Volume 1
AD1583/1
Correspondence, Volume 1
Series
100 items (102 documents)
Manuscript
5 Jun 1780-26
Jun 1786
AD1583/1/1
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
reversal of the motion of engine
Item
1 folio (with single sheet attached)
Manuscript
5 Jun 1780
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt June 5 1784 1780''
Addressed to: ''Mr
Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via Bristol''
''Birm[ingha]m june 5th 1780
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Yours of the 31st received covering D[ra]ft
value £350, to acc[oun]t: I approve of the method W[illia]m
[Murdock] proposes to do the reverse motion, which indeed is the one
I first thought of, but laid it aside thinking the other would be
less work - I don't know how I came to be so stupid as not to see
that 3 Wheels could not reverse the motion. Two wheels can but not
3, but excepting that the present way will be a little more expense
It is better when done and will last twice as long - At any Rate in
any case when a thing I have proposed & have not had an opportunity
of trying is found not to answer; if the matter presses, Will[ia]m
is certainly right to go on in such way as will do, A man who only
speculates in his closet, cannot have always such clear ideas of
objects as the man who has them before him. I am Glad to hear that
the engine is so far advanced & I hope it will answer. Mr B[oulton]
is obliged to delay his setting out till Monday night.
Mrs Watt joins
in Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & I remain
Dear Sir Your's &c
James
Watt
I am glad to
hear that Mr F. is like to take part of C[hace]water.''
[The following
is on a seperate sheet attached to the folio]
''31 Aug[us]t
1781
6 Counters & Boxes - £5. 5 [shillings]. – each
9 Barometers. 9 p[ai]r Scales - 110 f[ee]t of pipe - 28/ [shillings]
each
9 Steam Gages - 10/ [shillings] 6 [pence] each
March 8 1782
4 Counters & Boxes £5. 5 [shillings] -
4 Barometers. 12 f[ee]t pipe to each - 4 p[e]r Scales - 28/
[shillings]
4 Steam Gages - 10/ [shillings] 6 [pence]''
AD1583/1/2
Letter, Boulton to Pool Adventurers regarding their petition
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Dec 1782
Endorsed:
''Extract of Mr Boultons Letter to Pool Adv[enture]rs
Dec[embe]r 8 1782''.
Addressed to: ''Mr. Wilson, Chacewater''.
''Extract from
Mr. Boultons Lre [Letter] of the 8t[h] Decem[be]r 1782 to Capt[ain]
Jo: Vivian -'' [''Wh[ea]l Pool?'' added in pencil at a later date]
''As to ye
petition so far as it relates to Boulton & Watt, I cannot give any
other answer than what I did at ye last Acco[un]t I attended; which
was in effect that B&W co[ul]d not afford to give money out of their
pocket, with their time & trouble, over & above their loss in ye
Mine; which they patiently submitted to with the rest of the
unfortunate Adv[enture]rs. That ye common & general expences of
conducting B&W business amounted to as much upon every large Engine
they erected, as was then charged in the book for their Share of
savings, & that when that was paid; I intimated that the Adventurers
should not have any reason to complain of any of B&W Charges -
until the Tide of good Fortune returned.''
AD1583/1/3
Balance Sheet,
James Lawson in
account with Boulton & Watt
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
c1784
''D[ebto]r:
James Lawson in Account with Boulton & Watt
1780 -
Jan[uar]y 19. To Cash lent him -
£6. 6 [shillings]. -
April 29. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]1. 1 [shilling]. -
July 1. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]1. 1 [shilling]. -
[July] 22. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]1. 1 [shilling]. -
Aug[us]t 26. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]1. 1 [shilling]. -
Sep[tembe]r 16. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]1. 1 [shilling]. -
Oct[obe]r 7. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]1. 1 [shilling]. -
[October] 23. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]1. 1 [shilling]. -
Nov[embe]r 25. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]1. 1 [shilling]. -
Dec[embe]r 23. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]2. 2 [shillings]. –
1781 -
Feb[ruar]y 3. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]1. 1 [shilling]. -
April 21. d[itt]o d[itt]o
[£]1. 1 [shilling]. -
June 6. d[itt]o Paid him at sundry
times in name of Wages say for 110 Weeks up to the 2[n]d ins[tan]t
inclusive a[t] 7/
[shillings]} [£]38. 10 [shillings]. -
[June] 13. To Cash lent him
[£]3. 3 [shillings]. –
1783 -
May 1. Carriage of a parcel
2 [shillings]. 6 [pence] -
[Subtotal]
£61. 2 [shillings]. 6 [pence] –
1784
- To balance brought down
[£]19. 9 [shillings]. -
Interest
To 150. 2 a[t] 8 s[hillings] P[ai]d
[£]60. - . -
[Total] [£]79. 9 [shillings]. -
C[redito]r:
[James Lawson in Account with Boulton & Watt]
1780 -
April 24. By wages from 24 April 1779 to this date 52 w[ee]ks. 1
d[ay]s a[t] 7/ [shillings] £18. 5 [shillings]. 2 [pence] –
1781 -
April 24. d[itt]o from 24 April 1780 to this date 52
[weeks]. 1 [day] a[t] 8/ [shillings] [£]20. 17 [shillings]. 4
[pence] -
June 2. d[itt]o from 24 April 1781 to this date 5 [weeks]. 4
[days] a[t] 9/ [shillings] [£]2. 11 [shillings]. -
[Total] Weeks 110 –
1784 -
Balance carried down
[£]19.
9 [shillings]. -
[Subtotal]
£61. 2 [shillings] .6 [pence] -
1782 -
Mar[ch] 24. By 46 Year Wages a[t] 9 s[hillings]
[£]20. 17 [shillings]. –
1783 -
Mar[ch] 24. By 52 Weeks a[t] 10 [shillings]
[£]26. - . –
1784 -
Mar[ch] 24. By 52 d[itt]o a[t] 11 [shillings]
[£]27. 6 [shillings]. -
By
balance [£]5. 6 [shillings]. -
[Total] [£]79. 9. -''
AD1583/1/4
Watt to Wilson regarding receipt of drafts of value £569, 6
shillings and 8 pence
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Aug 1783
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Aug[u]st 5 1783''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol [originally ''Mr John Turner, Bersham, Wrexham, N[orth]
Wales'' to which is added ''wrong dracted by mistake catched in
time'']
''Birmingham Aug[us]t 5th 1783.
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
To day recieved yours of the 30th
Covering Drafts value £569. 6 [shillings]. 8 [pence] - I advised in
a former letter of the receipt of £1340 - I am sorry to percieve by
Mr Lawsons letter that W[illia]m has had a return of his Ague. I
hope he will be more careful of catching cold untill he feels his
health firmly established.
Having my attention engrossed planning engines I beg
leave to refer answering the rest of your letter till next post,
and
remain
Dear Sir
Yours &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/5
Extracts from
Thomas Wilson's
letters, also clipping concerning steam engines
Item
1 folio (with clipping attached)
Manuscript
c1794
''Extracts
from Mr Wilsons Letters.
''Chasewater
Oct[obe]r 2nd 1789'' - ''I Hinted to Jethro Hornblower that if his
brothers would sell, I would transmit their price to you at he same
time observing to him, I acted without your knowledge; he said if it
was his concern he should be glad to get anything, but Jonathan & he
are upon such terms, as is likely to prevent their ever speaking to
one another again, But he would speak of it to Jesse, tho[ugh] he
expected without success indeed I imagine nothing will be made of
it.'' - ''Truro Dec[embe]r 30th 1789 - Joining Cooks Kitching
[Cook's Kitchen mine, Illogan] to the East, Messrs W & P Richards,
cheif managers. - I have heard the latter have been with Hornblowers,
but know not what is done, I propose going West next Week when
expect to learn something of both.'' - ''Truro Feb[ruar]y 13th 1790
- Apropos if you wish to avoid a Lawsuit could not you possibly come
at the knowledge of Winwoods price, by some friend in Bristol, if
you could get his, Hornblower might be had at the same rate. I
cannot recollect the persons name, who applied to Mr B, for the
Metal Co[mpany']s Agency, but in my view he is a very proper person
for such Business. Watson'' - ''Truro Feb[ruar]y 26th 1790 - D[ea]r
Sir - I rec[eive]d both your favors of the 19th & 23rd, the first I
rec[eive]d when on the way to Chasewater, & on resolving in my mind
who would be the properest person to employ to sound the Hornblowers,
fixed on Jethro with whom I have had many Conversations on the
subject; & is fully convinced that the only way his Brothers &
Winwood can expect to recieve any Thing must be by sale. I met him
at home and opened the Business, by enquiring whether he thought it
would be proper to write Winwood, with whom he is in the habit of
Correspondence, he said it would answer no purpose, as the Articles
of Partnership were, that W[inwood] could not sell without Jonathans
Consent & that he was afraid Jona[than] was a true Hornblower
obstinate as a Mule, for he had been with him the Friday before &
endeavoured by all the Arguments in his power to pursuade him to
sell but could have no positive answer. - He advised his writing
that evening to Jona[than] to say that he had since he saw him, been
thinking much on the subject, & was more confirmed in opinion, that
if they would give any terms, he would mention it to me & did not
Doubt to bring it to a conclusion, this morning I have a letter from
him; as sender, In consequence of the Chat we had on Monday I
communicated the affair to Jonathan, who says that it will be
impossible to think on any terms of buying or selling, as both
parties will differ so widely on the sum, so that unless some other
mode can be thought of, I fancy it will be in vain, ''I suppose his
sentiments are no other than a Consolidation Plan & says that
without you (meaning me) are quite Serious on the business he
will have nothing to say'' this is to the same purport as Jesse
mentioned some months ago of which I wrote you, as far as I remember
his expectations were to have all or part of the benefit derived
from their invention above your Engine, I can see no good from this,
how it could be adjusted if there were any, & yet I could like to
know what they mean, but I shall take no steps whatever till I hear
from you. - I have always impressed upon Jethro that what I have
said to him was not by your orders or knowledge, but merely that if
he & I could bring about an agreement it would be for the interest
of both parties - I rec[eive]d yours of the 23[r]d this post, I
should be extrememly Sorry that what I have done should be
Injurious, in a Suit, which it appears must be the case their
notions of their Engine is high, & it will be impossible to convince
them to the contrary. The arguments you use Jethro is fully Sensible
of in conversation with him I can still enforce them but without
effect'' - Truro Mar[ch] 24th 1790 Mr Kevill let me into the secret
of Tincrofts [mine, Illogan] stopping by showing me the Letter from
Jonathan which produced it, this was his refusing to sign the Bond
with Winwood, he states that by his agreement W[inwood] was to be at
the expence of the patent, as well as at all future expences and
risks. That tho[ugh] he had no fears of being cast, yet a tryal must
be attended with expenses which in his situation would be imprudent
to risk, he therefore declines the execution of the bond, unless
Winwood would consent to indemnify him to which purpose he had wrote
W[inwood] but says that W[inwood] will impute his refusal to sign to
his fears of their ground & does not expect he will comply: all this
I had before from Capt[ain] Morcam, but waited letting you know till
I saw Mr Kevill; he says he is now satisfied that it is an
infringement on you & claims great merit in putting a stop to it.''
