| Description | (Directed c/o William Matthews, 6 Green Lettice Lane.)
Dear Father,
You justly observe that in cases of emergencies one should never permit difficulties to discourage us, but I am not convinced that this argument can so justly be applied to the difficulties started by me in my letters.
In general, the best commanders forsee all the dangers to be encountered with, and from thence are enabled to take proper steps to render them less perilous. I am far from thinking that foresight is inconsistant with firmness; it is the union of these qualities that form great men. A surplus of the one forms a too cautious, of the other a rash, character. It is not by arguments i wish to persuade you of the good intentions of my observations; I hope my assurances will suffice. I am a young tradesman, and therefore it cannot be expected that I am competent of judging of the validity of the different sum of your employers . I thought it my duty, and the only way of obtaining knowledge, to communicate to you those that struck me as the most forcible, and hearing your sentiments upon them. But be assured, it was not from any desire of laying obstacles in the way.
The accident at the mill is repaired, and they have used uncommon activity to complete it; but, nevertheless, it will be impossible to supply the cutters out with metal until Wednesday. Yesterday we went to Bradly to enquire of Mr. Johnson whether, in such cases of emergency, he could break down any copper for us at their mill, and his price. I understand they have already done some for you at a former period, for which he charged £3 a ton; but he says, if you would supply him with a greater quantity, he doubts not but Mr. Wilkinson would do it for less. If, therefore, you should think it necessary, you will write to Mr. Wilkinson yourself.
This accident at the mill has quite engaged the millwrights, but to morrow, as the cutters out will not be working, I think it most advisable that James takes this opportunity of changing the curves upon the fly, and then immediately to put up the brushes. The fivth press is completed, but has not the brass female screw; the other shall immediately be put in hand, and a pattern made for the brass female screw. The great blank male screw already forged and turned shall be directly sent to Anthony Robinson to be cut.
You desire that Glover should begin with the building directly, and yet immediately after add that you intend sending the plan soon; I thought it therefore prudent to delay untill ti comes to hand.
As this size of the E. I. coin are nearly finished, should we begin with the Southampton or Anglesey? and what is the exact quantity that Taylor & Co. wish? Benjamin Morris spoke to me on Sunday concerning the order of Messrs. Taylor & Mander (for sterling halfpence, I believe); they seem anxious to have it completed, and have long expected from you an account of the expences of the dies, as I understand it was agreed that they should pay them. You will be pleased to write me what answer I am to give them.
Dumarest continues ill and does not the . . . work; it will be impossible to depend upon him for [the] engraving of the dies for the orders you speak of unless he mends. Also, with regard to the multiplication there must be somthing done; I understand from Hollins that he does not finish more than three pair per day, and for want of employment he is obliged to work at his former business nearly half the day.
I have frequently spoken to Mr. Lawson, but hitherto in vain; it is therefore absolutely necessary that you take some determination respecting him. The 30 ton of copper is arrived.
I saw Mr. Watt this morning; he was not very well after his journey, owing to the extreem heat he had experienced.
With the sincerest wishes for your happiness, I remain, dear father, your dutiful son,
Mattw. R. Boulton
[Edited transcript.] |