Item 286 - Letter from Richard Morris about waterproof shoes

In two parts

Manufactures

Transcription:\nWATERPROOF SHOES\n\nMinutes of the Committee of Manufactures, 25 March 1779\n‘Resumed the consideration of a letter on water-proof shoes postponed 12 May 1778.\nMr Morris attending was called in & being asked the price of his Shoes answered half a Guinea - common shoes at 7/6 or 8/ the pair.\nMr Parker of Oxford Street being called in, says that Great quantities have been bought & Gentlemen have found them very comfortable, have been used by several persons about Stanmore &c but has never used any himself.\nMr Smith No.303 Oxford Street has worn some of the Shoes - says they are warmer & that they keep his feet very dry, & by them he has been preserved from catching Cold - thinks 2 pair will last as long as 3 pair of any other Shoes.\nResolved that a pair of Mens & a pair of Womens Callimanco Shoes be made for trial at the expence of the Society.\nResolved that Cockings the Society’s Messenger and his wife be the persons to whom the above Shoes be given for trial, & that they be directed to make proper trial of them’\n\nMinutes of Committee of Manufactures, 16 November 1779\n‘The Register being called in informed the committee that the Shoes ordered for him, had been worn by him in a great deal of Wet, and he had found them in his opinion something better than common shoes, but does not think proper to change his own Shoemaker and take Shoes of him his price being so much greater.\nThe committee also informed that the Shoes ordered for Mrs Cockings had not answered the purpose proposed by them.\n\nMinutes of the Committee of Manufactures 30 November 1779\n‘Resumed the consideration of the Waterproof Shoes. Mr Morris attending according to the order of the Committee was called in and being asked:\n‘Why the Shoes he had made for Mrs Cockings did not answer the purpose?\nA: His workmen had made up a wrong pair\nQ: With what intention did he come here?\nA: In hopes of some reward\nQ: Do you intend to lay the method before the Society?\nA: If they chuse\nQ: What do you expect from the Society for making the discovery public for general use?\nA: Fifty guineas\nResolved from the account given by the present Register of the wear of the Waterproof shoes made by Mr Morris by order of the Committee and from the Great sum required by him for the discovery of his invention the Committee cannot recommend this matter to the further consideration of the Society’\n\n

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B/12/5

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Creator Chris 23/09/1998