Letter - George Knight's American Commission Company, Havana, May 23, 1840

This handwritten letter, dated May 23, 1840, is from George Knight in Havana, Cuba, addressed to B. L. Fould and Fould Oppenheim, likely in Paris, France. The letter discusses the full liquidation of Knight's American Commission Company due to financial overextension and bad debts, possibly related to the Panic of 1837. Knight assures Fould that he will not lose his investment, claiming over a million dollars in assets. The document details that three Cuban individuals—Gonzalo Alphonso, Luis de Mariategui, and Nicholas Dominguez—are taking over the company's affairs, and their signatures, along with J.S. Morrison, appear on the document. The liquidation process is overseen by Baring Brothers. The item is a multi-page handwritten letter in English, featuring several signatures and postmark details on the verso.

Associated People/Businesses

• George Knight (Owner/Sender)
• Beer Leon Fould (Banker/Recipient)
• Fould Oppenheim (Recipient)
• Gonzalo Alphonso (New Owner)
• Luis de Mariategui (New Owner)
• Nicholas Dominguez (New Owner)
• J.S. Morrison (Signatory)
• Fould, Beer Leon

Geography

No geographic information available.

Subjects

• Company liquidation
• International trade
• Banking
• Financial crisis
• Atlantic trade
• Correspondence
• 19th Century
• Havana
• Cuba
• Paris
• France
• French-Jewish bankers
• Mercantile
• Panic of 1837
• Signatures
• Handwritten

Physical Location

Arc.MS.56, Box 20, Folder 9