1844 \"Dr. Franklin\" Steamboat Quite Profitable, Owner States For Sale

Offering a beautifully written 3 pp, 8 x 12 1/4, ALS, Cincinnati, January 1st, 1844, to Antoinette Ammidonn of Southbridge, Massachusetts. The letter was sent from a steamship and bears the notation “Steam” with a paid manuscript stamp and a partially faded indiscernible postmark. The writer signs with the initials J.H.B. and is a steamboat operator who vows to leave the profession.

He speaks of the profitability of the steamboat “Dr. Franklin,” likely named after Benjamin Franklin, and the sale of older boats. Steamboats primarily carried travelers between river towns, connecting such cities as New Orleans, Louisville, St. Louis and other points along the Ohio River. “Dr. Franklin” also carried commercial goods, agricultural produce and mail. She was crucial for linking inland towns to major ports.

In part, “…This is dated at Cincinnati which is not the case for the boat is lying at the wharf at Louisville. Although the place is wrongly dated or named…

“You speak of the Doctor Franklin and ask if she meets our anticipations —I will say she does in every respect. She has made two trips and she’s now on her third. There are a great many boats in the New Orleans trade this season and tho business is pretty much cut up, but the Doct. is very well patronized. Her profits per month are from fifteen hundred dollars to two thousand. Jim makes quite a dignified captain. He is captain indeed for his officers and crew always do as he instructs them, and they are all first rate men. Jim I know is honest and wishes to do that which is right; and I am fully convinced that any person whose aim it is to deal honorably and uprightly under all circumstances must eventually succeed in any undertaking and the contrary will produce disappointments and defeat. Thus far I am in religion a Universalist. We have sold the Steam Boats Mail and Little Ben. They were getting rather old and we thought it best to let them go. They well sold. They have been very profitable boats…I hope the Noh and the Doctor will do as well as they ought to do better for business…The business of steam boating in all respects seem making money is very disagreeable and it is truly my intention to disengage myself as an office of the boats at as early a period as possible…”

Very nice mid-19th century steamboat letter discussing the activities of running such a business.

Folds, light toning, but very readable. Punctuation added in the transcription for clarity.

Everything we sell is guaranteed authentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy. If you discover a problem or are dissatisfied with an item, please contact us immediately. Our goal is to please every customer. We are pleased to be members of The Manuscript Society, Universal Autograph Collectors Club, The Ephemera Society, the Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers and the Preferred Autograph Dealers and sale Houses. [AM 405]