| Description | Dear Friend,
Yours of the 29th I received on Tuesday and immediately sent a card to Mr. Watt, but he had set out for Cheltenham the preceding day; he did me the favour to call twice and was very well.
The day after you left home I received from Soho a packet enclosing Remmet's indentures, and I sent that which was executed by you and Hodges and Chamberlain to Mr. Lewis, together with the letter that Mr. Hodges had wrote to you on the subject; but I have kept that indenture which was executed by both the Remmets.
I have had five letters from Mr. Byerly and have wrote as many to him, about the seizure of Ljundberg's boxes. He has been very alert in the business. I have had another letter from Mr. Rose thereon, and he has wrote again to the Commissioners of the Customs, and he has also wrote to the Chairman of the India Company in consequence of my sending him a copy of the enclosed memorandum relative to swords, "Suggesting the same Trial as the Duke of Richmond has established for the Ordnance." We are much indebted to Mr. Rose for his good office and regular correspondence. Great doubt is expressed by Mr. Rose, the Commissioners of the Customs, and Mr. Byerly about the legality of detaining Ljundberg's book, and therefore I thought it necessary to write to Mr. Rose and Mr. Byerly as under:
"I think we should indemnify the Commissioners, &c., and stand trial with Mr. Ljundberg even to the House of Lords, if practicable; and consequently to put him upon proving his property, and that it is detained, &c., and also take the chance of getting his person in the course of the proceedings.
"I flatter myself there are some laws besides that I have refered to which will render the whole forfeited, but certain I am that if we had possession of his person the issue would be as satisfactory as the nature of the transaction would admit, and from what you write I don't doubt he is aware of being liable to imprisonment, and secured himself by leaving the kingdom.
"I am in hopes that some drawings or descriptions in his books would by a jury be thought under the denomination of plans, even tho' the book should not be thought a part of his goods."
Mr. Byerly urges for letters from other bodies of men than the potters. I fear there has not been any application from Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, or Sir Richard Arkwright. I have answered that I don't doubt my application will be considered as from the town of Birmingham, to which he replies that the Commissioners say, "the whole diplomatick corps are upon them." There has been a letter delivered to the Board of Customs by Mr. Crawshaw from Mr. Reynolds; I have desired to be acquainted with the tenor of it.
Our country is certainly considered as a School of the Arts, and that great improvements in manufactures are originating here; and it seems we are a common plunder for all who will take the trouble of coming here, and our magazine of secrets at the Patent Office is exposed to all foreigners.
I have sent Mr. Stevenson a copy of the memorandum relative to sword blades, and wrote him a civil letter:
I cannot be at Buxton before the latter end of this month, but I hope to be there the 26th and that the company will not then be so numerous as to prevent my obtaining a good room at the Crescent. When you leave Buxton, I wish you would speak a good word for me.
I have not been at Soho since you left home, but Miss Mynd has been so good as to send us some apricots and plumbs.
Mrs. S. Turner is very well and desires me to offer love to you and Miss Boulton and hearty wishes for health and happiness to you both.
Miss Steward was married on Monday last to Mr. Payne. Mr. and Mrs. Startin went to church on Sunday last, and received company on Monday and Tuesday morning and returned visits on Wednesday. No lady either sat with Mrs. Startin to receive company or attended her to return visits, but Mr. Startin attended her in both those ceremonials. They treated their visitors with chocolate, but did not give bread or rusk with it, nor did they give bride cake.
Pray don't write to me unless you have something material to say, but if it is in your power give your buisy mind a little relaxation.
All at Knill are well, and Garbett is going on to his satisfaction at Blois, where they have no disburbance, but have about 2000 bourgeoise well disciplined, and they and everybody wear the cockade of the tiers etat. The Bishop of Blois writes, "it appears that in two years there has run out many ages. The destiny of France has perhaps placed it in a most deplorable position, to prepare the most salutary remedy for it. Little disorders would have left it in the same state, but a great disaster was necessary to make it come out of its supineness and its ancient routines. Neither Sully nor Colbert have so much benefitted the nation as some of their successors by their depredations and their haughtiness.
With affectionate wishes for you and Miss Boulton, I am ever gratefully and faithfully yours,
Saml. Garbett
[Edited transcript.] |