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

"His further observations on the cause of the disturbance among the Plate Company’s workmen. Proposed measures to be adopted towards them." (Directed to London Street.)

Soho, 7 June 1810.
Sir,
I am favor'd with yours of the 4th, and have noted your remarks respecting the workmen.
We have not hitherto been able to trace the subject to its origin, but I expect we are in a train for it. A man of the name of R. Shaw, who has work'd at Soho many years seems most active. If he was half as active in the work given to him as in fomenting discord, his earnings might as well be double the sum they are; but he is slow and indolent, and because he cannot rid work so fast as others he is inclin'd to raise a clamor against Dixon for not giving him the best work, or indeed such work as he cou'd not execute. We have not obtain'd all we wish for respecting him as yet; Dixon was for instantly discharging him, but I objected, as it wou'd have been declaring open war before we were finally prepared.
I wou'd keep all quiet untill the end of the month, at which period a general settlement always takes place, and when it wou'd be more convenient for us to come to a capture if needful. As they seem to lay by untill your return I expect we shall continue peaceble till then, at which time I hope it wou'd be convenient for you to be here.
About the end of next week I wish very much to be able to run up to London, both to go round to the shops and to bring down my youngest daughter and a young lady, a friend of my daughter Mrs. Richards; it wou'd be perform'd in a week, and I shou'd be at home by the 23d or 24th, so as to prepare for taking stock or taking the steps needful in this business. Shou'd you see any impropriety in this, you will have the goodness to say. In the interim we are preparing a list of the workmen, with their different earnings or wages, and appropriate remarks on each. I have appriz'd German Smith of what is going forward, and he is equaly desirous of assisting in sifting out the leaders in this disturbance.
I remain, sir,
Your very obedient servant,
R. Chippindall
[Edited transcript.]