| Description | Tottenham, Thursday morning.
Dear Sir,
I have only time to tell you it was with the greatest pleasure I receav’d your favour of 24 instant, but the melancholy contents have made us all very uneasy to reflect on the disagreeableness of your time, and hope, as the disorder made no long stay with us, it may soon take its leave of you. I did not receive the parcel till last night, just as I was setting out for this place, and am quite charmed with the chapes; but as I told you before about Mr. Green’s journey to Birmingham, it will yet be some time ere our plates are finished, and as I am now going to town, I shall deliver to him the drawings, but keep the card to show Mr. Jefferys and two or three merchants, when, if wanted, I will return to you.
Mr. Ebbinghaus is arriv’d, but upon Mr. Cantrell’s earnest request I would take no order from him but what came through his hands, he has accordingly given one, though not very considerable, which shall be sent in a day or two. In the mean time, be pleased to get ready for said gentleman 6 dozen setts platina buckles to the inclos’d impression.
I must now beg the favour of you to send, if possible, per next coach, a pattern card of all the platina buttons you have yet made, as Mr. Ebbinghaus assures me, if there is any visible difference in the price from the gilt one, I shall imediately have a considerable order to send to Mr. Cantrell. I told him they were of the mid size, and 1/- per double gross cheaper than the gilt ones, with the same discount. He intends also, as then, to give me some patterns, as yours are not extensive enough.
I think I told you that the five buttons you sent me went immediately abroad, from which I hope you’ll receive some tidings. I would not expose the plain bullet you sent last, because I think it will look better with the wrought ones. Messrs. Mavits are not able to give any further directions about their order, and if you send the both ways of the mid size, and the one way a trifle inferior, they will certainly do; because the person they are for never sets any price, but leaves it to the discrection of the maker.
Messrs. Heinzelmann had but just packed up about 80 gross chapes for Italy, some whereof were at 12/- per doz. I have received said gentlemen’s orders for 6 sets of patterns; the particulars I shall send in my next. These gentlemen carry on the most extensive trade of any in the way.
The spirit of jealousy subsists still in the breast of a certain person, and Mr. Thomas Ingram is here: I believe, among other particulars, to watch my motions. Mr. V. d. M. tells me Mr. D— has been of late pushing for the foreign business with a spirit unknown before.
After a return from the hurry of the town, a miscarriage has happened in our family, but is likely to do very well. They all unite in thanks for your kind wishes, desiring you’ll believe ours no less ardent for yours and Mrs. Boulton’s welfare and prosperity. As the stocks are now rising, I shall leave no stone unturned to procure a sum of money so soon as possible; and am thinking it may not be amiss if you’ll speak for me to Mr. Mainwaring, as he has generally a good deal of Sir Harry Gough’s money in hand. I am in the greatest haste, and must conclude with: dear Sir, your affectionate friend and servant,
Jno. Fothergill
I thank you for sending my letters, as also for the case of Mr. Douglas’s commission. Pray don’t fail sending the platina buttons per first.
[Edited transcript.]
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