Letter. Richard Chippindall (London) to Matthew Robinson Boulton (Soho).

"Ideas upon the arrangements with Mr. Glynn. Suggestions about conclusion of them, and the purchase of his house, &c."

London, 18 October 1808.
Sir,
Finding that Mr. Bright is return'd to town and is sending his orders here as usual, it is of some importance perhaps that his guarantee shou'd be fully approved, and afterwards the terms of discount and credit finally settled, which hitherto have been brought to no sort of conclusion. I do not feel perfectly easy in supplying him until these are properly and mutually understood. Pray, have you yet had any reply from Mr. M. Jones of Montgomery?
In consequence of yours of the 10th, these premises, as well as my lease, have been examin'd by Messrs. Skinner, Dyke, & Co., who have also an account of the fixtures in the warehouse, the value of which they will make out in a few days.
The agreement which relates to Mr. Glynn my brother is preparing a rough draft of, but must leave many blanks in consequence of that with me not being first prepared. I hope therefore you will be able to let it have your earliest attention, and when that is arranged and Mr. Dixon made acquainted therewith, I shall be glad to be inform'd; many steps might be taken and many matters put in a state of forwardness were things in proper train, the necessity of which dispatch I make no doubt of your being aware of.
From Lancashire I hear of Mr. Rhodes having been there, but have not heard that he is yet return'd to Handsworth; I shall be truly glad to hear of the accounts being made out and ready to exhibit, but not in court; and I should hope some older and rather wiser heads in Lancashire wou'd advise to the contrary.
I am very anxious about a house, which, being obtained, I cou'd occasionally be forwarding things down to, and thereby shortning a business which is likely to be attended with no small degree of difficulty. I wonder what sort of house that is in Hampstead Row, lately occupy'd by Mr. J. Smith; perhaps you wou'd have the goodness to enquire, it being impossible I can do it in the present state of things; and, altho' not altogether what I cou'd wish, if it consists of apartments enough to contain my family (which wou'd require four bed rooms) it might be advisable to engage it as a temporary convenience. Mr. Woodward informs me of Mr. Mynd being partly determin'd on a voyage to the Mediteranean, in which case perhaps he wou'd not object to his house being occupied by my family while some other is in preparation, etc.
Have the kindness to excuse my troubling you with these particulars, your advice and assistance in which will greatly oblige, sir,
Your very obedient servant,
R. Chippindall
PS. We are much in want of the accounts for last quarter-pray, is Mr. Walker prepared? And can I have the sales for September up, so as to be examined and returned? I am quite at a loss to see how he can possibly get thro' what I know must be before him at this present time, and wish things were arrang'd so forward as that I cou'd come down a few weeks at a time to lend assistance.
PS. Since writing the annexed, Mr. Woodward has been here, who informs me of your desire to push things forwards with all speed, and which I am glad to hear, and to which purpose I have already express'd myself. I do not know of any thing here which I can forward in addition to what I have given you an account of, untill I am favor'd with your further instructions.
In yours of the 10th you say I am to ascertain a percentage for Mr. Glynn to receive on the sales, so as to amount to the saving proposed. I do not think that can so easily be done, or so clearly ascertain'd as by a deduction out of the usual commission, which wou'd leave nothing to contingencies; for instance, to allow out of the commission @ 5 per cent. 300 per annum for the first two years, 200 for the next three years, and 100 for the last two years, and after the expiration of the seven years these payments or allowances to cease. Have the goodness to say if you approve of this.* The purchase of the lease and fixtures my brother supposes will be made by yourself, and therefore the rents, etc., Mr. G. is to pay need not be introduced in the agreement between him and the firm.
*Otherwise I will calculate a per cent. on about 18,000, which appears an average of recent annual sales.
[Edited transcript.]