- ''Truro April 13th 1790. On saturday soon after I had wrote Mr
Watt, I was informed that the Tincroft Adv[enture]rs and Hornblowers,
had agreed & their Engine was to be proceeded on, afterwards I saw
Jethro who knew nothing of it & did not believe it; not willing to
trouble you with uncertainties, I determined to wait on Mr. Kevill
this Morning & went so far as Redruth, where I met E Rogers, who
confirmed the report. - I sent him to Mr. Kevill with a Letter
stating that You had out of compliment to him, consented to an
abatement, but as I had heard that the H[ornblower]'s &
Adv[enture]rs were agreed it was unnecessary to say more about it
desiring him to inform me whether what I heard was True, to which he
return[e]d the following answer - ''Messrs Winwood & Hornblower
having at last consented to the terms, which the Adv[enture]rs at
first required the Majority of the Adv[enture]rs thought fit to try
ther Engine on Tin Croft, and have accordingly agreed with them for
that purpose, greatly I assure you against my inclinatio, I am
greatly obliged to Mr. Watt for his Civility to me & am - Y[ou]rs &c
Tho[ma]s Kevill'' - I am much concerned at this turn of the
business, on your Acc[oun]ts; but am satisfied that had this not
been the Case, the Tryal would have been made elsewhere very soon,
so that you must have met it, & it is as well soon as late'' -
''Truro Feb[ruar]y 4th 1791. I rec[eive]d Mr. Watts favor of the 9th
I am much pleased to find that you mean to proceed against Tin
Croft, & tho[ugh] we may find some difficulty in procuring the
Evidence necessary, you may assuredly depend upon every thing in
mine & Mr. [William] Murdocks power, but I Query whether either of
us will be permitted to see it unless an Order for that purpose can
be had from the Chancellor, & I Question much if there is any one
besides ourselves who will act in your Favor, I have heard no more
from Wh[ea]l Reeth. Mr Jno [John] Williams has
claim'd again the Dues at Poldice [mine, Gwennap], it will be
settled next acc[oun]t, I apprehend to commence very soon if not
immediately.'' - ''Bristol Feb[ruar]y 24th 1791 - I rec[eive]d your
2 letters of the 21st & 22[n]d on my arrival here, & this morning
went to Mr. Winwoods, who had been at or near Tewksbury [Tewkesbury,
Gloucestershire] from Sunday last & was expected home tomorrow, I
therefore left a Letter for him, to the purport of yours, & that I
should call on him in my way home in 8 days, for an answer - I am
well satisfied he is much afraid of the consequences, but Hornblower
has Tyed him so that he can do nothing without his consent, & I
believe his obstinacy is such that he will consent to nothing as he
runs no risks. - I wrote to Rich[ar]d Thomas last Night, you will
please to adress the Wheal Butson [mine, St Agnes] Materials to -
Mr. Jno [John] James St Agnes - I am &c -'' ''Bristol March 7th 1791
- This Morning I saw Mr. Winwood, whose answer was that he could
give no answer at all, to the message I left in my way to Swansea,
he said that he has been very ill for some time, & could not attend
to Business, for which reason he had not wrote Hornblower, without
whose consent he could do nothing, but for himself he could say, he
had no objections against your examining the Engine, provided
Hornblower had none, he wish[e]d only to defend what they had
Properly a right to, & had no wish to infringe the rights of others,
upon the whole he behaved very Civil, & appears to be completely
ignorant of what an Engine is, after I had left him he followed me
to know what parts or priciples of their Engine it was you
complained against as an inpingement I told him every part. I shall
wait to hear from you whether you would wish me to call on Jonathan
for leave to examine'' - ''Truro March 20th 1791 - I have just
rec[eive]d your Favor of the 18th, & shall Write Jonathan to know
when it will be agreeable to him, for Murdock & E Rogers to examine
the Engine, or perhaps I may wait on him, & rather think the
latter.'' - ''I wrote Boulton & Watt this day, a Copy of one to Mr
Vivian, on Hornblowers Engine there is nothing exasperating but
merely stating plain facts, else I should be afraid it might do harm
if there should be an inclination to make it up by negociation. If
as I hope this should find you in Town, so be so kind as to drop me
a line & return.'' - ''Truro April 28th 1791 - I have seen Mr
Murdock & given him your instructions for examining the Engine, E
Rogers says he has been given to understand the Adv[enture]rs will
not Permit a very particular one; Murdock has promised to go to
Jona[than] this day, & to let me know the day fixed, which probably
will be saturday, when I intend meeting them; they have been working
this week with a full load, but what that load is or what they
consume I have not learnt'' - ''He says he thinks those Mines who
pay you have a right to call upon you to a Speedy decision with the
H[ornblower]'s in order that one Mine may be upon as good a footing
as others. I shall not neglect giving you every information as I am
enabled so to do, & am &c'' - ''Truro April 30th 1791 - I rec[eive]d
Mr. Watts Letter of the 25th the Radstoke Engine was working with
only one Cylinder which has been the case these 3 or 4 Years. I had
a letter from E Fox the same evening, saying you had referred him to
me on the subject of Hewas [mine, St Ewe and St Mewan?] Engine, I
told him I was only Commissioned to enquire into particulars of Load
&c, I expect in a post or two to hear from him, when I shall inform
you of it, This morning I rec[eive]d from Jona[than] Hornblower a
Letter, Copy as under - Sir - Penryn 29th April 1791 - This day Mr.
Murdock brought me a Letter from Mr. Watt, relative to examining
Tincroft Engine, I appointed Monday with Mr Murdock for the purpose;
but on Second thoughts tis better to defer it till Tomorrow
sevennight as on saturday afternoon the sump men do not Work;
therefore the Engine may be stopp'd without occasioning a delay in
sinking the Shaft. You will please to acquaint Mr. Murdock with the
alteration as to time - I have also thought it will be very proper
that application should be made to the adventurers as they may
probably take umbrage at our granting what in fact is only in their
power to dispose of. I will then be ready to give every information
on our part. I am Y[ou]r oblig[e]d H[onoura]ble Se[rvan]t Jona[than]
Hornblower - from the above I rather think the Adv[enturer]s will be
bought forward to refuse so particular an examination as you may
wish, time will shew, I am &c -'' ''Truro Aug[us]t 9th 1791. -
Gentlemen / The threaten[e]d Advertisement of Mr Hornblower [see
below] made its appearance in yesterdays paper, one of which I send
you enclosed; You will best judge what notice to take of it; some
parts of it are not True, & others are in such a style as I cannot
understand. Why have they not before this convinced the world by
producing the Vouchers they speak of; I am sure if they have them,
they have acted unwisely to let so much of their patent expire
without any benefit, for want of their right being known. I have
heard lately that they Claim a right to use a separate Condenser,
from its having been used in Scotland, many years ago, in an Engine,
where the water was of that petrifying Quality that it could not be
used in the cyl[inde]r no other pertence for using any of your other
principles have I heard, other than what has been formerly reported
to you'' - ''Truro Nov 29th 1792 -
I rec[eive]d Mr. Watts 2 favors of the 23rd Ins[tan]t & yesterday
sent to Sherbourne [Sherborne, Warwickshire?] the answer contained
in the first, leaving out that part respecting Wh[ea]l Butson. Mr.
Moyle having refused to give his acc[oun]t of the Tryals except to
Mr. Vivian, I consulted this latter Gentleman & he thought as there
was a mistake in the debth, on the 1st tryal, that it would be best
to begin only with the adress to the disint[ereste]d Miners, & leave
Wh[ea]l Butson for the present out of the question; Trestrail had
told him that had the fire been properly managed he had no doubt but
the performance would have been much better - I called yesterday
upon Mr. W Richards Jun[io]r who told me he had given to his Uncle &
Father a copy of the proposal for altering Tincroft, & they wished
to meet before they Concluded to call a Meeting of the Adv[enture]rs,
this he expected would be yesterday, that he should see his Father
this Day & tomorrow he would inform me of their determination,
Murdock & Me called at Tincroft on Monday, & found the Engine
working 12 Strokes p[e]r minute under a load of 15.3lb [pound] on
the Small Cyl[inde]r they now leave a Continual open road for Steam
to pass upon the large Cyl[inde]r, the water is increased to 10
Strokes p[e]r Minute, & they now burn 30 Bushels p[e]r day; the
water is not kept in fork 1/8 of the time. I have the satisfaction
to inform you that we obtained an inversion of the last meetings
resolution at the Wherry [mine, Penzance] for erecting one of
Hornblowers Engines, by proposing to undertake the building of a
Water Engine, for £550 the Sum Hornblower had given as the estimate
of their Engine, & by undertaking to keep the water for £18 a Month
for 4 years, by this we can get to work by the first of April, when
by the most favorable acc[oun]t of their very strenuous advocate Mr.
Moyle, it appeared very dubious whether we should at all have worked
next season by their Engine. Moyle was extremely mortified & I have
no doubt but Hornblowers will be equally so - I find they have
engaged to build one of their Engines the same size as Tin Croft at
a Mine called Wh[ea]l Margaret in Lelant which I before never heard
of - From what passed at this meeting & other things I have heard,
it does not appear to me they have any improvement in View, for they
seem in thier Estimates of Consumption to make their performance at
Tincroft their Standard, of Comparison -'' - ''Truro Dec[embe]r 23
1792 - Agreeable to Mr. Boultons request that I should get the best
information of Tin Crofts Load & the present performance, I went
thither the 21st & found Capt[ain] Jo[hn] Vivian very communicative
for the first time, his information was as under. -
17. 3. 9 of 9 3/8 – 3168
13. 1. 3 of 8 ½ - 2026
3. 4 of 8.6 - 550
House Water - 55
total load 5799 lbs [pounds]
- he had
measured the Pumps himself Nov[embe]r 28th & they are still the same
- Strokes 11 p[e]r Minute, Coals 36 in 24 Hours, Calling the Stroke
5,..9 Inches the effect is 14,671,492, the load on the lesser
Cyl[inde]r is 16.74, on the longer 7.59 p[e]r Inch. He says his
reason for giving 5318 as the load to Ch[arle]s Vivian as I wrote to
you some time since was that the Engine seldom draws below the
second lift, I also understood from him, that the top lift was
seldom fully supplied, but better now than it had been in Summer. He
is fully satisfied of the superiority of your engines, & now speaks
out freely which he says he should always have done but from fear of
the consequences to himself, as Sir H B had taken so decided a part
against you, on whom he almost wholly depends. - He had got leave of
the adv[enture]rs to work the larger Cyl[inde]r only & was to make
the Tryal yesterday, in hopes that by throwing aside the use of the
lesser the Engine would be able to work faster; this would be of
great Service as the water where in fork keeps the Engine going as
fast as she can. I fancy the Adv[enture]rs think if this is done
they are liable to pay your Premium, & I think it would be very
proper as soon as I am satisfied she is only working with one
Cyl[inde]r to make a demand, but I shall wait your opinion on this
hand'' -''
[watermark 1794]
[also the
following newspaper clipping is attached]
''STEAM ENGINES.
WHEREAS it has been understood, that Messrs. HORNBLOWER and WINWOOD
have refused admittance to the agents of Messrs. Boulton and Watt,
into their new invented STEAM ENGINE, on Tin Croft Mine, with an
intent to conceal the same from their inspection ; this is therefore
to inform the public, that there is no truth whatever in such a
report; nor could it have originated in any thing less than a very
uncandid and artful misrepresentation of the matter. The agents
appointed by Messrs. Boulton and Watt for examining the engine, have
twice gone through it, and noticied every external part of the
machine.
It was proposed to take some parts of it to pieces, to
which also Messrs. Hornblower and Winwood gave full consent, upon
condition, that the proprietors of the mine would admit of the
delay, and other inconvieniences, which would necessarily follow.
Upon an application to the adventurers for their concurrence, they
would not give permission.
Notwithstanding interested persons may endeavour by
misstating facts, to conceal the truth, it is impossible for them to
succeed ; except it be with those who have no knowledge whatever of
the general principles of steam engines.
Messrs. Hornblower and Winwood have by their engine at
Tin Croft exhibited a machine which evidently surpasses every other
of the kind in a double proportion ; and as so many years are now
elapsed since the grant of their patent, and the public, as well as
themselves, have been injured by the unjust pretences and
threatenings of their competitors, to be intimidated any longer, by
mere menaces, will, they presume, be truly ridiculous.
Messrs. Hornblower and Winwood will, whenever called
upon, prove, by proper vouchers, that such parts of their engine as
others lay claim to, are of greater antiquity than any patent now
extant, and therefore free for the use of any person ; that the
fundamental principles of their machine are new and totally
different from any other steam engine preceding the date of their
patent. They are perfectly aware, that from the oppulency of their
opponents, there are individuals in Cornwall, who have it in their
power to derive a temporary advantage to themselves, by giving their
support to the engines at present established ; but this is effected
at the expense of others, to whom this advertisement is particular
addressed.
There ever will exist men, whose views are so much
obscured by their own sinister pursuits, as to lose sight of the
good of mankind in general ; and like Esau, will also sacrifice
their own permanant advantages, to serve the present occasion.
However, as it is to be hoped they are few, when compared with
others, of the opposite character, (some of whom have signalized
themselves, for the promotion of improvement, by introducing one of
the above engines into Cornwall), the patentees are ready to treat
with others, either to alter or build new engines, on the most
advantageous terms ; in any part of the kingdom, and for any purpose
whatever to which they are applicable ; giving at the same time
ample indemnity against the imposing and ridiculous threats of rival
patentees.
J. HORNBLOWER
J. WINWOOD
Penryn, July 30,
1791.''
