| Description | (Directed to Thomas Wilson’s. Annexed is a transcript by Zaccheus Walker Jr. of a letter, in French, from Augustin Monnéron to Matthew Boulton, 3 Sep.)
Dear Father,
The agreable news of Mr. Monneron’s release, and his orders to continue coining, gave universal satisfaction to all here. We had luckily not discharged any of the workmen till Saturday night last, so that none of them had engaged themselves elsewhere.
We have to day begun again, and I suppose it conformable to your desire to go on with the greatest expedition till the account is ballanced. No orders are likely to be obtained from any of the factors.
In the letter recieved from Chippendale he mentions that the Sierra Leona Co. wish part of their order to be executed in silver. In the execution of such a coinage, I should fear the risk would be too great, and the number of pieces so few, as to afford but little profit. However, Ponton is at work upon a model, which he will execute as near the drawing as possible. Some alteration in the position must necessarily be made in order to have little relief, as foreshortening in engraving cannot be rendered but by more or less relief in the different parts, and the actual position of the lion in the print depends entirely upon this effect.
The button trade is now at the lowest ebb: no orders yet from the fairs. Mr. Scale desires me to ask you if you have any objection to his purchasing copper from the other companies in Birmingham, as at B. & Hurd’s Warehouse they ask 6£ per ton more than the general price. Benjamin Morris has now nearly abandoned the warehouse and spends his time at Mr. Hurd’s, who sells copper at present under the firm of J. Hurd & Co.
It has given us much joy to hear that you continue to enjoy good health, and that your expectations of success in Cornwall increase. May the smiles and blessings of fortune ever attend you is the sincere wish of your dutiful son,
Mattw. R. Boulton
PS. Since writing the above a letter of Bourdieu & Co. inclosing one from Monneron, who recalls his orders for a continuation of the coinage . . . reasons are the unsettled sta[te] of France and the impossibility of carrying on any commercial concerns.
Copy of Mr. A. Monneron’s letter dated 3d September 1792.
Mr. M. Boulton.
Monsieur,
J’en ai ni le courage ni la force de vous parler de mes affaires de commerce. Les evenements du 10 Aout ont ralenté toutes les affaires en France. La prise de Longwy et le siege de Verdun occupent maintenant tous les esprits. Hier le peuple s’est porté dans les prisons: tous les prisonniers ont eté mis à mort. M. Bachman, major au Regiment des Gardes Suisses, a eté condamné à perdre la vie. Il a subi ce matin so jugement. Toutes les boutiques sont fermés. Ayez la complaisance de suspendre la fabrication des medailles, et retenez toutes celles qui sont en route. Je ne veux compromettre ni vos interets ni ceux de M. M. Bourdieu, Chollett, & Bourdieu.
(Signé) A. Monneron
[Edited transcript.]
|