Letter – Isaac Hunter to Jonathan Sparke – 2 Feb 1781

Mr Sparke Clerk Allanhds Mill 			Dukesf[iel]d 2nd Feby 1781



Sir

Yours w[i]th Hutchinson’s Bills inclosed I rec[eive]d & Lee’s son the other day, by 

w[ho]m I find that you have some what misapprehended mine, for it’s my greatest pleasure to discharge the duty of my office to the satisfaction of all under my inspection, so as not to prejudice the Masters intrest.  You are either misadvised or do not rightly understand what’s required of a Person in my station; therefor, shall give you an account of one part of his duty w[hi]ch is that he’s accountable to S[i]r  Thos Blackett (or who he pleases to appoint to inspect the Acco[un]ts) for every article that’s charged in the Mills Acco[un]ts as to the usefulness and equitableness of the charges &c w[hi]ch I shall (while in office) endeavour to discharge I trust confided in me as related above to the utmost of my power not withstanding any false notions of privileges – People may get into their heads – on my Visits to the other two Mills I always see the Bills of parcels & Books of Wages &c so that I’m fully satisfied before the Quart[erly] Acco[un]ts are made up, and should have been the same at your Mill, if it had not been for the Mill Office being misapplied for this two years past & your last bad Health w[hi]ch obliged the Acco[un]ts &c to be at your own House that I could not so conveniently see them on my Visits and not f[ro]m any respect of Persons.  You say “that You’ll let ‘me know the privileges given you w[i]th Your place’ w[hi]ch I shall be obliged to you for and soon, for I asure you if I have infringed upon them, it’s been for want of knowing them – I must be very deficient and ignorant of my duty if I am to learn of you what were practiced by your predecessors. as to the article you name and 25 y[ea]rs experience (for I have don the Business for Fath[e]r & self so long) must make me have some knowledge what’s requisite on the increase of Merit &c

I would not have you suppose f[ro]m what I have said that I have the least enmity towards you, it would give me great pleasure if I could be any way serviceable to you or your Family and it’s my earnest wish to be upon a Friendly footing w[i]th my Clerks & that harmony may ever be among us is the sincear wish of

Sir Y[ou]r H[um]ble Serv[an]t

IH