Commerce first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1789 with P. Warren, master, A. Shaw, owner, and trade London–Charleston.

Whaling voyage: On 20 June 1803 Captain Jacob Eckstein acquired a letter of marque.

[8] However, a report a week later revealed that Commerce simply intended to proceed on another voyage.

[9] On 22 October 1806 Commerce, Eckstein, master, was off Scilly, returning from the South Seas.

[10] Lloyd's List reports a Commerce, Jenaway, master, arriving back at Liverpool on 29 October, from the South Seas.