coast. The correspondence would indicate that he went on loading vessels and trading with the padres much as before. David Spence also went into business for himself. In connection with the financial troubles, Hartnell made a trip to Lima, sailing at the end of 1827, probably in the Huascar, and returning in that vessel in July of the following year.[1]
Captain Cunningham of the Courier, in conjunction probably with the masters of other American vessels, thought to improve the facilities for coast trade by erecting certain buildings and establishing a kind of trading station on Santa Catalina Island. Cunningham was ordered by Echeandía to remove the buildings and promised to do so.[2]
Auguste Duhaut-Cilly, commanding the French ship Le Héros, 362 tons, 32 men, and 12 guns, sailed from Havre in April 1826, sent out by Lafitte & Co. on a trading voyage round the world. He was accompanied by Dr Paolo Emilio Botta, afterward famous as an archæologist and writer. This young scientist's notes on the inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands and
- ↑ Mrs Hartnell, Narrativa, MS., 2-3, says that the rivalry of Cooper, favored by the government, and of Spence soon obliged the firm of McC., H. & Co. to liquidate. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 145, says that H. paid all the debts of Begg & Co. in Cal. April, McCulloch advises H. to propose to Begg & Co. a reform in the Cal. establishment, including a small vessel on the coast under Mexican flag. Salting hides won't pay, nor will soap and candles. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxix. 125. July 1st, P. Viader to H. Speaks of Begg's failure, which he has expected for some time. Id., 135. Fears for success of hide business. Id., 141. Aug. 6th, Begg & Co. say the prospect is bad. Mendoza (?) tallow better and cheaper than that of Cal. Id., 148. Nov. 6th, P. Sarría speaks of H.'s voyage, and sends letters of recommendation to friends in Lima. Id., 167. Jan. 5, 1828, Spence at Monterey to H. at Lima. Id., 190. May 1st, circular of Begg, Macala, and Hartnell to the padres of California, announcing the dissolution of the firm of McC., H. & Co., and that H. will settle all accounts and continue the business for himself. Warm thanks are rendered for past courtesies, and H. is strongly recommended by the former associates. Id., 224. July 14th, H. arrived by the Huascar. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 80. July 16th, Cunningham speaks of a protested bill. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xix. 257. McCulloch continues his letters to H. Aug. 1st, gov. regrets Begg's want of confidence in Mexican commerce. Id., 265. Aug. 28th, balance sheet of $5,097 between Begg & Co. and H. Id., 272. More accounts in October. Id., 282. Oct. 18th, certificate that H. furnished $14,397 in tallow, as he agreed in Lima. Id., 283. The correspondence of 1829 is unimportant, but shows that H. still owed considerable money in Lima, and that his creditors were pressing. Id., passim.
- ↑ Dept. Rec., MS., v. 19; Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 22.
