| Description | (Directed to the Post Office. Includes transcripts of a letter from John Fleming to Boulton, dated at Glasgow, 11 Sep., and from E. Smith to Boulton, dated at 134 Hounsditch, 14 Sep.)
My dear Sir,
I hope you arrived safe and found a lodging not too far distant from the spring, and that you are obeying the directions given to you.
Nothing material has happen'd since your departure: a few coinage letters which I deliver'd to Mr. Brown, and yesterday another letter from Mr. Churchill fearing his former letter had not been receiv'd-as the breast-plate and your letter went the evening of your departure, his second letter wou'd be fully answer'd; the same circumstance occurr'd with respect to Mr. Welles at Stonebridge-a note from Mr. Simcox to request your attendance on Saturday on a musical affair; and this morning a letter from Mr. Fleming of Glasgow, of which you have annexed a copy, is all that has occured.
I understand they will complete coining 14 tons this week with the three presses, and there is a screw harden'd and another press will be set to work on Monday.
The quadruple alliance drank your health in bumpers yesterday and sincerely wished you many happy returns of it. The family of the Bisch's have just been to pay their compliments to the ladies, and at this minute I believe Mr. Taylor is with them; but these home civilities I leave entirely to them, and shall only exert myself to your other visitors, when they arrive.
Your wives all join in kindest love to you with, dear sir, your faithfull and affectionate friend,
C. Matthews
Pray write to us, as we are anxious to hear from you. Compliments and good wishes to Mr. Garbett.
(Copy.)
Sir,
It being now in agitation to supply our city with water, it has occurred to me that your lately invented method of raising water might perhaps suit the purpose of such an undertaking, and in this view I have taken the liberty of addressing you at present.
In case you are not acquainted with the situation of Glasgow in relation to the River Clyde, from which a plentiful supply of good water might be obtained, it may be necessary to mention that the city is situated to the north of the Clyde on a greatly ascending hill, rising about one hundred feet above its level; it will be requisite therefore that the water shou'd at least be raised to this heighth, so as that every part of the city and suburbs may be supplied. The quantity of water which wou'd be necessary to be raised may, I suppose, be from 180 to 200 thousand English gallons in the twenty-four hours, but of this you will perhaps be better able to judge than I, when I inform you that the inhabitants of Glasgow and its neighbourhood amount to about 80,000.
If you wou'd be of opinion that the new method of raising water cou'd be successfully adopted in such an undertaking, I shall be glad to hear from you on the subject, mentioning at same time what might be about the expence of raising the necessary quantity of water by your apparatus. It is the general wish of the inhabitants that the town shou'd be supplied with spring water, but of this I am much afraid it will be difficult to find a sufficient quantity. The scheme, therefore, of supplying the city from the Clyde wou'd be a very advisable one, if any method of raising the water a sufficient heighth, and at a moderate expence, cou'd be devised.
I trust you will readily excuse the liberty I have taken; and, requesting that you may as soon as you conveniently can, favor me with an answer, that I may lay the same before the Committee for the Undertaking of Supplying the City with Water, I remain, with much respect, sir, your most obedient servant,
(sign'd) John Fleming, attorney at law
and clerk to the Committee
Glasgow,
September 11, 1798.
I have transcribed the foregoing to save postage, and because you can read even my scroll better than the original. Here follows a copy of a letter from Smith of Hounsditch this minute received.
(Copy.)
Dear Sir,
I was in hopes I shou'd have been able long ere this to have apprized you what and how the Company had done their business, but even now I can only say that they have not yet so adjusted matters as to settle the point in dispute; as far as I can at present understand, the copper gentlemen had agreed upon an advance of about 10 per cent., which the Company wou'd not submit to. Yesterday the business was again taken up, and it is now reported they have offer'd to meet the gentlemen halfway (tho' I do not presume to give this as a matter of certainty, for I shou'd have mention'd before you left town I have lost my friend in the house, consequently cannot get at facts as formerly). If they do agree, will be soon known; in that case you shall not be long without them.
I have now to observe that I have just taken to enter upon at Christmas a large wharf and premises near to East Lane, Rotherhithe, late in the occupation of Captain Trench. This situation will throw me into the midst of the sheathing business; if you think you shall be able to do any thing in that way, or indeed any other, I will certainly give you a decided preference to all others in the metal line.
I remain, dear sir, your obedient servant,
signed, E. Smith
No. 134 Hounsditch,
September 14, 1798.
[Edited transcript.] |