A Look At Trade Items For The Curious

Jay Edward (deceased) · January 14, 2008, 09:00:32 PM

[FONT="]Invoice of merchandise shipped on board S.B. Diana C.M. Halstead Master bound for the upper Missouri River and consigned for account and risk of upper Missouri outfit 1835 under mark in the margin[/FONT]
[FONT="]-Viz- [/FONT]
[FONT="]U.M.O. Union[/FONT]
[FONT="]30 pair/3 pt Sky Blue blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]30 pair/3 pt Hudson Bay blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]30 pair/3 pt Green blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]148 pair/3 pt white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 pair/2 1/2 pt white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 pair/2 1/2 pt white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]64 pair/2 1/2 pt white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]50 pair/l 1/2 pt white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]50 pair/l pt white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 ps saved list indigo blue cloth[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 ps blk list scarlet cloth[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 ps saved list green cloth[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 ps bleached shirting[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 ps sheeting[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 ps sheeting[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 blue cotton bandanas[/FONT]
[FONT="]60 scarlet cloth chiefs coats[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 bottle green frock coats[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 olive green frock coats[/FONT]
[FONT="]200 red flannel shirts[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 Marsailles vests[/FONT]
[FONT="]170 fancy calico shirts[/FONT]
[FONT="]100 dom cotton shirts[/FONT]
[FONT="]100 cotton check shirts[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 dz mens woolen caps[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 pr. Kip shoes[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 dz white wool hats[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 1/2 dz red **** feathers[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 1/2 @ silver and gold fringe[/FONT]
[FONT="]60 @ lace[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 setts large wampum moons[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 setts large wampum moons[/FONT]
[FONT="]7 setts small wampum moons[/FONT]
[FONT="]571 hair pipes 3001 inches[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 ream cap paper[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 ream letter paper[/FONT]
[FONT="]12/1 1/2 quire leather back blank books[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 C Quills[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz lead pencils[/FONT]
[FONT="]20 @ small rough horse bells[/FONT]
[FONT="]150 @ large rough horse bells[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 Gro yellow bullet buttons[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 Gro gun worms[/FONT]
[FONT="]20 Gro Indian Awls[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz best pad locks[/FONT]
[FONT="]50 dz Bright oval fire steels[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 dz iron tablespoons[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 dz iron teaspoons[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 screw plates[/FONT]
[FONT="]24 bunches black barly corn heads[/FONT]
[FONT="]25 bunches red barly corn heads[/FONT]
[FONT="]1115 1/2 lb blue pound beads[/FONT]
[FONT="]758 lb chalk white beads[/FONT]
[FONT="]80 lb black white beads[/FONT]
[FONT="]205 lb yellow - 285 pound[/FONT]
[FONT="]256 lb ruby white beads[/FONT]
[FONT="]150 lb deep blue pound beads in bunches of 2 lb each[/FONT]
[FONT="]358 lb black pound beads[/FONT]
[FONT="]100 N.W. guns 30 to 42 inches[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 pr Octagon Brass barrel pistols[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 pr plain iron barrel pistols[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 pr super twist barrel pistols[/FONT]
[FONT="]50 battle axes[/FONT]
[FONT="]20 gro hunters clay pipes[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 dz patent blk ears ea B[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 packs tinned rivets 1"[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 packs tinned rivets 1 1/2"[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 pack tinned rivets 2"[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 copper soldering irons[/FONT]
[FONT="]25 @ tin ( ? ) best solder[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 @ refined borax[/FONT]
[FONT="]567 lb iron wire[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 boxes tin plates 1 C[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 boxes tin plates 1 X[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 box tin plates DX[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 nests sheet iron kettles[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 sheet iron kettles[/FONT]
[FONT="]79 S Green Coffee[/FONT]
[FONT="]107 Loaf Sugar[/FONT]
[FONT="]15 Cathy boxes Y. H Tea[/FONT]
[FONT="]32 @ Verdigris[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 Frail [?] 32@ Raisins[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 hlf. Basket Sweet oil[/FONT]
[FONT="]200 Powder Horns[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 Boxes Soap[/FONT]
[FONT="]386@ Oakum[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 Kegs Pitch[/FONT]
[FONT="]30 Barrels Flour[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 Barrels Crackers[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 Barrels Pilot Bread[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 Barrels Navy Bread[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 Boxes havana Sugar[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 Bags Coffee[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 Boxes Raisins[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 Bags Shot[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz Trunk Locks[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 Augers[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 Boxes rod Iron[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 Violin Bow[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 Coil Manilla rope[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 Baril Molasses[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 Kegs Span Brown [?] in oil[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 Quires Emory Paper[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 Kegs N.W. twist tobacco[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 Kegs 8 twist to pound tobacco[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 Kegs 2 twist to pound tobacco[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 Kegs 1 twist to pound tobacco[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 Kegs 6 twist to pound tobacco[/FONT]
[FONT="]87 Ligs Sead [?][/FONT]
[FONT="]4 [?] Seal Skin Trunks[/FONT]

