CLXXXVIII.

East Cowes, 24th December, 18—. James Byrne, Esq., London.

Sir,-Your esteemed letter of the 21st is before me, and I have, in compliance with its contents, again waited on Captain Barker, who has got the major part of his cargo on board; therefore there are some hopes that he will now soon get under way. I delivered to him your letter, and it appeared to have some little effect. The fact is, I believe that he has been waiting all this while for money from his owners, Mr. Knight having been averse to disposing of, any more of the cargo. In haste, but sincerely, I remain, Sir, your obedient humble servant, GEORGE PAYNE.

CLXXXIX.

East Cowes, 7th January, 18-.

James Byrne, Esq., London.

Sir,-At length I have the satisfaction of announcing the departure of the Sophia; Captain Barker having set sail yesterday for Oporto.

Mr. Knight assures me he will do the needful, and forward you the papers as soon as possible. I am always, and most truly, Sir, your obedient humble servant, GEORGE PAYNE.

CXC.

G. Payne, Esq., East Cowes. London, 26th April, 18—. Sir, I received in due course of post your much esteemed letters of the 24th December last year, and 7th January of the present; as also one from Mr. Knight dated 13th of this month, handing me the valuation of the Sophia, taken at Cowes, previous to her repairs; to all which I deferred replying until I had received advice from Oporto. Be so good as to mention this to Mr. K.

I cannot refrain from repeating how much I feel indebted for your kind attention, and for the information with which you furnished me relative to the Sophia and her cargo.

That vessel has at length arrived at Oporto, and delivered what remained of the goods shipped on board her at St. Petersburg. The papers and documents relating to her unfortunate average have been transmitted to me, and are now in the hands of an accountant at Lloyd's for adjustment. If, therefore, you will be so good as to favor me with the particulars of any expense you may have incurred, or charge you may have to make, in regard to this transaction, your demand shall be promptly satisfied. An early answer will oblige, Sir, your obedient humble servant, JAMES BYRNE.

TWELFTH SERIES.

CXCI.

London, 20th June, 18-.

Messrs. Daniel Brothers and Co., Lisbon.

Gentlemen,-Although I am well aware of the causes which prevent our correspondence from being as active as I could wish; yet, resolved on my part to leave nothing untried that can tend to enliven it, I have determined on remitting you enclosed on my account, 2nd of a bill of exchange for 1000l. (one thousand pounds) on B. Hogg at sixty days' sight exchange 531d. 4,788 mil. 030 reis. The first has been sent via Paris to Mr. F. P. De Silvestre, of your city, for acceptance, to whom you will please to apply for it.

Against the above remittance, I have taken the liberty of drawing on you this day for 500l. at 504d. 2,388 mil. 060 reis at sixty days' date, to the order of J. Mineret, which I recommended to your protection, debiting me for it at maturity.

You will please, when in cash, to make me returns for the balance in Spanish dollars, provided they will give an exchange of 52 (without my commission). The insurance is already effected at 10s. per cent., policy stamp included.

Should this operation not be practicable, you will be so good as to invest the cash as follows:

First, in sugars for Hamburg, if an exchange of 12} from thence on London can be realised, calculating the insurance at 2, and a profit of 10 per cent.

Secondly, in coffee for the same place, provided the same exchange (calculating the profit at 20 per cent.) can be obtained.

Thirdly, in cotton for this port or Liverpool, whenever a profit of 5 per cent. can be reckoned on, insurance one per cent.

Should neither of these objects be attainable, you will then remit me the balance in question in good bills on this place, when your course of exchange shall be at or above 52 per milrea.

In case of an investment taking place in goods, you will please to give me timely advice for insurance; consigning your shipment, if to Hamburg, to Messrs. Müller and Co., if to Liverpool, to Mr. John Williams.

I am very desirous of extending our commercial relations, and should be most happy to find you disposed to join me in this or any other speculation. I remain, with the greatest sincerity, Gentlemen, your obedient humble servant, WM. WILLIAMS.

CXCII.

London, 12th July, 18—.

Messrs. Daniel Brothers and Co. Lisbon.

Gentlemen, I am in receipt of your much valued favor of the 30th of last month, and rejoice to find that you have no objection to embark with me in a speculation in bullion and bills of exchange, on a small scale, by way of enlivening our correspondence. I have accordingly effected an insurance for 50007. on gold and silver, both or either, by steamer from your port to Southampton, and thence by rail to the Bank of England at 10s. per cent., policy duty, etc., included.

The

In compliance with your request, I hand you enclosed pro forma account-sales of both gold and silver. former is now at the mint price of 31. 17s. 10d. per oz. in bars, which is equal to about 31. 17s. 6d. for ports* (Joannes), expense of smelting, etc., deducted, Dollars are 48. 10d. per oz., and there is every appearance of these prices remaining firm.

*Portuguese gold coins worth 17. 16s. sterling, at par.

If sold to the Bank of England, there is no charge for brokerage on bullion, as they purchase without the intervention of a broker; but when sold to individuals, a broker is constantly employed, and of course per cent. brokerage paid. I observe your purchase of fifty bags of Pernambuco cotton on my account; and expecting further particulars, I remain, Gentlemen, your obliged and obedient humble servant, WM. WILLIAMS.

CXCIII.

London 22nd December, 18-.

Messrs. Daniel Brothers and Co., Lisbon.

Gentlemen,-I addressed a few lines to you yesterday, via France, of which I do not send you a copy, as they were merely to confirm my respects of the 12th instant, duplicate of which was annexed.

I am still without any of your esteemed favors; and as the boisterous weather is against the packets putting to sea, I despatch this to Southampton, in the expectation of its being in time for the steamer; my object being to inclose you the first of the four following drafts on joint account, viz.

£100 0

0 on J. A. Mendez at 60

days' date, ex. 49, 482 mil. 412 reis.

0 on M. A. Metto do.
0 on L. J. de Britto do.

284 5

3 on B. Ardisson do.

£584 5

3

Cash 24th inst. 2,818 mil. 553 reis. to your debit.

I have further to remit you on my own account, the six following drafts, for which you will be so good as to make me returns in the most advantageous manner you can, without waiting for their falling due (although they will have but a few days to run), for I hold them on joint account, and am desirous of closing my connexion with the party concerned, as speedily as possible.

The returns must, of course, be per appoint.

8,182 mil. 534 reis, on W. Carruthers at 60 days' date, from 23rd ult.

on L. J. de Britto at 60 days' date 20th ult.

on F. and H. Vanzeller at three months' date, from 15th October.

11,722 mil. 099 reis.

Inclosed, I also beg leave to trouble you with firsts of two drafts on your city, to which I shall be obliged by your procuring acceptance, and holding them at the disposal of the seconds; viz.

£1000 at 30 days' sight on James Ashforth.

500 at 60 do. on do.

As there are regular packets intended to start from Liverpool for your port on the 1st and 16th of every month, and as they will, no doubt, make their return voyage at stated periods likewise, it may be well to avail ourselves of that channel of correspondence occasionally. Believe me, very sincerely, Gentlemen, your obedient humble servant, WM. WILLIAMS.

CXCIV.

Messrs. Daniel Brothers & Co. London, 24th Dec. 18-. Gentlemen, Referring to, and confirming the foregoing copy of my respects of the 22nd instant, I now hand you seconds of the drafts therein mentioned for 584l. 5s. 3d., on joint account, and 11,722 mil. 099 reis, on my own account.

I have this day negotiated the two drafts on Paris for 15,000 frs. at 25 15, producing 5821. 10s. 6d. to your credit in joint account, cash the 28th instant. I was induced to negotiate them, having some others to dispose of * See Appendix.