| Description | Tottenham, 24 May 1762.
Dear Sir,
Since my last, which I wrote about a week ago, I receaved (soon after) your most agreable letter of 11 instant, which I should have answered long ere this, but, having been for these ten days past in town with my other half and sister, who, together with the visit I have paid to several merchants and others (on account of our connection), have taken up my whole time early and late, and which considerations I hope will plead my excuse.
But now give me leave to tell you we are all here under the greatest alarm at not hearing from you, fearing some sudden illness may have prevented us that pleasure; and, indeed, when we consider the hurry you are in, we should not wonder at such a misfortune. I am particularly surprised that Walker should not show some anxiety in the present situation, when you made it so easy to him by an assistant. But, however, as I am in hopes my wife will begin to be satisfied towards the end of this week (having already almost seen everything), of coming down very soon, I shall use my best endeavours to make things more easy.
Before I receav’d your last letter Mr. Cantrell was sett out for Bath, from whence he is expected this week; his people imagine he’ll make Birmingham in his return. I am endeavouring all I can, through the assistance of Messrs. van der Meulen and Mr. John Motteux (which latter I have settled with to be our expeditor and banker here), to raise £1000 on my stock security in Holland at 5%, money being so extremely scarce here, and more so on account of the new aid of one million lately given to support of the King of Portugall. I hope, by a constant application to Clay Hallen, that we may depend on the greatest part of the sum he has promis’d; and, as Mr. D— has at present a good deal of cash in v. der Meulen’s hands, I hope he’ll not refuse me in the course of this summer about £500.
I find there is nothing to be done in the shops with the steel button, but am assur’d they will be much call’d for abroad. Mr. Jefferys has gott one to show His Majesty and the Prince of Mecklenberg; the other I dispatched imediately, with the two platina coat buttons, to Mr. Gunther Ludwig Stuhlmann of Hambro’; I likewise sent two more to Messrs. Barth & Berger of Francfort, and the odd one to Messrs. John Hermann Meyer and Louis of Hannover; at same time wrote to Mr. Greves of Hambro’ about the chapes. So you see all the platina coat buttons are disposed on without being seen in London, and I wait now for more.
Mr. Thomas Jefferys has gott a stock clasp for you, which Mr. Jefferys desires you’ll gett him 400 done exactly like it; I fancy old Powers is the man fitt to make them; they are wanted in three weeks. He complains of your soldier’s buckles both in quality and price. Said gentleman is going to be concerned with John Bent with the disposing of your chapes such as will be wanted in London, of which sorts I shall bring patterns.
I do imagine the order Dallaway gave you is from Stuhlmann. Mr. Green is so hurried at present as not to be able to finish above one chapes before he sets out for Birmingham, which will be next Friday, and which he’ll take with him for your approbation. Messrs. Tappenden and Hanby desire a complete pattern card of all the chapes for the American trade; they dispose of mostly the finer sort. I shall have an order for sundry things from Messrs. Stemann, Otte, and Klotz, and Messrs. Heinzelmann have just sent for me, I suppose on account of the chapes. Mr. Bird by Temple Barr, who has not yet expos’d your platina buckles, desires a gross of platina links of every sort on tryal. He is likewise vastly impatient about the chapes, which I find is a very scarce comodity in London.
Mr. Carlton, who, upon assuring me that he had heard of your new metal and that he had a considerable order already in hand for gilt buckles for exportation, prevail’d on my showing him your card, as also of promising immediately to send three sets each 225, 226, 227, 229, to go as samples with the other goods, which I hope you’ll send per coach. He has likewise order’d a few fine links, which shall forward at my return. On account of some observations I have much more to say, but must conclude at present with assuring you that in our most private retirement we greatly commiserate here on the constant fatigue you undergo, and my wife in particular recommends you to take comfort for a little while longer, and all here join in kindest compliments to Mrs. Boulton, yourself, and family. Begging likewise to be remembered to all enquiring friends, I have now only time to say I am assuredly, with the greatest esteem, dear sir, your affectionate friend and servant,
Jno. Fothergill
[Edited transcript.] |