Sir:—
I have considered the offer your Excellency was kind enough to communicate to me respecting the purchasing sundry articles for
the Soldiery, and find by a letter from Captain Bartleson now at Baltimore that Deer Skins are selling there from 12 shillings 6 pence to 15 shillings in the hair according to their quality. Sole leather here, about 5 shillings, upper ditto I can not ascertain a price, but from all appearances and the great call for those articles they will rise.The purchase of those articles, in the manner they must be bought and from a great variety of sellers must be attended with much trouble, and the necessary riding about to engage and collect them together will be expensive. I therefore submit it to your Excellency whether 15 per cent will be thought too unreasonable to the purchasers as a Compensation, for their Commissions, trouble and expense, in performing this business. Will it not be thought justifiable, to give the purchasers a latitude, in case those articles should take a rise, of which I am apprehensive they will, whilst they can by any means be conveyed up the bay.
Say Deer Skins not to exceed |
10s |
Sole leather |
7s |
Upper ditto in proportion. |
Notwithstanding they may be engaged to the best advantage.