Letter ... Original letter written by Stanley Percival merchant of Liverpool [? Percival, Paston & Booth, Exchange Place] to his client Sir Henry Fitzherbert of Tissington Hall, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, 1830 ...

Dated 30 July 1830, Percival informs Sir Henry that Mr Mahon is shipping on the 'Everton' to sail throughout June a total of 73 hogsheads of sugars, 40 barrel of sugar and 60 puncheons of rum. He then talks of wasting no time in selling the consignment recently arrived on the 'Clarendon' as he has some concerns over the future market, however the sugars were well manufactured and the rums were of good strength and colour but slightly wanting in flavour.
Below are the weights and prices of the sugars, but although Percival only took 2½% commission, after a huge 40% customs duty and sundry other mostly shipping-related charges, Sir Henry only received £663 from the original £1471 sale price !!

(For Fitzherbert researchers - the letter was originally addressed to West Faileigh, Maidstone, before being re-addressed and re-posted to Tissington.)

Letter ... Original letter written by Wm Macfie of Greenock and sent to his brother John in Edinburgh, 20 Jan 1831 ...

To: John Macfie Esq
Edinburgh

John
I have noted in Sederunt Book
of the error. You can say on any letter you
write that you approve of this.
Tontine Shares I find they are in the names
of Ann Macfie & Janet Macfie. Say which
you will take and I will get it transfered say
early to be done with it.
I am inclined to do the candy stove doors of
brick wood. I will try one cockle but
prepare a place for another. If it is found
to be better in one the division can be taken down.
I do not know the nature of the bond for
£100 of Robt Campbell's but in case if there
is anything wrong, the half falls on you.
It may be we ask to say this when writing
about Tontine Shares, Frances Macfie
is now of age and she wishes the money proposed to
be lodged in her own name in the Shaws
Water Co. I don't see there can be any
objection, then is there any discharged we
should get from her.
I propose that her £500 to be paid by us with
£1000 in bonds should be paid then      £1500
Mr Graham from us 500 & 1500 is        £2000
Miss Ann Macfie from us                        £500
                                                         £4000
I am arranging about it.
I understand the Fairrie process to blowing
up his fine liquor, throws it into a
cistern and uses much more charcoal than any
of us. This stuff is allowed to remain
for hours after being mixed and moderately
heated before it is run into the blow ups.
I have also heard that in consequece of his using
so much charcoal, it sometimes happens he has
goods spoiled. Could you try this.
I have yours of date. We will not ship
the WSBs. I am uncertain if we can send
any molasses having sold and debited(?) 20 punch @ 20/9.
It will only be a few puncheons.
Wm Leitch has bought the 200 punch I
wrote off @ 23/- or 22/9 on the Judy(?), they
were good, but have other parcels on board.
We have actioned sales of a larger parcel
of crushed at __, they won't do
much good, but wil pay a small gain on cost.
I have a loaf at 77/6 equal to yours at 8?/?
and was sold by S Wilson.
We have got 25 puncheons nice new demerara molasses
@23/- in the warehouse.
I fear we will have no molasses to ship as we
are sold out @ 20/9. I will keep nothing by
me at that price, at this season. I see
you do the same.
We paid Mr J W Walkinshaw £92 on your
account and received of Stimsons bill for natural
£25.12/-. We have begun to the candy
stove, I am making our connections to the
new blowup today.
I am
Dear John
Yours truly
Wm Macfie

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Info:
William Macfie - died 1854 - Robert Macfie & Sons, Greenock.
Younger brother John - died 1852 - Macfie's, Canongate, Edinburgh.
Sederunt Book refers to a family trust maybe arising from a marriage contract, a bankruptcy or a personal incapacity.
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Letter ... Original letter written by Wm Macfie of Greenock and sent to his brother John in Edinburgh, 27 Jan 1831 ...

To: John Macfie Esq
Edinburgh

Dear John
Above is invoice of molasses. I am
afraid you would scarcely make out my hand.
Letter of last night with the copy of Mr Atherton's.
I am very much pushed for time in writing him and
will be anxious for your opinion of it. I have not
committed my self in it and therefore my other arrange
ment may be made. In the mean time must wait the
reply. I find it positively said that J Fairrie
has bought a house in London, but have not heard any
particulars, or whether he means to go on with the Liverpool
house too, I should not wonder if he did.
I was calling on Thomas Fairrie today and found him with his
__ __ at the pans. This looks as if he was
to take a charge or preparing for it.
Our newly repaired pan was well, boils quickly and has the
tendency to make the stuff very strong, so much
the better for course goods. We are now in complete
working order. If the trade would do
with regard to the stopping of the distillation for grain I
find with you it is still problematical and that error is done
the distilling would not instantly begin for sugar and
with regard to molasses. Government much change my xxx
I don't recollect a time. Since 1794 or 1795 that can xxxx
were permitted, under all those circumstances I don't feel much
disposal to advance our molasses. A sale of good Demerara was made
@ 23/6. I could buy to earn at that, append 22/9.
Before making up my mind to write Mr Atherton, I spoke
to Mrs Graham and without mentioning my particular found
her quite willing nay anxious to endeavour to get some other
place for John. She will advance in my scheme we propose.
My son William if he returns in health will be equally
pleased to go if thought right. All this must be mine.
I have seen Mr Scott who has letters from Mauritia by another vessel
arrived, the accounts are favourable in regard to crops, good.
Mr Bennet has done well in his last purchase and I feel we cannot
error in taking some more in at their rates and will say so to him.
I think we have about as many sugars as you.
I am sorry to see you still affected with the asmatic feeling
and observe the plan you propose of having an office and warehouse
in a central situation. If you could fix on an active and
steady young man to be always on the spot I rather think
it would do and would to all appearances encrease your home trade
which as you justly remark must be your stand by. How would
it be for Robert to take the charge of the place in town
and for him to come and go. It is worth trying, but before fixing
on the place, think is the one you allude to is the best
would not some place on the High St or North __ be nearer the
the sugarhouse and equally central. Think of it, could
you make room for Mr Mitchell and if so could write Mr
Donald Reid offering Mr Bennet's place to his son and would
then write him particularly about Mr Grant, say.
I have desired Mr Jellicoe to pay __ £76.17/-
with some discount of which advise them.
Yours ever
Wm Macfie

