| Description | (Dated at Summer Lane.)
Respected Sir,
Doubtless you think me an unaccountable fellow and cannot have form'd the most favourable opinion of either my habits of industry or competency to conduct a manufactory; I trust, however, that, subsequent events will remove the unhappy impressions that have been received from the unfortunate delays that have hitherto attach'd to the business I have taken in hand. I persuade myself that you will not doubt my veracity when I assure you that I have endeavour'd to make up by a close and unremitting attention, day and night, for any deficiency of manufactural acquirements; you must indeed be sensible (knowing, as you do, the state of my circumstances) that I have every incentive to vigorous exertion that a human being can have and must naturally have imagin'd that my errors wou'd be most probably on the side of precipitancy, and that I shou'd blunder into business at any rate, in order that my allowance for services might commence; but no such prospect of immediate advantage can induce me to issue an article that may reflect discredit upon the parties concern'd in it.
Concious, sir, of the justice of your remark upon the buttons I offer'd to your inspection, I felt so much chagrin and vexation that I determin'd, if possible, never to see you more till I cou'd produce an article more worthy of your notice. To that point has every exertion been directed, and I flatter myself with a confidence that permits me to assure you that it will be in my power to exhibit to you and the other merchants of Birmingham in the course of a few days, buttons that will meet your and their approbation.
In the mean while I have thought it proper to drop you a line assigning a reason for having omitted to fulfill the promise I made you of taking cards to the warehouses last week.
I remain, with great respect, sir, your oblig'd and obedient servant,
Wm. Cheshire
[Edited transcript.] |