| Description | I receiv'd in due course my dear son's letter of the 16th May.
I observe with great pleasure your remarks upon the character of Mr. Wiegleb, and particularly your haveing obtain'd in some degree his friendship, as I consider it a good omen in both parties when they mutualy speak and think highly of each other. I am perswaded that much of the happiness or misery of life depends upon the proper choice of friends, or the accidental connections we make amongst men; and though I always shun the acquaintance of every species of rascals, yet one sometimes takes up a likeing to a man for some particular talent before one hath examin'd his heart, his principles, or his honor, and thereby risk one's own peace and happiness. Mine hath been much disturbed by the dishonorable conduct of Mr. Droz, and my health and happiness deranged by the conduct of our Goverment, who have boy'd me up with hopes of contracting for 1500 or 2000 ton of copper coin, and now, after spending a great many thousand pounds, and after inventing and compleating a coining apparatus upon new, ingenious, and more perfect principles than any ever yet produced in the world-yet, after all, from some difference in opineons amongst the ministers or the cabals of the Court, I perceive I shall be disapointed by Goverment on the one hand and by Droz on the other, for he hath had more than 1000 pounds of me and hath not finished one pair of dies since he came to England.
I wish you not to stay longer than you and Mr. Reinhard may think it necessary for you to perfect your self in speaking and writing the German language, for I stand in need of the consolation of a sincere friend, and your assistance in some points of business.
A letter is by this post (wrote by Cabrit) sent to Mr. Streiber to request he will advance the money for the payment of the books, as well as for your traviling expences, and draw as usual. When you return through Amsterdam, pray call of Mr. Robert Motteux, who will shew you all worth your observation. I wish you would call upon Mr. Hope, whom I believe you saw at Soho, and his niece Mrs. Williams Hope, and Miss Goddard. I will send you a letter for him, which you will find at Messrs. Isnel & Martin's at Amsterdam, who are good customers of mine, and whom you must sollicit for a continuance of their favours and behave to them respectfully.
I wish you would learn Mr. Hope's opineon of my new coin, and whether such apparatus would not be a very desireable thing in Holland, as it is more than sufficient to strike ten times all the money they want, as you'l see by the inclosed, which I propose to send Mr. Hope a copy of, or, if I do not, you may shew it to him. My plan was to prevent the counterfeiting of money of all or any nation-at least, such as choose to adopt it-for I am ashamed to say that there are rascals at Birmingham who make counterfeit dollars and deux sous pieces of France, and though I have repeatedly inform'd ministers, yet no notice hath been taken.
I fear Mr. Streiglitz will be of little use to me, as I have not employment for three foreign clarks, and I don't choose to push my trade abroad untill peace instead of war prevails throughout Europe.
This day the king's messenger return'd from Spain, but the contents of his dispatches are not yet known. Report says that the Spaniards have offer'd to pay the damages ariseing from their takeing two of our ships at Nootskey Sound, but they insist upon their haveing the sole right to navigating in the Pacific Ocean. If they persevere in that, a war with Spain must be enevitable.
Our Parliament is dissolved, and all this country is in a ferment by the general election, which will last a fortnight or three weeks longer.
Your sister is well and desires her sincerest love to you, wishing, with me, your health and a safe return. She is in town at Mr. Motteux's. Perhaps you and Bob may contrive to return together.
I have sent in a cask to one of our friends at Cassell (I forget his name) some stockings for Mr. Wiegleb, which I beg his acceptance of; there is also a parcel for young Mr. Streiber, which he hath advice of. I beg you will present my most respectfull compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Reinhard, with many, many thanks for all their kindnesses to you. Pray learn if they want any thing which this country affords, and receive their commissions.
Pray write to me the day you receive this and let me know your movements and intentions.
Poor Mrs. Roberts is dead, and was bury'd last Friday.
Charles Startin had lately a paraletick stroke, which hath drawn his mouth a little asside, but he is now recovering.
I have no other particular news to tell you, and therefore I conclude with fervant prayers for your health and safety, remaining ever, dear Matt, your very affectionate father,
Mattw. Boulton
[Edited transcript.] |