| Description | (Directed to the Hotel de Chaulnes, rue d'Enfer.)
I receiv'd my dear son's letter of the 16th instant, and beg leave to assure him that I have, and always had, full confidence in his honour, truth, and integrity, and the only point in which I have complain'd I fear I had too much grounds for, but he hath render'd it unnecessary for me to say another word on that head at present.
Poor Collins is very ill, and thereby I loose my French secretary. I must therefore beg of you to go to Mr. Droz and tell him I have receiv'd his letter of the 16th with a drawing inclosed, and also tell him that I shall write to Mr. Matthews to send him a bill upon Paris by the next mail, agreeable to his request.
I must likewise beg of Mr. Droz to send me, if possible by the first dilligence, a few sous-even half a dozen would be sufficient, for I cannot receive my written contract from Goverment untill I can present to the ministers a few perfect specimens, and for want of which I am kep in a disagreeable suspence.
I wish likewise to receive as soon as possible one of the machines compleat pour marké au frappe le tranch* [Marginal note: *avec les acsésoir], as I have a small German order for copper pieces, ou sous, which I cannot execute without one.
Let Mr. Droz come as soon as he will, he will find one of the new large presses compleated agreeable to his last model, and I believe we shall be able to compleat one per week after the first is finished. I did write to him in my last letter that we had found the drawing at the bottom of the case, but I now wait for his opineon respecting the best mode of casting the female screw in brass, which I beg he will not delay to write to me, if not already done. His house at Soho is ready for him, and one bed is already put into it, all which he will find neat and convenient.
And now, my dear Matt, let me say one word respecting your self, which is, I must beg of you to pack up directly-at least, you must not defer your departure from Paris one day longer than the 12th or 14th of May, otherwise you must go to Germany without takeing a peep at Soho, for if you don't go to Germany-that is, set out from Birmingham-by the last day of May, I shall loose Mr. Reinhard's place for you, as it will be fill'd by another young man from Scotland, which I should be sorry for. I must therefore request you will not wait for Mr. Droz or any body, and if you cannot find a partner in a chaise, you must come alone; but perhaps Mr. Droz can get ready time enough to come with you.
Pray don't say a word to any one about Mr. Droz, and don't delay one hour after you have receiv'd this letter going to him and translating all that relates to him.
Pray make my compliments to Mr. Manuel and tell him I receiv'd his letter of the 17th instant, and also acquaint him of the necessity of your departure.
Present my compliments also to all friends dans le rue Coqheron and say I will write very soon, but I am overloaded with too much business.
Mr. Watt is yet very poorly. Lawson and Murdock are at Soho.
Adieu my dear son. God bless you. I am ever your affectionate father,
M. Boulton
Your sister is well, and sends her love.
[Edited transcript.] |