Raynors HCA 2018-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018
A great early German/American Indian trader's letter that gives a detailed account of his travels to Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania and of a well-to-do slave owning family, with several "good, beautiful girls," who convinced him to act as guide into the then hazardous Kentucky's frontier, 3pp. 4to., written by a certain "M. Lang", in German, to Johann Gottfried Wachsmuth of the prosperous late eighteenth century international merchant firm of Dutilh, Wachsmuth & Co., Philadelphia. The firm was established, in 1790, when Johann Gottfried Wachsmuth went into partnership with French emigre Etienne Dutilh. Together the two built their business into a highly respected and successful shipping firm whose ships visited ports throughout the world including the West Indies and the African Gold Coast. Their ship's manifests usually boasted large cargoes of cotton, coffee, sugar, indigo and other none perishable items, but sadly, as often is the case in early merchant history, their ship's empty holds were filled on the African coast with frightened human cargo bound for America. Research reveals that their ships actively participated in the American Slave Trade during the late eighteen and early nineteenth centuries. Their business records are now located with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, perhaps, a careful study of the firm's records would help give us a better understanding of that terrible, but not so uncommon, merchant practice in early American history. Lang writes from Fort Pitt, [Pennsylvania frontier], May 27, 1790, in small part: "…I arrived here a few days ago, lame and sore…a dog bit me in my foot...I developed a boil...rheumatism in my back...a tame bear bit me in my hand…the bear was fastened to a chain…before I was aware of him he got hold of my hand and left a big hole in it……but I endured everything manfully…finally the good Prieliant [his dog] died for me on the Susquehanna River after I had so much care and trouble with him. This was the greatest loss to me as he was my only companion and now I am alone…i…had him carried on a wagon for forty miles…surely [it] was not my fault…at the Canostoga Kricj I got into trouble on his account. There were some masqued German peasants…who treated me shamefully. They arrested me and wanted to throw me into jail claiming that I had stolen the dog in Philadelphia…that he belonged to Bob Morris…if they had gone…further there would have been a fray with fire and smoke..they saw they could not intimidate me…I answered that…I was not stingy with powder and lead. Beyond the Blue [Ridge] Mountains there is dreadful lack of bread…prices are very high for everything. The innkeepers are no better than highway robbers…I [have] had enough of traveling among…those damned German peasants…not even for double pay would they let me have milk for my sick dog. I had my suspicions about traveling through the German settlements…an English and Irish peasant is an angel compared to the German…when I got down to the Monogahela River…there landed a large boat full with negroes and six fine ladies. They asked me if I didn't want to go with them as a guard against Indians…I told them no, that I was going to leave this afternoon with some Indians in a west…direction. The good beautiful children begged me I should come along…they would pay all my expenses…the Indians wanted to take me to their king…the good, beautiful girls softened my heart…there was no peace till I agreed…I made one condition, they must submit to my drilling them in the use of arms…they promised…so tomorrow we leave for Kendogy [Kentucky]…Mr. Scinder has many rifles and other weapons. He buys negroes and we have about twenty on board. I took two Frenchmen along who had been soldiers. I don't like to kill Indians, but then…do I like to be killed by them. They are a bad lot, so far, they took away as many as eight boats. I would pity the beautiful girls if we should lose out. They seem to be a rich family, making much show and having many negroes…forward my portmanto [?] to Fort Pitt to the address I enclose…to the man who is a merchant there…I intent to remain for some time in the western parts and scout for speculations…P. S. please ship it by a Pittsburger wagon, they often get to Philadelphia…the merchant here will see that it be forwarded to Kentucky…M. Lang…". Complete with a full transcription in English. A great early look into life on the American frontier and the perils one faced upon the frontier in our newly formed country. Dampstained, else VG
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