| Description | (2 pcs.)
Dear Sir,
I thank you for your favour of the 14th, and particularly for your kind offer therein mention'd. I did personaly offer Mr. Wedgwood to pay him off, to which he answer'd that he had no particular use for the money, and had much rather I kept it; and as I then did not know whether it might be as convenient to you, I did not press it. However, there is no doubt but he must take it with three months' notice.
The only solid property I have out of trade is
1st. Soho House and Manufacture, bought of B. & F. for 7 Ml. and exp'd £1500.
2d. My warehouse at Birmingham cost about £2500.
3. Four freehold houses and land in Birmingham-rent 60£ a year.
4th. A farm at Yoxal, leas'd to Mrs. Barker. £105.
5. Do. at do. 85.
6. A farm at Curdborow. £42.
7. A farm at Sardon. 88.
8. Do. at Handsworth. 24.
9. A lease from King Edward's School of land at Birmingham for 99 years, of which upwards of 90 is unexpired, which land I have leased again for the whole
term and brings me in clear £37. 10s. 0, and is as good as freehold for that term,
it being now worth four times the original rent.
No. 1
2 are disencumbred, except No. 1 to Wedgwood.
3
9
4 are freehold and I believe I could sell for £7000, and are not mortgaged, and tho'
5 they are mine for my life, yet I believe my two children have a right to them after
my death, but I am not sure if I have not a right to mortgage them.
6 are worth full four thousand pounds, but are already mortgaged for 2500£.
7
If any of the above will be sufficient for the purpose, I shall be ready to pledge them, for I am very desireous of emancipating my self from the slavery of J. W-n by paying 5000, and I am perswaded B. & Watt would be better treated by him and in other respects find their account in it. Pray, have you seen him since he was in London?
I will send you an order in a few days to receive 1500£ for me of the E. I. Co.
I want to hear some distinct account of your health, as I have my fears that the present cold weather doth not suit your complaints, which you must guard against with all possible prudence and judgment, and when the all-cheering spring is in its vigour I beg you will come and benefit by the Soho air and doctor.
I thank God I am perfectly well, but my mind is too much loaded with business and anxiety.
[Edited transcript.] |