There could be nothing
suspicious in that. But since you now deem that that reduction may be
harmful, as I have also had in mind to invite the indians and even the
French under this pretence to take the good as well as the bad beaver
to the English; I will restore the price of the summer-beaver as it was
before my ordinance. I will not be at a loss for a cause: it is not in
your interest to give a lower price. You run your commerce, gentlemen,
with too much good faith to give rise to suspicion that you wished for
a reduction in price to 10 pence for this kind of beaver, and having it
burned only to procure it yourself at that price and not burn it.
Besides, the quantity received is too small a matter to deserve
consideration.
[Sidenote: Beaver hats half worked made in the country.]
M. the marquis de Beauharnois and I have received the orders of the
King with reference to beaver hats half worked made in Canada. His
Majesty has ordered us to break up the workmen's benches and to prevent
any manufacture of hats. We have made some representations on this
subject, to those made to us, namely by a man named ------, hatter, and
your receiver at Quebec. It is true that the making of beaver hats
half worked and other for export to France could turn out of
consequence in ruining your privilege and the hat establishments in
France. These are the only inconveniences, to my mind, to be feared,
as I do not look upon such, the making of hats for the use of residents
of the country.
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