Temporary record

Danial H. B. Davis and his brothers James and John operated a New York City exporting firm from at least 1864 to after 1884. From 1871 through 1884, either Dan or his brother, James, were resident in Lima, Peru, managing their interests in that country and their trade with Chile and Bolivia. They appear to have dealt in a wide variety of goods, some as commission agents, including hides, needles, and quinine, and the volume of business, both import and export, appears to have been substantial. In 1873, for example, Davis reported assets in Peru at over $111,000. In the 1880's, though, business does not to have been as favorable, and Davis frequently writes of not having sufficient capital on hand to cover debts.

Scope and contents:

The three letterbooks that comprise this collection include Dan H. B. Davis' private correspondence, mostly with his brothers, for two discontinuous periods: January 10th, 1871 through May 10th, 1875, and June 9th, 1879 through April 2nd, 1884. While there is intersting material on the Davis brothers' commercial enterprise in Latin America, the letters also provide a the running commentary on the violence and political instability affecting Peru, Bolivia, and Chile during the 1870's and 80's. Davis is not one for deep analysis of the political situation, but his observations are unguarded, first hand impressions, and he is an intelligent writer aware of the intricacies of the political situation.

M-2728.3

Peru--History--19th century
Peru--Commerce--United States
United States--Commerce--Peru

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