{"product_id":"samuel-colt-autograph-letter-signed-hartford-connecticut-august-3-1861","title":"Samuel Colt Autograph Letter Signed – Hartford, Connecticut – August 3, 1861","description":"\u003ch1 data-section-id=\"1uobs3t\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"178\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2\" data-end=\"178\"\u003eSamuel Colt Autograph Letter Signed – Hartford, Connecticut – August 3, 1861 – Revoking European Banking Authority – John S. Jarvis, Von Oppen \u0026amp; Civil War Era Colt Business\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"180\" data-end=\"271\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"180\" data-end=\"222\"\u003eAutograph Letter Signed (\"Saml. Colt\")\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"222\" data-end=\"225\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"225\" data-end=\"250\"\u003eHartford, Connecticut\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"253\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"253\" data-end=\"271\"\u003eAugust 3, 1861\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"273\" data-end=\"571\"\u003eAn exceptionally important Civil War-era autograph business letter signed by \u003cstrong data-start=\"350\" data-end=\"377\"\u003eSamuel Colt (1814–1862)\u003c\/strong\u003e, founder of Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, documenting his direct management of the company's European commercial operations during the opening months of the American Civil War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"573\" data-end=\"941\"\u003eWritten from \u003cstrong data-start=\"586\" data-end=\"598\"\u003eHartford\u003c\/strong\u003e on \u003cstrong data-start=\"602\" data-end=\"620\"\u003eAugust 3, 1861\u003c\/strong\u003e, Colt addresses a European banking house regarding funds deposited to finance contracts being negotiated in \u003cstrong data-start=\"729\" data-end=\"761\"\u003eEngland and on the Continent\u003c\/strong\u003e. The letter reveals that Colt had granted \u003cstrong data-start=\"804\" data-end=\"822\"\u003eJohn S. Jarvis\u003c\/strong\u003e power of attorney to conduct business overseas but had \u003cstrong data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"885\"\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e intended for Jarvis to delegate that authority further.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"943\" data-end=\"955\"\u003eColt writes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-start=\"957\" data-end=\"1235\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"959\" data-end=\"1235\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"959\" data-end=\"1235\"\u003e\"In giving Mr. Jarvis power of attorney to do business for me \u0026amp; my Company in England \u0026amp; upon the Continent it was not my intention to extend to him the right to authorize Mr. Dennet or Mr. Von Oppen... to draw upon the funds I have caused to be deposited with your house...\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1237\" data-end=\"1615\"\u003eHe continues by explaining that he has discovered the bankers have already honored \u003cstrong data-start=\"1320\" data-end=\"1348\"\u003ea draft of Mr. Von Oppen\u003c\/strong\u003e based upon Jarvis's authority. Colt immediately revokes those permissions, informing the bankers that he has written to Jarvis to countermand all such orders and directing that henceforth they honor \u003cstrong data-start=\"1548\" data-end=\"1614\"\u003eonly drafts drawn by or endorsed by Mr. John S. Jarvis himself\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1237\" data-end=\"1615\"\u003eSamuel Colt had a well-documented connection with the \u003cstrong data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"930\"\u003evon Oppen\u003c\/strong\u003e family through \u003cstrong data-start=\"946\" data-end=\"981\"\u003eCaroline Henshaw Colt von Oppen\u003c\/strong\u003e, a woman closely associated with the Colt family in historical accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"kgm1hv\" data-start=\"349\" data-end=\"359\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eJarvis\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"361\" data-end=\"425\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"365\" data-end=\"382\"\u003eJarvis family\u003c\/strong\u003e was intimately connected with Samuel Colt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"427\" data-end=\"737\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"jos4ox\" data-start=\"427\" data-end=\"476\"\u003eColt married \u003cstrong data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"467\"\u003eElizabeth Hart Jarvis\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1856.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1yciwyr\" data-start=\"477\" data-end=\"605\"\u003eHis brothers-in-law, particularly \u003cstrong data-start=\"513\" data-end=\"531\"\u003eRichard Jarvis\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"536\" data-end=\"551\"\u003eJohn Jarvis\u003c\/strong\u003e, held important positions in Colt's business affairs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1wkmabn\" data-start=\"606\" data-end=\"737\"\u003eDuring 1861, it would not be surprising to find Colt issuing instructions concerning funds or authority involving a \"Mr. Jarvis.