Mon 22 Nov 1830
From John R Denyer
To W. P. Richards Esq
… to prevent the perpetual quarrelling amongst retail dealers (by lodging their coal, on the various wharfs, in such situations as to cause the greatest annoyance to each other) to apportion each a spot of ground … giving choice according to seniority as Coal sellers. This plan, which has been adopted for upwards of 30 years at all the retail Wharfs remedied to a great extent the evil complained of … by this arrangement Mr Baker’s father sold coals from the spot of ground now the subject of dispute, & Mr Baker succeeded him without any person wishing to disturb him it being understood the trade was carrying on for the benefit of the Widow & numerous family but which proves not to have been the case…
Mr Baker is not only in the Gazette as a Bankrupt – but actually at this period residing within the Walls of the Fleet prison & Mr George considering him as dead to this concern …
If he were to become a coal seller again it would be as a new man applying to occupy the same ground.
None of the portions of wharf alluded to are let but paid for by the ton for the quantity landed so that all parts of the Wharf are alike. Mr George is next in rotation to Mr Baker & but for his connection with my family (& the attempts that I am confident would be made to villify my character had I acted in this case as I have uniformly done before) the subject would not have occupied the time of yourself or the Committee & for doing which I beg to apologise …
