The India Ventures of Fisher Ames 1794-1804.

The article focuses on the investments made in oriental trade by American businessman and U.S. Representative from Massachusetts Fisher Ames from 1794 to 1804. Ames invested funds with shipowner William Gray of Salem, Massachusetts to be invested in the East India and China trades. Ames' first investment with Gray was 1500 Spanish milled dollars sent aboard the brig Polly to purchase goods in Calcutta, India which earned him a profit of over seven hundred dollars. Excerpts from letters of business exchanged between Ames and Gray are presented. The article also discusses issues associated with piracy by French vessels, the cost and acquisition of cargo insurance, and the costs incurred in shipping such as customs duties and storage fees.