AD1583/1/6
Copies of
James Watt's
letters regarding the Hornblower situation
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
c1794
Endorsed: ''1783, Copies of J. Watts letters to sundry
persons relative to Hornblowers business & Hornblower's & Winwood's
printed defence''
''Copies of J Watts Letters
to sundry persons relative to Hornblowers Business -
(copy)
Birmingham Nov[ember] 21st 1783
James Tooker Esq[ui]r[e] Sir /
I should have done myself the pleasure to have answered
your letter to B&W sooner but Mr B[oulton] has been from home ever
since & has not yet ret[urne]d. The Gentleman concerned in the
Radstoke Colliery [Somerset] must be sensible that it would be very
Imprudent in us to give up the power of Vindicating our rights
wherever we shall find it necessary or expedient they will therefore
I hope excuse my giving no answer to the Queries you put in their
behalf - As to the settling with Mr. Hornblower, the company must be
directed by their own prudence, we cannot interfere into that matter
with any degree of proprietry, What I mentioned to you when I had
the pleasure of seeing you at Chilcompton [Somerset] was, that in
cases of encroachment on our privileges our action must naturally be
brought against the users of the Engine as well as the makes & that
consequently such persons as used any part of our patent inventions
were liable to damages. soon after Mr Boultons return we shall
answer the Questions you have put about the size of a New Engine - I
remain with much respect - Sir Y[ou]r Mo[st] Ob[edien]t & Most
H[onoura]ble Serv[an]t (signed) James Watt
(copy) Birmingham Feb[ruar]y 21st 1791
Mr Wilson. Dear Sir /
In Respect to Hornblowers Engine we shall take the
necessary measures but shall not Hurry ourselves or precipitate
matters. - If they mean to keep the construction of the Engine
Secret in the hopes to prevent our being able to prove the
infringement they deceive themselves - If we do not obtain proof in
an easier manner we shall make an application to the Lord Chancellor
to enforce a discovery of their manner of Working which we are
informed by council will be easier obtained on account of their
pretending to work under a patent and consequently ought to have no
secrets and the patent itself will prove great part of what we
desire - It seems to us to be in vain to apply to Mr. Hornblower but
as you are to be at Bristol it will be right to apply to Mr. Winwood
informing him that we conceive the Engine to be an encroachment upon
us that we are determined to try the matter with them & that in
order to save expense to both parties we wish to know whether they
will permit persons appointed by us to inspect & examine the working
& construction of the Engine or whether we must take the legal steps
to procure such an examination In my opinion it will be their
Interest to face the matter at once as attempts at concealment can
only involve them as well as us in expense and cost what it will we
shall certainly endeavour to right ourselves as long as our money
lasts which expensive as law is will we expect work out the time of
our exclusive privilage. - We shall be obliged to you to write to us
from Bristol, how long your stay in Wales is left to be and to whom
we shall direct in your absence I remain &c (signed) Ja[me]s Watt.
(extract) 14th March 1791 - Mr. Wilson / D[ea]r Sir / I have yours
of the [blank], I did not write to you last week having a fever of
cold from which I am not yet Quite recovered the behaviour of the
Horners [Hornblowers] is very provoking but we can do nothing until
you can procure us proper evidences which please to exert yourself
in doing and whatever our hopes or fears are of the result we shall
undoubtedly try it. Consols [Consolidated Mines, Gwennap] & Poldice
should be spoke to firmly. Do the latter think that the lads & us
are to bear all the losses & them to take the profits, NO, we shall
do no more for them. We have done a great deal too much for the
Gratitude of the County - (signed) J Watt
Soho March 18th 1791
Mr. Jonathan Hornblower Sir /
We accept of your obliging offer to permit
those deputed by us to view & examine the Engine at Tincroft and are
as desirous as yourself to pursue the most pacific measures, that
are consistent with our determination to to use our utmost endeavour
to defend our rights at all events. Mr. Wilson has no Comission from
us to Mr. Winwood or to you other than whether we should be
permitted to take evidence of the Construction of the Engine or
should be obliged to take the necessary steps to procure it. Any
offers of accomodation he might make were entirely his own acc[oun]t
and unauthorized by us, but we suppose were dictated by the same
desire of peace which you express. Why he did not apply to you in
preference to Mr Winwood we must refer to himself to acc[oun]t for.
- As to the present circumstances it would be very improper to enter
into any controversy as to the merits of the Engine & your or our
right to the invention - I shall only add that our desire is to do
ourselves Justice not to Wrong others in which we must be guided by
our own convictions only - At the present we shall depute Mr.
W[illia]m Murdock & Mr. Edward Rogers to examine the Engine & shall
afterwards send some Gentlemen of Reputation in the Mechanical line
from London for the same purpose. Mr Wilson will give you proper
Warning of each of their visits. Returning you thanks for the
Obliging opinion you express of me I remain with Respect for Mr.
Boulton & myself &c -
(signed) James Watt
(extract)
Mr Wilson - Soho 9th July 1791
- In respect to Mr. Hornblower if he is foolish enough to
publish any thing please send it us before you answer it. And
wherever you are that any Questions are asked about that affair
refuse any other answer than that you never used the expressions
complained of, but that it is true that you were refused the
inspection of the Engine - whether by the Adv[enture]rs Captains or
by him comes to the same point & as to what we mean to do and what
steps we shall take and when is nobodys business but our own & if
you knew it, it would be highly improper to mention it; but this
every body may be assured off that if we suffer any injury it shall
not go for nought -
(signed)
James Watt
(copy) Soho Aug[us]t
13th 1791.
Mr Wilson.
Dear Sir / The Advertisement you sent is a very
contemptible one [see AD1583/1/5] and it is uncertain whether any
notice ought to be taken of it or not you will please to procure
several copies of the newspaper entire because the advertisement
contains an acknowledgement that we actually been refused an
examination no matter by whom - If any answer is printed we think
at present it should be to the following purport Seeing it
stated by an advertisement in your paper of .... that the reports of
B&Ws Agents being refused by Messrs Hornblower & Winwood an
examination of the Engine at Tin Croft were false, & having been
accused at public meetings as the propagators of such reports - I
think it necessary in my own vindication to state that these
Gentlemen did indeed consent that B&Ws Agents should examine the
Engine but on their arrival there at the appointed time were refused
a particular examination of the contested parts by the Captains of
the Mine and that after repeated applications to the adventurers to
the same purpose no consent on this part has yet been obtained.
Consequently I think myself fully justified in saying more; that
B&Ws Agents have actually been hindered from making a particular
examination of Tin Croft Engine. At whose instigation this has been
done I do not take upon me to say whatever I may think. In respect
to the remainder of the advertisement I shall only say that I
apprehend the boasted proof of priority of Invention will not prove
so easy as is held out - The merits of the Engine I leave for the
public to decide and the decision of the right to a jury -
This you will please to consider upon and let us have
your opinion - The advertisement you send me shall lay before our
council to see if any good can be made of it. It must to every
thinking man appear a weak merely evasive paper And the refusal of
examination is a good thing as it sets their course in a bad light -
Keep your ears open & learn all you can - Yours Sincerely - (signed)
J Watt''
AD1583/1/7
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
William Murdock's illness and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Aug 1783
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Aug[us]t 16 1783''
Addressed to: ''(double) Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro,
Cornwall, via Bristol''
''Birmingham Aug[us]t 16th 1783
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I was very much concerned this morning to
hear from Mr Lawson that W[illia]m continues to have returns of his
ague, and as the bark now disagrees with him have applied to Dr
Withering for another prescription which please receive inclosed,
and which his Apothecary should immediately make up for him and
administer according to circumstances which we Cannot judge of at
this distance; But if after all he Continues dangerously ill or is
not soon relieved by these medicines, we desire that you would call
in Dr Gould or Dr Woolcot, and if judged necessary have William
removed to Truro or Falmouth to be near his Doctor, and while he
feels himself weak he ought not to undergo any fatigue -
Mr L[awson]. also informed me from Mr Fox that the
Horners have again made proposals to a certain small mine We hope
they will prove like their former bravadoes but at the same time
wish you to keep an eye upon their motions - We think it would be
wrong after so much has been said on the subject to do any thing
like threatning them with a prosecution, only you may say in
conversation, that we are neither deaf nor blind and if we find
ourselves injured will do the best we can in our defence; but even
any hint of this kind should be thrown out cautiously - Davie Watson
setts off Monday morning and will bring two Drawings for Poldory
[mine, Gwennap] with him - I shall send draught of the Agreement
soon for you to gett settled and executed by the Adv[enture]rs.
The Engine materials are all ordered - Mr Boulton talks
of setting out on Tuesday but I scarcely expect he will keep his
word. - I will be obliged to you to write me concerning Will[ia]m,
and also what you learn of this scheme of the H[ornblower]s.
With Compliments to Mrs Wilson and all friends I remain
Dear Sir
Yours Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/1/8
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
new engine at Poldice mine, Gwennap
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Aug
1783
Endorsed: ''James Watt Aug[u]st 23 1783''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Birmingham Aug[us]t 23[r]d 1783
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 16th and another. I am
exceedingly glad that William is better & beg he would take care to
continue so – Dolcoath [mine, Camborne] little Engine is ready all
to the rotative wheels, and turning the gudgeons of the shaft which
will soon be finished and then sent off - I intended to have
considered what you proposed about a wooden house but have been so
much taken up lately in settling accounts previous to Mr B[oulton]s
going away to Ireland that I have not done it yet - As you have
obtained goods from the Trevaskus people we shall certainly be as
good as our word while they continue to have a losing mine but no
longer, you say you have distressed yourself taking tallow to secure
Mr Wilkinsons money, you should make him not us stand creditor there
he is richer than us, however we will bear off as long as we can -
We would very willingly lend small engines on proper terms if we had
them, but have none ready, and we are so full of orders, thus we
cannot at present do anything of that kind on our own accounts and
indeed unless the depth be great the quantity of water you mention
will hardly authorize the erection of any Engine as our rent & coals
would come to as much as horses - however as soon as we can gett
these kind of Engines in proper train of making we think the scheme
may be worth following. I am really astonished at the Trumpeters [Hornblowers],
by very late accounts from Bristol their Engine there is as bad as
ever with all the improvement of the air pump, Our resolution,
therefore is to lett them alone untill they do something flagrant
and we wish you to say nothing on the subject to the people of
Cornwall until you hear further from us. I am sorry for the change
at Wheal Virgin, how comes the Monthly Charge to run so high -
Poldice seems to be doing beyond all expectation, but a price should
not be given for the shares according to the present state, you
should consider that, it may as suddenly grow poor again and that a
great and certain Charge is coming on by the new engine erection. I
leave you to manage Cosgarne land [Cusgarne, Gwennap] as you judge
necessary but lay out nothing but what you judge so.
As to Poldice new engine I can say little as not being
on the spot - From what you tell me it will require a 52 inch
Cylinder 9 feet Stroke, and the house may be of the same dimensions
as Ale & Cakes [mine, Gwennap] - The Beam 15 feet 9 inch to ye
Cylinder and 10 feet 9 inch to the pumps.
The side and
back walls 3 feet 6 inches thick to the ground floor
3 feet to one pair
of Stairs
2 feet 6 to top of
walls
The lever wall
6 feet thick at foundation
4 feet 6 thick
behind the Cistern, & up to centre Gudgeon
5 feet 6 inches at
sides of Cistern to level ground floor
5 feet - -
- - to first floor
The heights
The foundation of lever wall 4 feet under the Bottom of Cellar
From ye bottom of Cellar to platform planking 4 feet 6
inches
to ground
Floor 7 feet 3 inches
to first
Floor 10 feet 3 inches
to Upperside spring beams 13
feet 6 inches
to top of Side
walls 5 feet -
With These dimensions William can proceed untill drawings are sent
him, which cannot be untill the Cylinder &c are determined upon, as
to Boiler it will be the same as West Wheal Virgin only 7 feet wide
at bottom as well as bilge.
I have a scheme for abolishing Ballance Bobbs which I
mean to practice on your Chacewater engine, and could have wished to
have done it in this Poldice engine, but do not at present see the
way of doing it without a perpe[ndicular?] Shaft to bottom,
therefore it may be best to say little about it as councils should
not be distracted, and Poldice has no time to spare in this
erection. I shall at any rate before I determine any thing make a
model of it.
Mr Boulton sett out for Ireland yesterday and his being
on the flight prevented me from answering you sooner -
I
remain
Dear Sir
Your's &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/9
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
orders to Mr Wilkinson and/or the Dale Company
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Aug 1783
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Aug[u]st 30 1784 [1783]''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol''
''Birmingham Aug[us]t 30th 1783.
