| Description | 2 O Clock
Dr. Sir
I am just come from Mr Anderton who sent for me to say that with the Addition of a Clause to the following purport he should be happy to give the Bill his Concurrence & support. Gibbs has called a Meetg of Manufacturers for 3 oClock this Afternoon. he will see him in the meantime, in order to prevent mischief. I see at present no objection to its insertion, when properly modelled. I am in haste
Yrs respectfully
J Alston
And whereas it is the Custom of many Manufacturers to have their Buttons Gilt by the Hire and not in their own Shops-be it enacted that if any Manufacturer shall order his Work to be gilt at a less price or with a Smaller Quantity of GOld, than the Standards hereby fixed that then he shall be liable to the aforesaid penalties. but if it shall appear upon evidence that he had given orders for such Buttons to be gilt in conformity to the said Standard and had allowed a sufficient price or Quantity of Gold to the Gilder-but had been deceived by his Gilder-then upon due proof thereof the Gilder shall be liable to the said Penalties & not the Manufacturer [Added in the hand of Matthew Boulton:] & more severely punished by imprisonment if he cant pay the forfeit. |