Henry’s letter to his brother-in-law, Francis Bremar, is enlightening for various reasons.¹ First, it is an example of Henry’s method of business communication. He mentions the previous correspondence about which this letter revolves and identifies the vessels and captains that transported those letters. Such detailed information would be critical to maintaining the proper flow of transatlantic commerce.

Henry presumes that Bremar, who married Henry’s sister Martha in 1739, had already left London for Charles Town and that Henry would soon follow.

Francis solicited Henry’s commercial assistance in November. “You desire me to mention you to some of my [friends] who do business for Carolina,” Henry writes, but “You have left me to guess who is to be your chief friend & correspondent here [in London]. Moreover, Francis had failed to illustrate his ability to bring to Charles Town a “tolerable Sum toward purchasing a Cargo which [are] of great consequence.”

He indicates that London’s Carolina traders are “very cautious of opening new Accounts & many absolutely refuse to do it,” but that he flatters himself “with the Hopes of your making a better figure in respect to Cash than [many that] have been gone before you.”

Henry pedantically expresses his faith that Francis “will be as carefull as any to fulfill your engagements.”

After advising Francis of a few vital aspects of commerce—a strong financial backing, the importance of business contacts, and steadfast honesty—Henry states that he will “take proper opportunities to recommend you to such Gentlenen as I think I have any influence with & will be worth your acquaintance.”

Reinforcing additional elements of a successful trader, Henry writes, “I can only assure them that I know you to be an Honest Man, Industrious, & frugall [who is also well] acquainted with the proper articles for importation & sale at Carolina & one who I am perswaded will punctually comply with his engagements.”

Finally, Henry acknowledges his desire to assist further and “offer to be bound for you, but ere this time you know of my engagement in Copartnership with Mr. G[eorge] Austin” which forbids assistance in that manner.

Henry then lists 22 qualified men of trade with whom he’ll reach out on Bremar’s behalf.

1. Henry Laurens to Francis Bremar, London, March 27, 1748, Papers of Henry Laurens, 1:230-232. ↩︎