Letters – Joseph Richmond to Matthew Van Ess – 21 Jul 1733

To Mr. Math: ren <Es> Merch[an]t in Rotterdam    Newcastle 21 July 1733 OS

Sr.

I am favoured with your Lre  of the 24th your stile setting forth the bad state of the Lead Trade, & that the march[ant]s who have Lead from Hull & Stockton sell the same cheaper than you can afford to sell W.B refined Lead at 13.12.6 our Fother, which was the price of the last Lead you had from Mr Ridly, I am sorry that Trade should be so bad, & that for some reasons it should not at this time be proper for me to serve you as Factor either with or without Commission, tho I believe it would be to the proprietors advantage as well as yours. You must therefore please to apply to the same or some other Merchant here, by whom I presume you will be served as well & upon as easie terms as any where else, & I assure you the person you employ shall be supplyed at the very lowest price, for I’m unwilling to lose your favours & when a proper time offers shall be ready to serve you in the <manner> you desire, It will be expected you give Liberty to draw upon your Correspondent in London for bills drawn on your self will be troublesome to negotiate, & what I believe no person here will agree so. If <13….> which is the <lowest> I ever sold it will be an incourageing price, you may Order the 400 peices you mention, giving <your> Factor Liberty to draw upon London at 1 us[uanc]e from the time of shipping, this I hope will be <sufficient> Encouragement for you to continue us your Factors, I believe none will serve you better than the <Gent[lemen]> <you> now deal with, & desire the contents above may not be Communicated to any. I am  etc    JR