| Description | Sir,
The unhappy state of Mr. Boulton’s health having compelled him to retire, some time since, from all the cares of business, and the Faculty being of opinion that it is absolutely necessary to withold from him all epistolary correspondence as the probable means of continuing his existence, it has become necessary, in obedience to their injunctions, to reply by the hand of an Amanuensis to your favor of the 3d instant.
Had not the return of Mr. Boulton’s Son from the Sea Coast, where he has been for the re-establishment of his health, been unexpectedly prolonged I shou’d have had the satisfaction of profiting in this reply by his instructions; but as it is not proper that an answer to your letter should be any longer delayed, I trust you will have the goodness to excuse me for offering to you, briefly, the suggestions which occur to me respecting the object thereof.
A Capital head Moulder is, I believe, a desideratum in the Iron Foundry business of this Neighbourhood that cannot easily be supplied; Messrs. Boulton & Watt Jrs., to whom Mr. Boulton has turned over his Iron Foundry, have themselves laboured under considerable difficulties in this respect, which have been greatly increased by their repugnance to form engagements with persons actually in the service of any of their cotemporaries.
Altho’ I am fully sensible that the friendliness of Mr. Boulton’s sentiments towards you are such that it wou’d be painful for him to forgo any opportunity of doing you a service, yet I am of opinion that if he were in perfect [health] it wou’d be next to impossible for him to assist you in the case before us without creating for himself many enemies and subjecting him to vexatious disputes with his Neighbours.
If, however, we shou’d hear of any person being disengaged that may be likely to answer to your purpose, you may depend on receiving an immediate communication on the subject.
I am respectfully, Sir, your obedient Servant,
Wm. Cheshire
George Sherriff, Esqr.,
Dalderoe Foundry,
near Falkirk.
N.B. Mr. Lawson is still in Messrs. Boulton & Watt’s employ and actively engaged in pursuing the objects of their business in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
[Edited transcript.] |