Letters – Benjamin Johnson to Finlay & Hodgson – 2 Feb 1833

Messrs Finlay Hodgson & Co	London			Newcastle Feby 2nd 1833



Dear Sirs							

      I duly receive your lre of the 31st inst & note your having paid to Glyn & Co for Mr Bts a/c with Batson Berry & Co £274 -5s 2d received from MessrsGrace & Freeman for which sum we give them credit, 300 f[othe]rs refined Lead shipped aboard the Esther for Messrs Grace & Freeman will leave this port on Monday next & I expect to ship 20 Casks of Litharge in ten days. Mr Keys a/c Currt for the Limehouse Works up to the 31st Dec 1832 was sent to him, which he stated to be correct. We can form no opinion of the accuracy of his statemt of stock remaining at the Works at that date. I stated to you in a former lre that we were charged at 21s/.. a Keel or 300 p[iece]s river charges all other pay 25s/.. which rate Mr Key will have to pay in future. I have certainly sold a small quantity – 4 Tons of ordinary Refd Lead at £13-10 and had today two applications to purchase, but cannot obtain more than £12-10 & £13- which I have refused. You will perceive the Stockton is gradually diminishing I send you our Stock on hand on the 31st Decr last & will next week hand you a prospective a/c of our probable produce for he next six months & also a prospective a/c of the Receipts and Payments for that time.

      I have no doubt Messrs Grace & Freeman will readily come into our arrangement. Knowing they cannot opbtain Lead to suit their purpose so well from any other quarter. It would not be worth wile to alter the conditions of their last purchase. Mr Fenwick the Bps mine Agent was here on Thursday last to meet Mr Donkin Geo & Mr Crawhall and myself. We came to no agreemt offered him £2000 to renew – one life. He has to consult his Master & will see Mr Donkin in a few days. I fear he will not come below £5000 & would recommend Mr Bt to give him that sum in case the Bp will allow a new life to be put in lieu of Sir Jn Trevellian- I wrote to Mr B[eaumon]t after our interview.

      Mr Bt wishes to draw out £10,000 or £15,000 out of the Lead a/c which I have requested him to name to you,

      I am Dr Sirs Yr mo truly  Benj Johnson