From Christian A. Tilebein (unpublished)
Barcelona, April 25, 1778
Sir

Before the Interruption of the Harmony which Subsisted formerly between the now independent Provinces of America and Great Britain my Society which goes under the Name of March & Tilebien, has had Connections in Trade with sundry Gentlemen of that Continent, which have since been interrupted by the Warr.

As I am persuaded that as soon as these Connections can be renewed the Trade between America and this Principality, will greatly encrease and produce mutuall Advantages, as the Restrictions which have hetertoe existed by the sundry Acts of the Brittish Parliament will be remooved, the Ballance whereof will proove in favour of the Americans; I make bold tho entirely unknown to You, to offer my Services in Quality of Consul or Agent for the united Provinces in this Principality and the Islands of Majorca and Ivicy having Presumption enough to believe, that Five and Twenty Years Establishment and Experience in the Trade of this Country, a generall Knowledge of all others, a middling Fortune acquired by Labour and Industry, and the Sentiments of honour and Integrity which as an honest Man I can boast of, may perhaps entitle me to Your Confidence and that of the Congress, whose Interest I beg Leave to assure, I shall dedicate myself most particularly, to promote as much as lays in my Power; and which I may probably have more then other Pretenders, amongst the Number whereof I am assured are Mr Gautier, Partner to Mr Wombwell of London and Enemy for Conveniencys Sake to the Americans, Mr. Noordingh Clerk to a french house, and Mr Saucheiron a Young new establishd french Merchant of this City; and as I am borne at Berlin, no partiall Sentiments either in favour of Great Britain or France are to be feared.

You have here annexed a Note of my former Connections in America and of my present at Amsterdam and Paris with whose last You will find (if think it necessary as I think myself) favourable Informations.

This Country is always in need of Supplys of Wheat and its Crops in the most abundant Years are not Sufficient for above 3 or 4 month’s Consumpt, and this Branch will be a continuall Advantage to America; as will likewise be that of Bacalao from New England.

Our Wines, Brandys, Oyles, Silk and Woolen Manufactures may also render well in America, Italy takes of considerable Parcells of these last, and if required I will give further Eclairssiments thereon.

I beg Sir You woud pardon my Freedom, and shoud You listen to my Proposalls, I shall take my measures that his Excellency the Count Aranda may convince You that they are not made by a Man unworthy of Your Notice, which Time only coud convince You.

I remain with due Respect Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servants

Christian Andrew Tilebein

[Postscript:] If You think proper, I will on Receipt of Your Answer to the present sett out for Paris, to make myself Known to You and treat matters personally which always is better for the Purpose then writing.
Endorsed: Tilebien Barcelona Consul
PhiladelphiaAmsterdam
Benjamin Gibbs,Hope & Company
George Meade & CompanyVernede & Company
Willing & Morris,Raymond and Theodore de Smith
Stewart Duncan & Co.Dedel and Rocquette
Archibald MaCallWillem van Brienan & Sons
John and Peter ChevalierPye Rych & Wilkiesons.
New YorkParis
Walter and Thomas BuchannanTourton & Baur
Jno Thomas and Saml FranklinSellouf & Perrouteau
William MacadamLavabre Doerner & Co.
Thomas WhiteGrand
Hugh and Alexander WallaceJean Cottin l'aine & fils
Cunningham & CoJ Dupont & fils
Norfolk VirginiaVanden Yver Brothers & Co.
William and John Brown
Nicholas Jameison
MacCall and Shadden, Tapahannock
Baltimore Virginia
Edward Bristone
John Smith & Sons
Hudson and Lawson
John Craig
Charles Crookshank, Oxford

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