Series 4 > William Melrose in China, 1845-1855

1851 163
home, but that they would not think of it. And look at Jamieson &
Co., they will hardly take an order at all and far less take a share in it.
I don’t mean to say from all this that I have any objection to
take a share in the selections but I do not see that it is any reason for
reducing the commission, in fact, to take the custom of other
houses, rather the reverse; and the party here, if it is understood he
is to take a share, should always have a discretionary power left
him. You might have sent me orders to buy what appeared to me
to leave an evident loss, and I must have taken a share in it as I had
no alternative, the orders being positive. However, I have written
Richardson that they must allow me another percent for negotiating
the bills, which is always customary to charge, and I do not think
that they can refuse. I have also written them that I do not wish a
share in the Shanghai cargo as a share in the other two is quite
enough of responsibility for a man of my means, but that I will be
glad to do it for them at 4% and give it every attention as they will
have had three cargoes if they take it this year. I cannot think what
could make you think they were ordering from Jardines, unless
that they might [wish to] have the first of the Glasgow market and
might be afraid to trust to me in case I had an order from you too.
However, they are welcome to try Jardines if they like; and I don’t
think they will get them to take a share in their selections, at least
for 2^% commission.
How things will turn out next year it is quite impossible to say.
Your stock in London and Liverpool was, by last advices, four
millions more than last year at the same time but that may be from
it arriving sooner than the year before. But at all events the export
from this is nearly six millions more of Congou alone. Most people
seem to think we will have low prices, especially the brokers at
home; but I think it will be a busy year with you, and good teas
I don’t think can go much lower. I only hope the consumption will
go on well and then there will be no fear. I would not again take a
share for me in any orders except they are left entirely to my own
discretion and never under 4% commission. The responsibility and
troubles are fully worth that, but still I would prefer doing it on
the old terms of 5% and no share.
I must write Mr Simpson etc. tomorrow. The steamer is adver¬
tised to start a day earlier than usual and I have just little enough time