¶An earnest letter from a Mr. C. Blanchard requesting that Francis Cobb & Sons of Margate attempt to gather various cargo that has been dispersed along the Kentish coast after a ship returning from Quebec was driven ashore. Blanchard writes '... I take the liberty of requesting the favor of your interference in behalf of myself & other sufferers in a late unfortunate occurrence in your neighbourhood. The Ship London, James Paterson Master, with a cargo of oil &c from Quebec was lately wrecked on the middle sand of Whitstable - a considerable part of the cargo was saved from the wreck & is in the hands of sundry persons at Whitstable, Feversham, & other places thereabouts ...' He continues 'I am sensible this would be to others a troublesome business but from the experience you have in such affairs would be easily managed by you: especially as we mean to give a fair & adequate salvage ...' The Cobbs of Margate were powerful and well-known figures in their community - they owned the local brewery as well as other businesses including a shipping company and a bank. Blanchard was obviously hoping that the Cobbs would be able to use their local influence to see at least some of the cargo back to the rightful owners. PLEASE NOTE: For customers within the UK and the EU, this item is subject to VAT.