Letters – Benjamin Johnson to Finlay & Hodgson – 13 Jan 1833

Messrs Finlay Hodgson London			Newcastle on Tyne Jany 13th 1833

		

Dear Sirs

      I have advised Messrs Newton Lyon & Co of our having weighed off 1000 p[iece]s of Lead & that want this order to whom it is to be delivered, I have also stated to them  that our credit takes place from the date of sale, or contract, and not from the date of invoice. This point has long been known to them, however ignorant they may wish to make themselves of it.		Now in respect to the date from which our credit should take place. I shall lay it down as a fixed principal here –that all sales under 5000 p[iece]s shall take date from the day of sale and in all larger sales the delivery to be 5000 p[iece]s a month and take the date from the first day of each  month, for the 5000 p[iece]s to be deld within the Month. I have sold 100 casks of Litharge to Mr Bulman to go into Wales at £14- 10s six Mos this with 100 casks sold to Messrs Walkers Parker & Co - some time ago- but not delivd – clears all our stock – and as the Furnaces at Blaydon are undergoing repairs, we shall not be able to make any more for ten days or a fortnight. I have shipped Messrs Grace & Co 300 p[iece]s selected Refd on board the Hudgill Capt Curry, & advised them of the same. I[n] respect of Mr Wm Parkers payment for the 5000 frs sold tohim by Mr Beaumont – I think he ought not to object to date the Bill or Bills from the 8th of July last -& for this reason – The Sale was made in April – below the Market price in courtesy on the part of Mr Beaumont. Mr Parker well knows, that until a recent Period, all Payments were from the day of sale whatsoever time elapsed before the delivery – as you are personally acquainted with Mr Parker, & I know all the facts, I wish you would settle the matter with him. A buyer the other day said – all is fair in the Lead trade – at least so they consider it, and wish to act upon it. Mr Key has applied for a Keel of Litharge & one of Refd Lead (selected) As I have stated – we are out of the former, the latter shall be sent – butt I have requested of him to let his agent here apply for it. I have requested of him to inform me if he has arranged with you how his supplies are to be made and prices fixed - & knowing that he is likely to want a large quantity of Slag Lead I have stated to him – as is the case- that we barely make 1/10 to meet our sales of Comm Lead, which makes it of equal value we may also be unable to supply him with the quantity of Selected Refd he may wish to receive unless he can take the usual quantity of ordinary & Comm with it. I have stated the price offered here & refused at £12-10s  & £13 __& £13_ & £13-10s as the lowest prices I would accept. & requested him to get these points arraged with you. Should he require any quantity of Lead before any considerable sale should take place & should that sale when it takes place be upon better terms than the last sales – of which I feel very confident – it would not do to charge £12-10 & £12 for any quantity he may purchase in the intermediate time - & as we can dispose of all our Lead at the price of Comm, we must not in future make any sale of Slag below the price of Comm. This I have intimated to Walkers Parker & Co who have hitherto purchased Slag at a separate bargain & lower price. I go to the mines tomorrow and will endeavour to get an a/c of all the stocks at the Mills &deliveries – we are closing our payments for the last year as fast as possible, but in so extended a concern it requires some time to get through it.

      I remain Dear Sirs yours truly		Benj Johnson