The Pinchbeck Peer 3 by Andrew Wareham

Author:Andrew Wareham [Wareham, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PublishNation
Published: 2020-05-13T20:00:00+00:00

“Quimby, there is a shortage of brimstone, of all things, that is likely to cause us difficulties in case of war. The production of gunpowder is vital to the national interest, as you must agree.”

“Shocking, my lord. Saltpetre is supplied by John Company and by the shipload and is no problem. Charcoal may be accessed still in England and Wales. But, my lord, we have a shortage of volcanoes to provide us with the foul-smelling, yellow mineral. What is to be done, my lord?”

“It seems to me that we might charter a ship or two and send them off to make purchases from out-of-the-way locations where we do not usually trade. No gain to competing in the Mediterranean for the output of the fire mountains there. What I had in mind was to buy where English ships are not often found. Was we to take shiploads from places where the French and Spanish habitually buy, then we might annoy them as well as serve our direct needs.”

“Making war with gold pieces, in time of peace, my lord – an elegant conceit!”

“Do you believe it can be done, Quimby?”

“It can indeed, my lord! I must make inquiry – I do not know what size of ship might be habitually employed in the trade, as an example. A week, my lord, and I should know all and then it will be a matter of finding the right vessels and men and sending them off. A year, at most, and we may find loads of the valuable substance in London River!”

“For the money, Quimby, it seems that we may have an amount coming our way from Rundell and Bridge. That could be practically invested in the trade and His Grace has consented to offer finance as well, as a patriotic duty.”

Fabius left an enthusiastic Quimby and took himself off to inform Mr Dundas of his intention.

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