The interesting thing is that he kept the letters.

I would get that he quite likely had good copper. It was possibly a collection of letters from people trying to scam/shake down him. Next time they order, they can wave the letter in their face when he said no to them.

I met a man from an antique land
Who said, “Two vast and trunkless lеgs of stone stand
In the desert in amongst the lone and level sand.”
I wasn’t listening
If he tried to make a point I might’ve missed it
I could’ve asked but I realized at last
It was my turn to talk and I really wanna hit him with

—Rain McMey, “God King Google”

Bad press lasts the longest.