Record

Ref NoMS 3782/21/14/3
TitleLetter. Matthew Boulton (London) to Sir Joseph Banks (London).
LevelItem
Date12 July 1790
DescriptionDear Sir,
I thank you most heartily for you[r] kind attention, and am extreamly sorry to have brought upon you so much troublesome, disagreeable, and unprofitable business: there is no remedy now but patience, nor satisfaction but in the reflection of aiming at doing good, promoteing peace, and preventing ruinous law suits.
This will be deliver’d to you by Mr. James Lawson, a worthy young man who lives with me as a clark, a draughtsman, and engineer. He is the person who took the plans and sections of the Cornish mines which I had once the honor to shew you. I have employ’d Mr. Lawson in the management of my mint business ever since Droz came to England, and as an interpreter between Droz and the workmen; he is therefore acquainted with every circumstance relative to it, and if you wish to ask him any questions he will answer you truly.
I hear Droz is, with the assistance of a lawyer, getting his case aranged, and I am surprised that he hath not deliver’d my letters, as he received the remainder the day I last saw you.
I have hastily drawn a simple narative of my connection with Droz, but I am unwilling to give you the trouble of reading it, nor would I request that favour unless I find Droz hath given you his memoir which he has been so hard at work at; however, I will beg of you to read the appendix to it, page 14-15-16-17-18-19-20, which relates to the yet unsettled part of the business.
I have also inclosed a letter I received 2 days ago from Mr. Watt, who was present at Paris when Droz invited us to see his press. These papers I have not yet shewn to Mr. Motteux, whom I have not seen since we were in Soho Square; and as I think it proper he should see them, I will beg the favour of you to return them by Mr. Lawson, who will wait your own time for the perusal.
I have also sent you some extracts from Droz letters in English, which you may keep, and may serve to bring the points more to a focus.
Pray don’t give your self the trouble to write. I shall meet you on Wednesday morning agreeable to appointment, and remain, with the highest respect,
Dear Sir,
Your faithfull friend and gratefull servant,
Mattw. Boulton
York Hotel, Bridge Street, 12 July 1790
Yours of the 11 is just received.
I have desired Mr. Lawson to explain my invention of working presses by the pressure of the atmosphere.
[Edited transcript.]
Extent1
FormatItem
Access StatusOpen
LanguageEnglish
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