| Description | "Alteration of my stables proceeding. Felkin's cottages surrendered. Chamber's request." (Directed to the Post Office.)
Soho, February 14th, 1809.
Respected Sir,
I have been favored with your memorandum from Mr. Brown, and am glad to learn that the Trunk, &c., arrived safe.
To provide against the continuance of wet, the Stones for your stable have been deposited in the Cart Horse Stable, and on the day of your departure Webster and his Man proceeded to get out the ground for the reception of the dry ashes, which were procur'd as wanted from the Lap Engine and Soho Foundry, and the work has since gone on without any other interruption than what arose from the stones having required a deal of cutting and squaring to adapt them to each other. I hope, however, to see the Stable ready for the Painter, who has been duly apprized thereof, on Monday next. Sampson Webb has finished the Racks, the Partitions, and the Curves of the Grates, some of which were decayed; and to-morrow he is to begin the removal of the Gates under Mr. Haden's directions.
Of the Saddle House it is not in my power to report much progress. Percival & Co. have sent a Man expressly to the Quarry to expedite the delivery of the Flags, and the most positive assurances have been given them that they will be herre of Wednesday or Thursday next, when they will be set without delay. Their Man, to whom you have given a preference in jobs at the House, has been engaged with Mr. Ricketts at Dudley for some weeks past, but the latter has made arrangements for his return for a few days, and on Thursday next the resetting of your Grate will be in hand.
The new Gardener, who came yesterday, is very solicitous respecting his early crops, the seeds for which ought to be immediately put in the ground;-he thinks if the arrangement of the New Garden was finally concluded on, and specific instructions were received for carrying the plan into immediate effect, it cou'd only be availed of for the Autumn Crops, and lest the Family shou'd be disappointed he begs to suggest the cropping of such part of the present Garden Ground as will lease interfere with your views in the new arrangement, with Pease, Beans, &c., &c.
I have received possession of Felkin's Cottages. Chambers has promised to remove shortly; but declines the offer of the Overseers. He has strongly urged me to petition you on his behalf for a small weekly pittance in addition to the Parish allowance (either in food or money) in lieu of the materials, of which he does not perceive the probability of making any advantage. I remark'd to him that the Tenement being completely worn out no value cou'd attach to the materials, and I was sure it wou'd be more agreeable to you to see them taken quite away if he cou'd get any thing at all for them. I promised to submit his petition to you, but gave no hope of compliance, the case being different from that of Felkin, whose Cottages were habitable.
Mr. Cotterell promises that not a moment shall be lost in executing Mr. Busch's ideas, and the latter will come down as soon as his personal attendance is necessary, which is expected in a day or two.
I remain respectfully, Sir, your oblig'd and humble Servant,
Wm. Cheshire
[Edited transcript.] |