Letters from Edward Davison to Francis Leland, 1835 May 19-June 22

This collection contains sixteen letters from Edward Davison to his business partner Francis (Frank) Leland in Montevideo, Uruguay. The letters deal with their effort to build up an American commercial firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that dealt in various commodities including beef, crackers, flour, wool, rice, salt, lumber, and gunpowder. A number of letters relate to Davison Leland and Company’s attempt to pursue a contract that would allow them to trade in seal skins; a May 3, 1835, letter indicates that Davison thought Leland’s engagement to “Mr. Aguilar’s daughter” might give them an advantage toward winning the skins contract. Letters frequently mention the names of other merchants, some of whom were competitors, including Hartley, Tileston, Zimmermann, Lafone, Brock, and DeForest. Other letters discuss bills, accounts, and cargo ship arrivals and departures. The first letter, dated October 26, 1834, was written from New York and includes a note addressed to “Dear brother” from “Emma” along with Davison’s letter to Leland. The rest of Davison’s letters cover April 25 to September 6, 1835, and were written from Buenos Aires.