| Description | (4 pcs.)
"Button Meeting." (Two press-copies of an original in Boulton's hand.)
This meeting Gentlemen is calld for the purpose of takeing into consideration the most
effectual means of preventing in future the deceptions which have been practised in the
Manufacture of Buttons.
The deceptions alluded to are marking the word Gilt upon Buttons which are not Gilt & the
word Plated upon such as are not Plated.
I will not expatiate upon the impolicy, the dishonour, & the immorality of the act itself, nor upon the inevitable consequences that must ensue; such as Ruin to the Trade & disgrace to the name of Birmingham.
However let us wave all reproaches & recriminations for what is past, but let those who have transgressed cease to do so, & let it be rememberd, that honesty is the best policy & that fair dealing must in the end prove the most advantageous both to the Town & to Individuals.
As I am an Old Button-maker, allow me to advise my Bretheren to make Excellence, rather than Cheapness, their principle of Rivality, and, pardon me if I advise the Merchant to be satisfyd with buying good Commodities at a fair price, to lay asside the arts of Reduction, & not to expect to buy his goods cheaper then any other Man who has money in his hands.
It perhaps may be difficult to distinguish the difference of Shade in Gilt Buttons, between 1d per Gross higher, or 1d per Gro lower, & yet a repetition of such small abatements will soon bring back the ruinous trade of Gilding without Gold; for let the maker say what he will the buyer may be assured that the reduction of Quality will always keep pace with ye reduction of price, & ultimately deminish the returns of the Merchant, and destroy the Trade at the Manufacturer.
The Legislatures of this & other Countries have enacted many Laws for protecting the reputation & qualities of their Commodities & Manufactures; such as wrought Plate, Linen, Woollen, Sheffield Cutlery, Gold Lace Manufactory, which was so ruind by feeble Gilding, that the makers were obliged to apply to Parliament, & I fear the reputation of Birmingham Buttons & some other Articles will never be retrievd unless the quality is kept up, & protected also by an Act of Parliament. The Gold wire drawers are obliged by Law to put . . . pwt. of Gold upon every pound Troy of Silver, since which our Gold Lace has been equal to the French in Couler & quality. The quality of the Swedish bar Iron is protected by Law & various other instances may be found.
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