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Origine : Collection de lettres reçues - liasse 1865-1874

Leith, 27th November 1869
Hte Worms Esq., Paris

Dear Sir,
I had this pleasure 19th inst. and now venture to trouble you once more.
You are doubtless aware of the many prejudices which have so long existed in this country against the Suez Canal. These I expected would be finally overcome by the success of the past two weeks and I postponed the sailing of my steamers "Leith" and "Stirling" till the beginning of December, in order to secure cargo.
The underwriters now however affect to consider the navigation of the Canal, not free from danger, and ask 30/-per cent on goods, while they take 20/- if sent via Alexandria and Suez. I am recommending the shippers therefore to insure in Paris when it can be effected at 20/- and I am giving a guarantee of which the enclosed is copy.
I wish you to be so good as place such insurances in good offices, and with such conditions in the policy as will effectually keep me safe.
Messrs I. Haviside & Co. of London, my brokers, will send you the particulars of any insurance desired to be effected. I have come to the conclusion that it will take a little time to convince the underwriters in this country that they are utterly wrong, and have resolved on commencing my line of steamers from the other end. I have consequently ordered per telegraph the steamer "Danube" now at Constantinople to proceed via Suez Canal in ballast to Bombay; the dues are heavy where there is no freight, and perhaps some modification may be obtained, on your application.
Be so good as advise your house at Port Said to clear and coal the following steamers "Danube", "Don", "Stirling", "Leith", "William Miller", "Waverley", "Riga", "Petersburg".
I have engaged as pilot in the Red Sea for my steamers M. Baynton, pilot in chief to the British expedition to Abyssinia at a high pay, which is to be doubled should no disaster occur to any of my steamers.
Yours truly,

Donald Macgregor