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Dear Sir,
I wrote to you the 14th, 17th, and 21st, which I began to fear were not come to your hand, but am this moment reliev'd by your favour of the 21st, acknowledging the reception of the first. I beg that you will make it a rule in all your letters to mention the date of your last and to acknowledge the reception and date of such of mine as come to your hand, and thus our correspondence will make one chain from which a link cannot be taken without being missed. I am the more particular as I know it is a rule to inspect doubtfull letters at certain post offices.
I have settled and paid Droz all that the award required, although he hath not perform'd the things it required, except he hath deliver'd to me the dies he hath engrav'd, but whether they will answer, it remains to be tryed. He hath engaged by a writing to return to Soho any time in the course of twelve months, upon me giveing him three months' notice in writing; and as an hostage for his performance of the remainder of the award at his return I retain 250£; but I have this morning paid him 550£, and 1100£ before paid him, with some smaller sums, will be upwards of 1900, to which add rents, taxes, &c. He will have cost me much more than £2000, besides above 8000£ other expences in my Mint and machines, to which add expence of lawyers, loss of time, neglect of my other more substantial business, and, what is still more than all, I have had more plague and vexation with him than with any man I ever had any connection. But, grace au Dieu, he sets out from Soho this evening, seemingly in good humour, and says he is sorry he had not known me better. As he seem'd desireous of parting in peace, I invited him to take a parting glass of wine at my house yesterday, which he accepted; and, though it was better to part in peace than in war, yet I have no dependance on his truth or sincerity.
I should be happy to hear from you per next, and to receive your report of progress.
The thing I am most desireous of is to fit up their Hotel de Mon'y with two steam engines to work one coining mill and one cutting-out mill, and to roll or laminate their metal. By this means I shall do justice to my own invention in that country. And if they are willing to treat with me and to employ me in that matter, I can undertake to get their new mint at work in one year sooner than they can do it themselves, besides securing them from mechanical errors.
As to the bell scheme, [it] must be transacted in the name of respectable and oppulent French men as I must keep upon the back ground of the picture.
I thank you for your enquiries about the things for Nantes. We have just heard they are arived. I hope you will have had some conversations with Messrs. Monnerons and others before D's arival. D. says he is desireous that the National Assembly should adopt my mill, as he then could execute their business with very few persons and little trouble, but he is not a man of business.
Hopeing to hear of your health and progress soon, I remain, dear sir, yours sincerely.
If you should see Mr. Guyot, or any of Mr. De Lessert's family, in your street, please to present my kindest compliments and best wishes, adding that I will certainly write to Mr. Guyot very soon.
Perhaps Mr. Perier may make as good a melch cow of the National Assembly as he did of the late corrupt Goverment.
Remember me kindly to Mr. Van Linder.
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