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Original handwritten Philadelphia letter dated March 17, 1826, apparently written by Captain George Henri Frederick Franck de la Roche (1791–1861) to William Meredith, Esq., very likely William Morris Meredith (1799–1873), the prominent Philadelphia attorney, Pennsylvania legislator, and future United States Secretary of the Treasury.
The short but highly evocative note concerns a delivery of whiskey to Meredith’s residence. De la Roche assures him that the liquor delivered the previous day had been drawn from “the same Cask” as whiskey Meredith had previously received and had undergone no meaningful alteration. The note appears to have been prompted by a question or concern regarding the whiskey’s quality.
An unusual piece combining early American whiskey history, Philadelphia mercantile activity, War of 1812 naval history, and association with a future presidential Cabinet officer.
The reverse is addressed simply:
William Meredith Esquire
and the piece bears an old “PHILA.” notation.
Transcription
Mr. De la Roche respects to Mr.
Meredith, beg leave to assure
him that the Whiskey which
was sent to his house yesterday
was drawn from the same Cask
remaining without the most trifling
alteration, as that which Mr. M.
has previously obtained, neither
is Mr. D. now thought of raising
any other without information as to
the opinion of Quality.
March 17th 1826.
W. Meredith Esq.
Reverse:
William Meredith Esquire
Some words in the final lines are difficult to read because of the period handwriting, but the central subject — whiskey delivered to Meredith, drawn from the same cask, and a discussion of its quality — is clear.
Captain George Henri Frederick Franck de la Roche
George Henri Frederick Franck de la Roche (1791–1861) was a mariner, United States naval officer, merchant, and later civil engineer whose career spanned the War of 1812 and the great period of American internal improvements.
He came from a European-American family established in Philadelphia by the early 1790s. His father, Baron Frederick Franck de la Roche, had military and commercial connections extending from Revolutionary-era service to Philadelphia shipping and later European military affairs.
George de la Roche went to sea at a young age and entered United States naval service during the War of 1812. He served aboard the USS Constellation during the Chesapeake campaigns and later as a Sailing Master, including service connected with the defense of Baltimore. His appointment as sailing master dates to the Madison administration.
By the early 1820s de la Roche was in Philadelphia and was transitioning from naval service into the merchant trade. An 1821 letter written from Philadelphia discusses his plans to leave the Navy and enter commercial life. Contemporary biographical accounts indicate that he remained engaged in mercantile activity for several years before turning to civil engineering.
That chronology is particularly relevant to this letter: 1826 falls directly within the period in which de la Roche was involved in Philadelphia commerce, making a private commodity transaction involving a cask of whiskey entirely consistent with his documented activities.
He later became a respected civil engineer, with work associated with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, projects in Washington, D.C., and the planning and engineering of important nineteenth-century cemeteries. He was involved with the layout and engineering of Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown and is also documented in connection with the original layout of Glenwood Cemetery in Washington.
He died in 1861 and is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.
William Morris Meredith
The recipient is addressed only as “William Meredith Esquire,” but the strongest candidate is William Morris Meredith (1799–1873), one of the most prominent Philadelphia attorneys and political figures of his generation.
Born in Philadelphia, Meredith was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar while still a young man and rapidly established himself as a leading attorney. At the time this note was written in 1826, Meredith was serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served during the 1820s.
His later career placed him at the highest levels of American law and government. Meredith served as:
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
President of Philadelphia City Council
United States Secretary of the Treasury, 1849–1850, under President Zachary Taylor
Attorney General of Pennsylvania during the Civil War era
A prominent Philadelphia constitutional lawyer and civic leader
If the recipient is indeed William Morris Meredith, this note predates his service in the presidential Cabinet by more than two decades and provides an unusually mundane and personal glimpse into the daily life of a future Treasury Secretary — in this case, a discussion over the quality of whiskey delivered to his home.
Historical Interest
The appeal of this document lies in the intersection of several collecting areas:
Early American whiskey: The letter explicitly discusses whiskey drawn from a cask and delivered to a private Philadelphia residence.
Philadelphia commerce: De la Roche was transitioning from naval service into mercantile life during this exact period.
War of 1812: De la Roche had served as a U.S. Navy officer and sailing master during the conflict.
American engineering history: He later became associated with major civil-engineering and landscape projects.
Political association: The recipient is very likely William Morris Meredith, future Secretary of the Treasury.
The language about the whiskey being drawn from “the same Cask” and undergoing no “alteration” gives the note exceptional period flavor and makes it considerably more interesting than routine early nineteenth-century commercial correspondence.
Attribution
The manuscript itself identifies the parties only as “Mr. De la Roche” and “William Meredith Esquire.”
Based on the unusual surname, Philadelphia location, 1826 date, and George de la Roche’s documented presence and mercantile career during this period, Captain George Henri Frederick Franck de la Roche is the strongest known candidate for the sender.
Likewise, the recipient is very likely William Morris Meredith, who was then a practicing Philadelphia attorney and Pennsylvania legislator, although the document does not spell out his middle name.
These identifications are therefore offered as strong historical attributions rather than absolute documentary proof.
Condition
Original early nineteenth-century manuscript with expected age toning, staining, fold lines, handling wear, and scattered marks. Circular stains or impressions are visible in places and may relate to sealing, moisture, or historical storage. Please examine photographs carefully for the exact condition.
A fascinating 1826 Philadelphia whiskey letter with associations to a War of 1812 naval officer, early American merchant and engineer, and a future U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
