelling house for unless things very much change a residence in America is not very desireable." The Civil War began 13 days later.

 

(to Hutchinson, May 1861) "You of course get the news of the intense excitement in all the northern States in regard to the War they are inaugurating to put down rebellion - Persons who came over by the last Steamer say the excitement and Patriotism of the people can hardly be described. The Americans here are also very much excited."

 

(to Hutchinson, 1861) "The papers of Goodyear and a/cs. will go by next Steamer if possible. I have not yet been able to find the letter or agreement by Goodyear where he agreed to pay to us one half of the Tariffs he would secure on Shoes made in Europe." Charles Goodyear had died in 1860.

 

(to May, December 12, 1861) "Slidel & Mason should be given up setting aside the rights of the case they do not think they are worth fighting for. The country will have enough to do to effectually conquer the rebellion without countering against the immense power of Great Britain." On November 8, 1861, a Union frigate stopped the neutral British steamer "Trent" and seized Confederate commissioners John Slidell and James M. Mason who were on their way to England and France to seek support for the Confederacy. Many in Britain called for war.

 

(to C. Vaux) "It will be necessary to have the doors leading from main hall into the 4 principle rooms made and put up as the main stairs balusters."

 

(to Dr. Ludlow, January 24, 1862) "When I recd your letter all was very darek & gloomy in regard to our political troubles, and threatened with war with England & perhaps France to follow."

 

(to Wellman, July 21, 1863) "We are all more or less excited at the welcome news of the fall of Vicksburg and also for the handsome repulse and victory given the rebel army under Lee and of course we are now looking anxiously for the next Telegraph for further results…If the government will follow up this success with new levies of troops and redoubled energy a permanent peace would soon be conquered."

 

(to U.S. Consul Franklin Torry, Carrara, Italy, 1863) "As I have concluded to take the Summer and Winter as originally ordered…I may not get into my house before spring - what kind of pedestals should I have for these statues?...I regret to hear that the artist has been so unfortunate with the Diana statue."

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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