Record

D3580 - Longsdon family of Little Longstone - [14th-20th Cent]
- C - Correspondence

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Archive Reference / Library Class No.	D3580/C/141
Title	20 January 1811 John Longsdon at Islington to his father, James Longsdon, senior, at Longstone, saying that he has been busy in the counting house where things are better than when he left London. On thinking over family affairs he finds that they have suffered so much from the revolutions of commerce that too much must depend on the future to regain the advantages they held some years ago, but their internal resources were greater than the common casualties of things would allow them to reckon on. The continuation of the returns business has been making for some years would in two years sink the whole. They are facing their last struggle to do better or decline while they can do it with credit. He is grieved that the burthen is falling on his father when a few years ago he [John] was hoping to have removed it. John tells his father that now that he [James] is forced to act on and enforce his own judgement he must know the principal cause of decline, apart from the unfavourable times, since he sees clearly the effects of giving way to another who is more willing and less able to decide. When William and John were children, James turned his attention to making them men of business with sound constitutions, willingness and a fondness of commercial life. Now they are gaining good information and forming valuable connections. John believes James will soon see his sons carrying on the business he has established. Their shirtings command a price which leave enough profit to do all John wishes to redeem James' capital. This should remove any remaining doubt of Mr Finch's of the propriety of attending to their manufacture in preference to all other goods. John hoped that Mr Finch will not think of buying or bartering for another source of cotton or yarn to make any goods which have already cost them so dear, and nearly brought about Finch's own ruin. W W[hateley] is well. He could not just then refer to the amount of exoneration of James' Land Tax but would search into it. WW wishes Mrs Shaw to draw as usual at one month for her money, and, if James will make the draft payable to John, at its maturity John will pay WW for the newspapers. John needs money for last years' bills to tailors etc, about £35. He declined taking it from Mr Morewood without James' permission. He prefers to take it from Mr Ward as about this sum is due on account sales, and he [John] can pay his debts with a draft on him. John was with Willson yesterday. Things are bad in Manchester [with M and P Longsdon]. Willson thinks they cannot pay the first dividend. The large creditors will not take bills and they can neither discount them nor sell goods. James should prepare for the worst. The last goods are to hand and John advises sending no more by wagon. The last three packs cost £5.5s carriage.
Date	1811
Extent	1 item
Level	Item
Repository	Derbyshire Record Office
Archive Creator	Longsdon family of Little Longstone
Privacy Notice	Data Subjects in Archives Privacy Notice
Term	Letters (documents)

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