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Info:
William Macfie - died 1854 - Robert Macfie & Sons, Greenock.
Younger brother John - died 1852 - Macfie's, Canongate, Edinburgh.
Fairrie's - friends and competitors in both Greenock & Liverpool.
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Letter ... Original letter written by Wm Macfie of Greenock and sent to his brother John in Edinburgh, 1839 ...

To
John Macfie Esq
Edinburgh

My Dear Brother
I have yours of 28th. The 20 bags as
advised over taken in. The next 30 bags No53 @ 58
will go for vessel to begin to morrow with some fine crushed
and some treacle, and com crushed, perhaps candy.
It was 30/4½. I refused the treacle.
I note the mistake of Hulbert & Co. The Wm Nichol
is daily expected. I think we can use them for
mixing & it is well Robert has wrote as he did.
We are attending to the order for Messrs. Couburgh & Co.
Cooper to Lpool. I was not aware they wanted one. Dan
Brown was here to day. I believe he is looking out.
I am glad to learn from Robert they have tried one of
the pans and also that he has allowed M Scroder to
to go to Mr Bugglen. It is doing a good turn to an
old friend and we could not have detained him above
a week or two, from what Robert says, they
will require a good boiler.
I am well pleased he did not take the __ __ at 49/-
but have recommended his giving 51/- @ 51/6 for the 700 bags
better. I scarce think he should take 21/6 for
the 1300 bags Minilla's, as I fear they can't replace
them - but you will have advised, I would not
hesitate to advance at 4m/d.
The Wm Nichol was to leave London middle of last week.
Then got my suit for Wednesday and John
Graham's secured for the 12 o'clock coach, but
the weather is very bad, we have had a
very heavy fall of snow & likely to continue
besides all about is so slipy. I was not at church
yesterday afternoon on this account. I could
wish you would dispense with my going in
at this time, besides it is really my inconvenience
on account of the absence of Robert.
I enclose the account of goods for __.
I am
Dear Brother
Ever yours
Wm Macfie

Wax seal.

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Info:
William Macfie - died 1854 - Robert Macfie & Sons, Greenock.
Younger brother John - died 1852 - Macfie's, Canongate, Edinburgh.
Robert - the son of William - Liverpool - married daughter of James Fairrie - died 1899.
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Letter ... Original letter written by Wm Macfie of Greenock to his brother John in Edinburgh, 20 Jul 1840 ...

To: John Macfie Esq
Edinburgh

My Dear Brother
I have much pleasure in advising
of our safe arrival on Saturday. I was fatigued and
could not settle to write. I am yet scarcely in
order. It will be a day or two before I can bring up my
leeway, which excuse.
Robert has advised of the state of the sugar trade
in London and Liverpool.
Mrs Macfie and I enjoyed ourselves very much and I
am much pleased we have accomplished this
journey. I will at some early time give you
an outline of our travels.
I note your purchase of foreign sugars
Havannahs @ 22/6, 24/- and 35/-, which are with the
exception of the Whites @ 35/- worth the money
tho I don't quite see what you are to do
with them, as I don't think there is much chance.
Indeed I think there is none of there being admitted
at any thing below the present duty, they can however
be sent to Liverpol. Mr Wainwright approves of
the purchase and proposes if agreeable to take an
interest of 1/3 or 1/4 and to provide the funds.
I would feel much disposed to agree to this, if
you and Robert approve of it. The benefit is
that he would push sales better than we can
and it would give us no trouble, say what you think
to Robert.
I did not authorise Robert to purchase any more
of the London Bonded Bastards of which he
sent averages to you of them @ 20/-, 23/- and 26/- in
all 55 tons. Indeed I would much rather
he had avoided them and I would far rather
he had bought foreign sugars of any kind. My obj
ection to them is that we cannot resell and therefore
must ship them on our own account. Now we
have always felt the consigning as a business
we would rather avoid, then why increase it in
an article of which we find the greatest difficulty
to sell or dispose of. I think there will
be a loss of 2 or 3 £/ton as Robert has a letter
from Montreal advising of sales which will not
remit 20/- I think.
I find the market here is very dull
as well it may after the excessive rise in all
sweets. They have not much on hand, but
are selling all they can.
I am
Dear John
yours truly
Wm Macfie

