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(Directed to Mr. Matthews’, Green Lettice Lane.)
Soho Sunday 8 Feby 1778
Dear Sir
Your favor respecting a conversation wth: Mr Hall &c &c I duly recd: & yesterday I had a good deal with him, both with respect to him self & the Engine business I cannot find that he has any complaint to make except that you have some time given him certain orders respecting the management of the workmen & immediately or soon after told the men different without telling him; he did not say particularly when; but I beleive it was something about Jas: Horton; Upon the conclusion of this discourse I beg'd if he had any thing to complain of about his own situation that he wou'd write to you without reserve; & I was well assured he wou'd receive a satisfactory answer if it was in your power-from Halls Acct. of the Engines you seem amazingly behind you have only Taylor, Cartwright, Peploe & Lawe that can mount or fit Nozzels or Condensors; to put up half the Engines you mention they will all be wanted at erecting them & in that case you have not one at Home either to make a Nozel or Condensor; Taylor & Cartwright are now at Bloomfield Lawe is at Salmons (I think it is) so that there is no body at Home now but Peploe; it appears to me very plain that you shou'd have 12 men instead of 4 to make nozzels Condensors & to Erect the Engines for according to your Acct there are 10 Engines to be set to work this spring if so you shou'd have 3 or 4 Engines erecting at the same time which will constantly keep 6 or 8 of your mounters or fitters out & the rest shou'd stay at Home; Suppose one man to finish a nozel & Condensor in 6 weeks it will take 10 men to finish 10 Engines in that time or 5 men to finish them in 12 weeks & I suppose you wish to have them all finish'd in 12 weeks & you may add at least 20 per Ct in men for accidents; those are my ideas respecting this sett of men. Mr Hall seems to think there is no dificulty in geting the forging done; he says Mr. Watt orderd that Wm. Murdock shoud make all the patts for Nozels in consequence of which Carless has had little to do all the week, beleive for want of drawings but Hall will write to you more fully.
I sent as much Oatmeal on friday night per Coach as will make you Gruel for a month says Mrs. Ann 7 at at Same time a Turkey was sent; the Ducks are now begun to Lay, and are not fit to eat, shall send another turkey next week.
I shall endeavour to agree with Sanders tomorrow for cutting out the Pearl Buttons by the Gro. I cut out just 9 doz Coat in an hour but the next hour my bands both got so slack that I was obliged to cut them & Shorten them so that I only cut out 3 dozn. the next hour & this is the case they tell me 3 or 4 times a day & therefore I will get Buckles to the Bands, their wages now comes to 54/- & we find every thing & they cut out about 45 to 50 gro per week Coat & Brt: I think to offer him 6d per Gro Coat & 4d per Gro Brt: & he find every thing this may be too much a few months hence but am fearful he will not accept it at present if he will not it will be better to give him more than continue as they are for they now cost 15 or 18 per Gro Coat & Brt together.
There is another delightful order come from ACN. of 2000 single gro: in all: there is about 300 dble gro of two patts which are concave steels with stars @ abt 30/- per dble nett I have not seen the total amt yet but 'tis what I call a devlish good order. I had some thoughts of Leaving the platina Buttons off the Cards for I am sure they have got nothing on acct of the great quantities of waste; but Olley yesterday askd me to let him have a tryal at them to bring them ready finish'd which I intend to do if you think well of it. Have just recd. yours to Mrs. Boulton with the order for the Setts of Pearl Buttons &c you do not say whether there should be 2, 2½ or 3 dble dozn: to a Sett or about what price the 8 setts shoud be, whether they shoud be @ 1/- or 5/- apiece if you can give any further directions shall be glad to receive them; I am fearful you will be difficult to please if you can only find two patts out of 12 to please you. I sent a note to Smith desiring he wou'd only send such foil Stones as we orderd & have not heard of him Since but shall go to him tomorrow & talk to him about the price. Mr. Millars has been here all day in expectation of hearing from you I let him see that part of your Letter when you mention him which gives but Little encouragmt: nevertheless he does not give 'em up for when he went away he beg'd I woud do all in my power for him &c. Pray what Parker is it you mention that Mr. Matthews says I know? I cannot recollect any. Poor Kimnel had another bad fit yesterday and also two more in the night I gave him a note to Dr Withering to day.
Mrs. Boulton is pretty well, they had quite a jovial do at the Esqrs. & the bottoms of her Dancing pumps sufferd considerably as you may easily suppose for she kept it up till 3 oClock in the morning-She wou'd not have you buy a Cloak or gown but if you can buy a handsome Schaul of schale such as are wore now she will be glad.
I am
Yours sincerely
J S
Mr Stuart hath not yet sent the Tea. |