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

"Relative to Bright’s account and guarantee of Jones, the parties likely to call at Soho. Has called upon Sherwood & Hodges relative to the letter of guarantee on behalf of Peal. To see Hodges upon the subject when he returns home. Grates and dining table"

London, 5 September 1808.
Sir,
I write this from understanding that Bright intends coming into the country with Mr. Maurice Jones when he returns from London, which is expected to be in a day or two; but at what time he will be at Soho seems very uncertain. Bright has told me of this, and that both Mr. Jones and himself assuredly mean to visit Soho, but whether as they go down (which will be this week) or afterwards, when he returns from Montgomery, depends on Mr. Jones's business in Herefordshire.
I writ to Mr. Hodges the day after I had the conversation with you in town relative to my interview with Jones and Bright, and I requested he wou'd look for Mr. Jones's letter of guarantee, as well as for the bond altered by Mr. Weston, but owing to his illness he has never reply'd to it; but if you can find the letter and send to Woodward or to me, it will be easy to get Mr. Weston to repeat his former revisal of the guarantee and it may be returned in time for Mr. Jones to carry into effect when he comes to Soho.
I have several times been to Sharwood & Hodges about the guarantee given by your father some years ago for Peal. They have searched for the letter without success, Mr. Hodges being from home, to whom I remember delivering it; he is expected in a few days, and when he is arriv'd I am to be inform'd, and have no doubt of his remembering every circumstance. In course of conversation there, I find Peal does not deal with them now, nor had he been there to enquire about this letter, on which I understood from you he grounded so much dependence; this looks conscious, and if he expected much assistance from that quarter I think he will be disappointed.
I have enquired about dining tables, and find on Ludgate Hill at Wilkinson's (successor to Kay) you can have a very excellent sett, a claw at each end and a middle with legs (placed so far inward as not to be in the way), the lip 12 feet long and 4 feet 6 inches wide, for £30; the midle table will have two flaps, to be taken off, and the whole will dine twenty with ease.
If you have thoughts further on this, or on the grate for your dining parlor, have the goodness to inform and to command, sir,
Your very obedient servant,
R. Chippindall
PS. I am truly sorry to hear of the alarming state of poor Mr. Hodges, and anxiously wait for accounts tomorrow, which I shall open with fear and trembling.