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I was this week visiting our Engines in
Shropshire, which found all well - Our friends at Coalbrookdale have
been informed by somebody or other in Cornwall that Mr Wilkinson had
had more orders from the Gwennap mines than they had; (meaning for
the article of pumps for they do not contest that of the Engine
part) which they seemed to impute to a partiality in Mr Boulton or
me to Mr Wilkinson, now I gave no orders out since I left Cornwall
except The order for Poldice Clack door pieces and windbores which I
was desired to give to Mr Wilkinson, and the orders for Wheal Virgin
new pumps which I divided as exactly as I could between them, as I
have done the order for Poldory pumps. As I have had reflections of
the same kind or something very like them from Mr Wilkinson I am
come to the resolution to intermeddle no farther in the orders for
pumps, unless when particular directions are required, You will
therefore let the Mines know that I will be obliged to them to send
their orders orders directly to the Dale Company or to Mr Wilkinson
for such proportions or quantities as they Chuse to order from
either of them - They both have our good wishes and I do not chuse
to be embroiled with either of them particularly in a point wherein
our own interest is no ways concerned further than in getting the
mines well served which they will be by either of them.
And if at the same time you could get them to give such
directions as they please about thicknesses size of Clack doors &c
In which W[illiam].M[urdock]. can advise and assist them, it will
remove another source of uneasiness from me - I trust in your
prudence to manage this matter cautiously, and not to mention it in
the words I have used, but to infer that I find it difficult to
manage so as not to give offence and that it would be obliging us
for them to issue the orders from the Mine themselves.
But in any case give no reason to think that there is
any other variance between him & them than each party being willing
to do as much as they can to serve the mines - In your situation as
agent for Mr Wilkinson You certainly are at liberty to use your
interest for his service as no doubt their agents will do for
theirs, but you will please to let the mines know that it is as Mr
W[ilkinso]ns agent not as ours, And I dare say that you will join
the Dale Comp[an]ys friends against any orders being given to other
founders. You will see that the whole affair requires prudence and I
expect you will exert it. I shall write to Mr Wilkinson myself
concerning the Issue I have put it on & he will naturally give you
his directions, in the mean time you need not write to him about it,
as I dare say you will be sufficiently watchful for him - Poldory
pumps I have ordered, so they are out of the case - I am sorry to
learn that W[illiam] M[urdock] continues to have returns of his ague
and fear he will not get well without he confines himself more - I
have not heard however if he has taken the last prescription which I
hope will do him good as it is calculated to enable him to go out
while taking it though it would certainly succeed better if he could
stay within.
I have not heard from Mr Boulton since his departure
- I remain with Compliments to Mr Wilson Dear Sir Yours &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/10
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
movable engines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 Sep 1783
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Sep[tembe]r 2 1783''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol''
''Birmingham
Sep[tembe]r 2[n]d 1783
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 28th, and am willing
on my own part to enter a scheme of lending small engines provided
you & Capt[ain] Paul take part in it, Mr B[oulton]. will I believe
also agree to it, and I think that if W[illia]m Chuses he should
have a part, you may proportion the Shares in such manner as proves
agreable to you.
You are to consider B&W in this matter as seperate
people, only in relation to the usual third of the savings which is
to belong to them as a company, and will not ammount ot much, &
which must be charged to the borrowers of the engine, along with the
Charge of working it.
The best way will be to furnish the engine complete &
the mine to pay for erection at the Spot, and to find pumps, The
house must, if we can, be contrived to be moveable or else to be a
charge on the mine, an 18 inch Cylinder working both up and down
will do a great deal of work, as it will at least make 20 Strokes
per minute, if not over loaded; but these moveable engines should
not make above 4 feet Stroke in the Cylinder - I cannot tell with
certainty, but I suppose an engine of that size will cost about £250
besides the pumps, I think those of 15 inches or even 12 inches will
ans[we]r many of the mines, and they maybe made as large as 24
inches, Larger ones would not I think answer so well to have such
short strokes - I shall consider the subject of wooden houses; but
as I have so much on hand I wish W[illia]m [Murdock] would follow
his own judgement in regard to Dolcoath; but let him remember that
these rotative motions pull & push much endwise and must be well
spurred, and the sills of the rotative motion firmly held down - I
approve very much of C. P. as a partner, and shall leave it to your
joint wisdom to settle the mode of agreement with the mines, but I
would agree with none that have not a good deal of water to draw,
and in my opinion we should always find Coals, and engine men,
provided you can get any you can trust, I shall turn the matter in
my mind, and write more fully than I can do to day having a
headache.
I wrote you the Last post on a subject which must
managed with delicacy, so as neither to convey an idea that we do
not wish to take the trouble of giving out the orders for pumps, nor
that We have deserted Mr Wilkinsons interest, nor that we wish to
turn away orders from the Dale Company [Coalbrookdale, Shropshire] -
but that Both he and they are are our Good friends, and we wish to
keep them so by not intermeddling in the distribution of orders,
which will come with a better grace from the mines than from us.
I also wish the matter to be left to them for the
reason I mentioned that, every mine has their particular notions
about the sizes of Clack doors the taper of Clack seals and the
thickness of the pipes, which it is impossible to me to remember,
and by omissions sometimes give offence, and they seem to have a
disposition to look upon us as accountable for even the errors of
the founders in such goods as we order - They will do well however
to send drawings or very particular directions about Clack door
pieces & windbores; though both Mr Wilkinsons people and the Dale
know my sentiments on these heads in general.
I must however mention one thing to you; that if the
orders come through my hands the dale people expect the half of the
pumps, and Mr Wilkinson growls terribly if he has not more than
half.
Mrs Watt joins me in condolising with Mrs Wilson on her
miscarriage, but we glad to hear that She is in a good way after it
- I remain,
Dear Sir
Your's &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/11
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
engines at Chacewater and Halamanning mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Sep 1783
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Sep[tembe]r 16 1783''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol''
''Birmingham
Sept[embe]r 16th 1783
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I rec[eive]d yours, with the monthly account
and also the bill of lading of the tin, but you neglected to say
whether the vessel was sailed or not which will make the insurance
difficult, considering the late Storms which have been extrememly
violent here.
The other day I received a letter from Mr Fenton
advising that you had informed him that I preferred two Engines to
one in the Case of Chacewater [mine, Kenwyn] and wanting me to have
a comparative Estimate ready against he came this way which he says
will be soon. In the Case of having two Engines I propose to repair
the present one for one of them, if possible, It must in that
Case have a new outer bottom and a new Bobb & eduction pipe,
probably a condenser. You will therefore pass an examination upon
it, and see whether the House will stand, and what else will
do. Or if you must go the Vole and erect an intire new one an the
Shaft - Also whether any pumps will do again, Pump rods &c Also such
estimates as you can among you and send me copies of them article by
article that I may add or deduct - for me to begin out of the Blank
and make such estimates here would be nonsense however I will do
what I can - As to the proposal of the double engine, that must be
seriously considered and cannot easily be estimated, I think it will
be be best discussed when we are together, I believe I shall be able
to get a model of the pump work for it ready by the time you return
from Wales, by which we will be better able to judge of its effects
-
As to the Altering Hallamanin [Halamanning mine, St Hilary], I do
not think it can be done without an Expence equal to that of a new
Cylinder &c - The Engine having been so much hashed and abused, and
besides I do not think it a proper place to try any new thing, nor
that they could manage it when done untill some body else sett them
the example - By the by, Rob[er]t Muir wrote me some time ago that
that he was quite sick of his place there and wanted to be removed,
he complained that they used him ill and that he could get nothing
done which was wanted; if this be true and he can be made usefull in
another place I think he should be relieved but I leave it to you
and to W[illia]m to judge of this - Mrs Watt joins in compliments to
Mrs Wilson and other friends & I remain Dear Sir
Yours &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/12
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
the arrangement of small engines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Sep 1783
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Sep[tembe]r 18 1783''
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol''
''Birmingham Sep[tembe]r 18th 1783
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 13th The accounts wanted
are to the 30th inclusive, but it will do to send them as you
mention viz to 30th Last month compleat and then early in next month
a state of this month, and these accounts should contain allowing by
us and to us in Cornwall and if you could send me a valuation
of our stock in the different mines it would enable us to form a
better Judgement of the State of our affairs. Pray what is Pool
[Wheal Pool, Wendron] doing?
In relation to small Engines with short Strokes many
things can be done with them that cannot be done with Larger ones.
For instance they may be placed directly over the Shaft and have no
working beam. I have two schemes of this kind one is by her piston
rod Coming through the bottom of Cylinder but that I am much
inclined to give up on account of the difficulty there was of
keeping the stuffing box tight in Mr Wilkinsons inverted Engine
though it was only a Steam Joint. The other way has the piston rod
going upwards as usual, and is consequently free from that
inconvenience neither of these two will need any working beam except
a small one for the Condenser and plug frame, And with a working
beam a 4 feet Stroke may be managed without either Chain or rack and
sector, and even in the new Engine for Chacewater I propose to have
no chain nor rack on the outer end of the beam only a simple Joint.
On the whole however I cannot calculate any material saving by
having no beam in small engines, and in large engines I fear it
cannot be dispensed with - I shall be Glad to see William [Murdock]s
drawing and will readily agree to try any thing he proposes to which
I do not see such objections as would hinder him from wishing it -
If chacewater be done in one Engine I propose to divide the main rod
into 2 one of which shall ascend while the other descends by which
means they will always ballance one another and need no Ballance
Bobbs except the Г bobbs which connect them together at least they
will need no Ballance weights, [here is given a diagram showing the
mechanism by which the main rod is divided into two alternately
ascending and descending rods] when the Engine draws up A, B will
descend; and when the engine pushes down A, B will be pulled up by
the Connecting piece C,C, and will then work the sett of pumps
belonging to it so that the engine will work one half of the pumps
in its ascent and the other half in its descent. If the stroke of
the Engine in the pumps be 7 feet, the Г bobbs need only be 12 feet
radius to differ exceedingly little from a straight line in their
motion - By an experiment we have tried lately. Lately with our 15
inch Cyl[inde]r the difference of consumption of fuel with the steam
Case & without it is as 11 to 14, but is not quite so much in
proportion in larger engines.
I have had no answer about the Engine man from the
Irish men, I must therefore defer saying any more untill I hear how
they behave to Mr Boulton and untill they pay us what they owe - I
wish T D may not disappoint Mr Wilkinsons expectations, as to
Poldice agreement I can say nothing until Mr Boulton returns except
that we owe the adventurers good will and thanks for the past and
hope we shall be able to please them somehow - Please attend to what
I wrote last post and furnish me with all the facts relative to the
expense of erection you can. If able You have a double engine I
think 20 inch barrels in[dis??] and 7 feet Stroke in pumps 8 in
Cyl[inde]rs - I am glad to see that W[heal] V[irgin] is some What
revived and Poldice so very Glorious. I wish you not to mention What
I have said about Engines to any body but William untill we get the
experiments made and be satisfied ourselves - With Compliments to
Mrs Wilson and all friends I remain,
Dear Sir
Yours
&c
James Watt
our corn mill
goes most Gloriously now grinds, and dresses 8 bushels an hour with
less than I Cwt [hundredweight] Coals p[e]r hour, and a boiler 4
feet dia[mete]r supplies it with Steam in plenty, a bad joint of the
under part of the upper nozle was the cause it did not do so well
before, ie it made it use about 2ce [twice] the quantity of Steam,
we expect to make it use still fewer Coals''
AD1583/1/13
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
parts for various engines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Dec 1783
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt 17 Dec[embe]r 1785 [1783]''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Birm[ingha]m Dec[embe]r 17th 1783
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Yours of the 7th and 10th came both to hand
last post. The nozles for the small engine, and for Polgooth [mine,
St Austell] were sent off Nov[embe]r 28th of which Mr Roberts
advised you, which letter hope you have received, and this post I am
informed from Pritchard & Barlow say they have also informed you
that they are shipt on board the Falmouth, & sailed from Bristol ye
15th. The connecting rod rotative Wheels and Shaft for Chacewater
Drawing Engine are nearly ready and shall be sent the next week. I
am very glad to hear that Chacewater is likely to get better, our
account of monthly costs is frightful.
I cannot pretend to judge of the new plan until I know
more about it, but have not much disposition to engage in new
undertakings, though indeed I shall like this the better for its
lessening our shares in the mines.
Zack Walker arrived safe & well, but I have heard no
account of Mr Boulton, since he left him.