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Info:
William Macfie - died 1854 - Robert Macfie & Sons, Greenock.
Younger brother John - died 1852 - Macfie's, Canongate, Edinburgh.
Robert - the son of William - Liverpool - married daughter of James Fairrie - died 1899.
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Letter ... Original letter written by Thomas King of Greenock, containing an excerpt from a letter received from Duncan Hoyle and King's reply, sent to Duncan A Campbell c/o Macfie's in Liverpool, 7 March 1861, regarding the Haviside affair ...

Excerpt referred to
I fully expected to have heard from you today,
but have been disappointed. I fear Mr Haviside
will begin to think that he is not well used, in having,
hitherto, had no notice taken of his communication.
If any of the other gentlemen think they can negotiate
this business better than I can, I shall be very glad that
they undertake it, and I shall, so far as I am concerned,
give them full and complete authority. I am as anxious
as any of them can be to get quit of all future
liabilities, but if this cannot be effectually done at
present, then our best policy is to take what
security we can get against it.
Yours
Dun Hoyle

addressed
Thos King Esq
Greenock

---

Copy letter referred to

Watt Place
Greenock 7 March 1861

addressed to
Duncan Hoyle Esq

Dear Sir
I am in receipt of your note of yesterday
with the accompanying letter from Mr Campbell,
both of which I have shown to Mr Sword and Mr Currie.
These gentlemen were willing to have accepted what was
understood to be Mr Haviside's first proposition - to pay
£1000 nett, but the new one makes so great a difference
that they do not wish to decide upon it until they have
had a meeting and consultation of the whole partners here. Mr
Campbell is expected next week and as soon as he
arrives the meeting will be held and you will be
informed of the resolution they come to. Perhaps
the best way would be for you to say to Mr Haviside that
a meeting of the partners is to be held on the subject
as early as possible and at no distant date and that he
will be made aware of the result.
We are proceeding on the footing that it
is uncertain whether we continue bound for the feu duty
or have been relieved by Mr Taylerson's entry.
I remain
Thos King

addressed
Volunteer Service Club
London

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Info:
Thomas King was primarily a writer (notary) working at 2 Watt Place, Greenock. He was also secretary to Greenock Chamber of Trade, Secretary to Local Marine Board, a substitute at the Sheriff Court and longroom clerk at the Custom House.
Duncan Hoyle was a partner at Hoyle, Martin & Co sugar refiners at 29 Sugarhouse Lane, Greenock.
Duncan A Campbell was a partner in both Hoyle, Martin & Co and the Greenock Distillery Co. Being on his travels, King sent the letter c/o Macfie's, Liverpool, having initially thought to send it c/o Volunteer Service Club, London.
Mr Currie was Alexander Currie the active manager of Hoyle, Martin & Co.
Mr Sword was Archibald Sword, a Greenock wine & spirit merchant who would become a sugar refiner within a couple of years.
I'm afraid that as yet I've no further info on the Haviside affair, though as feu duty (ground rent) is mentioned it would suggest some form of property/land deal.
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Letter ... Original letter written by James Richardson of Glasgow and sent to fellow broker F Engelhardt of London, 1870 ...

Glasgow 29 Dec 1870

Copy Telegram
Walker offers 25/- for 500 tons French
cost freight insurance eighty five to
ninety average not to exceed eighty eight
degrees.

Letter ... Original letter (Ebay - Outbid) written by Henry Tate to solicitors Longueville, Jones & Williams of Oswestry, 1873.

... regarding the purchase of land and buildings in Liver Mill Place and Chisenhale St, Liverpool, from Thomas Irven. Tate instructs the same solicitor as Irven, and states he will go to Oswestry to sign the papers when they are ready. Dated 27 January 1873.

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Info:
This was a small parcel of land adjacent to the new Love Lane refinery, trapped between Liver Mill Place and Chisenhale St and the canal and Irven's factory. J A Watson in 'A Hundred Years of Sugar Refining' described how it was used ... "There were two lime kilns on the strip of land between Irven's lard works and the canal bank and part of the same site was occupied by the limestone yard which adjoined Chisenhale Street. Also sited there were the vacuum pumps, the cooperage and joiners' shop, a smithy, a circular saw, and other buildings containing stores of various kinds." This letter would certainly have helped Watson with the puzzle he had dating the development of the refinery.
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Letterhead ... of a Manchester refinery, with signature of one of the partners - Joseph B Forster - dated 1876.

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Info:
This particular partnership running the Chester St refinery began in 1861. Those involved were Alfred Fryer - born Rastrick, Davis Benson - born Preston, ten years older than Fryer and had previously managed a cotton mill, and Joseph Binyon Forster - a Liverpool born Quaker and a similar age to Fryer. Benson lived in Manchester, the other two in Cheshire.
The refinery ceased production soon after the 1876 date of this letterhead.
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