of this occurence we request you neither to pay, nor to discount this draft, and also to have the goodness to warn your local bank, give notice on Change, and to take other customary and efficacious means to prevent the bill being realised. We shall take similar steps here, and of course all expenses incurred will be defrayed by us. You will also be kind enough to take the necessary measures with regard to the lost Bill of Lading, immediately on the arrival of Captain Madison of the Jane. All further legal formalities necessary for the annulling of the various documents we shall proceed to take forthwith, only giving you previous notice of the affair so as not to omit anything that might be necessary by way of precaution. We regret to find that our mutual business transactions have not been extensive of late, but the sole reason for this we believe to be the general stagnation arising out of the lowering aspect of the political horizon, which we believe will soon pass over. We beg that you will have the kindness to obtain acceptance for the enclosed first of exchange for Fr. 1890. 50 on P. de Bonneville, due Oct. 15th, and return the same to In case of nonacceptance have it protested. us. must also be presented for acceptance, and if necessary protested; but when they have been accepted you will hold them at our disposal. Looking to hear from you as to these drafts, we are, dear Sir Yours truly MIRMOND BROTHERS. 326. Letter of Introduction. Leeds, June 18th 1863. Messrs. Hoffmann & Golden, New York. Gentlemen. Mr. Medler of our firm, will proceed in the next mail steamer per Liverpool to your port, on a business tour through the States and the British American Provinces, to make the personal aquaintance of many of our old business correspondents and to open up new connections. We have requested Messrs. Peabody & Co. to open a credit with you in his favour for £ 5000, and at the same time request your kind recommendation in his favour in any matter that may be required, especially in obtaining travelling facilities for him through any of the disturbed States. We are Gentlemen Yours very truly GOLLMANN MEDLER & CO. 327. Execution of Order for Toys, and advice of Transmission, and Draft. Sonneburg, Aug. 15th 1863. Messrs. Gall & Nitzler, London. Gentlemen. According to your instructions the 8 chests of toys destined for St. Denis, Isle of Bourbon, which are to be shipped for your account in the Colombe, Captain Reynier, from Havre, have been forwarded to that port to the care of Messrs. Leveau & Co., shipping agents. We trust that these goods, which have been invoiced extremely low, will be found satisfactory; we have taken pains to suit the peculiar taste of the Coolie families who have proceeded from India to the Island.-We have drawn upon you for the amount, including charges, commission etc. through the agency of Messrs. A. Spielmann & Co. at 1 months date and request your attention to the draft on presentation. We are yours respectfully MEYER & SCHMIDT. 328. Letter to a Traveller. London, Sept. 23rd 1863. Mr. Whitesmith, Castle & Falcon, Birmingham. Dear Sir. We are in receipt of yours of yesterday's date remitting various orders for goods, obtained in Birmingham, which will have immediate attention. But the large order for Bristles, Brushes and Saddlery is from a house with which we have hitherto done no business, and of whom we know nothing. Have you therefore made such enquiries as to their stability as w'll warrant our transmitting the goods, as with a first order some reference is necessary. With regard to the enquiries in your letter, we will communicate with you at Manchester, which you state will be the next town in your journey. We trust your Northern tour will be more prolific in business orders. Yours truly PEAT & MACKAY. 329. Enquiry as to the stability of a firm. Liverpool, April 4th 1864. Mr. George Delius, Bielefeld. Sir. Our former business Correspondence induces us to seek information from you respecting the solvency of Messrs. Brenner & Co. of your town. We are in possession by indorsements, of a promissory note of their's for 1280 Prussian Thalers, which was handed to us as good, and this assurance confirmed by third parties. Since then the endorser has died leaving no assets, and now that the note is falling due the drawers beg us to hold it over for 6 or 8 months, or offer to settle our claim upon them by their bill on New York of long date (6 months). The whole proceedings of Messrs. Brenner & Co. in this matter, and their letter on the subject are by no means satisfactory. Before replying definitely to them, we therefore request your kindly aid in obtaining for us if possible, authentic information as to the position of this house. With the assurance of our readiness to serve you in like manner. We are Sir Yours to command BRAITHWAIT & SONS. 330. Reply thereto. Bielefeld, May 4th 1864. Messrs. Braithwait & Sons, Liverpool. Gentlemen. In reply to your favour of the 20th ult. I must confess that the enquiry causes me some embarrassment, as I neither wish to injure the reputation of a local firm, nor to allow such old and valued commercial friends as you to suffer. The firm in question is one of the oldest Manufacturers and Exporters of linen. As large employers of labour it is difficult for them either to curtail their operations or to give up business, but they find it most difficult to compete with Belfast and other great seats of manufacture. This house formerly received so many foreign orders that they found it difficult to execute them, but for some years they have been obliged to execute consignments on their own account to the United States. That these frequently occasion loss, especially in the present state of American affairs is notorius. This is no doubt the origin of the long dated bills on New York offered you. At present there is little to fear, but to grant extended credit under such circumstances is hazardous. I would also draw your attention to the fact, that in agreeing to a prolonged bill you renounce your claim under our law of bills of exchange, and retain |