[Confidential]
Laird Brothers to S. Price Edwards, esq., collector of H. M. customs, Liverpool.
Sir: As the many rumors afloat in respect to the two iron steam rams built by us, and now lying in our dock, have induced frequent and unusual visits of Mr. Morgan, the surveyor of customs, to our works, we are desirous of saving you any further unnecessary trouble about these vessels by giving you our promise that they shall not leave the port without your having a week’s notice of our intention to deliver them over to the owners, and we shall inform the owners of this engagement on our part.
We may add that the first vessel will not be ready for a month, and the second for six or seven weeks from this date.
We are, sir, your obedient servants,
Price Edwards, Esq.