Letter. Samuel Garbett (Birmingham) to Matthew Boulton (London).

(Includes a transcript of a letter from Garbett to William Pitt, same date.)

Dear Friend,
As Mr. Pitt hath not answered my letter about coinage, I have thought it judicious by this post to write to him as by copy below, in order to bring the matter to some issue. Mr. Hurd surprizes me with the account of what has passed with Sir. F. B. about money and the Cornish Metal Company's resolution thereon.
Don't forget the 100 guineas to the Chamber of Manufacturers and the ten guineas.
God bless and preserve you. I am ever gratefully and affectionately yours,
S. Garbett

Copy to Mr. Pitt, November 6, 1786.
Sir,
I had the honor of writing to you the 31st July and 25th October relative to coinage at His Majesty's Mint. Upon refering to the impressed copy of my letter of the 31 July I see by a slip of the pen I wrote 2,5000,000£ instead of 2,500,000£ (two million five hundred thousand).
The quantity of copper coin brought daily into circulation is incredible. I have reason to believe it amounts to much more than five hundred thousand pounds sterling, probably more than a million, and the profit of making it is so great as to afford a cruel temptation to many hundred workmen. It is much the same in silver coin. Both might be honorably, profitably, and effectually remedied if administration would attend to the subject by putting into circulation a con which few men in the world could so counterfeit as to impose on the public, and which Mr. Boulton, my son, and I could complete in a manner that should excell any coin that ever was made, and thereby add to the reputation of the manufactures of Britain.
I hope you will excuse my saying I wait with great anxiety for the information relative to the offers made for executing a new copper coinage, when I trust that having pointed out the improvement and offering to make it as cheap as any offers that can have been made, and better than has hitherto been done, that I shall be allowed the honor of executing it, for which purpose I propose to apply to you thro' my family friends.
I have the honor to be, sir, &c., &c.,
(signed) S. Garbett
[Edited transcript.]