Mrs Watt joins in wishing Mrs Wilson a happy time and
soon over, & I remain D[ea]r Sir
Yours &c
James
Watt''
AD1583/1/14
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
proposition to invest in Wilson's copper company
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
10 Jan 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Jan[uar]y 10 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol''
''Birmingham Jan[uar]y 10th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of ye 5th. Wheal Towan [mine,
St Agnes] Cyl[inde]r is ordered to come with Poldice, and I shall
immediately order one for crane. As to Scorier [Scorrier], if the
savings had come to more than you agreed for we would have had no
complaints. The bargain was also of your own seeking. However the
Engine seems to be in Shamefull order and ought to be cured on all
acc[oun]ts.
Mr Mathews has wrote to me for information concerning
the State of your concern and also What your stocks consisted in and
many other particulars which I could not furnish him with, I
therefore promised to write to you for an abstract of your account
of Stocks, Debts &c, and you will also please to be perfectly
explicit, on the nature of the agreement with Papps and any other
incumbrances the Company is saddled with, Also what relates to the
interest due on the Shares with any other particulars you judge
necessary to give a clear notion of the present state of the
business.
Mr Wilkinson has been here and absolutely declines
taking any part, from his aversion to great Companies and from his
fears of some bad opposition in ye Copper trade which fears seems to
have some foundation.
As to us Mr B[oulton]. can by no means spare the money
from his other concerns, and indeed would be much to blame were he
to think of it. I proposed to have taken one share on my own
account; but must be perfectly satisfied of the prudence of it. I am
very willing to risk the money, but it may happen as it has done in
other Copper companys that not only the capital may be lost but one
may be brought into Debt. While the concern continues under your
management, I do not fear that; but changes may happen in that point
And you know now the affairs of Your own Company were managed before
you took charge of them, and the same may happen again were you to
give it up. The Great Drawback in your Company is that very few of
the partners are men of business, and you see that for that reason
Men of business refuse to engage with you.
As I have yet no free money it is a serious
consid[eratio]n with me how I engage myself in schemes I do not
perfectly understand, I must therefore beg of you to state the
matters as cleary as you can that I may see my way, and have a good
look before I leap.
I have not yet got the London matters settled and
will be obliged to you to collect for us what you can and as soon as
you can, as it will require a considrable sum still to bring about
what I mentioned to you, and with out which I cannot have peace of
mind nor call any thing my own. I shall be glad to hear from you in
answer to all these matters soon and also whether you have thought
of any body in place of Mr Wilkinson.
I Expect in your next to hear news of Polgooth and
also of the state of the mines in general - Have you done any thing
about Pool yet and is there any hopes of that mine?
We have had severe frosts here and a deep snow, which is
now gone off but the frost still continues though milder.
Mrs Watt joins in compliments to Mrs Wilson and I remain
Dear Sir
Yours &c James Watt
I have heard nothing of the crucibles yet. -''
AD1583/1/15
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
accident at Poldory mine, Gwennap and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 Jan 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Jan[uar]y 29 24 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol''
''Birm[ingha]m
Jan[uar]y 24th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
This day brought me yours of the 18th
enclosing Bills value £967. 9 [shillings]. 5 [pence] - with the
State of C[hace]water Co[mpany] on which I shall correspond or see
Mr Mathews; I observe you have not said what the yearly proffits of
the mines have been the late years, nor do you mention whether G P
is to have 4/64 of the profits given him or whether he is to be
allowed to purchase in so many shares at the then value of the
stock, nor whether his annuity and shares is for life only, or
payable to his heirs - The wafers also tore off what you said about
the value of General St Legers & the other shares so that I cannot
make it out. As to N[orth] Downs [mine, Redruth] we have not been
wrote to, but our intention was to take a 32[n]d & Mr Wilkinson will
take some part, but this you need not mention as from us, as Mr
Boulton is not with me - We shall also do what we can to get
adv[enture]rs but I fear it is a bad time, as money never was
scarcer and these abominable funds will soon make it more so - I am
exceedingly shocked at the account of the accident at Poldory and
should have been Glad to have had some particulars they must
certainly have had a very strong steam otherwise the people would
have had time to escape please also to advise who the people were
and how so many came to be about the boiler; Copper tubes must be
entirely given up without men can be found more carefull in the
management of them. If any of the families of the deceased or the
surviving persons who were scalded are in distressed circumstances,
I am sure that Mr B[oulton] will Join me in being pleased that you
should give a small matter for their immediate relief as if of your
own accord without mentioning our names, when I see him we shall
advise further on that head mean while use your discretion, and say
nothing about what you do to any body but ourselves - Mrs
Watt joins in Compliments to Mrs Wilson & family & I remain
Dear Sir
Your's &c
James Watt
The two small
Engines are ordered and the small work of them going on Drawings for
houses & boilers shall be sent next week -''
AD1583/1/16
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
purchasing Cornish copper
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Jan 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Boulton 26 Jan[uar]y 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water near, Truro,
Cornwall, Via Bristol''
''Soho 26th Jan[uar]y 1784
Dear Sir
Upon examining my Xmass Acc[oun]ts I am astonished to
find that I have bought between 5 & 6 Hundred pounds worth of Copper
this last Year of the Paris Mine Comp[an]y [Parys Mine, Amlwch,
Anglesey, Wales] which is certainly a reproach either to me or to
the Smelters of Cornish Ores. I am therefore desireous of doing all
in my power to correct the Error & do hereby offer your Comp[an]y my
custome upon certain conditions. The first & most material of all is
that the Copper be fine be ductile be sound &
free from flaws & in short that it be as good as that we buy of the
Paris Mine Co[mpany] - and I must do them the justice to say it is
the best I have ever used. - Upon interogating the Manager of my
Plated Manufactory how he came to buy of ye P[aris]. M[ine].
Co[mpany]. when he knew I was so much interested in Cornwall. he
answered because it was better & Cheaper than he could find else
where & further that if we could be allowed 2 shilling a pound for
Useing some kind of Copper which we had used to purchase We should
be loosers by the bargin. The Copper I am speaking of is for
plateing Silver upon it & must be refind as high as you can refine
it & must be made as tough it must be cast Sound & then forged into
bars 2 Inches Sq[ua]r[e] & of any length you please for we shall saw
it into Short lengths say about 5 Inches long. I am sensible you
cannot refine less than one furnace full at a time which I will take
as a trial if you think it worth your while.
I find Mr Wilkinson is deterd from takeing any shares
in y[ou]r Co[mpany] In consequence of some conversation he hath
lately had w[i]th Anglesey he says there will be some hard blows
amongst the Copper Co[mpanie]s soon.
I have lately wrote to Sr F Bassett [Sir Francis
Basset] & sent him a printed Copy of the Birmingham Commercial
Committee by which it appears that they intend to apply to
parl[iamen]t to impede the Exportation of Tin & Copper or put a duty
upon those Metals. In case they persevere our Cornish friends must
exert every power to counteract them for you may be assured that
Anglesey will rather promote than prevent the duty for if by such a
measure the consumption of Copper should be reduced one half the
Anglesy Co[mpany] in that case will have almost that half because
they openly avow to undersell all other Co[mpanie]s 5£ a Ton in such
markets as they are resolved to have but if we cannot fight them
with weapons of Copper I think we may be a match for them with
weapons of Tin in case the Tin Smelters were unanimouse &
particularly if a Tin Bank was established in Cornwall I think you
may force the Sale of Copper by Tin. - but more of that when I come
to Cornwall in March.
I again say if you wish my Custome you must write to Holebrook
directly to prepare some Copper for me. but where can you get it
forged & for what price. You ought to have a forge & Rolling Mill in
Wales - Williams is Rolling Thousands of Tons of Round Bolts for the
Navy & is connected w[i]th Forbes. - I can make better Bolts.
I beg youl tell me p[e]r return of Post what I am to depend upon.
Present my best respects to Mrs Wilson wishing you both health & all
other good things
I am Dear Sir
Yours faithfull friend
M Boulton
I use about £300
worth of Copper for plating
& about £200 worth of Shruff} p[e]r annum
but shall use much more
pray tell me the
present price of Tin in Cornwall with the Charges of putting it on
Board & delivering it in London - also tell me if it can be shiped
at Falmouth for Haver de Gras [Le Havre, Normandie, France] as a
friend of mine in France wants me to supply him. Mr Watt will write
you about money''
AD1583/1/17
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
the copper market
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Jan 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt 27 Jan[uar]y 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol''
''Birmingham Jan[uar]y 27th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
On looking over the C[hace]water ballance
I perceive the following articles which want explanation, 1st at
what rate do you value the fine copper? 2[n]d of what nature is the
inven[tor]y in Wales 3[r]d money advanced to the men, whether
advanced in such way as to be certain value? or whether you do not
run a risk of Losing some part of it? 4th Tin in ores, how valued
Copper ores on hand, whether valued at prime cost or if any
allowance taken off - It looks ill your having so large a Stock of
fine copper, I should think that it is in part caused by your want
of a Mill, and more by your want of some active partner in London -
Lastly I do not understand what you said to me about the interest
due on shares which I wish you would fully explain. The greatest
Objection however is the extravagant rate at which the Anglesea
[Anglesey] Comp[an]y are getting ores, which on any demurr in sales
must over Stock the markets and infallibly lower the price of copper
so much that nothing but loss can be got by it, which indeed makes
me tremble for the business in general, but to do these Gentlemen
justice they are indefatigable in seeking out forreign markets,
which will throw the back water of sales on some of the forreign
mines and probably stop some of them entirely - There were mines
wrought in Swisserland [Switzerland] in the time of the war which
are now stopt.
I have talked with Mr Boulton about the sufferers at
Poldory, and we give you authority to give them, from 5 to 10
guineas according to your discretion, and desire it may be given in
small sums at a time to such as you think require it and as from
yourself, unless some collection be made for them in which case you
may give a moderate sum as from us so as not to be ostentatious.
Mrs Watt joins in compliments to you and to Mrs Wilson
and I remain &c
Dear Sir
Yours &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/18
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Papps Mill
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
3 Feb 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Feb[ruar]y 3 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol''
''Birmingham Feb[ruar]y 3[r]d 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I got home from London on Thursday. I
intended to have written to you from thence in ans[we]r to yours of
the 14th but was kept in such a hurry that I could not, I was at G
Papps Mill which seems to have power enough but still wants much
repairs - He himself is seemingly not long for this world, being
quite emaciated and has lost his voice, has got swelled legs, and a
miserable cough. As I have got a very bad cold in coming down in
this horrible cold weather, I cannot write you any thing in answer
to yours to night only thought it right to lett you know we are
alive and that the small articles for Towan & Crane are in great
forwardness.
Mr B[oulton]. will come home on Wednesday & will soon
set out for Cornwall, with compliments to Mrs Wilson & all friends I
remain
Dear Sir
Yours &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/19
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Feb 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Feb[ruar]y 7 1784''
Addressed to:
''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via Bristol''
''Birmingham February 7th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Last post brought y[ou]rs of ye 29th
covering Bills value £823. 8 [shillings]. 9 [pence]. and we are
obliged to you for paying up Chacewater. I have not yet been able to
pay proper attention to the articles for Crane [mine, Camborne] but
shall in my next write my sentiments - In relation to the stamping
of ores at 10/ [shillings] p[e]r 100 I know not if it will answer
and think you had better decline any bargain on that point at
present. They ought to give the price of Stamping & Carriage for all
they cannot stamp with the stamps on ye mine - I shall however make
some calculations & send you.
As to the small Engine in the bottoms once you send me
the particulars I shall send an answer as to the propriety; but if
at all proper to be done I think the small Engine Comp[an]y should
undertake it, and should have a price proportioned to the
disadvantages, which will be considerable, and if the Engine be
disused from that part of the mine not needing it we BW&Co should
have a consideration for the Engine lying on hand.
I observe in the acc[oun]ts that David Watson is
charged only 4/ [shillings] p[e]r week to the mines which is 7/
[shillings] p[e]r week less then he is worth to us. I suppose it is
a mistake for 14/ [shillings], which should rectifyed in time.
