Letter from Jolly & Baker [merchants in Mexico] to John Lindley, vice-secretary to the Horticultural Society, London

Information

Title: Letter from Jolly & Baker [merchants in Mexico] to John Lindley, vice-secretary to the Horticultural Society, London

Scope & content: Written from Tampico [Mexico]

They acknowledge receipt of a letter dated 15 Oct; they have succeeded in dispatching all the boxes of plants and seeds collected by Mr Hartweg [Theodor Hartweg]; they are enclosing a receipt; they will charge the expenses to Messrs Byrns & Co [merchants] in Mexico [Mexico City, Mexico]; [the letter is continued on 10 Jan] they showed the enclosed receipts to Lieutenant Luce [captain of the Penguin], who refused to sign them, saying he would be unable to transport them due to their size in suitable environment; the 'mail bay' is about to be closed, and the boxes are already on board the ship; if they are returned on shore, they will have trouble with the Custom House, and they are reluctant to have disagreements with the commanders of the packets [ships], 'who seem to consider they are doing us a personal favour'; they will soon be able to ship items on merchant vessels, and will send the boxes on the first ship due to the end of the blockade

Copy of a receipt for eight boxes of plants and seeds for the Horticultural Society of London, placed on board HM packet Penguin by Messrs Jolly & Baker, to be delivered to Messrs W. Broad & Sons [William Broad & Sons, merchants in Falmouth]. Dated 10 Jan 1839, Tampico. Unsigned