| Description | Dear Friend,
The letter I received from you yesterday gives me great concern. I purposely avoided speaking to you about Albion Mill. In 1772 my old friend Jonas Hanway repeated a Spanish proverb to me of the following tenor, viz.
He that loses his money loses much
He that loses his friend loses more
But
He that loses himself loses all.
The general idea certainly is that Albion Mill hath been injurious to the public, and that it was a very dangerous monopoly, and, which is extremely mortifying, I have had several opportunities of shewing the contrary. Lord Hawkesbury said to me, "Nothing can be more evident to him than that flower when compared with wheat had been much cheaper in consequence of Albion Mill, and that it had been a valuable acquisition to the public." If Government would examine what the effects have been and report the result, it would be a noble act of justice and probably so far remove the present prevailing prejudices as to render it rational for private people to rebuild the works, which I fear is not the present case.
Lord Hawkesbury is in a very teizing situation respecting the Mint; the particulars would be highly improper for me to put upon paper, and it behoves me also to be cautious how I speak upon the subject. I wish I could have shewn him some perfect little pieces, but I made it a point of duty not to atempt to interupt your sollid concerns upon the speculation of coinage for Government, tho' I have no doubt you will be employed whenever any decided measures are adopted, and more than all your expences paid; but you can never be paid for the vexation it has given you.
The Britannia must be shallower, it takes too much metal, and the circle might be a little less. The edge of the piece is not perfect.
I shall not venture to give Lord Hawkesbury or anybody one of the last pieces.
I have sent to Mr. Matthews for the India pieces you intended to send, but they are not come. I shall see Lord Hawkesbury again on Monday morning and probably on Wednesday.
I was delighted with the direct answer you gave to Williams's agent about the 200 ton copper.
I don't doubt the fire at Soho was accidental.
Present me affectionately to Miss and Mr. M. Boulton, and to Miss Mynd. I am, for ever and ever, your gratefull and most affectionate friend,
Saml. Garbett
My son desires to be kindly remembered to you all.
[Edited transcript.] |