Letters – Benjamin Johnson to Finlay & Hodgson – 31 Dec 1832

Messrs Finlay Hodgson & Co	London			Newcastle Decr 31st 1832

			

Dear Sirs							

      I have duly recd your lres of the 2th & 29th inst Mr Parker called this morning to decline my offer of 10,000 p[iece]s at £13-10s & £13 which I by no means regret. The delivery could not have taken place before March or April & I have no doubt before that period to see a great improvement in the Lead Market. I have a lre from Mr Key this morning advising of his having to Messrs Coats & Co £1000 on the Bp of Drms a/c.  I wrote to him on Saturday last requested him to pay to you the £600 & his remaining Balce to the credit of Batson & Co at Glyns.

      If he should not be able to make the payment of the £600 you will please to inform me in your next . Mr Jn Taylor has had the superintendence of the Greenwich Hospital Mines for some years making one or two visits annually to report upon them. I have always understood that he possessed considerable practical knowledge. I do not know what other situations he may hold. The whole of the Greenwich Hospital Agents have been dismissed. In future there is to be but one receiver who is to reside at Hexham and all the subordinate agents are to be greatly reduced in number. This has caused a great sensation here & is attributed to the result of the Election by the Tories. I believe it is solely attributable to the mismanagement & lavish expenditure of the late Agents which has been notorious to every one.

      I understand some of the Hudgate Burn Lead has been sent to Carlisle to be shipped for Newton Lyon & Co at Liverpool. The distance of Blagill Mill from Carlisle & Newcastle is about the same & I should think the freight is in favour of Carlisle to Newcastle.

	I am Dear Sirs Yrs truly  Benj Johnson