Letters – George Backhouse to Thomas Key – 29 Dec 1832

T Key									Newcastle Decr 29th 1832



Dear Sir							

      Above I hand you invoice of 300 p[iece]s Comm Lead which I wish to draw your partic attention to. It was made at Rookhope mill somewhat different from the usual process – we expect you will find it of a much softer quality & we are anxious to receive your report upon it . As you have a balance of Cash on hand I will thank you to pay Finlay & Hodgson £600 to Mr Bts  credit, & any further sum you can spare to  Mr Bts credit with Batson & Co at Glyns Mr Brackenridge is in want of 85 yds ¾ in & 75 yds 1 in Lead pipe for Bretton hall which you will please to forward him at your earliest convenience. We shall ship 300 p[iece]s Slag Lead for you next week which is now weighed off.

      Your statement of a/cs came duly to hand In [P+l?] which carries up the acct to the time of MrsBts death you make the debit Balc of the a/c £27.622-18s8d our a/c against you at that time stands £27.200-11s6d. This difference arises in your not taking credit for a quantity of Lead Ashes. I do not understand how the Balance of Profit & Loss of the 3 previous years amounts to £3,314-2s- 11dis put to the debit of the works at the close of the a/c. The Lead Trade is evidently looking up. I have refused £12-10 & £13 for a quantity & stand firm to £13 & £13-10

  2,000 p[iece]s Refd Lead   wt  3,004 – 1 -/

  709 p[iece]s Coman Do       ’    975 – 2 -/

  1230  p[iece]s slag Do      ,  1,688 - / -2/

  60 Casks Litharge                360 – 2 - /



Please examine the quantities above stated of Lead & Litharge sent in the last 6 Mos & say what you consider the average price  

      I am Dear Sir Yrs truly  Benj Johnson

      

P.S. As soon as you have got the transfer of the Stock at Limehouse completed I will thank you to forward me a statement of it. I shall make the circumstances as public as possible as I consider it desirable that the great Lead Houses should be immediately informed of it.

P.S. 2nd As soon as I get the a/cs of shipping Charges you’re a/c currt shall be forwarded

											GB