Letter – Jonathan Sorsbie to Mary Loraine – 27 Mar 1771

      Newcastle 27 March 1771

Madam

      I had last night yours, and I think you seem to be a little out of Humour, upon no consideration let us quarrel, it was certainly so, that I have got 643 p/s of your common lead & 211 P/s of Slagg as I got all the Lead you then at this River, your Mils [acct] the Publick weigher in this Town, and my good Friends in London who got the lead but these Gentlemen I would not trouble on this <acct> unles ther was a nicety for it – together must in course make out the certainty of the quality of each sort of Lead I always thought that the meaning of the bargain to have all the Lead you had at or near this River and I got as speedily down to our Quay as I coud. If you send my name sake Spark to this Town on Thursday in Easter Week you shall not be disapointed of a few hundred Pounds you know that you never was by me disapointed, if there be any difference in opinion, let us refer our case to your Friend Mr Bell who is a Judicious and an honest man and conversant in the Lead Trade as he is in Mr Richmonds office, the price of Lead getting up so high was on Acct of the Ship being stopt so long at Shields by contrary Winds, only yours of several others Lead did not sail til last week on that accot they say that they cannot expect payment so soon as bargained for, 

      I remain with respect Madam Your real Friend & Servant

      Jonath. Sorsbie



There's 50 or 60 p/s of your Lead on our Quay for wch you may have £15 a Fo –