deliver me the plate, whether his maps were done or not. I
received no answer, but waited ten days. I then sent for the plate. The
answer was, he was not at home. I sent again the next day. Answer, he
was not at home. I sent the third day. Not at home. I then ordered the
messenger to go back, and wait till he should come home. This produced
an answer of two lines, _qu'il alloit soigner son ouvrier?_ I wrote him
word in return, to deliver the plate instantly. This I think was on a
Saturday or Sunday. He told the messenger he would let me have it the
Thursday following. I took patience, and sent on the Friday, but telling
the messenger, if he refused to deliver it, to inform him I would be
plagued no more with sending messages, but apply to the police. He then
delivered it, and I sent it off immediately to London. He had kept it
three months, of which three weeks were after my return. I think, Sir,
you will be satisfied that justice to Stockdale, justice to myself,
who had passed my word for sending on the plate, and sensibility to the
shuffling conduct of Barrois, permitted me to act no otherwise. But no
matter. Let his ill behavior make no odds between you and me. It will
affect your interest, and that suffices to determine me to order back
the plate, as soon as Stockdale has done with it. He will not require
more days, than Barrois months. So that it will be here before you can
want it. But it must never go into Barrois' hands again, nor of any
person depending on him, or under his orders. The workman who struck off
the two hundred and fifty for me, seems to have been diligent enough.
Either he, or any other workman you please of that description, shall
have it, to strike what number you wish. I forgot to observe, in its
proper place, that when I was in the midst of my difficulties, I did
myself the honor of calling on you, as well to have that of asking after
your health on my return, as of asking your assistance to obtain the
plate. Unluckily you were gone to Versailles; so I was obliged to
proceed as well as I could. It is no excuse for Barrois, to say, he
could not get his _imprimeur_ to proceed. He should have applied to
another. But as to you, it shall be set to rights in the manner I
have before stated. Accept my regret that you were in the hands of so
underserving a workman, and one who placed me under the necessity of
interrupting a work which interested you. Be assured, at the same time,
of the sincerity of tho