Having a bad headache & nothing else particular to write, I remain
Dear Sir
Yours &c
James Watt
I forgot to
advise you before that Poldory eduction pipe was shipt on board the
Furly Capt[ain] Pollard, Jan[uar]y 5th''
AD1583/1/20
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 Feb 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt 19 Feb[ruar]y 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol''
''Birmingham Feb[ruar]y 19th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Yours of the 8th I could not answer sooner
on acc[oun]t of a headache and of a meeting held here of the Albion
Mill Company - The nozles for Poldory have been detained these 6
weeks by the frost on the canal & river, both which are still fast &
likely to be so - Query if ye frost does not go before I get your
answer, shall I send them by land, they are about 30 Cwts
[hundredweight] besides the steam case, which latter is either at
Bristol or froze up by the way - The Eduction pipe I advised in my
last was sent by Capt[ain] Pollard - Your own things were detained
for some time waiting for thaw and at last sent off by land about 3
weeks ago - Had previously determined to send no buckets for small
engine condensers - I have finished drawings for all the small parts
of Wheal Towan & crane and they are now in hand, the nozles cast and
the cyl[inde]rs to be shipt with Poldice -
In relation to the stream works, It appears to me that
as you have water it is needless to think of an Engine. I think the
scheme very practicable and the method W[illia]m [Murdock] has
thought of a very proper one, but I am in some doubts whether the
company could get any thing by undertaking it, particularly as it
lies so so far from inspection, and would necessarily take up too
much of Williams attention & thereby might occasion complaints at
the great Mines, and in relation to small engines in general untill
we can get into some regular course of manufacturing them we would
rather wish to delay them unless where they are to serve some very
good end, as at present they cost us here much more trouble than
large ones, and also tend to distract our attention from more
important business. At the same time we are taking proper steps to
get them put in train.
As Mr Boulton will be with you about the begginning of
April I think you had better put the matter off till then when you
send me the proper data for the underground Engine at Wheal Maid, I
will sett about it, at present It seems to me that a 16 inch single
engine with 4 feet Stroke will do the business & the Engine may be
made so as to become a double one in case of need.
Every body here is much alarmed at the State of the
nation which seems to be endangered by the present political
Struggles, which seem to be whether we shall be governed by a King
and parliament as we used to be or by a dictator of self assumed
authority & a few other scoundrels - Have you sent an address from
Cornwall - You should send one from the Mine adventurers!
Mrs Watt joines in comp[limen]ts to you & Mrs Wilson
and I remain Dear Sir
Yours &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/21
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
engine at Wheal Towan, St Agnes
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Mar 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Mar[ch] 6 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall''
''Birm[ingha]m Mar[ch] 6th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Yours of the 28th received, I am no friend
to underground engines, however as you have engaged it is needless
to say any thing about it, let the result speak for itself. I
should not have bound myself to put in another engine at Towan if
the one now made should not answer, because in that case I fear the
water cannot be drawn for the money, and because in a case of that
kind Where they were to reap an advantage as well as us we should be
bound no farther than our own interest led us, therefore it should
only have been to take away the defective engine and leave both
parties to a new bargain.
I am very sorry to hear of the falling off of the
mines; but hope those that are alive may recover in time to prevent
the sentence - In relation to the poor woman who had her husband
scalded, I think you may give her two guineas more on some proper
occasion when you think it may be of most service to her, or perhaps
it may be most prudent to say you lend it her, untill she be in
better circumstances but take no document from her, however do as
you will, only let such things not be construed into precedent - I
go to London on wednesday next, and at present write in haste.
I remain Dear Sir
Your's &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/22
Letter,
Buchanan to
Wilson regarding engine parts dispatched for Poldory mine, Gwennap
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Mar 1784
Endorsed:
''Jno [John] Buchanan Mar[ch] 20 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, at Chasewater, near Truro,
Cornwall, via Bristol''
Mr Thomas Wilson
Sir
We sent off p[e]r Canal from Birmingham the
first Curr[en]t, All the Goods we had for Poldory vizt -
No. 1 - Cross pipe.
2 Upper Nozle.
3 Middle d[itt]o.
4 Lower d[itt]o.
5 Box - 4 Copper Valves.
6 d[itt]o Cylindrical Valve &
Bason.
7 d[itt]o Uprights, Glands &
Bonnets.
8 d[itt]o Racks & Sectors.
9 d[itt]o 3 Spindles.
10 d[itt]o Barom[ete]r Steam Gage, &
a parcel for Ed[ward] Bull.
Weight of the
Whole 23c [hundredweight]. 0q[uarter]. 20lb [pound], and the value
about £59 - including the castings -
If you want to make Insurance, you will please to give
directions about it to Messrs Prichard & Barlow who we have desired
to inform you the Moment the Goods are Shipt. - There was sent off
for you the 17th Ult[im]o to Care of Messrs Prichard & Barlow 3
Boxes - One of which Contained a Cylindrical Valve & Bason for
Polgooth, Value £4. 4 [shillings]. 6 [pence] and the other 2
Contained the Goods you Bought when at Soho. We hope they are Safe
arrived before this, or that you have heard of their being Shipt.
We are Sir
your most Ob[edien]t Serv[an]ts
For Boulton & Watt
John Buchanan
Soho near Birming[ha]m
20 March 1784 -''
AD1583/1/23
Letter,
Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts for various mines
Item
1 large folio
Manuscript
27 Mar 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Pearson 27 March 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro,
Cornwall, Via Bristol.''
''Soho Near Birmingham
27th
March 1784
Mr. Thomas Wilson.
Sir
Annexed have sent you sundry Accounts which
you have not had before. - In the State of Accounts mentioned in
January Acc[oun]t you call United Mines [Gwennap] Piston Rod £21 - 5
[shillings] - 8 [pence], the Invoice you had of said Rod is £21 - 15
[shillings] - 8 [pence]. - In the above mentioned Monthly Account
for January you only allow 4/- [shillings] p[e]r Week for David
Watson at sundry Engines - This needs very much to be explain'd;
perhaps you meant to have made it 14/- [shillings] p[e]r week. -
Have not yet heard of February Account.
- I am Sir
Your most Ob[edien]t Ser[van]t
For Boulton & Watt
James Pearson
Pool Adventurers
D[ebto]r
To
Boulton & Watt
1783
Dec[embe]r To Freight of Piston Rod from Seaton to Liverpool
in Oct[obe]r 1780 £ - . 8 [shillings]. 7 [pence]
Dolcoath
Adventurers D[ebto]r
To Boulton & Watt
1783
Dec[embe]r 20 To a Piston Rod 7 [hundredweight]. 2 [quarter]. 7
[pounds] a[t] 8d [pence] £ 28. 4 [shillings]. 8 [pence]
[ditto] Iron bound
Case - . 10
[shillings]. -
[ditto] Insurance to Liverpool on £29 a[t]
1 p[e]r Ct [hundredweight] - . 5 [shillings]. 10 [pence]
[total] £29. - . 6 [pence]
Polgooth
Adven[ture]rs D[ebto]r
To Boulton & Watt
1783
Dec[embe]r 23 To 1 Brass Cylindrical Valve & Bason 58lb
[pound] a[t] 15d [pence] £3. 12 [shillings]. 6 [pence]
[ditto] Iron Work for d[itt]o 20lb
[pound] a[t] 6d [pence] - .10
[shillings]. -
Box - . 2 [shillings]. -
[total]
£4. 4 [shillings]. 6 [pence]
Mr. Thomas
Wilson D[ebto]r
To Boulton & Watt
1783
Dec[embe]r 12 To a Spectacle Case
£
- . 5 [shillings]. –
Poldory
Adven[ture]rs D[ebto]r
To Boulton
& Watt
1784
Feb[ruar]y 28 To Iron Work for Nozle 0 [hundredweight]. 3
[quarter]. 8 [pounds] a[t] 6d [pence] £2. 6 [shillings]. -
[ditto] 3 Brass Valve Seats, ground &
fitted 0. 0. 24. a[t] 15d [pence]
[£]1. 10 [shillings]. -
[ditto] 4 Copper Valves with Steel
Spindles 0. 1. 27. a[t] d[itt]o
[£]3. 8 [shillings]. 9 [pence]
[ditto] Cylindrical Brass Valve & Bason
0. 1. 18. a[t] d[itt]o [£]2. 17
[shillings]. 6 [pence]
[ditto] Iron Work for d[itt]o
0. 0. 21. a[t] 8d [pence] [£] - .14
[shillings]. -
[ditto] 3 Steel Spindles for Sectors
0. 2. 2. a[t] 12d
[pence] [£]2. 18 [shillings]. –
[ditto] 6 Racks & 6 Sectors forged & Case hardened 0.
3. 5. a[t] 12d [pence] [£]4. 9 [shillings]. -
[ditto] 6 Steel Collars for ends of
Spindles 0. 0. 16. a[t] 12d
[pence] [£] - . 16 [shillings]. -
[ditto] 3 Guides 3 Caps for d[itt]o d[itt]o
0. 1. 21. a[t] 18 [shillings]/8 [pence] [£] - . 8.
[shillings]. 2 [pence]
[ditto] 10 Large Pins for Bridges &
Guides 0. 0. 20. a[t] 6d [pence]
[£] - . 10 [shillings]. -
[ditto] 12 Small d[itt]o for
Caps a[t] 3d
[pence] [£] - . 3 [shillings]. -
[ditto] Steady Pins
0. 0. 6. a[t] 6d
[pence] [£] - . 3 [shillings]. -
[ditto] Fitting Nozle with 2 Seats Valves, Racks,
Sectors &c [£]15. - . -
[ditto] Part of expense of Patterns for Nozle Guides
&c [£] 2. 2
[shillings]. -
[ditto] Carriage of patterns to Foundry & Carr[iage] of
Nozle from Foundry [£]15. - .
[ditto] d[itt]o of Nozle &c to Birmingham & Exp[ense]s
at unloading [£] - . 7
[shillings]. 6 [pence]
[ditto] Barometer & Pipes 28/- [shillings] Steam Gauge
10 [shillings] /6 [pence] [£]1. 18 [shillings]. 6
[pence]
[ditto] 6 Boxes for Gearing &c & plugs for packing
Nozle [£] - . 17
[shillings]. -
[ditto] 3 pins to keep in packing in Nozle
[£] - . 1 [shilling]. 6 [pence]
[Grand total] £ 41. 4
[shillings]. 11 [pence]
Ent[ere]d''
AD1583/1/24
Table of accounts for engine parts for Crane, Camborne, and Wheal
Towan,
St Agnes
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
1784
Endorsed: “Boulton & Watts Acc[oun]t for Mr Wilkinsons
Bill for Crane & Wh[eal] Towan Engines 1784''
[includes
accounts for various parts purchased of Boulton & Watt for June 22nd
1783, total £78 10 shillings and 3 pence, and for October 29th 1783,
total £64 13 shillings and 5¼ pence]
AD1583/1/25
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Apr 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Ap[ri]l 8 1784''
Addressed to: “Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Birm[ingha]m Ap[ri]l 8th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I received yours of the 3[r]d to day,
covering your draft for £500, which shall be put to audit when we
receive the accounts - Mr B[oulton]. is now at London but will soon
return here & set out for Cornwall, but how soon I cannot say not
having heard from him since he left home - In relation to the
Engines on North Downs I would scarcely venture to put them up in
the double way untill you see how Crane and Towan works.
I shall send you a list of what Iron work is doing here
for these last on Tuesday next, being much indisposed with a
Headache to day - I am pushing there work on as hard as I can.
I am sorry to hear such bad accounts of the mines, but
hope they will mend in time before the dead warrant comes out
against them.
I hope you are now recovered from the pain in your back,
such complaints have been com[mo]n here lately - I remain
Dear Sir
Yours
&c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/26
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
James Watt's imminent visit to Shropshire
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Apr 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Ap[ri]l 17 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''April
17th 1784
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 12th, I write this only to advise
that as I set out for Shropshire tomorrow and will be absent there
and at Bersham [Denbighshire, Wales] about a week you need not
expect to hear from me in that time.
Mr B[oulton]. goes with me but returns on wednesday.
When moneys become due we shall be obliged to you to Collect again,
as the late pay[men]ts have put us behind with Mr Mathews, wh[ic]h
is disagreeable.
With
Compl[imen]ts to Mrs Wilson & all friends
I remain
Dear
Sir
Yours
James Watt''
AD1583/1/27
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
29 Apr 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr
Watt Ap[ri]l 29 1784'', also ''Ja[me]s Tates Comp[limen]ts to Mrs
Miss Wilson's hopes they had a pleasant Journey''
Addressed to: ''Mr
Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via Bristol''
''Birm[ingha]m Ap[ri]l 29th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I returned from Wales on Monday & am
favoured with yours of the 19th & 24th the latter inclosing Bills
value £781. 5 [shillings]. 1 [penny]. - when at Bersham [John
Wilkinson's ironworks near Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales] saw the
goods going off for poldice &c among other things a new condenser
they said you had ordered I know not for what mine - I was vext to
find that they had bored the Cylind[e]r for Crane ¼ inch less
dia[mete]r than ordered which there was no time to remedy by making
another. If as you hinted in a former letter you think there is any
risque of the engine being overpowered I shall order another to be
cast & sent off immediately p[e]r Severn and the one now sent may ly
over for some of these others who want Engines.
