[ALS, West Indies] A two-sided Author-Signed-Letter in violet ink detailing a voyage and conditions in the Caribbean in 1879 by A.S. Carter

Caribbean: A.S. Carter, 1879. Good.

The letter is legible with a dampstain along the right border causing a slight blur/softening of ink lines. 9 by 5.75 inches was folded in thirds as was typical of the times.. The letter was written by A. S. Carter, Trinidad, June 14, 1879 on Loud, Claridge & Co. [Baltimore, ship chandlers] letterhead, laid paper to his daughter.

The author describes future business in Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Brooklyn. He defines accounts and dollars to be paid to Simpson Clapp & Co. [New York: Lumber] Conditions of the voyage and wishes for letters from home add a personal touch.

Transcription:
Dear daughter, I am [now loided] will go to Phaila or Boston so tha day will be [loided] in all -- week. My halth is good the weather is hot tha told me in St Jagos that I wass a goin to New York tha told me a lay I hop this will find you well I rote you from St Jagos twice I hope you -- warm all night I have been lookin for a letter from you hir the [commdr] told me any cam from St Jagos he wood send them to me I want to her from hom rember me to Charles & Frank & the charldren & all I hop your mother & nec & -- ar well I dont her from them often I hop tha will send me to Phaila I don t want to go to Boston this time I will have to come on to New York to settel up with Simpson Clapp & Co I will right nett to day I sopose it -- this time I sent a [draft] $400 to Simpson Chapp & Co from St. Jagos with three days from St Jagos her am making a long voig this time hop to sea you soon & all the reast I have had a hard one this time I come. you shall be glad when I git through the voige the mouscatus & sand flys ar so bad cant git much slipe thay ar very thick her. From your father, A.S. Carter or A.S. Cates. Background: A ship chandler is a retail dealer who specializes in providing supplies or equipment for ships. For traditional sailing ships, items that could be found in a chandlery might include sail-cloth, rosin, turpentine, tar, pitch, linseed oil, whale oil, tallow, lard, varnish, twine, rope and cordage, hemp, and oakum. [wiki]