Letters – Benjamin Johnson to Grace & Freeman – 20 Jan 1833

Messrs Grace & Freeman Chelsea			Newcastle on Tyne Jany 20th 1833



Dear Sirs	

      I duly received your lre of the 15th inst & have now the pleasure to inform you that the 300 p[iece]s Lead of which I advised you were of the best description of Refd Lead, which  as no other house I believe can furnish, unless purchased of us, at Mr Keys request we shall ship you 300 p[iece]s more of the same description of Refd Lead in the course of this week of which you shall be duly advised , these are part of Mr Keys sale to you .

      You are most fortunate in your Contract with Mr Hodgson as you could not at this time effect the same of the same  quality here below £13 – 10 pr Ton if at that price. Indeed it is quite unusual to sell Select Refd without ordinary, comm, & Slag along with it. I was not aware that we had to deliver it at your works. Mr Hodgson in his lre states in the River. All our deliveries with the exception of your house are at our Works at Blaydon a distance of four miles up the river above Newcastle & it must have been an especial favour on the part of Mr Hodgson to have agreed to it. So long as we held the Limehouse works little inconvenience arose. But I fear it may lead – if continued to very considerable. Other Houses may require the same indulgence, which we should most decidedly object to, & I hope your next contract will be that the delivery shall take place at Blaydon & not at your Works.

      I am Dr Sirs Yr mo Obt Servt

      Benj Johnson



P.S. our last sales of Litharge was at £14 -10- delivered at our Works at Blaydon. At present we are quite out of Stock. But shall be glad to send you any quantity – from one Cask of 6 Cwt to any number of Casks in ten days or a fortnight. We have had an unusual demand for it of late from its superior quality.