The Long Ago Times

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LONDON, February 13th, 1824 —

To the Editor of The Times,

Sir,

Amidst the current scrutiny of malpractices within the coal industry, I wish to shed light on several overlooked aspects. Highlighting these in your esteemed publication would greatly benefit the public discourse. When engaging certain coal merchants for a supply of 5 chaldrons, I am often presented with a delivery ranging from 67 to 70 sacks, charged only for the initial request of 5 chaldrons. Conversely, with a different cadre of merchants, an identical order invariably results in a mere 63 sacks.

Challenging these vendors reveals a rationale predicated on averages and supposed benefits of receiving 63 sacks over a larger quantity. They argue that theft from barges necessitates these adjustments to fulfill the 63-sack delivery, also suggesting that the more generous allotments from their counterparts avoid standard measurement practices.

It becomes evident, however, that a chaldron’s measure indeed exceeds 63 sacks, each constituting 35 Winchester bushels, exposing a discrepancy in delivery practices. Merchants delivering precisely 63 sacks, whom we might dub “gentleman coal merchants,” adhere to this limit regardless of the inherent variability in coal volume. Market-savvy individuals thus prefer merchants offering greater quantities, invariably receiving more coal than those who patronize the 63-sack purveyors. I am also aware of instances where these “gentleman merchants” have explicitly stated their inability to provide beyond the 63-sack threshold.

This discourse serves not only as a critique but as a call for transparency and fairness in the coal trade, echoing the sentiments and experiences of your readership in these trying times.

Yours faithfully,

R. S.

⁂

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