Part 3

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If you wish us to use the cotton, we demand an allowance of....

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Your demand is preposterous, but we have to agree to it, as we cannot help ourselves. We prefer not to make you any offers in future.

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I am sorry to inform you, that the 100 bales are not equal to the sample, consequently, I place the cotton at your disposal.

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The buying sample has been taken from the actual bales delivered, a difference in the quality is quite impossible. We insist upon your keeping the 100 bales.

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I am sending you a few samples of the delivered cotton, any child can see that they are different from the buying sample.

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The samples sent to us are of no account. 100 bales represent a big quantity of cotton, amongst which, a few inferior flakes are sure to be found, if one searches diligently for them. We cannot agree to your demands.

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My lawyer tells me, that every bale and every part of the bales must be equal to the sample. I have opened several bales and find the contents very irregular. There are good and bad flakes in them, I can only use regular cotton. The 100 bales are at your disposal.

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Your 100 bales turn out very badly indeed and are much below the guaranteed quality. What allowance are you willing to make us?

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There can be no question of an allowance, if the 100 bales do not suit you, why do you not place them at our disposal, as you did in a previous case. This time, however, prices have advanced, while last time, they had fallen, now perhaps the case will appear to you in a different light.

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You surely never expect me to take bad cotton instead of good? I cannot return the cotton, as I cannot stop my mill. I propose, that experts fix the lower value, and you pay me the difference according to law.

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If you wish to invoke the law, you must remember, that the cotton is not allowed to be touched, till the experts have made their report and the legal verdict has been given. You say, "you must use the cotton at once," while our agent tells us, "that a few bales have already been spun." This finishes your claim, and we refuse to do anything in the matter.

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A spinner bought direct from America 100 bales of a certain class. The market rose rapidly, and when the bales arrived, they were much inferior, in fact, fully two classes too low. The spinner complained bitterly to the shipper, and demanded an allowance, which the latter refused, on the plea, that, for the price of the contract, he could only deliver low quality.

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From these examples it will be seen that the cotton Trade had no suitable foundation in the Law.

ORIGIN OF THE BREMEN COTTON EXCHANGE.

During the war of 1870/71 the cotton trade had suffered a serious relapse, but shortly afterwards, the Bremen people began seriously to consider means and ways to put the trade on a proper footing.