[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]
Birmingham Sept 1840
My dear Wife,
I send you a thousand of very superior needles 10/s and 1/2 thousand of equal quality darners gratis. I got them from the first rate manufactores at Redditch 12 miles from Birmingham; I walked to Redditch the 31st Ult. to my breakfast and then called at the house that I had learned before was the best and asked for a thousand of the very best needles. I was aware that if I asked for a smaller quantity I should get none, I was not sure of getting any then, for the firm is in such a very large way and so very opulent, the proprietors, the father and two sons, look after the business themselves but they do not attend at the Counting-house from their country seat until 10 oClock, when I asked for the needles from one of the sons who was in the counting-house he demured and said they were not in the habit of sending out less than thirty or forty thousand for that if they sold such small quantities as a few hundred it would take up too much time from their wholesale business which they did, (as I was informed before,) with all parts of the World, however after some little time I had the needles the price 10/ and the darners were given to me, the gentleman told me, after I got them, he would answer for it that you never sewed with such good needles, therefore you had better take care of them for I shall not like to go to the same house again for needles, but it is very probable I should get as good from some other house should you want them, but an inferior quality will do for the children to take to school for you know there is a difficulty of getting good, unless you go to a first-rate manufactorer, and give the best price, and I understand that no needles are made in London, I was asked some time ago 1/6 a hundred in Birmingham for best needles. Redditch although only called a Hamlet is said to be the greatest manufactoring place in the world for needles. With respect to the black knitting cotton I almost despaired getting it, the great haberdashers said they only kept white for knitting, at last I was so fortunate as to get No.6 and the people thought it was rather better than No.8 which they had not got 1/7, they had also every other colour, therefore should you want any you have only to let me know. It is always best to name the number or quality of the article for at the great shops they will hardly allow themselves time to examine the pattern for what they consider trifling matter, but should you want any buttons, Tapes or bobbins you had better send the pattern- The Candlesticks cannot be replated, no article can be replated but anything can be regilt. I had bought the needles at Redditch before I received your Letter of the 3rd therefore to prevent inconvenience to you as much as possible from any mistake of mine, I have bought a hundred worsted darners agreeable, I hope, to your pattern and 100 two sizes larger than the small darner you sent me, the 200 together cost eightpence. Serjeant Hartley, who delivers this, is promoted to a Color Serjeant and does not return here again but remains at Head Quarters. I send you 1/2 ream writing Paper 4/3, an account book 1/6- 2 quire Letter paper, for you and Mary, at 9/ pr ream, 3 sheets blotting paper, the best, 3d but 1/6 the quire, I got it 1/2 a quire for 8d, I dare say you like to know the price here of things I send you. Let Hindle’s Wife have a Sovereign the beginning of next month.
With Love to children I remain Yours Affectionately
Thos. Waters