[Letter] 1869 October 27, Rawtenstall [to] J.S. Mill

                          Rawtenstall
                    October 27th 1869
Dear Sir
            I have been asked by 
the Directors of the Rawtenstall 
Industrial Cooperative Society
Limited to write to you - I enclose 
a copy of their last Quarterly Report 
ending Sept. 4th 1869. they have had 
an existence of nearly 20 years as a 
Society; they have now almost completed 
a new Building which contains all 
the modern appliances for carrying 
on their business also a Public Hall 
which is capable of holding 1400 
persons & will supply a deficiency long 
wanted by the people, altogether the 
Building will cost between ￡6 & 
￡7000 & will be an ornament to the 
place; it is proposed by the Directors 
to open the Public Hall on Saturday 
Evening November 27th and they would 
esteem it a very great privilege if 
you would kindly consent to come 
amongst us and speak on that occasion.
The great principles you have laid 
down in your Political Economy 
especially respecting the benefits of 
Cooperation have taken deep root 
throughout Rossendale, and if you 
would be kind enough to come here 
& be my guest for a few days you 
could then see how the Cooperative 
principle is at work not only in 
Stores but in Mills in this district - 
If I could hold out any other reason 
to induce you to come I would gladly 
do so, for personally I have for many 
years read & admired your works & not 
least the one last published on "The 
Subjection of Women" - I should be 
proud indeed to have you for my 
guest - Hoping that you will be 
able to give me a favourable answer 
& as early a reply as you possibly can.
               I am, Dear Sir,
                  Yours truly,
                   John B. Whitehead 
J.S. Mill Esq.