| Description | Wrapper.
(In the hand of Matthew Boulton.)
White Metl. Button Makers
Letter. John Morfitt [Birmingham] to Matthew Boulton [Soho]. 2 Mar. 1796.
"On white metal button turners."
Sir
The Journeymen hard white Button Turners have some Complaints to state of which they allow you to be the most competent Judge as the oldest & most respectable Button Manufacturer. Be so good as look at their List of Prices, together with their supplicatory Handbill. They leave the matter to the decision of you & Mr. Walker in Sand Street in full confidence of obtaining perfect Justice.
I am
with infinite respt.
Yr. faithful Servt.
J. Morfitt
2d. Mar. 1796.
Printed handbill, addressed to hard white button manufacturers. 22 Feb. 1796.
(Not docketed.)
To Hard White Button Manufacturers.
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THE JOURNEYMEN TURNERS in this Branch of Business, are compelled by the unexampled Dearness of Provisions, humble to submit to their Employers a Regulation of their Wages, which they think unavoidably necessary, and, which they hope will take Place after the 7th Day of March next:-They do not wish to offend any Master, nor violate any known Law, but, beg that their Distresses may be taken into due Consideration, and the Sentiments of the Parties concerned communicated to the Committee, at the Sign of the Justice, in Great Charles-street.
A Copy of the List of Prices, which have respect to the different Sorts and Sizes of Buttons, are delivered to the Manufacturers, and any Objection will be explained or removed, upon fair Discussion.
Birmingham, 22d February, 1796.
Printed schedule, entitled "A List of the Sizes and Prices of Turning," to take date 7 Mar. 1796.
(Annotated by Matthew Boulton, &c.)
Handwritten schedule, similar to the above. c. Mar. 1796.
(In an unidentified hand.)
Memorandum by Matthew Boulton. c. Mar. 1796.
I think that 1/10 should be deducted for the use of the Mill in Grinding viz: 2½ should be 2¼.
N:B: the same prises are given by some Manufacturers but they deduct from the Workmans Acct every Saturday 10 per Cent & also make them pay Shop rent. some Masters deduct 1/3.
There should be universal Gage Plates for Masters & Men divided into Cents or into tenths & subdivided into quarters.
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