7 Eaton Place South
23rd March 1858
My dear Sir
There is one point which I forgot to refer to in my letter of yesterday –
Some time ago I wrote strongly to you upon the subject of the objection to there being an opp competition as to the Sale of your ore – In answer to which you pointed out that competition could not be prevented from the land adjoining In reply to which I said I only feared competition on your own ground – To this I think you have made no answer – I look upon it, nevertheless, as very important – & I should be very glad to know if you will engage to give me the refusal of working any other part of your ore ground before it is promissed <sic> to any one else at a price to be agreed upon – I mean at a fixed royalty with a minimum <?>?
The question of your railway is of more importance indirectly that <sic> it appeared at first sight – Unless such should be laid down there will be no chance of furnaces upon your land – Without that accommodation there would be no prospect of smelting Iron on the spot at a profit.
Yours very faithfully
George Cottrell