Series 5 > British Linen Company, 1745-1775

DISENGAGEMENT, 1765-1775
211
person that may wish to know your character. During the time you have been
in this Company’s service, which has been from the year 1763, you have
behaved yourself honestly, soberly and have given great attention to your
business. This Company are so much satisfied of your integrity, capacity &
ability that I am also desired to assure you, if you do not find employment in
London, you are heartily welcome to return to your place here.
Court of Directors
18 April 1771
Mr Guthrie reported that he had waited on the Directors of Douglas, Heron
& Co1 and spoke to them about Mr Ford’s operations for their Company at
Montrose and that they had promised to write Mr Ford to discontinue picking
up our notes and to desire him to meet with our Agent Provost Christie weekly
in order that they may setde the Exchange on bills properly and otherwise
concert measures for carrying on their business amicably and without either
prejudicing the interest of the Society for which the other is employed, and
that he had promised that this Company would give the same directions to
their Agent. Of which the Court Approved and Ordered a letter to be wrote
Messrs Christies & Sons accordingly.
Court of Directors
16 May 1771
The Court read a letter from Thomas Stewart, Secretary to the Old Bank,
intimating the resolution of the Directors as to now receiving our notes in
payment to which they ordered the following reply to be made:2
‘Gendemen, Today I laid before the Directors of the British Linen Com¬
pany Mr Stewart’s letter of the 15th Current, intimating your intention of
receiving the notes of this Company in payment at your bank and and after
Monday next and that it would be agreeable to you an Exchange was made at
your office each day between two and three o’clock afternoon.
‘I am ordered to acquaint you that this Company will regularly exchange
with you as you direct and that in this and every other particular they will be
happy to cultivate a friendship and good understanding with your Society—
Signed p WH.’
1 Otherwise known as the Ayr Bank, it had been formed in Nov. 1769. Its Chairman, the duke of
Queensberry, was the current Governor of the British Linen Company, having succeeded the 3rd duke
of Argyll in 1762.
2 Checkland, Scottish Banking, 126, sees this establishment of a twice-weekly note exchange as an
important measure in allowing the two senior Scottish banks ‘a measure ofjurisdiction over the others’.