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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC01450.022.05 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of letters related to wine trade in Portugal |
| Title | John Montgomery to Newton, Gordon, and Johnston on shipments of tea, wine, and other goods and war news |
| Date | 24 July 1779 |
| Author | Montgomery, John (fl. 1778-1779) |
| Recipient | Newton, Gordon, and Johnston |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Business and financial document; Military document |
| Content Description | Signed as Montgomery, Sealy, and Co. Reports that Spain has finally joined forces with France against England. The Spanish fleet sailed from Cadiz on 24 June 1779 and will join the French fleet. States that they are threatening an invasion in Ireland or England but remarks that British spirits are high. ". . . John Bull's Spirit seems to be roused, and they begin to be unanimous at home, and don't seem to dread them, which looks well." Mentions that the Spanish have already begun to lay siege to Gibraltar but he thinks their attempt will be fruitless as it was at Algiers because the garrison there is well supplied and well led. Second half of the letter deals with business accounts, and shipments of tea, wine, and other goods. On 21 June 1779 Spain declared war against Britain so that France would help them regain Gibraltar and Florida. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston were merchants from Madeira. |
| Subjects | Global History and Civics Military History Navy Africa Military Provisions Military Supplies Finance Alcohol Merchants and Trade Commerce Diet and Nutrition |
| Place written | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Merchants & Commerce; Foreign Affairs; Naval & Maritime; Agriculture; Industry |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | These are letters relative to the wine trade that was in progress and it will be noted that some of the famous officers of the day were ordering sizeable quantities of spirits at this time. Water in the colonies was very poor, so that these products were important to the every day survival. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |