| Description | INTRODUCTION
This volume is entitled on the front cover, in William D. Brown’s hand, ‘M.B. 1789 to 1792.’ It contains 135 pages numbered in a contemporary hand, with a few unnumbered pages at the back. Bound in at the front of the book is an Index compiled by Brown. Fixed to the numbered pages are the documents numbered 1-161 below. 162-169 are loose documents found inserted at various places in this book. It is clear that they were removed at some time from another letter book, but it is not known when or why this was done. Some of the copies are incomplete, and a few of those at the front of the book have been damaged by damp, and are therefore difficult to read.
Transcripts of 64 and 81 will be found after the table of Contents.
CONTENTS
Page
1. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to John Roberts. 31 May 1789. 1
2. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Beckett. 7 May 1789. 2
3. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Williams. 10 May 1789. 3
4. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Williams. 24 May 1789. 4
5. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Williams [London]. 22 Jul. 1789. 5
(Directed to the Copper Office, Royal Exchange.)
6. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Williams. 28 Jul. 1789. 5
(Draft.)
7. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to —. 14 Aug. 1789. 6
(Signed for Boulton & Watt.)
8. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to D. P. Menga. 14 Aug. 1789. 6
9. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Sir Joseph Banks [London]. 14 Aug. 1789. 7
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand, signed by Boulton.
Includes a schedule of the advantages of Boulton’s new coining machinery.)
10. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to J. Purling. 14 Aug. 1789. 8
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand, signed by Boulton.)
11. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to J. Heath. 16 Aug. 1789. 8
(Transcript in an unidentified hand.)
12. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to B. Bond Hopkins. 17 Aug. 1789. 9
(Draft.)
13. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Ware (Dundee). 18 Aug. 1789. 9
(Copy of an unsigned original in John Roberts’s hand.)
14. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 19 Aug. 1789. 9
15. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to James Watt (Cheltenham). 20 Aug. 1789. 10
16. Matthew Boulton (Birmingham) to Barclay & Perkins. 21 Aug. 1789. 11
17. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 22 Aug. 1789. 12
18. Matthew Boulton (London) to Mr. Barrow. 9 Sep. 1789. 13
(Draft.)
19. Matthew Boulton [Soho] to John Wilkinson (Bersham and Castlehead). c. 16 Oct. 1789. 13
(Draft.)
20. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Samuel Broom. 3 Nov. 1789. 14
21. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 10 Nov. 1789. 14
22. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to James Woodmason. 13 Nov. 1789. 15
23. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Hooffstetter. 13 Nov. 1789. 15
24. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to John Motteux. 13 Nov. 1789. 16
25. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Foucault (Paris). 9 Nov. 1789. 17
26. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. d’Aragon. [? 3] Nov. 1789. 18
(Copy of an unsigned original in John Roberts’s hand.)
27. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. d’Aragon. Nov. 1789. 18
(?Incomplete.)
28. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to John H. Mitchell (Charleston). 25 Nov. 1789. 19
(Copy of an unsigned original in John Roberts’s hand.)
29. John Roberts (Soho) to David Steel. 16 Dec. 1789. 22
(Signed for Matthew Boulton.)
30. [Boulton & Watt] (Birmingham) to John Weston. 21 Dec. 1789. 22
(Copy of an original in Matthew Boulton’s hand.)
31. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Walter Taylor (Southampton). 24 Dec. 1789. 23
32. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to William Matthews [London]. 25 Dec. 1789. 23
33. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to James Watt Jr. 26 Dec. 1789. 24
34. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Robert Cameron. 11 Jan. 1790. 25
35. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to W. Taylor [Southampton]. 19 Jan. 1790. 25
36. John Roberts (Soho) to Benjamin Huntsman. 23 Jan. 1790. 26
(Signed for Matthew Boulton.)
37. [Matthew Boulton] (Soho) to Rev. Mr. Townsend. 29 Jan. 1790. 26
(Copy of an unsigned original in John Roberts’s hand.)
38. [Matthew Boulton] (Soho) to Robert Slade. 29 Jan. 1790. 27
(Copy of an unsigned original in John Roberts’s hand.)
39. [Matthew Boulton] (—) to J. H. Brown. c. Feb. 1790. 28
(Draft.)
40. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Stackhouse (Bath). 2 Feb. 1790. 28
41. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to the Brass Committee. 22 Feb. 1790. 28
(The full direction is to the ‘Gentlemen of the Common Office of the Birmingham Brass Works.’)
42. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Williams. 7 Feb. 1790. 29
(Copy of an original in John Roberts’s hand, signed by Boulton.)
43. Matthew Boulton (Birmingham) to Thomas Williams. 10 Feb. 1790. 30
44. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to John Motteux [London]. 14 Feb. 1790. 32
45. Matthew Boulton (—) to William Matthews. c. 15 Feb. 1790. 33
(Draft.)
46. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Williams. 16 Feb. 1790. 34
47. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Williams. 23 Feb. 1790. 34
48. John Roberts (Soho) to Pascoe Grenfell. 25 Feb. 1790. 35
49. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to ‘Mrs. Day’s attorney.’ 6 Mar. 1790. 36
50. [Matthew Boulton] (Soho) to George Birch. 2 Mar. 1790. 36
51. Matthew Boulton (Birmingham) to Mr. Foucaut (Paris). 5 Mar. 1790. 37
(Draft.)
52. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Jean Baptiste Barthelemy (Paris). 18 Mar. 1790. 37
(Draft. At the end is a direction to ‘Mr. Dupeyrat, guillocheur en or,
desus le quay le pelletier, chez le merchand papetier, No. 12, a Paris.’)
53. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Richard Chippindall [London]. 26 Mar. 1790. 38
54. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Dr. Bertholet (Paris). Mar. 1790. 39
(Draft.)
55. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Lord Hawkesbury. 17 Apr. 1790. 39
56. Matthew Boulton (—) to Ebro Woodcock. [c. Apr. 1790.] 41
(Draft.)
57. Matthew Boulton [Soho] to Barclay & Perkins. 12 Apr. 1790. 41
(Draft.)
58. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Henry Stieglitz (Lille). 19 Apr. 1790. 41
59. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Rambert Dumarest (Paris). 22 Apr. 1790. 42
(In French. Copy of an original in an unidentified hand, signed by Boulton.)
60. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Jean Baptiste Barthelemy Dupeyrat (Paris).
22 Apr. 1790. 43
(In French. Copy of an original in an unidentified hand, signed by Boulton.)
61. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Perregaux (Paris). 22 Apr. 1790. 44
62. Matthew Boulton (Birmingham) to Mr. Perregaux (Paris). 26 Apr. 1790. 45
63. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Perregaux (Paris). 26 Apr. 1790. 46
64. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Henry Stieglitz (Lille). 2 May 1790. 47
65. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Matthew Robinson Boulton. 3 May 1790. 48
66. [Matthew Boulton] (Birmingham) to John Hinckley Mitchell (Charleston).
4 May 1790. 49
(Copy of an unsigned original in Zaccheus Walker’s hand.)
67. [Matthew Boulton] (Soho) to Rambert Dumarest (Paris). 13 May 1790. 51
(Copy of an unsigned original in an unidentified hand, directed to
‘Monsieur Dumarest à Paris, graveur en medailles, quay de la Colle, au Caffé du Parnasse, No. 5.’)
68. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Benjamin Huntsman. 21 May 1790. 51
69. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Robert Mylne (London). 24 May 1790. 52
70. Matthew Boulton (London) to Rambert Dumarest [Paris]. 25 Jun. 1790. 52
(Draft.)
71. Matthew Boulton (London) to Rambert Dumarest [Paris]. 9 Jul. 1790. 53
(Draft.)
72. ?Matthew Boulton (—) to Rambert Dumarest (Paris). c. Jul. 1790. 53
(Draft. In French.)
73. Matthew Boulton (London) to Rambert Dumarest [Paris]. 23 Jul. 1790. 53
(Draft.)
74. Matthew Boulton (London) to Rambert Dumarest [Paris]. 27 Jul. 1790. 54
(Draft.)
75. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to the Lord Chancellor. 14 Aug. 1790. 54
76. Matthew Boulton (London) to the Lord Chancellor. 2 Aug. 1790. 55
(Draft.)
77. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Williams (Bristol). 15 Aug. 1790. 55
78. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Sir Joseph Banks. 17 Aug. 1790. 56
(Transcript in an unidentified hand.)
79. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 18 Aug. 1790. 57
80. Matthew Boulton (Birmingham) to Jean Baptiste Barthelemy Dupeyrat.
2 Sep. 1790. 58
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand, signed by Boulton.)
81. Matthew Boulton (—) to Josiah Wedgwood. 12 Sep. 1790. 59
82. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to John Vivian [Truro]. 18 Sep. 1790. 60
83. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mrs. Charlotte Matthews [London]. 18 Oct. 1790. 61
84. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to the Marquis of Stafford. 21 Oct. 1790. 61
85. Matthew Boulton (—) to the Marquis of Stafford. c. Oct. 1790. 62
(Draft.)
86. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Gilbert (London). 21 Oct. 1790. 63
87. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Richard Chippindall [London]. 11 Nov. 1790. 64
88. — (Birmingham) to Mr. Welch. 14 Nov. 1790. 65
(Copy of an unsigned original in an unidentified hand.)
89. Matthew Boulton (—) to Benjamin Robinson. c. 14 Nov. 1790. 65
(Draft.)
90. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Gilbert [London]. 20 Nov. 1790. 65
91. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Sir Joseph Banks. 22 Nov. 1790. 66
92. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Tullock. 29 Nov. 1790. 67
93. James Lawson (Soho) to John Phillips. 1 Dec. 1790. 68
(Signed for Matthew Boulton.)
94. Matthew Boulton (—) to John [sic] Chippindall. 4 Dec. 1790. 69
95. Matthew Boulton [Soho] to John Phillips. 13 Dec. 1790. 69
96. Matthew Boulton [Soho] to John Phillips. 13 Dec. 1790. 70
97. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Charles Irvine (Amsterdam). 1790. 71
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand, signed by Boulton.)
98. Matthew Boulton (—) to Mrs. Charlotte Matthews [London]. [1790.] 72
99. Memorandum to John Scale respecting the rent of the lapping mill. 1790. 74
(In Matthew Boulton’s hand.)
100. Matthew Boulton (—) to John Daniel Huichelbos van Liender (Paris). 18 Jan. 1791. 75
(Extract only, transcribed in Boulton’s hand and marked by William D. Brown,
‘Copy of a paragraph sent to Mr. Van Linder of Paris.’)
101. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 30 Jan. 1791. 75
102. Matthew Boulton (Birmingham) to Count Reden. 24 Feb. 1791. 76
103. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Holbrook. 30 Jan. 1791. 77
(Incomplete.)
104. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Count Reden (Berlin). 3 Mar. 1791. 78
105. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Count Reden (Berlin). 3 Mar. 1791. 79
106. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Hart. 7 Mar. 1791. 80
107. Matthew Boulton [Soho] to Thomas Wilson. c. 21 Mar. 1791. 81
(Copy of a transcript in an unidentified hand.)
108. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Townend [York]. 30 Mar. 1791. 82
109. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Count Reden (Berlin). 21 Apr. 1791. 83
110. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Walter Taylor & Co. [Southampton]. 3 May 1791. 86
111. Matthew Boulton (—) to John Vivian. May 1791. 87
112. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Count Reden. 9 May 1791. 88
113. Matthew Boulton [Soho] to Mr. Townend (York). 13 May 1791. 88
(Draft.)
114. Boulton & Hurd (Soho) to Thomas Wilson (Truro). 13 May 1791. 89
(Copy of an original in Matthew Boulton’s hand.)
115. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Walter Taylor & Co. [Southampton]. 12 Jul. 1791. 90
116. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Walter Taylor & Co. [Southampton]. 24 Jul. 1791. 90
117. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Walter Taylor [Southampton]. 27 Jul. 1791. 92
118. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Walter Taylor & Co. [Southampton]. 12 Aug. 1791. 92
119. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 8 Sep. 1791. 93
120. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. c. Sep. 1791. 93
121. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 22 Sep. 1791. 95
122. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to the Handsworth Inclosure Commissioners. 22 Sep. 1791. 96
(The full direction is to ‘the Commissioners appointed for the Division of the Common
Lands in the Parish of Handsworth.’)
123. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 24 Sep. 1791. 96
124. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 29 Sep. 1791. 98
125. Matthew Boulton [Soho] to Thomas Wilson. 30 Sep. 1791. 99
(Draft.)
126. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to J. Holbrook. 1 Oct. 1791. 100
127. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 1 Oct. 1791. 101
128. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Samuel Wyatt. 3 Oct. 1791. 102
129. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Burry (Stockport). 4 Oct. 1791. 102
130. Matthew Boulton [Soho] to Thomas Wilson. 5 Oct. 1791. 103
131. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 8 Oct. 1791. 103
132. Boulton & Hurd (Birmingham) to Thomas Wilson. 13 Oct. 1791. 104
(In Matthew Boulton’s hand.)
133. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 14 Oct. 1791. 104
134. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to George Watson (Bristol). 17 Oct. 1791. 105
135. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. Holbrook. 17 Oct. 1791. 105
136. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 17 Oct. 1791. 106
137. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Walter Taylor (Southampton). Oct. 1791. 106
138. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Thomas Wilson. 20 Oct. 1791. 107
139. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to George Watson (Bristol). 21 Oct. 1791. 108
140. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to John Edwards. 30 Oct. 1791. 109
141. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Bourdieu, Chollet, & Bourdieu [London]. 31 Oct. 1791. 110
(Transcript in an unidentified hand.)
142. James Watt (Birmingham) to Thomas Wilson. 5 Nov. 1791. 110
143. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Charles E. Broadley (Hull). 5 Dec. 1791. 111
144. Matthew Boulton (—) to Robert Wissett. Dec. 1791. 112
145. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to John Motteux [London]. 11 Dec. 1791. 113
146. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Bourdieu, Chollet, & Bourdieu (London).
30 Dec. 1791. 114
147a. Matthew Boulton (—) to Mr. Frege (Leipzig). ?1791. 115
(Draft.)
147b. Matthew Boulton (—) to Mr. Bansa (Frankfurt). ?1791. 115
(Draft, on the same sheet as 147a.)
148a. Baron Nic. Vay de Vaja (London) to Matthew Boulton. 3 Aug. 1790. 116
(Original letter.)
148b. Matthew Boulton (—) to Baron Nic. Vay de Vaja. 18 Jan. 1791. 116
(Draft. On the same sheet as 148a.)
149. — (—) to Mr. Kempelen. 18 Jan. 1791. 116
(Draft.)
150. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to the overseers of Birmingham. 27 Sep. 1790. 117
(Incomplete.)
151. [Matthew Boulton] (—) to Freemans & Co. No date. 118
(Draft.)
152. [Matthew Boulton] (—) to James Watt. No date. 118
(Draft.)
153. Matthew Boulton (—) to Logan Henderson. No date. 119
(Draft.)
154. Matthew Boulton (—) to Logan Henderson. No date. 120
(Draft.)
155. Matthew Boulton (—) to Thomas Wilson. No date. 120
156. Matthew Boulton (—) to Bourdieu, Chollet, & Bourdieu (London). 19 Sep. 1790. 122
(Incomplete.)
157. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to [? Mr. Pradeaux]. 6 Mar. 1784. 123
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand.)
158. Memorandum respecting the Albion Mill. 13 Apr. 1784. 129
(Copy of an original in the same hand as 157.)
159. Matthew Boulton (—) to Mr. Loggin. 1790. 131
(Draft. Docketed, ‘Rough draft of a letter intended for Mr. Loggin.)
160. Matthew Boulton (—) to Samuel Garbett. 132
161. Memorandum respecting Boulton & Scale.135
(Copy of an original in Matthew Boulton’s hand.)
Documents found loose in this volume.
(Formerly inserted at the pages noted alongside.)
162. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Samuel Kingdon. 6 May 1789. [17]
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand.)
163. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to —. 25 Nov. 1789. [17]
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand.)
164. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Jefferys & Jones. 20 Jan. 1790. [37]
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand.)
165. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Mr. d’Orgelo. 14 Apr. 1790. [41]
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand.)
166. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Sebastian Fridag. 12 Mar. 1791. [81]
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand.)
167. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Godfrey Thornton & Son. 23 Jun. 1791. [87]
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand.)
168. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Joshua Blakeway. 5 Aug. 1791. [87]
(Copy of an original in an unidentified hand.)
169. Matthew Boulton (Soho) to Robert Burke. 19 Aug. 1791. [87]
TRANSCRIPTS
19. Matthew Boulton to John Wilkinson. c. 16 Oct. 1789.
[Headed:] Write to Wilkinsons at Bursham, to all the London engines, to Menza, a full and true account of Torris.
Mr. Wilkinson, at Bersham and at Castlehead.
Dear Sir,
On Monday morning last, the — instant, Mr. Torris, a lieutenant of marines in the Spanish service, came to Soho with his commissioner Mr. Testa and Mr. Alston his friend, two worthy men of business. Mr. Watt came to meet them, and we spent the whole day together. Mr. Torris said he wanted one or two rotative fire engines, but layd no plan before us respecting the application of them, and often in the course of the day alter’d his opinion respecting the magnitude of them.
In the evening he express’d a wish to see your works at Bradley, but I excused my self from takeing the liberty of shewing them to him, as I had no right so to do, and moreover I told him you had lately express your displeasure at my introducing a Swede there; but at the same time I offer’d to shew him my own works, or any other in the neigbourhood, but he fell into a passion and said he would not see them or any other, since he could not see yours.
Tuesday, the following day, was appointed to dine at Mr. Watt’s and to converse farther on the engine business; however, he came out to Soho before dinner and found me accompanying Mr. Foster of Ireland through the shops, when he declin’d going, but nevertheless I took him by the hand and [he] join’d the party. We afterward adjourn’d to Mr. Watt, and after dinner talked over this gentleman’s wants, which he could not settle in his own mind.
I at length proposed that he should deliver us his order in writing, and we promised to give him an answer next day in writing. He then express’d a wish to see the coal pits and tar works, and be accompany’d by some inteligent person. I accordingly sent Lawson early the next morning, who attended him down into one of the pits at Tipton, and shew’d him Keir’s works, tar works, fire hole, and other things in that tour, but did not shew him yours. Dureing this time I and Mr. Watt wrote our acceptance of his order upon certain terms, but as he wanted such an engine as never had been made and probably never will, we could not fix the price with any degree of exactness untill drawings were made, and then from them we could make calculations of the cost—which we offer’d to bind our selves to do as fast as our other business would allow, but that at all events it should not exceed more than 3 months from that day, and then he should be at liberty to accept or reject it, and if he accepted, every thing should be instantly put into execution and finish’d as soon as possible.
We expected to have seen the party after their return that evening, but were disapointed. Next morning (Thursday), Lawson inform’d me that Mr. Testa did not go, and that Mr. Torris was satisfy’d with his journey, that they did not return ’till late, and that he had kept him at the Hotel ’till midnight, but said nothing about their departure.
Next morning, Mr. Watt expected them to receive the written answer, and waited at home all that day for them. In the evening, he came up to Soho to enquire of me what was become of them; but I knew not. I then sent a note to Mr. Alston to enquire, but he was from home.
Next morning (Fryday), Mr. Alston call’d to tell us that he had just learnt they had set out the preceeding day in the mail coach, and that Mr. Torris was in a great passion, at all which he express’d great astonishiment, as he had been present during the whole conversation—when we all concluded that this hasty Spaniard had not acquitted himself as a man of business or politeness.
I thought it necessary to give you this sketch of Mr. T.’s conduct, and to assure you that it is my decided opineon there will not be one engine more or less erected in Spain whether you are his founder or ours, for that we are about to cultivate our business upon a more extended plan than heretofore, and doubt not but you will (as we have always done) consider our interest as interwove with your own.
I thought it proper to mention all these circumstances for your goverment, and submit them to your candor and justice.
I am, with great regard, dear sir, your sincere friend and obedient servant,
MB
I have just learnt that this said Spaniard was very inquisitive about the quantity of coal necessary to make a ton of iron, and asked many questions relative to blowing cylinders, from which, and from many other circumstances, I have reason to belive he wants to establish iron works in Spain, and particularly a cannon foundry and boreing mill at one of the King’s arsenals. He declin’d telling us what the engine was to be apply’d to, but hinted it was for a saw mill, which from the size of it I should as soon believe it was for cracking nuts.
64. Matthew Boulton to Henry Stieglitz. 2 May 1790.
Sir,
I have receiv’d in due course your favour of the 24th ultimo, in which you say that, ‘You should by no means like to come upon an uncertainty, and that you should be glad to know the terms and salary beforehand.’ In answer to which I can only tell you a few facts, and what hath passed in my mind upon the subject.
1st. My principal and most important business is that of a steam engineer. ?
2d. I have a very considerable manufacture at Soho. ? All out of your
3d. Partnerships in Cornish mines and London millery. ? line.
4. A mercantile house in Birmingham which I have near neglected, as being the least profitable, and to which I apropriate the least portion of my time and attention, it being conducted by clarks, viz. Mr. Z. Walker for the books and the English correspondence, Mr. Carbrit and Mr. Collins for the German and French correspondence; but, that being scarcely business enough for them, Mr. Collins hath lately travil’d a little in Germany.
I have no intentions of extending the business of my Birmingham House at present, as I am about contracting with the British Goverment to execute a large quantity of coin upon an improved plan, which will take up all my time, my attention, and spare money, for near 2 years. This being my real situation, I had no thoughts of increasing the number of persons in my counting house, or in my private family at Soho, for I have ever drawn a distinct line between those things which concern my domestic happiness and those which relate to my trades and manufactures; and therefore I never took an apprentice, a clark, or an agent into my family, as I did not choose to risk an interuption of those trifling pleasures which sweeten life. Yet nevertheless I so sensibly felt your and your family’s civilities to my son, that I could not resist either your or his application, and I made up my mind to offer you my house and fifty guineas per annum untill time and experience should point out something more advantageous for you, and which I shall on all occasions be glad to promote.
As to the nature of your employ whilest with me, I could not distinctly settle, but my general idea of it was for you to go to the Warehouse every morning after breakfast (it measures 1 mile and ¼) to assist in writing letters and invoices, German or French; also in examinging goods, and learning to form a judgement of their qualities and price; and so soon as the post arrives (which it generaly doth between two and three), then to return to Soho to dinner, and communicating any particular occurances of the morning. After which may be finished any letters that have been begun, or that may be wanted to be wrote.
Every different trade I am concern’d in hath its own books and bookeeper; but if I am in want of any assistance in that line, it is to have a set of books kept in the Italian method, by double entry, in which the whole of all my concerns are concentrated. I do a little business in Spain and Italy, and have some chymical and philosophical connection with Sweden, and consequently am some times at a fault for those languages; and although my mercantile business doth not require more persons than what I have already, yet haveing lately had an offer of a person whose character, principles, manners, and morals I am acquanted with, and which I know to be irreproachable: who writes and speaks every language in Europe gramaticaly, being born in Sweden, and have lived for some time in Spain, Italy, Russia, and constantly employ’d in keeping books in the Italian method in a hand most beautyfully distinct; I say, in consequence of this offer, and a disapointment in two applications I made for you, I wrote Mr. Collins to prevent you from setting out from Leipzig: but I find that letter came too late, and therefore I am sorry I wrote it, and that you should have had any anxiety or interuption in consequence of it.
All that I can now say is to offer you the situation and terms aforesaid, untill you or I can find a more eligable situation for you: or to pay any expences I have caus’d you, in case you prefer any other line of life.
I have now related to you such facts as will enable you to judge of my business, and I have told you without reserve what hath passed in my mind relative to it, and to you. I therefore now leave you to think and act for your self, in such manner as you may conceive most for your interest and happiness. At the same time I assure you, that what ever plan you may decide upon will not give me the least offence; but I shall allways be ready to render you any services in my power, and remain, with every good wish, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Mattw. Boulton
81. Matthew Boulton to Josiah Wedgwood. 12 Sep. 1790.
Dear Sir,
This letter will be deliver’d to you by Mr. Peter Ewart, who is a good mechanick, an excellent millwright, and an ingenious honest man. He serv’d his apprentiship to a millwright in Scotland; he worked as a foreman in the Albion Mill from the begining of it to its compleation; since which he hath reerected the whole of my mills at Soho, and is at present employ’d by my self and Mr. Watt to erect an engine and coal drawing machine for Sir Nizel Greasley in your neighbourhood; after which he proposes to establish himself as a master millwright, either in the neighboorhood of of Newcastle or Manchester, and I doubt not but he will succeed, as he ranks much higher in my opinion than any other millwright in those quarters.
I shall patronise him as far as my influence extends, not only from the regard I have for him, but I am perswaded I am doing a favour to such persons as I may recommend him to in the line of his profession. If you should want his advice or assistance, pray favour him with your commands, and you will thereby oblige him and me also.
Mr. Ewart is a young man of a respectable family in Scotland. He is own brother to Dr. Ewart of London, as well as the Minester plenepotiary from his Britanick Majesty to the King of Prusia.
As he will remain several weeks in your neighbourhood, I beg leave to recommend him to your protection and civilities, remaining ever, dear sir, your faithfull friend and obedient humble servant,
Mattw. Boulton
Suppose your canal to furnish a stream of water sufficient to work a mill for 6 months in the year, I say it will burn as many coals to return the water to the said mill for the remaining 6 months as would be necessary to work a mill of equal power for 12 months, provided the power of the engine was applied direct to the turning of the mill, without the intermediate application of the water. I therefore recommend that the water mill stand upon its own legs, and do all it can, and that a rotative engine stand upon its own legs.
161. Memorandum respecting Boulton & Scale.
The only material point in which M.B. differs in opineon from J.S. (and was what his remarks to Mr. Pierson related to) is that he thought it not a liberal way of settleing the accounts for the trade to pay J.S. the whole interest of his whole capital of £3000 from the first day of the partnership and to pay M.B. only from the days which the trade had occasion to draw money from him. M.B. thinks that from the 1st day of the partnership to the last day of the last year (which was the first settleing), that either both or neither partner should take the interest of their whole capitals. And his reasons for thinking so are—
1st. That both S. and B. were, prior to the 24th June 1782, engaged in another house, but that house became suddenly
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