In relation to the cross bobs, I have thought of
several methods that will any of them do but in my opinion none of
them so well or so durable as these bobs, and at any rate we have
already made all the Cast Iron work and brakes for these two
Engines, and as we have made a model of this motion & put it to very
severe trials without perceiving any material defect, I am Clear for
carrying them into execution in this case & in the next that is done
W[illia]m [Murdock] shall have liberty to try any other sort he
prefers, mean while I shall be glad to see his drawing and shall
then give my opinion of it - I observe what you say relating to
Poldice & Wheal Virgin, pray have we ever had any dividend of Tin
from the former? - I am glad to hear such acc[ount]s of Polgooth,
but fear you must get another Captain there, inconsiderate men
should not be trusted with such weighty business - We have got
several orders for small rotative engines, and are going on with the
Blackfryers corn mill [Albion Mill at Blackfriars in London, opened
1786 and destroyed by fire in 1791]; but have got an opposition to
our charter from the whole body of Millers & Mealmen about London.
I
remain
Dear Sir
Yours &c
James
Watt''
AD1583/1/28
Letter,
Buchanan to
Wilson regarding dispatch of nozzles for engine of Poldice mine,
Gwennap
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
1 May 1784
Endorsed: ''Jno [John] Buchanan May 1 1784''
Addressed to: Thomas Wilson, at Chase Water, near Truro,
Cornwall, Via Bristol''
''Mr Thomas
Wilson
Sir
On the 24th Ult[im]o there was sent off p[e]r
Waggon for Bristol, to care of Messrs Prichard & Barlow, a Compleat
set of Nozles for Poldice Engine, all marked P...e & numbered as
follows -
No1 @ 4 4 Nozles of Cast Iron
5 @ 9 - 5 Boxes, Containing the Gearing &c
for the nozles the Barometer, Steam Gage &c
Weight of the
Whole 31c [hundredweight].
1qu[arter]. 22lb [pound]
Value of the Whole,
about £74. -
I wrote to
Messrs Prichard & Barlow to desire these Goods might be Shipt p[er]
very first Vessel for Portreath or Hayle and that they would advise
you the moment they were sent off, - I hope they will arrive Safe,
and in good time. The Piston Rod was Shipt some weeks ago for
Chepstow [Monmouthshire]. I have desired Mr Baldwyn there to
send it also off immediately for Portreath, Hayle, or Falmouth and
to advise you when it is Shipt - I hope you you will soon hear of
it.
You will please to take notice that David Watson's
Wages advanced (p[er] Agreement with Messrs B&W) on the 1st Ult[im]o
Say 1st Ap[ri]l 1784 to 13/- (Thirteen Shillings) p[er] Week at
which rate he is to be paid till the 1st of next Ap[ri]l 1785 at
which time it advances to 14/- [shillings] p[er] week. Mr Boulton
desires me to inform you that he expects every day the Arrival of a
Gentleman from London on particular business. When this Gentleman
has been here & settled the Affairs he comes about, Mr Boulton will
then as Soon as possible set out on his Journey to Cornwall.
I am
Respectfully
Sir
Your Most Obed[ient] Serv[an]t
John Buchanan
Soho near Birming[ha]m
1 May 1784 -''
AD1583/1/29
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
engine parts for Wheal Towan and Crane mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 May 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt May 18 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall''
''Birmingham May 18th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
To day I received the following Invoices
from Bersham with advice of theirs being shipt the 15th in the
Success. Thomas Tupper Master for Truro.
[here is given a
list of engine parts, with weights, for Wheal Towan, St Agnes, and
Crane mine, Camborne]
The Iron work
making for these engines here is as follows -
The 2 Cross barrs & steel brasses for the main rod at the outer end
of ye beams.
D[itt]o for the Г bobbs. 4 in number.
The Cross barr on which the angling pieces turn at the top of Crane
piston Rod, (the Barr & Brasses only without either the anglers or
the upright additions to the rod) -
The Piston Rods may be made with you, as waiting till they are made
here would detain the goods, & I also propose that the working gear
should be made in cornwall, Drawings for which shall be sent you.
I had a letter from Mr Williams for a small Cyl[inde]r
for Tresavean [mine, Gwennap] - I have referred him till the success
of there undertaken be known, & have desired him to apply to you as
if we once begin to erect these small engines for others we shall
never afterwards have it in our power to get a proper bargain - I
have also a new plan for simplyfying small single Engines which I
wish to try first.
I have Crane agreement before me to which I see no
objection it may therefore be executed when you please.
Mr B[oulton]. still continues at London, I expect him
down this week, but believe the [Albion] Mill Comp[an]y will not get
their Charter.
I have been much tormented with Headaches lately, which
with several things harrying me has prevented me writing so often as
I should otherwise have done.
I hear a report that Polgooth shares sell very high
Whats the reason or What is the fact -
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson I
Remain
Dear Sir
Your Obed[ien]t serv[an]t
James Watt''
AD1583/1/30
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Polgooth mine, St Austell, and North Downs mine, Redruth
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 May 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt May 20 1786 [1784]''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol''
''Birm[ingha]m May 20th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of ye 15th, and am more sorry
to hear what you tell me of W[illiam]. M[urdock]. than I am glad to
hear of the prospect at Polgooth. I am sorry I wrote any thing to
you on the subject of the carriages but I mentioned only a small
part of the arguments which have hitherto deterred me from meddling
with them, any thing we can do in reason to bring his mind to a
proper biass you may readily suppose we will do.
If Kestal addit Engine [Wheal Friendship, St Hilary] is
bought for N[orth]. Downs I fancy it must have a new condenser &
perhaps nozles but W[illiam] M[urdock] is a better judge of its
wants than I can be, at this distance of time and place.
I am very much indisposed to day which prevents me from
writing more, than that Mr B[oulton] will come here to morrow &
shall be dispatched with all expedition.
I remain
Dear
Sir
Most Sincerely
Your's
James Watt''
AD1583/1/31
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
investment in Cornish mine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
29 May 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt May 29 1784''
Addressed to:
''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via Bristol''
''Birmingham May 29th 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 24th but cannot give an
answer to it till I see Mr Boulton which I could not do to day as it
has rained incessantly, and I am not very well - If a proper sett of
adventurers are got we shall join them for some share, though
scarcely so much as Captain M. puts down for us, as to Mr Wilkinson
I can say nothing as he is not in this neighbourhood at present, In
my opinion the whole depends on the Advent[ure]rs you can find &
partly on your Continuing in the management. I should have much
objection to the locking up any considerable sum of money in a mine
where one could not dispose of their share readily, and which is
more liable to be affected by the prices of ores than other mines,
on account of the poorness of the ores you have.
In regard to the savings we shall be moderate as we can,
as we should not like to lett our oldest Customer perish but I think
we shall not come lower than you have mentioned. I shall see Mr
B[oulton]. & write to you on tuesday, but perhaps not very fully as
he has fixed saturday next for his setting out for Cornwall - which
being to be so soon I think it would be wrong to take any decided
step untill he arrives with you - In the mean time I would not have
you to say much to the Captain & by all means don't discourage him -
With Compl[imen]ts to all friends
Dear Sir
Your's
James Watt''
AD1583/1/32
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
investment in Cornish mine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
1 Jun 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt June 1 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall''
''Birm[ingha]m June 1st 1784
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have had a short conversation with Mr
Boulton, on the subject of my last, & he should have met me here to
have some farther talks on it but has not Come - As he is so soon to
be in Cornwall we thought it best to delay any definitive resolution
till he goes thither. What past was that provided a proper set of
adventurers could be got & the matter put under management we
approved of that we should take a share (about 1/8) we have at
present no objection to C M continuing Captain, but we think there
is to any Captains being sole manager. Therefore our engaging
without we see proper advent[ure]rs in the County enter along with
us cannot be depended on. On the whole it will be best to say only
that if a proper set is made up we will take a part - I write to Mr
Wilkinson to night, but I fear he will do nothing, as the Comp[an]ys
giving up the mine looks ill.
I shall be glad to learn if you have spoke to any of the
merchants and to whom, - I have no news, but remain
Dear
Sir Yours &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/33
Letter,
Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts for United Mines and Poldory, Gwennap
Item
1 large folio
Manuscript
3 Jul 1784
Endorsed: ''Tho[ma]s Pearson with sundry Acc[oun]ts July 3
1784''
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro, Cornwall.
Via Bristol''
''Soho
near Birmingham
3 July 1784
Mr. Thomas Wilson.
Sir
Annexed have sent two accounts, with which be pleased to
do the needful; and you will thereby oblige.
Sir
Your
most Obed[ien]t Ser[van]t
For Boulton & Watt
James Pearson''
[the next page
contains table of accounts for monies owed to Boulton & Watt for
various parts for the Poldory engine, owed by the United Mines
Adventurers, and for various items purchased by the Poldice
Adventurers]
AD1583/1/34
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
proposals for a Coal Tax
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Jul 1784
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt July 11 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Mr
Wilson.
Birmingham July 11th 1784
Dear
Sir
To day brought yours with the monthly
acc[oun]t which have not yet had time to examine.
Mrs Watt joins in Congratulations on the increase of
your family, & we hope his share of fortune will attend him Our
Compliments to Mrs Wilson with best wishes for her recovery.
I am glad to hear that Mr B[oulton]. has got up his
spirits we were very uneasy about him from the account he gave of
himself in his letters. I should have sent the drawings for the
working gear for Crane & Towan but have been taken up all this week
attending meetings about the Coal Tax & Southern is from home.
Anthony Mitchel was here yesterday and gave me Four
Guineas which he desired might be paid to his Brother Dick Mitchel,
which please to do on receipt of this - The Coal Tax would have
proved ruinsome to us & to the manufacturers of this country but I
hear that it is laid aside & wisely other wise it would have bred
rebellion.
I remain Dear Sir
Yours &c
James Watt
The Coffee came
safe & is very good''
AD1583/1/35
Letter,
Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts for various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Jul 1784
Endorsed: ''Tho[ma]s Pearson with Sundry Acc[oun]ts July 22
1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro,
Cornwall, Via Bristol''
''Poldice
Adventurers
To
Boulton & Watt
For Freight of a Piston Rod to Liverpool & Charges there in
1783 £ - . 13 [shillings]. 11 [pence]
Poldory
Adventurers
To
Boulton & Watt
For Freight of a Piston Rod to Liverpool & Charges their in
1783 £ - . 10 [shillings]. 9 [pence]
Consolidated
Mines Adv[enture]rs
To
Boulton & Watt
For Freight of a Piston Rod to Liverpool & Charges there in
1783 £ - . 10 [shillings]. 9 [pence]
Dolcoath
Adventurers
To
Boulton & Watt
For Freight of a Piston Rod to Liverpool & Charges there in January
1784 £ - . 11 [shillings]. 10 [pence]
Mr. Thomas
Wilson.
Soho near
Birmingham 22[n]d July 1784
Sir
Above have sent Account Freight to
Liverpool & Charges there of sundry Piston Rods, with which beg you
will do the needful. Two Accounts were sent you the 3[r]d instant,
which hope reached your hands. We are Sir
Your most humble ser[van]ts
For
Boulton & Watt
James Pearson''
AD1583/1/36
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Boulton's activities in Cornwall
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 Jul 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Boulton 24th July 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson [of] Chase
s
[the alchemical symbol for water], at Mr James Watts, near
Birmingham, Via Bristol''
''Mr Wilson
/
Cosgarn 24th July - 1784
Dear Sir
I rec[ei]vd by this morning post your two
Letters from Bath & London with a Copy of old Machaevals letter
which I have shown to Mrs. Wilson & both took ye advice you gave us.
I have the pleasure to tell you that she is perfectly well & so are
all your children. Miss Wilson is well but I found Mrs. Wilson Son²
sitting upon 2 soft pillows complaining a little.
