| Title | Venus, Stonegate Creek. John to William Longsdon. Thanks for 2 volumes of Raine's Works.
Statement of finances - left England without any ready money - dependent on salary of £150 per annum from which pays all private expenses which in travelling in foreign country often exceed one's calculations; clothes, washing, Italian tutor, surgeon's bill (advice and medicine in 1st weeks in Malta), passage home. To meet these writer received from WHM.
Landing in Malta Sc. 89.10
In January and April Sc.265.3
At leaving Sc.400
Exch 68d p Sic. Do. 755. 1. 0 = £85. 11s 6d
M and F to William Advance in London £20
Cash from WILLIAM [Orewood] £5
£110. 11s 6d
Paid to writer by WHM on April 30 after long deliberation and writer's account current lying before him. Asked if writer wanted time; - answered No; parted. Thought account settled as to all appearance did WHM How 8 months salary being £100. Writer did not consider himself overpaid, on the contrary, except that he did not like being charged 68s p Sic Do.
The exchange of the day being somewhat less in 1812, more at time of settlement for Mr WHM knew contract was for £150 starting and that he had paid away dollar at Malta at 5/p according to universal. Custom there all account being paid in scudi at 2½ P Sic Do, without reference to foreign exchange.
Mr WH put letter in writer's hands when he was on point of leaving; quotes letter, draft for £35 and £5 in dollars.
No time for conversation; wrote to him from Gibraltar, warmest thanks for friendly terms and liberal manner of settling account. Cannot cash Bill of Exchange for £35 on M & F - keep it in case of need during voyage. Cancelling this considers himself liberally dealt by but cannot take it because would be receiving salary for much longer time than reason justice or own feelings of propriety justify.
Keep £5 - set off against exchange 68d P Sc Do. - object to manner of giving rest - "judge it best and bringing us home without losing money at last" are bad to digest.
Embarked with £10 - paid 10$ - paid 10$ at Gib. for share of a little extra stores for could not afford a Cabin Passage even in a merchant ship and determined neither to borrow nor draw on Father. Paid £32.10s or 130 Sp Drs (Spanish Dollars) for passage the cabin of which had all been engaged by Mr Green and Dr Maxwell. His cot and being alongside the mates of the ship and he messed with him and the masters. Cabin Passenger costs 60 guineas or sometimes 186 Sp Drs. The Dr and Mr Green having given writer use of cabin he sent (out) for a doz. wine and a few .......... Best terms he could make with Capt Hunston for keeping him during quarantine were 10/6 per day so that with this a regular fee which may be £3 writer shall have nothing in spite of his economy and William must give him credit for some when staying at Gibraltar, Mahon and Malta, all excessively extravagantly dear places. In justice to Mr WHM when he knew type of passage and narrow circumstances, he offered to pay for anything writer might wish in way of stores. Writer didn't wish to accept or affront him. Writer charged him with one guinea for a little brandy.
25 July (add) have now received William's letter of 23/24 containing one from Father. Main feature in William's letter is perhaps most unpleasant one writer ever read in his life. William did well to give it to him. Now little to doubt or be anxious about and must regain what he has lost by his own labour.
Father's letter most affectionate, most anxious that writer should be connected with M & F - "advise you to be calm and not obstinate do not mean to condemn you but would fair have you some way connected with the House of M & F and in presentation of things.
May expect answer to writers letter to Mr M in few days and shall then address him if he gives writer no discouragement and shall acquaint William with what he writes. Asks William's assistance in procuring another situation abroad - in a foreign House or temporary employment by any reputable House in any foreign country where personal safety not much endangered or to go anywhere as a super cargo (with last exception). If he is willing could be accomplished whilst writer is spending a month or two in Derbyshire. Any proposal of their House of course takes precedence.
Writer would be as glad as Father to be connected in any manner with M & F but proposal must come from themselves; none of theirs will bring it about. Writer does not think expedition hither proposed by Edward M. will take place. If it should, he does right in not coming. Never ask for anything of the sort. Do duty as well as can and ask few favours. Do not encourage EM or anyone else to come. Discharging goods. Order for 40 days never delivered on board. Hopes to see him soon after 12 Aug. |