[FONT="]-- The following for Ft. Clarke -[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 box brown havana sugar[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 bag coffee[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 barrels flour[/FONT]
[FONT="]60 half barrels gun powder F[/FONT]
[FONT="]18 dz patent black ears[/FONT]
[FONT="]20 Indian medals representive J.J. Astor on one[/FONT]
[FONT="]side and peace and friendship on the reverse[/FONT]
[FONT="]weighing 37H oz of fine silver.[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 barrels alcohol 90 gals.[/FONT]
[FONT="]167 gls. alcohol[/FONT]
[FONT="]116 gls. alcohol[/FONT]
[FONT="]30 iron bound canteens[/FONT]
[FONT="]30 wooden kegs[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 bales cloth[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 gun cases 75 lbs 8 boxes at 100[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 boxes[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 casks of 25 and 1 barrel at 25[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 cask from A & Burds[/FONT]

[FONT="][total cost for all the above including interest, packing,[/FONT]
[FONT="]drayage,[/FONT]
[FONT="]etc. $12,002.43 due 1 July 1836][/FONT]
[FONT="]Invoice of mdze shipped on Steam Boat Diana C.A. Halstead Master bound for the Upper Missouri River and Consigned to Messr Laidlaw and Lamont for acct and risk of upper Missouri Outfit 1835 and under mark as in the margain[/FONT]
[FONT="]- viz - [/FONT]
[FONT="]U.M.O. Pierre[/FONT]
[FONT="]30 pr 3pt Scarlet blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]30 pr 3pt green blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]58 pr 3pt white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]93 pr 3pt white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]30 pr 3 1/2pt Com. white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]46 pr 2 1/2pt best white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]40 pr 2 1/2pt best white blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]64 pr blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 wrapper[/FONT]
[FONT="]15 1 1/2 PB blankets[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 1 PB blanket[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 ps white flannel[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 table covers blue[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 ps salempin [?][/FONT]
[FONT="]2 ps black silk hankerchiefs[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 ps cotton flag hankerchiefs[/FONT]
[FONT="]20 ribbons assorted colors[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 blue frock coat[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 green of olive coat[/FONT]
[FONT="]40 scarlet chiefs coats[/FONT]
[FONT="]50 Red flannel shirts[/FONT]
[FONT="]1/2 doz. Ladies Moroco heel pumps[/FONT]
[FONT="]1/2 doz. Ladies Walking Shoes[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 pr mens Kip Brogans[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 pr mens thick Brogans[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 dz fine Ivory Combs[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz. dressing combs[/FONT]
[FONT="]48 Crambo Combs[/FONT]
[FONT="]24 Crambo Combs[/FONT]
[FONT="]19 1/2 @ Sturgeon Twine[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 bundles Fish Lines[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz. Ladies Cotton Stockings[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 setts Silver Gorgets[/FONT]
[FONT="]32 setts large Wampum moons[/FONT]
[FONT="]18 setts large Wampum moons[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 ream (first ?) Lined fools cap paper[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 ream plane fools cap paper[/FONT]
[FONT="]8 blank books[/FONT]
[FONT="]9 1 1/2 Quire blank books[/FONT]
[FONT="]2/12 dz. red ink powder[/FONT]
[FONT="]5/12 dz. sealing wax[/FONT]
[FONT="]1/2 M white chapel needles[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 dz bright oval fire steels[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz boxes oval fire steels[/FONT]
[FONT="]1/2 dz. best pad locks[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 dz assorted Gimblets[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 dz beaver trap chains[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz Flat ******* files 14"[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 dz Flat ******* files 12"[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz. 1/2 round ******* files 10"[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz. 1/2 round ******* files 14"[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz. 1/2 round ******* files 8"[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 dz. Flat ******* files 10"[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 dz. Flat ******* files 8"[/FONT]
