Uncommon ALS, one page both sides with adjoining address leaf, 8 x 10, September 13, 1808. Watt writes to Captain Withering of the Warwickshire militia. In part: “Permit me now to wish you both every happiness this world can afford & may you long live to enjoy each others society. I was duely [sic] informed of your paying up your debt to B[oulton] & W[att] in full, and I hope it has been done with perfect convenience to yourself, otherwise it would give me concern, & I can assure you that your retaining it has produced no inconvenience. I have not been able to pay the compliment you desire to Mr. Boulton, as I have seen him only once these 3 month & that by accident, he is too ill to be spoken to on business…. Mr. B. himself is not in so much pain as he has been, but is extremely weak, so much so that 10 minutes conversation on any subject makes him ill, and when he has any unusual attack of pain it makes him lose his head, or rather memory for a time. His case is a very deplorable one, & seems out of the power of mortals to cure…. I am come to town on a very disagreeable business, a disease in one of Mrs. Watts eyes, which has almost deprived her of the sight of that eye though nothing is to be perceived externally…. We mean to stay a few days longer in town & then are going for 10 days to Brighton for the benefit of warm bathing for her rheumatisms….” Matthew Boulton, the man Watt mentions and his longtime business partner, died in the following year. In good condition, with folds (associated separations touching a few words), toning, staining and soiling, wear and chips to edges (a few small tears and chips touching signature, tape repaired on the opposite side), and hole and missing portion to address leaf. Though the signature is not as attractive as it might be, the great majority of the body is affected little (or not at all) by the points mentioned above. JSA/John Reznikoff Auction LOA and RRAuction COA.
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