Correspondence with and concerning J B Kettles (Cape Colony)

Manuscript letters (and telegraph messages) concerning the successful introduction of Cooper's Sheep Dip into the Cape Colony. Kettle was a sheep inspector (see letter, 5 February, 1895), and his evident disposition in favour of Cooper's Sheep Dip, as against that of Cooper's competitors (Morris Little & Sons, and Lawes, are mentioned in the letter of 18 November, 1896) was eventually rewarded - see the final letter of 2 January, 1897. Several letters are marked "Private".

11 November, 1894. Cathcart, [Cape Colony]. Henry H Molyneux to S Rowland Timson, Port Elizabeth. Marked Private, beginning: "Berkhamsted and you will be glad to know what transpired between Kettles and myself in more detail than it would be wise to write in a letter read in the office." Molyneux is certain that Kettle has "understood my meaning". In summary: "not a word has, or ever will be, written [with the exception, that is, of the letters that comprise this file]; and that anything we do for him (purposely left indefinite, to be decided by our idea of results) is under the guise of repayment for purchases of our dip."

5 February, 1895. Umtata, [Cape Colony]. J B Kettles to William Cooper & Nephews (Port Elizabeth). Refers to the success of Cooper's Sheep Dip: "I may safely say that during the course of another twelve months no other but your own dip will be used in these parts" [p. 1].

18 February, 1895. Hanover, C[ape] C[olony]. Henry H Molyneux to William Cooper & Nephews, Berkhamsted. Marked Private.

27 January, 1896. Graaff Reinet, [Cape Colony]. Henry H Molyneux to William Cooper & Nephews, Berkhamsted. Marked Private.

12 February, 1896. Umtata, [Cape Colony]. J B Kettles to Messrs Cooper & Nephews, Port Elizabeth. Reporting having used 4½ cases of Cooper's Sheep Dip.

21 February, 1896. Aliwal North, [Cape Colony]. Henry H Molyneux to J B Kettles. Copy letter.

26 March, 1896. Bedford, [Cape Colony]. Henry H Molyneux to J B Kettles. Copy letter. Refers to Kettles's request for a loan of £40, and to a misunderstanding regarding a "bonus" payment. Molyneux advances £40 as a personal favour (interest 5%), "secured to me by your continued purchases of our dip with your own money".

26 March, 1896. Copied "extract from answer".

30 March, 1896. Bedford, [Cape Colony]. Henry H Molyneux to Messrs William Cooper & Nephews. Refers to telegraph messages enclosed (three - 26, 27 and 27 March).

29 March, 1896. Copy extract of letter from Molyneux to William Cooper & Nephews.

30 March, 1896. Two copy telegraph messages, Molyneux to Kettles.

20 April, 1896. Port Elizabeth, [Cape Colony]. Henry H Molyneux to J B Kettles. Copy letter. "It is now 3 weeks since I sent you a cheque £40, but I have not since recd one word from you on the subject."

18 November, 1896. Umtata, [Cape Colony]. J B Kettles to Henry H Molyneux. "We are appointing scab Inspectors to the new areas, and I may tell you that out of the 9 men newly appointed 7 are Cooper's dip men as we call them."

27 November, 1896. Umtata, [Cape Colony]. J B Kettles to Henry H Molyneux.

2 January, 1897. Durban Club, Natal [Cape Colony]. Henry H Molyneux to William Cooper & Nephews, Berkhamsted. Marked Private. "You will, no doubt, have anticipated that my recent presence at Umtata again raised the question - so very unpleasant for us all - of our personal treatment of K[ettle]." Refers to Cooper's being "very much indebted to K[ettle] for services rendered us during the past years." In (covert) recompense, it is proposed that shares - "through Robert" - in the Bank of Africa are provided in the name of Mrs Kettle, "a sum of Seventy Five Pounds a year, commencing with the year 1896." The letter notes that theses matters should be "kept to ourselves", and refers to the prior "loan" of £40 to Kettles and to a strategem to conceal.

1894-1897

1 file