| Description | (Annexed is a letter from Matthew Boulton to Mr. Cribb, in Cheshire’s hand, copied before being signed by Boulton.)
Soho Octr 21st 1802.
‘ Mr Richard Chippindall
Dear Sir,
M’r Boulton subscribed a long Time ago for a Print of the taking of Valenciennes publishd by Cribb No 288 Holborn, which he has not yet received; but we understand, from Mr C. Dixon, that a fine Proof is reserved with Mr Boulton’s Name on it; to procure which the Reaminder of the Subscription Money should be paid & the Receipt given up for the two Guineas & a half paid down on subscribing. But as the latter Condition cannot so easily be complied with as the former, in Consequence of the ill State of Mr Boulton’s Health & Confinement to Bed which at present forbid my troubling him to search for the Receipt; it will therefore be proper to embrace an Alternative proposed by M’r Cribb to provide for the Event of the Receipt being mislaid, viz, that of a Memorandum from Mr Boulton to secure M’r Cribb from Harm shou’d it be hereafter improperly produced. Annex’d you have such a Memorandum as I presume will be deemed sufficient, & to which I shall procure Mr Boultons Signature. May I request that you will have the Goodness to do the needful in this Matter, & have the Print when carefully packed forwarded to Soho House? which will oblige Mr Boulton &, Dear Sir,
your most ob’t huml Servt
Wm Cheshire
Soho near Birmm Octr 21st 1802
M’r Cribb
Sir
I have safe in my Possession a Receipt for two Guineas & a half paid down on subscribing to your Print of the taking of Valenciennes; but having been for some Months past confin’d to my Bed, & being likely to continue in the same Situation for some Months to come, I have not an Opportunity of searching for, & transmitting, the said Receipt. I must therefore request the Favor of you to deliver the Proof Print I understand you have reserved for me, to my Agent Mr Rich’d Chippindall, who will pay you the Remainder of the Subscriptn Money; & when my Health will permit me to look for the Receipt in Question, I will either return it to you, or destroy it.
I am Sir,
your most ob’t huml Servt .’ |