PART II. LETTERS ON BUSINESS.. LETTER 52. From a young Man in the Country, to a Merchant in New York, offering correspondence. SIR, My apprenticeship with Mr. Wilson being expired, during which I had proofs of your integrity in all your dealings with my worthy master; my parents have given me two hundred pounds to begin the world, which you know is not sufficient to carry on trade to any advantage; that I may be able to sell my goods as cheap as possible, I would choose to have them from the first hand, and likewise the usual time of credit. If it is agreeable to you, I hereby offer you my correspondence, not doubting, but you will use me as well as you did Mr. Wilson, and you may depend on my punctuality with respect to payments. My late master has no objection to my setting up, as it will not be in the least prejudicial to his business. I shall depend on your sending me the following order as soon and as cheap as possible, and am sir, Your humble servant.. LETTER 53. The Merchant's Answer. SIR, Yours I received, and am extremely glad to hear that your parents have enabled you to open a store for yourself. Your behaviour to your late master was such that it cannot fail of procuring you many customers. I have sent you the goods by the sloop Polly, of Pough. keepsie, in twelve parcels marked X I: and I doubt not but you will be punctual in your returns, which will always enable me to serve you as low as possible, and with the best goods which I can procure. I heartily wish you success in business, and doubt not but you well know, that honesty and assiduity are the most likely means to insure it, and am, Your obliged servant. SIR, LETTER 54. From a young Man whose Master had lately died. I doubt not but you have heard of my late worthy employer's death. I have served him as an apprentice and journeyman above twelve years; and as the widow does not choose to carry on the business, I have taken the store and stock in trade, and shall be glad to deal with you in the same manner he did. I have sent the inclosed order for the payment of such bills as are due, and you may depend on punctuality with respect to the remain<< der, for which purpose let them be entered as my debt. Please to send the inclosed order, and let the goods be the best you have, which will oblige Your humble servant. LETTER 55. The Answer. SIR, Yours I received, and am extremely sorry to hear of the death of my good friend your late master; but at the same time, pleased to find that his business has fallen into such good hands as yours. You have double advantage over a stranger, as you are well acquainted both with your late master's trade and customers, which, by his dealings with me appears to be very extensive. I have sent your order in ten bales, marked O P, by the Jane, of Saggharbor, John Thompson master, and you will find them as good and cheap as any that are to be had in New York. I heartily thank you for your offered correspondence, and shall on all occasions, use you with honor. I wish you all manner of success, and am, Your obliged servant. LETTER 56. To a Correspondent, requesting the Payment of a sum of Money. SIR, Although the balance of the account between us has been standing in my favor, yet I would not have applied to you at present, had not a very unexpected de mand been made upon me for a very considerable sum, which, without your assistance, is not in my power to answer. When I have an opportunity of seeing you I shall inform you of the nature of this demand, and the necessity of my discharging it. I hope you will excuse me this freedom, which nothing but a regard to my credit and family could oblige me to take. If it does not suit you to remit the whole, part will be thankfully received by Your humble servant. LETTER 57. Answer. SIR, I have just received yours and am sorry to hear of your affliction. That the account between us was not sooner settled, was owing to the failure of my two principal debtors. I have just received a remittance from New Brunswick, and am greatly pleased that it is in my power to answer the whole of your demand. The balance between us is two thousand dollars, for which I have sent an order on Mr. Cash the banker. I hope you will surmount this and every other difficulty, and am, Your sincere well wisher. LETTER 58. From a Merchant at St. Thomas', to a Brother in New York ; desiring him to sell some Goods, and purchase others. SIR, According to the agreement settled between us when I left America, I have sent by the Trident, Captain Johnson, twelve bags of green coffee, marked A Z, desiring you to dispose of them to the best advantage; they are warranted good, as I examined every parcel separately, before they were sent on board. You will receive an inclosed order for several articles of American produce, to be sent by the first ship sailing for this port. Let them be as good and cheap as you can possibly procure, as they are much wanted at present. I am, Sir, &c. LETTER 59. The Answer. SIR, Yours I received, and the twelve bags marked A Z, were delivered at the custom house. I immediately advertised them for sale in twelve different lots, but they were all purchased by a merchant here, the amount for which I have lodged in the bank, in your name. I have likewise shipped on board the Despatch, Captain Hervey, the different articles which you ordered. They are in twenty bales marked B M, I am told they are the best that can be had on the continent, and doubt not of their giving satisfaction. I am, Sir, &c. |