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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D3580/C/89
Title28 December 1809
S Mackintosh at Boston [United States of America] to Mr John Longsdon care of Edward Morehead, Esq, New York [United States of America]. He has received letters of 14th and 19th, and thanks him for forwarding letter to England by the Magnet.
Mackintosh is much indebted to Mr Morehead for his very friendly determination to act for Mackintosh as he would for himself in the purchase commissioned by Mackintosh, the peculiarly harassing circumstances of American trade, having to steer between a resurrection of the Embargo and a total abolition of all commercial restriction. The operation of either measure would be equally fatal to any speculation (on foreign demand) entered into now. It is fair to presume that the agitation in Congress of the last question will, so soon as it is known in England, tend to depress those markets for all American products, whilst the attention that Macon's bill has already received in Congress leaves Mackintosh in little doubt of its ultimate adoption. He is, therefore, writing to Mr Morehead to withdraw his order for 1000 barrels of naval stores until he hears from him on the subject. He hopes Longstone is unencumbered by any purchase, although if Macon's Bill passes into law Cottons may experience a temporary advance on this side, notwithstanding their certain depression on the other side of the Atlantic.
Mackintosh agrees that things look blue in England, damned blue, and not much better in this country [United States of America]. He has no idea what will happen, but if nothing happens soon, he will leave, having no inclination to waste time waiting for what might not happen for the next 6 years.
The repeal of the Non-Intercourse Act without the substitution of the first and third clauses of Macon's bill will leave external relations with England and France as before and be a confession that Mackintosh does not think this government will feel itself inclined to make, whilst the admission of these clauses which would operate almost exclusively against England will expose them to an alternative that with all their vapouring he believes they have no desire to risk. "We shall soon learn how John Bull has relished the unceremonious treatment of his representative".
His friends wish Mackintosh to return to Halifax [Nova Scotia]. So he is realising as fast as he can. He expects to leave for Halifax in the spring, and stay there. Sales are dull enough so in a few days he will put the remainder of his stock up for auction. He has heard nothing from Halifax since Longsdon was in Boston.
Date1809
Levelfile
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
Archive CreatorLongsdon family of Little Longstone
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