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

"Report upon the combination of the Plate Company’s workmen and demand for an advance of wages." (Directed to London Street.)

Soho, Saturday 2 June 1810.
Sir,
I was yesterday sent for up into one of the large workshops, where I found from thirty to forty of our work people assembled; when one of the oldest, in behalf of the rest, addressed me on the subject of a general advance of their wages and prices, both day and piece work, which they humbly hoped we wou'd consent to. A letter had been previously address'd to Mr. Dixon and signed by all the men in the stamping shop (only) on the same subject.
The reply I made was by expressing my surprize that the men at Soho were not above following the paltry example of the Birmingham button makers and other insignificant workmen there; that if any, or even all, had felt the pressure of the times, it wou'd have been better to have apply'd to me singly and not in a body, and that the important appearance it carried was such as I shou'd have expected them to have brought forward at a time when you were at home, as they must be sensible that a petition of that magnitude cou'd not be even consider'd on without your concurrence, and that it seem'd as if they had taken advantage of your absence in bringing it forward; in answer to which I was assured by one and all that they knew not that you were from home, and, that being the case, they wou'd chearfully return and continue at work until you return'd, trusting in my standing their friend in times like these when they cannot maintain their families by their present earnings.
I cou'd not avoid remarking to them that I saw men amongst them whose weekly earnings were such as I shou'd have expected wou'd have made them blush at taking any part in such a business; and, however I might at all times be dispos'd to be the friend of an humble industrious man when in difficulties, I had a very different idea of such an application as this; that I wou'd take no part in it, and that I thought I was sufficiently acquainted with your sentiments to believe that they coincided with my own. I concluded by advising them to return peacably to their work, which they promised to do until you return'd-this they emphatically express'd.
I am sorry to see such a disposition amongst them at this time. I have heard of the decisive mod adopted here formerly on the same appearances, but the times are new, and from the demand for workmen every where the same system, I fear, wou'd not be equally successful now. To make a general advance wou'd never do; it wou'd be both unwise and destructive; and to make any alteration whatever from such an application as this wou'd be unadviseable; but I am fearful we shall not remain peaceable long after you return to Soho.
I have mention'd this business to Mr. Watt and am in possession of his sentiments thereon, as well as the manner he wou'd act were the same infection to be spread into the steam engine departments, which I shou'd not at all be surprized at. Our hands at this time are all full of work, every order on the books urgently wanted, which is always the case at this season, as whatever are not deliver'd by the end of the month must lay over the have the risk of being on hand.
I have thought it right to make you acquainted with the situation of things here, and if you shou'd think it adviseable to take any further steps therein previous to your return, you will perhaps address a few line thereon to, sir,
Your very humble servant,
R. Chippindall
[Edited transcript.]