| Description | (Part of the sheet has been torn away. The proposals embodied in this letter are apparently those referred to in MS 3782/12/72/26 as having been made before Whitsuntide (18 May) 1777; another apparent allusion to them occurs at the beginning of MS 3782/12/72/27. The reference to C. W. (Charles Wyatt), manager of the button business till about February 1777, would seem to place it before his departure.)
Sir
My two views for giving you the following Sentiments are-first, to do better for my self (if I can,) & second to do better for you than my present situation will admitt of. I cannot think of asking a greater Salery than I have; because I know it is as much as I deserve, & as much as the trade can afford-then query if (when all your different trades are fix'd to your mind) whether you cannot get a person to supply my place, for much Less money? I think there is not a doubt of it, & if you can, do you not think it probable, that I cou'd do better both for you & myself as a manager in some of your trades; say steel Chains & Steel Butt's &c or any toys in iron or Steel (not toys as large as Engines) I mention this Branch because every other seems in a fair way of being settled to your mind (at least I suppose 'em so) & besides I think myself more capable of managing this to advantage than any other, except C W Buttons, & of those two, I know not which I coud mage best; but I hope you will be able to make Satisfactory terms with Chs-who I dare say will be able to turn it to More advantage than I cou'd do. I shall be much obliged to you for your sentiments on this head, as soon as you have turn'd it over in your mind; for I must confess that my thoughts (ever since our last meeting in the Library) have been turning much more to the manufactorer than the Clerk. If you see no possibility of a connection of this kind taking place, I wish to forget immediately that I ever had such a thought; but if you do see a probability of such an alteration, I don't in the least fear but a plan will be easily form'd-I suppose for the first 3 or 6 months, or until you cou'd get one, well fixd in my place; that I must be Jack at a Call to any thing where I cou'd be most usefull; but indeed i will not attempt to fix a plan untill I have your sentiments.
My strongest arguments in favor of this alt[eration . . .]
That I shou'd be still upon the sp . . . to hope, upon the same friendly terms; . . . my assistance wou'd be useful, it might . . . hesitation.
That if Mr K-r & Mr H-d-n . . . Soho their assistance will be very considerab[le] . . .
That after all your trades . . . mind, the place I now fill, will cheifly . . . after the orders, which may be as well . . . person of less salery than I have.
That I flatter myself I cou'd get m[ore] . . . for my self and more for you also.
If the above sentiments shoud not . . . yours, I beg you will not construe them . . . Artifice or ingratitude but into an error of . . .
Yours most Sincerely
Jno [Scale]
PS Let me be in what situation I will (if at Soho) I shall still be happy in continuing to do what I now do respecting keeping your Accts: in Housekeeping &c so long that you think well of it.
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