Letter – Henry Richmond to Plumb and Brown – 13 Oct 1761

To Messrs Plumb & Brown Golds[mi]ths

in Forster Lane London                                                Newcastle 13th October 1761

Sirs   Since my Father sent his Lre to the post advising you of his dra[f]t upon you yesterday he has rec[iev]ed yours acquainting him of a deficiency in the w[eigh]t of the p[iec]e of Silver sent you by John James the carrier on the 25th ulto. wch we are surprised at & desire you will let us know whe[the]r it appeared to you on opening the packing that anything had been cut off the cake; or any other suspicious circumstances appeared. If not; & you on weigh[in]g it again find it so much short of 745 oz., wch Sir Wr Blacketts refiner & I weighed it to, I see nothing else but to return it by the first carrier wch my Father & I desire you will do there being no other way of satisfying the Refiner. P.S. I desire you will weigh the cake carefully before you give it to the carrier & take his promisory note to deliver such weight of Silver Bullion to Mr Jos Richmond in Pilgrim Street Newcastle in 15 days wch note please to send to my father I am etc     HR

PS. Pray inform us wh[ethe]r you <safe> It  opened yourself or let us know the name of the Serv[an]t that did open it. I can be certain I think both of the weight & the form of the cake.