Bundle of miscellaneous correspondence

• Reference:GB 254 MS 102/12/2
• Dates of Creation:1845
• Physical Description:
  1 bundle

• Scope and Content

  Correspondence: 1845. Miscellaneous topics pertaining to engineering and business matters together with current, general and family affairs. Correspondents and contents include:
  Thomas Marsden, Salford (engineering and machinery matters; spindles; heckling machine); James Carmichael, Amiens (Arrival at Folkestone – noting earlier daylight than in Dundee; his arrival in France and setting up of the factory at Ailly-sur-Somme, notes his difficulties with language, mentions impressions of France and surveying of Paris Boulogne Railway; has got lad who speaks both English and French to help him and describes early work in setting up and planning mill; includes account of the employment of Dundee workers there; Visit to Paris, describes his discussions about planning of buildings at Amiens, especially his dwelling house; describes his progress; report to Baxter Brothers on progress to factory; mentions payment matters relating to A. B. Brown and W. Bates); Robert Baxter*, Rue de Paris Lille (Alludes to request his wife made to PC which PC had declined, describes his operations and requests advice on spinning jute; asks for further advice, noting he has no access to whale oil);William Martin [?], North England Insurance Office, Dundee, (Payment for fighting fire at Cowgate Port**); William Nairne, Milnhaugh (Discusses spinning machine; Thanks PC for apples, notes ‚daft days‘ have hindered his progress and discusses machinery; mechanical designs; enquires about PC’s health and discusses engineering matters; recomends George Bruce to PC; Covering letter for Duncan Forbes and request that PC order shuttle pins); Alex Balfour, Leven (Request for a reference from PC for David Brown who has applied to be manager of his mill); James Combe, Leeds (new loom - includes drawing; mill machinery with diagrams); William Stratton, Arbroath (recommending William Hutchison for post of foreman hackler); Samuel S. Faulkner (printed letter setting out his improvements on cotton cards); Alexander McKenzie, Kirkland (application for the post of foreman hackler); David Ballingall (application for the post of foreman hackler); John Christie, Dysart (response to application being rejected and suspicion ‘you have been prejudiced against me’); MacLea & Marsh, Leeds (order of couplings); Duncan Forbes, Luncarty ( Provides sample of writing and discusses Calender); William Martin (insurance matters); D. Cruickshank, Leeds, (regarding a post teaching English in Montrose).
  [33 items]
  * Likely the son of William T Baxter, the Dundee radical whom Mary Godwin resided with, and therefore second cousin to Sir David Baxter
  ** According to Dundee, Perth and Cupar Advertiser 31 January 1845 a fire engine party of workmen from Baxter Bros led by Mr Carmichael, successfully fought a fire at ‘Mr William Culross’s heckle-house at the Cowgate Port.’

• Access Information

  Open for consultation subject to preservation requirements. Access must also conform to the restrictions of the Data Protection Act (2018), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, 2018) and any other relevant legislation or restrictions. Clinical information is closed for 100 years.

• Note

  NB Some items fragile and in poor condition.

• Archivist's Note

  Description compiled by Kenneth Baxter, April 2011

• Conditions Governing Use

  Reproduction is available subject to preservation requirements. Charges may be made for this service, and copyright and other restrictions may apply; please check with the Duty Archivist.

• Accruals

  Not expected

• Additional Information

  Published