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"ohlawl\" data-start=\"739\" data-end=\"752\"\u003eVon Oppen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"1184\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"791\" data-end=\"804\"\u003evon Oppen\u003c\/strong\u003e family was active in international commerce, banking, and shipping in Europe during the nineteenth century. Samuel Colt maintained extensive European business relationships, including agents, financiers, and distributors. A letter discussing financial authority and naming \u003cstrong data-start=\"1078\" data-end=\"1091\"\u003evon Oppen\u003c\/strong\u003e is exactly the type of correspondence one might expect from Colt's international operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1617\" data-end=\"1725\"\u003eThis is an unusually detailed insight into Colt's international business organization. The letter documents:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1727\" data-end=\"2164\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1770b1g\" data-start=\"1727\" data-end=\"1798\"\u003eColt's use of a formal \u003cstrong data-start=\"1752\" data-end=\"1773\"\u003epower of attorney\u003c\/strong\u003e for European operations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1sszf1t\" data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"1869\"\u003eOngoing contract negotiations in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1834\" data-end=\"1868\"\u003eEngland and continental Europe\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"41pwtp\" data-start=\"1870\" data-end=\"1959\"\u003eFunds maintained with a European banking house specifically to finance those contracts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"wscia6\" data-start=\"1960\" data-end=\"2052\"\u003eColt's insistence on strict financial controls during a period of rapid wartime expansion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1x7niow\" data-start=\"2053\" data-end=\"2164\"\u003eThe roles of \u003cstrong data-start=\"2068\" data-end=\"2086\"\u003eJohn S. Jarvis\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2088\" data-end=\"2102\"\u003eMr. Dennet\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"2108\" data-end=\"2125\"\u003eMr. Von Oppen\u003c\/strong\u003e in Colt's European commercial network.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2166\" data-end=\"2387\"\u003eUnlike many surviving Colt letters that concern firearms production or government contracts, this manuscript illuminates the sophisticated international financial structure supporting Colt's business during the Civil War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2389\" data-end=\"2534\"\u003eSamuel Colt died less than six months later, on \u003cstrong data-start=\"2437\" data-end=\"2457\"\u003eJanuary 10, 1862\u003c\/strong\u003e, making this one of the final periods of his active business correspondence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"lspeud\" data-start=\"2536\" data-end=\"2563\"\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2565\" data-end=\"3020\"\u003eJohn S. Jarvis was one of Colt's most trusted representatives and a member of the extended Jarvis family closely connected with Colt's business affairs. This letter demonstrates Colt personally supervising European negotiations while carefully restricting who could access company funds abroad. Such correspondence provides a rare glimpse into the internal financial management of one of America's most important nineteenth-century industrial enterprises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3022\" data-end=\"3254\"\u003eThe references to \u003cstrong data-start=\"3040\" data-end=\"3051\"\u003eEngland\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"3053\" data-end=\"3070\"\u003ethe Continent\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"3072\" data-end=\"3090\"\u003eJohn S. Jarvis\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"3092\" data-end=\"3109\"\u003eMr. Von Oppen\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the revocation of delegated banking authority make this a significant document for the study of Colt's international commercial operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1uef3h1\" data-start=\"3256\" data-end=\"3269\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"3271\" data-end=\"3475\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1wmo1v4\" data-start=\"3271\" data-end=\"3306\"\u003eOriginal autograph letter signed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1bn6o98\" data-start=\"3307\" data-end=\"3327\"\u003eHartford dateline.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1t0hwjq\" data-start=\"3328\" data-end=\"3355\"\u003eDated \u003cstrong data-start=\"3336\" data-end=\"3354\"\u003eAugust 3, 1861\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"3scvbf\" data-start=\"3356\" data-end=\"3388\"\u003eBold iron-gall ink throughout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1vyv5uu\" data-start=\"3389\" data-end=\"3412\"\u003eExcellent legibility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ibhy01\" data-start=\"3413\" data-end=\"3442\"\u003eOriginal folds as expected.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1xbcy71\" data-start=\"3443\" data-end=\"3475\"\u003eAttractive display appearance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52561811767578,"sku":null,"price":6995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_1649.jpg?v=1784655120","url":"https:\/\/princetonaudubonprints.com\/products\/samuel-colt-autograph-letter-signed-hartford-connecticut-august-3-1861","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}