Having finished a table for the Hamburgh exchanges, similar to that
which I have already sent you for Holland, I thought you might like to
have a copy of it[59]. In this as well as in the other the result is not
quite satisfactory; for example, at the present time I believe the
exchange with Hamburgh is quoted 28_s._ and the price of dollars 6_s._
11-1/2_d._ By the table it appears that with [such] a price of dollars
the exchange at par would be 25_s._; consequently it is now unfavourable
to Hamburgh 12 per cent., which appears to me to be excessively high. In
fact, under the present circumstances, there can be no intercourse with
Hamburgh, and the quotation must be only nominal. Mrs. Ricardo and I
leave London to-morrow early for Bradford; from thence we intend going
to Gatcomb[60], and expect to be in town again on Thursday. I hope we
shall soon see you. With best wishes to Mrs. Malthus,
I am, dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
DAVID RICARDO.