12

Glasgow Aug 10, 1771

Messrs Johnston & Bennehan

Gentlemen

My last to you is of the 17 April covering
Invoice of goods shipped for your Account on Board the Thomas Capt Robertson value
£429.8.-- which hope you have received long before this time in good order.

I have since received your favour of the 1st Febry Ordering Invoice English
Goods which came not to hand on time to commission them from England and thence
being very Great demands here for these kind of Goods Could not be Bought
on Reasonable terms have therfore omitted sending them

Most of the Gentlemen who have Ships of their own Commission these [?lings]
from England its a long carriage which comes pretty high up about 5 pr cent
the Goods one Bought 12 months credit and often two months before they come here
so that before they are shipped is commonly near four months after the Date of
Invoice this you will observe Brings the Credit to about Eight months

If you have a correspondant at Liverpool or Whitehaven these goods
would go to your hands considerably lower You may always depend upon
my Best Endevours to Serve you not doubting but that you will make
punctual Remittance by the time your Goods falls due I am

Sirs Your Most Obedt. & Hble Servt

John Alston