Letters – Joseph Richmond to Isaac Hunter – 23 Mar 1731

To Mr Issaac Hunter					Newcastle 23 Mar: 1730

Sir

      Yesterday I sold Mr Bernardeau a large bargain of Lead which must be d[elivere]d in 14 days, or the contract is void, As wee have not at Bla[y]don more than 300 p[iece]s Lead unsold I must beg of you to hasten the Lead from Dukesfield miln with all possible dispatch, & also from the other milns, that wee may not lose the Spring market for as soon as that is supplied, Lead will most certainly drop very considerably. I recommend this affair again to your care in which I entreat you to use all necessary means to encourage & set on the carriage, The Roads are now almost as good as in the middle of summer, which affords us an opportunity of getting the Lead to market sooner than usuall, which opportunity must by no means be let slip, if the carriers want money & you have it not for them, you must come here for it.

      I observe the Rookhope Carriers have let about 300 ps Lead lay in the way all the last winter, I have sent Robinson to see after it, & desire you will consider of some method to be better served than wee have been of late by those People, I lent Thompson your Smith 20s the last time he was in for Iron, which I desire you will take care of,   I am      Yours etc   JR