[Sir Robert Peel, father of the Prime Minister of that name, industrialist] Autograph Letter Signed to David Scott, recommending to the East India Company a firm for ‘the cleaning and washing of India piece Goods’.

A neat item, providing an insight into the great statesman’s mercantile roots. See his entry in the Oxford DNB, together with those of his father the first baronet (Lancashire calico printer and politician) and the recipient Scott. 2pp, 4to. On watermarked laid paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. The recipient is named as ‘David Scott Esqr’. He writes to recomment his ‘Friends of mine under the Firm of Barker Petty & Routh No 132 Cheapside’, who have ‘established extensive Bleaching works in the neighbourhood of London’ and are ‘well known to all the purchasers of India piece Goods and are strongly recommended to the Committee of Ware houses as fit persons to be intrusted with the management of any piece Goods that may be discoloured or have received injury in the passage’. He would be writing were he not ‘well satisfied that they are better qualified to do this business better than any other House in and about London as they are concerned in similar works in Lancashire and in possession of the most improved methods there in use.’ He suggests that the firm be given ‘an opportunity of shewing’, with a view to ‘favouring them with the whole or a part of the cleaning and washing of India piece Goods’. Endorsed on reverse of second leaf: ‘Robert Peel Esq | Milk Street 7th. Septr. 1799 | The Papers send to Ind[ia]. House with Recommendation - | Answd. 2d. Novr. 1799’.