Letter received by Banks from Boulton & Fothergill, 3December 1781 (Series 72.006) - No. 0001

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Soho near Birmingham

3d Decr 1781

Joseph Banks Esqr 

Sir 

In reply to your very obliging letter receiv'd Yesterday, it is with much concern we cannot inform you of the Terrene being finished, the delay has not a little deceived us, as we fully expected at this time it would have been ready: however we beg you to assure their Lordships that not a moments time has been lost about it that could be avoided, and that the delay has been owing to the tediousness or length of time such richness of Ornaments require, and further that would we could only set the most able artificers to execute it. We have now the satisfaction to acquaint you that is so far compleated that we shall send it to be Hall markd tomorrow - and that upon the nearest calculation if we use our utmost efforts (which we shall most certainly do) it will be yet 3 Weeks in finish[ing]