| Title | 9 January 1813
Malta. John Longsdon to James Longsdon.
As a commercial situation, likes Malta well enough; so long as it continues a good one writer will continue satisfied with it. But in any other view would sooner live in England.
In exactly same situation with Mr William M. as was lately with Messrs M & F - agreeably to a mutual understanding between them previously to departure and most likely will remain so during this year. Mr W H M pays his expenses out, finds him in lodging and board and pays some salary which writer received from M & F which will find writer in clothes and petty expenses so that writer will just clear up all his charges this year. If Malta continues as important next year and all goes well with Mr W H M himself, writer hopes to do something better but if news that got from Russia should produce effect which many look for, this Island will lose much of its consequence as a depot for those goods in which their friends in London principally trade namely Coffee and Sugars. It if makes an opening for a better of course Mr W H M will move; at least imagine so.
Glad he has recovered - was afraid at one time. Hopes farming consequences did not suffer too much.
Packet signaled - get a month's newspapers - news from Russia through Black Sea by way of Italy and French papers through Sicily.
16 Jan add. - Bickers failure bad blow but will weather it if Manchester concern abandoned. Afraid James short of money to buy cattle - having no means of relieving him, anxious to know exactly how he stands.
Rare news by way of France from the Russian seat of war and writer had almost hoped that Bonaparte could not get home again but they find him at Paris. |