Merchant outlining plan to evade President Madison's Proclamation of 1810 on imports
Author
Recipient
Date Written
Feb. 1, 1811
Jonathan Wheeler was 34 years old when this was written.
The recipient, William Dall, was 57 when it was received.
Jonathan Wheeler died 7 months, 3 days after writing this.
It was written 212 years, 1 month, 28 days ago.
It was a Friday.
Mr. William Dall Junior Liverpool, Feby 1, 1811
Dear Sir,
Having observed in Mr. Gallantin’s report to Congress that he recommended to that honorable Body to make provision for the reception of all goods bona fide American property and ordered previous to the President’s Proclamation being known to have been issued—and as we had sent forward orders to a considerable amt in the name of and for ac’t, I Wheeler & Co. I thought it proper to send forward a sett of invoices which would represent the goods as having been purchased for those orders and that the goods are now shipped as their property but unsigned. Blair Dall Wheeler & Co. tho’ if any further proofs are required I well know they could not be had, only for a part of the goods and proper documents accompany those invoices now for all I could obtain them for. The invoices representing the goods as above stated with letters to agree go forward to the address of Messers. B. D. Wheeler & Co. and will be landed at Norfolk and sent up pr. mail unless the Captain shall ascertain previous to his arrival in the coast he can enter safely. This letter and a set of invoices accompany it which show the goods to be the property of Blair Dall Wheeler & Co. will go up to the Pilot boat to Baltimore to you. Now should goods be allowed to come in indiscriminately and no impediments in the way you may deliver the invoices to Mr. Blair at once, but if there is a provision made to comport with Mr. Gallatin’s recommendation and goods only can enter ordered previous to the President’s Proclamation being issued—then you will keep their invoices and letter to yourself so Mr. Blair or Mr. Dall can safely swear if required that they have received no other invoices or letters than the set that goes with Norfolk and one I shall write them to go up to Baltimore. I could not however recommend to the gentlemen if in case proof is required “of the order having been given and the goods having been got up for that order” to risk a trial on the expectation of being able to bring such proof forward because we could not do it but if the invoices & letters I have sent them will answer I shall be very glad—{Please be particularly careful that no person sees or knows that you have viewed this letter as the consequence might be very bad}. I am ever Sir your humble St.
JWHEELER
When I Bou’t the [?] coat patterns of Miss Wilson & Mulliken, I went immediately home got the money and returned and I am very positivp paid Mr. Mulliken for them myself at 18/[?]
Should you have any doubts on your mind how you are to act in regard to these papers you may advise with your father as a set similar for the Boston Vessel will go to him---
Scans of Letter
