| Description | Letter to James Gordon of Letterfourie, London, from D.H. Smith, Madeira, regarding remittances, orders executed, intention of mentioning to Major Gordon mistake in remittance, Searle promises more than he can perform, death of Mr Theodor, Mr Randall’s wine should be ready when it arrives, introducing discounts to the island was a mistake, hoping the Gothenburg vessel will arrive in time for Lent sales, apologising for drawing so heavily on London but considerable stores of unsold wine in Madeira, partly because of situation in America, careful not to get into debt with the natives, the wines are of too high a colour, feeling the necessity of keeping up the quality for their reputation, acknowledging delivery of staves, hoops, etc. and commission for Captain Duff, the Governor thanks Gordon for taking trouble over his request, anticipating problems when the Governor leaves, lots of ships in and lots of wine shipped, arrangements for buying wine, hoping to order flour and wheat from America, a Captain who lost his ship there in January has bought another but is worried how to pay for it, asking for stationery, mention of ‘a Liverpool snow that was bound to the Coast of Africa of which the Captain and first mate were murdered at sea by some of the people and after the captain’s friends had killed the ringleaders, they sent a boat ashore here for a pilot, but could not be found when they went in search of them’, wines shipped, problems with Mr Hussey who has run away with money, orders for wine for Duke of Gordon and Earl of Westmoreland, and also citron and malmsey, poor market now for herring, tricking customs by describing claret as another red wine, 26 February 1774. With wrapper |