| Description | Letter to James Duff, London, from his brother Robert, Madeira, regarding replying to his letters, new method for fining down of wines, sending copy of part of letter to their brother Patrick regarding his son David, settling account with Mrs Jones, note on pruning vines in the autumn, which will be difficult to introduce to people set in their ways, new practice to try to avoid leakage, difficulties in settling another account, current state of the East India Company and possible way of supplying them with wine, pleased with what James said to Gregorie, but asking that his payments might not be invested in flour and wheat as these are common at present, problems with their old servant George Campbell, hoping the rumour of Whitehills’ death is untrue, happy to hear that James’ daughter is well and his wife better, Captain Elder is likely to have bypassed Madeira in the late rough weather, request for shoes and boots, the price of India wine has been fixed, against his better judgement, 15 January 1786 |