Letterbook, 1802-1806

The records begin with his partnership (1785-1796) with Hugh Thompson in the firm Oliver and Thompson. In 1796 Oliver formed the firm Robert Oliver and Brothers with his two brothers John and Thomas. After Thomas' death in 1803 the firm was known as Robert and John Oliver. The records continue in Robert Oliver's name after the death of John in 1823.

The collection records mercantile activity among Baltimore, the West Indies, Europe, and the East Indies from 1785 until 1805. After 1805 Oliver concentrated on the profitable trade with Spain's American colonies, especially Vera Cruz. The Embargo (December 1807-February 1809) and the Non-Intercourse Act which replaced it seriously hurt American merchants, and Robert Oliver essentially withdrew from foreign trade in 1810. The business records for 1811 and the years of the War of 1812 show little foreign trade activity. Peace in 1815 revived Oliver's trade activities, but the next year prospects were again bad. By 1819 Oliver had most of his capital tied up in real estate and stock, and the remainder of the accounts deal largely with these investments and the collection of debts. The last volume in the collection is a record of deeds to property owned by Robert Oliver from 1784-1834.