[FONT="]9 dz. Flat ******* files 6 & 7"[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 dz. Pitsaw files[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz. rat tail files 7"[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz. rat tail files 5 1/2"[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz Wood Rasps Files 10"[/FONT]
[FONT="]50 dz. Wilson Butcher Knives #2634[/FONT]
[FONT="]50 dz. Wilson Butcher Knives 7 in.[/FONT]
[FONT="]47 Gro orange coat buttons[/FONT]
[FONT="]54 Gro finger rings[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 Gro Indian Awls[/FONT]
[FONT="]415 lb. Chalk white pound beads[/FONT]
[FONT="]50 lb. Brass wire No. 6[/FONT]
[FONT="]50 lb. Iron wire No. 15[/FONT]
[FONT="]60 Battle Axes[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 cases of Vermillion[/FONT]
[FONT="]92 @ Verdegris[/FONT]
[FONT="]20 lb. open brass kettles[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 nests sheet Iron kettles[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 1/4 dz. cover tin kettles[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 dz covered tin kettles[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 boxes Y.H. tea[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 loaves ( ? ) sugar[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 bags shot[/FONT]
[FONT="]50 powder horns[/FONT]
[FONT="]20 brass mounted swords[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 boxes shaving soap[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 boxes com soap[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 barrel rice[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 coil manillia rope[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 bales oakum[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 barrels water crackers[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 barrels each navy pilot bread[/FONT]
[FONT="]1/2 barrels molasses Keg 50 15 gls[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 dz. wooden bowls 16 each bowl[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 lbs. (spelter?) solder[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 bags shot[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 hlf barrel mackreal[/FONT]
[FONT="]? bottle pepper sauce[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 boxes rasins[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 boxes cod fish[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 dz thimbles box 25[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 dz ( ? ) plates[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 large blue cup & saucer 2 setts[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 Lexington mustard[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 lb refined borax[/FONT]
[FONT="]1/2 dz. lime juice[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 oz nut megs[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 oz cloves[/FONT]
[FONT="]1/4 oz. ( ? )[/FONT]
[FONT="]1/2 dz. ground ginger[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 gal blue grass seed[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 dz sudlitz powders[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 dz Lucifer matches[/FONT]
[FONT="]boxes --[/FONT]
[FONT="]7 kegs 6 twist to pound tobacco[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 kegs 2 twist to pound tobacco[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 keg 1 twist to pound tobacco[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 kegs 8 twist to pound tobacco[/FONT]
[FONT="]7 boxes brown havana sugar[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 faggots 13 bars rolld iron[/FONT]
[FONT="]18 bars assorted iron[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 sacks Grod Al Salt[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 barrel rosin[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 kegs pitch[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 box cavandish tobacco[/FONT]
[FONT="]10 barrel pork[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 bags coffee[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 barrel bacon hams[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 book for mens acct.[/FONT]
[FONT="]40 barrels flour[/FONT]
[FONT="]11 bales cloth[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 boxes at 100 and 6 box at 50[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 boxes at 25[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 boxes from Andrew & Burd[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 casks from Andrew & Burd[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 casks from Andrew & Burd[/FONT]

[FONT="][Total cost for all the above including interest packing &[/FONT]
[FONT="]Drayage $6319.39 due 1 July 1836.][/FONT]

RatherBHuntin · January 15, 2008, 03:03:35 AM

Interesting, what are the annotations associated with the blankets? Did they come in pairs and is the "pt" a reference to the size? The battle axes, were they actually intended for cleaving skulls or were they suitable for splitting wood as well? Intended for trade with the Indians?

