One day William Bowers decided to take the goods of Brayton and
Bowers still farther afield. He did not enjoy travelling. He did not
like strange countries. But trade was a little dull at home. He and
Israel decided to take the risk and get together a cargo which would
neither make nor break them, and might build up their regular business
considerably.
The Columbian Sentinel of Jan. 2, 1819, which Israel carried in his
store, had printed the following advertisement:
“The subscriber, being about to embark for Canton, China, via
Gibralter, where he will reside for a considerable time, offers his
services to the public for the transaction of the usual business of the
place.”
References were given. But Brayton and Bowers did not need references.
They knew all about Philip Ammidon, the subscriber. He was a village
boy. And when William Bowers decided to go to Canton, the fact that
Ammidon had been living in Canton for some time, may have been of some
influence.
I do not know just when Bowers left Somerset for Canton. It was perhaps
in 1825; it took a long time to sail from Somerset to Canton. The
following letter from Bowers arrived in Scrabbletown:
“Canton. March 25, 1826
Mr I. Brayton
My dear Sir.
From the many good wishes which have been manifested toward me as
well as my family from you, I feel myself under many obligations
to you and can, while in my hours of meditation, think of you and
your respectful family, and do feel myself well assured that this
short epistle will be cordially received from your well-wisher and
fellow-traveller in life; although I have nothing very interesting
to communicate at the present moment but presume it will serve to
pass a dull moment to peruse it.
I left Lima, Nov. 11, and bent my course to the West and on the
19th of December arrived at the Sandwich Islands where I disposed
of some merchandise and, after repacking, set sail on the 25th
following, and bent my course towards Manilla, the Capital of all
the Spanish Settlements in the East.
When I arrived on the 16th of February was somewhat disappointed in
my expectations in getting a cargo. However, loaded my ship, and
set sail on the 1st day of March and arrived at this place on the
12th inst. and have been much diverted on looking at the multitude
of people and the manner of living, such as if I should undertake
to give you description would require a small volume; therefore we
will let it suffice in saying they are so thick they are obliged
to live upon the water in floating boats or houses ... the most of
wearing apparel is cheap, such as crape, silk, satin, nankin, etc.
Teas are rather high. Such as suit the American market. But very
large quantities will be in the U. States soon after this comes
to hand.... When I shall be with you the Lord only knows for I
am certain I do not--you may show this to my wife if she behaves
pretty well, and be cautious how you trust her with good account
at your store, for unless I have better luck than what I have had,
I am shure you will get disappointed in having a settlement on my
return, or rather, get your money.
Remember me to her, however bad she may appear to be, as well as to
your wife and honoured parents, and hope the Good Lord will permit
us all to meet again. Tell her to be cautious of those Brawling
Characters (he must mean the Gypsies of Hot and Cold Lane) that get
adrift in that neighborhood about this time of year or a little
before, for I wish I could have them on my passage down the Pacific
when the wind blows from the North ... nothing more at present
So I bid you adieu
and to bed go and remain
Your well wisher and friend
W. Bowers.”
In September, 1828, Bowers and Brayton were selling Canton Crape over
the counter in Somerset. And China Tea.
TRADING WITH THE
BRISTOL COTTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY
AND THE
MOUNT HOPE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Brayton and Bowers had branched out still farther in that busy year
of 1819. They started to trade with the Bristol Cotton Manufacturing
Company. This Company had a small yarn mill in Wellington--the village
is now called North Dighton. Most of the stock belonged to James deWolf
of Bristol.
In December, 1820, Israel returned a consignment of yarn to the
Factory, which had been woven into “stripes” and “plaids”. His weavers
were given more of this Bristol yarn in January and this they also
wove. And more. But the factory was not doing well. The following
letter seems to me interesting.
“Wellington. 12 of 11th month. 1821
Friend Israel Brayton
I was so much ingaged that I could not wright by Stephen that
I wish thee to come up here next second day which is the 15th
instant, as that is our co-meeting and I want to see thee about the
weaving. We are now collecting over 100 lbs a day and if we can
dry the yarn we can make out over 30 webs per week and I want them
wove as fast as we make them, and I wish thou would not fail to
come here next Second Day as early as possible and take a load and
have some talk on our factory business as I never nowe what plans
Williams and some others have afoot.