[D8149ZAB], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to George Edward Gouraud, August 2nd, 1881
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Title
[D8149ZAB], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to George Edward Gouraud, August 2nd, 1881
Editor's Notes
The perils of long-distance business relationships. Lengthy draft letter complaining about lack of complete information. Thought I understood from you to expect approx another 5,000 pounds from London telephone reversionary interest but this didn't turn out; why? Summarizes cable exchange on this point. "I would point out to you that I have been kept totally in the dark as to this matterfor some time past that is on the very important point to me of how much I was going to get out of the Reversion & I had naturally made my arrangement as to financing my business under the impression that I should get from you 19,000 or 20,000 [pounds] as I was led to expect from correspondence....Not being posted as to this has caused me considerable inconvenience. I may mention in this connection that although it is now almost a year since the promoters of the Oriental Co first commenced working in my name I have not as yet recd any settlement as arranged & I have not heard at all from you as to how this stands. Then as to European Telephone although I see by the English papers & from conversation with one of Gower's colleagues that a company has been brought out consolidating my european interests outside France I have no word from you as to the matter & your silence has placed me in a somewhat peculiar position with the Directors of the Edison Telephone Co of Europe as they repeatedly ask for information..... See by your cable quoted above that my acct (United Co?) is oversold by 580 shares but I sold the shares upon your judgment so this isn't right. Feel entitled to full *present* market value of shares. [text ends about here]. Insull? marg note: "Wrote gouraud also as to European Light shares explaining lost opportunity." [for Gouraud to buy] [see D8149ZAC for helpful cable context]
Author
Recipient
Mentioned
Date
1881-08-02
Type
Subject
Folder/Volume ID
D8149-F
Microfilm ID
59:971
Document ID
D8149ZAB
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University