| Description | (2 pcs.)
My dear Madam,
Your favour of the 28th and press-copys I have received. I will always pay due respect to your recommendations, but I wish you had given the professor a hint that all my wakeing time is too little for my engagements, and never more so than at this time, and consequently the less he takes up of it the better.
My son seems well again and dined at the Foundry this day. I go to Litchfield on Fryday to receive some rent, but I expect to see you soon in town, as I have agreed for 300 ton of copper and must come to settle with the Treasury about the payment. At present I have drawn for none except the 3030£ worth bought by Holbrook and towards which I sent 1000£ you gave me when in town. The greatest part I have bought is to be paid for in bills at three months' date, and before they become due I shall deliver copper money as fast as wanted for payment. However, I fear some will be wanted before I shall be ready to coin it, and therefore I must come to town on that account.
I have this day receiv'd from the Privy Council the drawing of Britania sitting on a rock in the sea, on which is to be put, in small letters, June 1st, June 23d, February 14th-the days on which the three great naval victories were obtain'd. They say the report is gone up to the King, and then the Treasury will settle the remainder.
Pray assist me in considering the best means of guarding against any disapointment of Goverment untill the coin is ready to deliver; and, for argument's sake, I will suppose some of my draughts for copper at two months become due before I provide the needfull-query, in such case, if I was to draw at two months on Hammersley's house in your favour, or on Call's, would you discount such bills at the Bank, if accepted?
I know Goverment are poor, and I want to possess my self with ideas of all the practical ways and means to pay my draughts for copper untill the coinage is once got into good train, and then it will baste itself; but I shall insist upon the Treasury settleing a credit in my favour with the Bank, or some certain mode of payment; and on that business alone I think I shall come to town in about a week or nine days, for I shall begin to draw largely upon you at two and three months, so much so as for you to have great confidence in me. I had a letter yesterday from Lord Liverpool rejoicing at my success in purchasing of copper, and promises all his assistance at the Treasury in settleing the means of payment.
When you have occastion to give letters to strangers, pray adress them to B. & W. least I should be out; and, besides, their being adress'd to me only is a sufficient reason for some folks takeing no notice of them.
Adieu. God bless you.
M. B.
[Edited transcript.] |