Letter: Fred W. Kelsey to J. W. Lovering, 1880 May 6, "business ethics"

Subject: Business Ethics.

[letterhead:
Fred. W. Kelsey,
IMPORTER AND DEALER IN
FINE NURSERY STOCK,
ROCHESTER, N. Y.
New York Office, 208 Broadway 6^th May 1880,]

J. W. Lovering Esq.
Mt. Auburn Mass,

My Dear Sir -

I beg to acknowledge
the receipt of your favor of the 5^th inst,
and to grant you herewith invoice
of plants furnished the Cemetery.
Also, bill on your personal a/c amounting
to the large sum of $5.⁰⁰ - As you
insist on paying for the few things sent
you I see no other way but to make
a charge - It is not an uncommon
thing for me to send to my regular customers
(with whom I have had a pleasant personal
acquaintance) a few little things as complimentary
and I have never regarded for one moment
whether the party has been purchasing in
an official capacity, or entirely for his
private use - Whether such slight attentions
are strictly "business" or otherwise they are
certainly the pleasant side of business and
tend I think to elevate, to a slight degree
the dollar and cent principle which becomes
such a failing many times with business men.

I remain Dr Sir, Yours very truly,
Fred. W. Kelsey