JUAN JOSE de ECHEVESTE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/22/1799 - HFSID 277553

JUAN JOSÉ DE ECHEVESTE
The author of the California Code pens this letter in which he refers to the wine business, signed in iron gall ink
Autograph letter signed "Juan Echeveste", 3 pages, 6¼x8 (1 sheet folded, front and verso). Place: New Orleans. Date: March 22, 1799. Translated from Spanish into English in Full: "My very dear Sir. I reassure what I said in the letter dated on February 20 regarding Don Juan de la Cruz Munoz. For now I can only tell you that I have picked all the schnapps up that you have sent. The sale is going slow but I got to sell the provisions to the pilgrims that came here with Our Lady of the Rule. Don Bartolome purchased some at 34 p cash, with a term of three months and paying half of it in cash. I have also sold all the barrels to Dely Sanpy Colson and to Don Esteban, he is going to pay them off in two months. They are people who can be trusted so I hope you agree with what I approved, I reitere myself at your service. I just need to add that the sale of the schnapps is going very slowly but I am sure that with patience I will work things out. This time I do not send you anything because I can't take any money because it would affect the situation here. Don Juan Caffin just now paid $900.00 for the sale to Santa Maria y Cuesta, you will be able to get the money at the right time. Schnapps 60/63/66, sugar 14/15/16/17, coffee 26/28/30/32, clean cotton 20/22/99. Juan Jose de Echeveste". Juan Jose de Echeveste wrote the California code, the Reglamento Provisional of 1773. He based his reglamento on the knowledge and experience gained as the purchasing agent in Mexico City for the two Californias. He also provisioned and helped plan Juan Bautista de Anza's second expedition of October 1775, which took 200 colonists to northern California and founded the Mission and Presidio of San Francisco. Lightly toned. Ink has bled through to opposite sides. Hole in upper left corner. Spine of letter is worn and torn. Otherwise, fine condition.