The copyright, however, had been sold to the proprietor of the theatre, and Mr.Murray was disappointed in this, his first independent venture in business.
The times were very bad.

Money was difficult to be had on any terms, and Mr.Murray had a hard task to call in the money due to Murray & Highley, as well as to collect the sums due to himself.
Mr.Joseph Hume, not yet the scrupulous financier which he grew to be, among others, was not very prompt in settling his accounts; and Mr.
Murray wrote to him, on July 11, 1804: "On the other side is a list of books (amount L92 8s.

6d.), containing all those for which you did me the favour to write: and I trust that they will reach you safely....

If in future you could so arrange that my account should be paid by some house in town within six months after the goods are shipped, I shall be perfectly satisfied, and shall execute your orders with much more despatch and pleasure.

I mention this, not from any apprehension of not being paid, but because my circumstances will not permit me to give so large an extent of credit.