Series 5 > British Linen Company, 1745-1775

CRISIS AND RECOVERY, 1753-1763
67
to the Court of Directors in general for their great care in superintending and
conducting the affairs of the Company in such a proper and prudent manner.
To William Tod, London
10 April 1755
My Lord Milton desires you would wait on Mr George Ross who is agent for
the Earl of Home’s and sundry other regiments and make Lord Milton’s
compliments to him and let him know that if proper samples were fixed upon
’tis believed this Company could supply most of the regiments (at least in time)
with their shirting linens and that if Mr Ross thought it fit a trial might be made
of supplying Lord Home’s regiment which is now in Scodand & if that pleased
others might be contracted for herafter. And likewise the Company could
engage to supply them with their linen for splatterdashes.1
I have declined George Y oung’s at Coupar of Angus his proposal and I think
it right to give up with Baron Wolfs as there is not this year one-third of the
linens to be bleached there was formerly throughout the country. I have
desired Mr Doig to give up with his manufacturing of linens for dyeing as he
cannot thereby get the first cost of his yam and to bleach up all of his yam that
is proper to take a good colour as ’tis probable he may get a better price for
these hereafter, tho’ if he could get the price quoted for Brunswich yam of the
same weight he would really be a gainer by the sale in that shape.
To William Tod, London
15 April 1755
With regard to sales which you say you do all in your power to promote but
that you cannot force a market. The first I always knew and what I can depend
on. As for the second the Directors or none of your friends here expect any
such thing. But they know and say that no opportunity will be lost, perhaps
many found out, while you stay, of disposing of the Company’s effects to
advantage and introducing them to new customers. My Lord Milton says you
should endeavour to stave off the maladie du pays till towards the end of June
next when in his opinion you could with less chance of loss to our interest at
London return to this place and be in time enough to concert measures for
next campaign. With regard to sending goods to Glasgow where you wish us
to sell some of Mr Doig’s brown Edinburgs for export—I’m very much tired
of that place both on the general bad payments and of the too many bankrupt¬
cies that have fallen out there to our share. However there [are] some good
Gaiters or leggings.