Jay Edward (deceased) · January 15, 2008, 08:18:19 AM

Quote from: RatherBHuntin;71890Interesting, what are the annotations associated with the blankets? Did they come in pairs and is the "pt" a reference to the size? The battle axes, were they actually intended for cleaving skulls or were they suitable for splitting wood as well? Intended for trade with the Indians?

I'm just passing through right now (this morning) but I will respond to your questions this evening RBH. This reasons behind the trade items is as interesting at the trade items themselves.

Jay Edward (deceased) · January 15, 2008, 01:57:49 PM

Quote from: RatherBHuntin;71890Interesting, what are the annotations associated with the blankets? Did they come in pairs and is the "pt" a reference to the size? The battle axes, were they actually intended for cleaving skulls or were they suitable for splitting wood as well? Intended for trade with the Indians?

The blankets were packed in pairs and the 'pt' reference is to size. The more 'pts' the larger the blanket. I'll post an image showing this. Now days sizes range from 72"x90" to 108"x100". They are quite expensive.

Battle axes could be used for splitting firewood but not out on the plains. There they would have to split the buffalo chip.

Please note the bulk (not weight) of the items are fabrics in the form of blankets, clothing, etc. Note also the Brogans (shoes). Native Americans were quick to realize the value of warm clothing as opposed to leather.

Remember that transportation was EVERYTHING and that the items listed were not just sending out whatever was handy. Consider each item and the possible reasons for that item.

bowhunter 51 · January 15, 2008, 08:07:54 PM

Very interesting, Jay....In that dryed rice was available and the absence
of gardening seed was not...indicates to me, these items were primarily
for trade, specific in nature......probably fur trade related....Most of
this stuff was not going to settlers..This was household Indian stuff...BH51..

Jay Edward (deceased) · January 15, 2008, 09:06:17 PM

Due to the forced merger of the North West Company and the Hudsons Bay Company in 1821... the new CEO radically changed the way they operated. No longer were food stuffs imported for the Factors & Clerks. Trade Houses were closed during the greater part of the year and trade expeditions were sent out each year to minimize the problem of having men on the payroll who were just sitting around. Many were let go... hence the great number of 'pioneer settlers' showing up all at once in various areas. Large Trade Centers, like Spokane House and Vancouver were told to raise their own grain and mill their own flour while securing meat one way or another.

If you examine the records you will see that the HBC imported oats, corn,rice, etc. to mix with suet for the Northern Brigades. This is probably the reason such items would also show up for trade with the Native Americans. In my neck of the woods the Native Americans harvested wild rice for their own use as well as Camas.

Did you notice the files and swords?

bowhunter 51 · January 16, 2008, 02:57:16 AM

Yea, now that 2nd invoice, more settlement related I would think...
Blacksmith shops working barrel and wheel hoop, wagon axle parts and
probably manufactured their horseshoes from scratch...Swords? I dunno.
Can't see them being practical for trade, tho I'm sure they were about
as practical as beads I quess, a luxury item I suppose for anyone, be it
settler, soldier or native indian...........................................................BH51......

Jay Edward (deceased) · January 16, 2008, 05:44:21 PM

Nope... you've got to understand the economics of the situation as well as the progressive natures of various armies. They were afflicted with upgrades as well as our armies nowadays. New swords equal a surplus of some magnitude when you consider the number of swords in use at the time.

Native American carried swords... there are pictures, reports and paintings.

I'll post an attachment to show at least one other use for the swords.

Quote from: bowhunter 51;72013Yea, now that 2nd invoice, more settlement related I would think...
Blacksmith shops working barrel and wheel hoop, wagon axle parts and
probably manufactured their horseshoes from scratch...Swords? I dunno.
Can't see them being practical for trade, tho I'm sure they were about
as practical as beads I quess, a luxury item I suppose for anyone, be it
settler, soldier or native indian...........................................................BH51......

bowhunter 51 · January 17, 2008, 06:13:38 AM

I ''Roger that'', on the affliction thing, Jay.....I've seen images of the
American Indian decorated with sword as well...fiqured the scalp of
the original owner was part of the decor (result of superior weaponry
such as the high-speed projectile) adorning the TeePee..interesting
stuff...Makes me wanna throw new batteries in my metal detector....
Lots of early Indian activity in my neck of the woods..............BH51.......