Letter – Martin Morrison to Thomas Wentworth Beaumont – 31 Mar 1817

Freight of Lead to Dantzig about 8/pTon with 

  5 pCent in lieu of Pilotage and Port Charges  £ 0  8  5

duty and Entry on Lead to Dantzig – Pton          0  1 10

Town dues and Bill of Lading        do            0  0  6

Waterage on Board                   do            0  1  3



1817 March 31 

price of a Ton of Lead at Newcastle this day     18  0  0

  Insurance of ditto – to Dantzig – about         0  6  0

                                                £18 18  0



Thomas Wentworth Beaumont Esq St Petersburg		N’castle 31 March 1817



Mrs Beaumont having transmitted to me your Letter, dated Warsaw the 27 February 1817, I beg in consequence to send you the above statement of the price of a Ton of Lead here, and enumerating the charges of Freight Insurance etc, what it will amount to at Dantzig, exclusive of the  internal duty, charged by the Prussian Government there; and you will please to observe the Statement is founded on the supposition, that a purchase of Lead is made this day, as the price of Lead may not remain stationary, and the purchaser (if any purchase is made) must take upon himself the risque of any variation in the price that may hereafter take place in the market. In commercial transactions with the Government of, or with an Individual in, a foreign Country, the mode of business is to have recourse to an approved reputable mercantile House in London, who is authorised by the foreigner to satisfy the english dealer; and as in the present case, before the Lead is shipped must guarantee the payment of the amount, and this essential and indispensable point once established no difficulty will remain in the Lead being regularly supplied.

      I am etc  MM