I met of Foxes & Phillips at N[orth]: Down[s] acc[oun]t
& had same some conversation respecting W[hea]l Busy [mine, Kenwyn]
when they all seemd as I thought, very desireous of the Connection,
but desired to further consider it for a few days: however I did not
get any answer till this morn[in]g when Tommy Lug[g] came with a
Message from G: Fox declineing to take so large a part as ¼ I find
they are not all of the same opinion. When ever you talk to old
Phillips upon any such like business pray dont do it before
Catherine who is quite averse to the old man takeing upon him any of
the cares of the things in this world.
Mrs. Wilson hath rec[ei]vd this morn[in]g a letter for you & one
from Mr Wilkinson confirming a former one & says he will take 5/16
of the W[hea]l Busy mine & if B&W take ¼ there will be no difficulty
of finding friends & Merchants that w[oul]d take the other shares.
We now draw 200 Kibbles p[e]r day & I hope by by ye time you return
to draw 300 D[itt]o p[e]r day or more by the addition of 2 spare
Kibbles to fill whilst ye other 2 are drawing. Pray desire Mr Watt
to give you a drawing of the best & most convenient kind of Kibble
Latch or Catch that will be readily opend & safely shut such
as they use at Newcastle as I find they can fill them in the drift &
are now makeing room in it for that purpose. W[hea]l Virgin is doing
well they have a good Vein of Ore at the end of ye Syphon & W[hea]l
Maid [mine, Gwennap] gains ground of the W[h]im although it draws
200 p[e]r day. I have had Capt[ai]n Martin & Mr Laynam at Cosgarn [Cusgarne]
who asked, with affliction in their Countinance, for something
towards the Loss of June which was upw[ar]ds of 700£ they thought
they must now Stop as many of ye adv[enture]rs could not sustain
such losses. I to encourage their going on offerd to give them ye
next 2 Mo[nths] but declined giveing anything for the past - I
cannot help wishing that ye small Engine for N[orth] Downs may be a
double one from the beginning otherwise no man knows when any
other opportunity may occur for the Erection of one of our double
Engines with improv'd pit work. I think that & a verdict will
be a death stroke to ye Hornblowers - The Nossels for Crane
&c are not arived pray enquire after them & expedite them if
possable. I have seen little of W[illia]m [Murdock] he is either at
Cambron [Camborne] or Redruth or Polgooth, where is gone to day.
I wish you would bring my daughter & Miss Wyns with you (unless they
wish not to come). You may either take the whole of ye light Coach
or a Chaise. The opportunity is so favourable that I cannot resist
the temptation of your Guardianship.
Wishing you & your Charge a pleasant & prosperous Journey. I remain
Dear Sir
Your faithfull friend
M: Boulton''
AD1583/1/37
Letter,
Buchanan to
Wilson regarding Taylor and Landor's wages
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Aug 1784
Endorsed: ''Jno [John] Buchanan Aug[us]t 21 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, at Chasewater, near Truro,
Cornwall, P[e]r favour of Messrs Landor & Taylor}''
''Mr Thomas
Wilson
Sir
This will be delivered to you by George
Taylor and John Landor, who come to assist at some of your Engines
and who I hope will arrive safe, and be in time for you. Taylor's
Wages is 15/- [shillings] p[er] Week to the 1st of March next and
16/- [shillings] p[er] week for the 3 following years. -
Landor's Wages is 15/- [shillings] p[er] week for 3 years, besides
which Messrs Boulton & Watt have agreed to pay house rent for his
Wife here, which will be nearly 1/- [shilling] p[er] week more; -
You will therefore please to Charge such wages for them as shall
indemnify Messrs B&W for this and also for their travelling Expences
down, and back - Coach hire being now much dearer than when they
went down formerly, say 5/- [shillings] ea[ch] from here to Bristol,
and the rest of the road in proportion, Query if you should not
allow them a trifle more than usual? this you will please to settle
with Mr Boulton -
I hope the goods for W[hea]l Towan & Crane are arrived safe long
e're now, and found right. I am Sir
Your Most Obed[ian]t Serv[an]t
John Buchanan
Soho near Birming[ha]m
21 Aug[us]t 1784 -''
AD1583/1/38
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Lawson's wages
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Aug 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Aug[us]t 26 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Mr
Wilson.
Birm[ingha]m Aug[us]t 26th 1784
Dear Sir
I received yours of the 19th with bills
enclosed value £529 - - 2 [pence?] which are placed to your credit.
I could not write last post having a headache & obliged to do some
other business. I send inclosed J. Lawsons account here which is
none of the best, what remains you must make out with you, and as to
ballance owing us if any there be Consult Mr Boulton. His wages were
the first year 7/ [shillings] p[e]r week, ye 2[n]d y[ea]r 8/ p[e]r
week, the 3[r]d y[ea]r 9/ [shillings], the 4th y[ea]r 10/
[shillings] & the 5th year 11/ [shillings] p[e]r week, which is the
end of his agreement. As to what he has done for us since you must
settle it with him & Mr B[oulton].
I thought to have sent you Crane & Towan
account of Materials to night but it has not come in, shall send it
on Saturday - I shall observe your hint relative to W[illiam].
M[urdock]. - Mrs Watt joins in best wishes to Mrs Wilson & family &
I remain D[ea]r Sir
Yours
sincerely
James Watt
Am very sorry to
hear that C[hace] Water concern is like to be over set after all,
what cant be helpt must be born with -''
AD1583/1/39
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various mines
Item
1 small sheet
Manuscript
31 Aug 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Aug[us]t 31 1784''
''Aug[us]t 31st
1784
Mr Wilson
Dear
Sir
I received yours inclosing 4 bills value
£634. 9 [shillings]. 1 [penny] which shall be placed to your credit,
I am Glad that you have made up your difference with J W[illia]ms
and also that you have made up the Chacewater adventurers, which I
am certain must have caused you much trouble and uneasiness & I hope
will reward you for it.
I send with this Towan & Crane accounts for nozles which
please place to our credit. The sooner you can get these Engines
finished the better for it is impossible to do any thing at N[orth].
Downs with certainty untill these are tried. Mr Watt joins in
comp[limen]ts to you & Mrs Wilson & I remain
Dear Sir yours &c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/40
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
suspected French spy
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Nov 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Boulton Nov 20 1784''
Addressed to: “Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, near Truro,
Cornwall''
''Gloster
[Gloucester] Saturday n[igh]t ye 20 Nov[embe]r [17]84
Dear Sir
We are got so far on our journey well & without
accident after spending almost one day at Exeter & 1 Day at Bath. I
saw Mr Gullett at Exeter who had 2 French men with him & whom he
said intended seting out in a day or two to Cornwall but as I am
persuaded one of them is a spy I must beg you send a Note to Crane
Engine desireing they will not admitt any french men & the same to
the Whim Engine. I also wish you w[oul]d desire Mr Rasp not to take
any French to Crane. as to ye other Engines there is no preventing 'em
from seeing but these cautions should be sent ye day you recieve
this letter or will be too late.
Rivers said he could sell the Gray Mare & therefore if
not sold let him try or perhaps his old Master ye Miller w[oul]d
take her. I left a Gold Shirt pin Sticking at my beds head Cosgarn I
wish you w[oul]d order it to be taken care of.
I shall be happy to hear that you are all in better
health & particulary Mrs. Hicks present & accept my best thanks for
all your kindness & believe me Yours sincerly
M: Boulton
[marginal] Turn
over
dont forgett
when you go to Cambron to enquire after & to see Vivians house &
furniture I wish I had a few stones W[hea]l Bussy [Wheal Busy] ore
that is about 1/3 or less Tin & 2/3 Copper. I want to try to smelt
both together for a particular purpose''
AD1583/1/41
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Chacewater mine, Kenwyn, and Crane mine, Camborne
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Nov 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Nov[ember] 23 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Mr
Wilson
Birm[ingha]m Nov[embe]r 23[r]d 1784
Dear Sir
I am favoured with yours of the 18th inclosing Dr[a]ft
value £1200 - which shall be placed to credit - Mr Boulton arrived
with family, well on Sunday night but I have not yet had time to
hear all the news, some things he mentioned were very agreable, but
I was very sorry to learn the disappointment relative to the produce
of our Ores at Chacewater, I hope however that matters will mend
there.
I shall consider the proposition you make relative to
Wheal Mount [mine, Perranzabuloe] adventurers & write you, the
experience you have now had of Crane will inform you better as to
the propriety of the bargain than any thing I can say - as to the
burning of Crane I can say nothing as not being on the spot, I
cannot make an engine on any Construction which should use less
steam, the fault must therefore lye in the coals or in the boiler or
some mismanagement of the Engine, by the engine man, all which
should be examined into.
With best wishes to you & Mrs Wilson, Mrs Murdock &
other friends, I remain, Dear Sir
Yours Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/1/42
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Dec 1784
Addressed
to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water near, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol''
''Soho
Decem[be]r 16th 1784
Dear Sir
I am fav[oure]d with yours of ye 4th In[stan]t but
have not had a moments leasure since my return to look over the
Acc[oun]t for I have had my house constantly full & more visiting
since I came home than ever I experienced. Mr Wilkinson hath been
with me a few days. I read him that part of your letter relating to
Chasewater Castings - the 15£ for Assay office is right. I hope
George hath not returnd ye Gray mare as she will be a dead weight. I
wish you w[oul]d send me the 2 Rec[eip]ts for ye Horse Tax as I
believe I shall buy 2 new Horses & they will save me a further Tax.
Your letter of ye 11th In[stan]t to B&W is before me from which it
appears that ye order for ½ of W[hea]l Virgin Castings hath been
neglected to be sent I can only say that it was wrote out & the
drawings made & Mr Lawson undertook to deliver the same to Mr
Daniel. I therefore beg you will apply to Mr Lawson for it & cause
it to be sent to Mr Rathbone of Colebrook dale Shropshire or to Mr
Daniel explaining and appologizing for the neglect. To the best of
my remembrance the order was divided equaly as to number, but the
Brass barrels were order[e]d from Mr Wilkinson which I cannot
find a Copy of. - As Mr Lawson took charge of it I suppose he can
furnish you with ye whole. If he hath not given Mr Daniel the
drawings of ye things wanted from ye Dale he hath been guilty of
great neglect.
I am sorry to perceive by the last Months Acc[oun]t of ye Counter &
Coals at the Consol[ida]t[e]d Mines that the Engines (except one)
are performing very badly & would certainly cause a Clamor if the
advent[ure]rs or at least some of ye Capt[ai]ns were aware of it I
therefore request you would only mention it to W[illia]m
Murdock & desire he would endeavour to find out ye Cause & correct
it. I am sensible he is much hurryed & hath not time to look into it
a ye minutia of these things but I beg he will take ye necessary
time even if he neglect Chasewater which I am so much more
immediately interested in. I consider our honor is more at Stake at
W[hea]l Virgin than if we were p[ai]d by the Counter and I earnestly
request that W[illia]m will see that every thing is done there which
ought to be done & that you see that he doth see it done for the
sake of peace & good humour.
I have found your old Book of ye Monthly acc[oun]t of
Counters which I will send to you p[e]r first opportunity with the
Copper Barometer Pipes. I presume you have rec[ei]vd Mr Wilkinsons
note for Chasewater materials w[hic]h please to send to Mathews on
B&W acc[oun]t.
We are very discontent in this part of the Country (as
well as at Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich & all the
Manufactoring & commercial part of ye Kingdom) at the erronious
principles w[hi]ch the Ministers have shewn in taxing Trade and are
unanimously of opineon That all taxes on ye Materials employd in
Manufactories or upon Manufactories themselves are impolitic & in ye
end must ruin ye trade of this Country to which all its present
greatness is owing. As your County abounds w[i]th Stone you dont
feel the tax on Bricks as all our new & riseing Manufactories do in
this neighbourhood & if we tamely submit to pay the tax on Lead
without saying a word I presume that next Session Cornwall will be
made to feel the evil by a tax on Copper & Tin. It hath already put
a Stop to some Lead Mines & prevented one that I know of from being
set to work. All taxes ought to be laid either upon Luxuries, Vice,
& upon every thing we consume & therefore if the whole additional
taxes were laid upon the Land to be p[ai]d by the Tennant it would
ultimately fall upon the Consumer - But of all things dont cut open
the Hen that lays the Golden Eggs.
Matt is gone to visit a friend in Herefordshire, Nanny & Miss Mynd
are well & joyn w[i]th me in thanks to Mrs. Wilson & your self for
your kindness's to us in Cornwall rejoycing to hear Mrs. Hicks is
better & desire youl present all our Compliments to ye White Hall
Ladies.
I remain Dear Sir Yours sincerely
M: Boulton''
AD1583/1/43
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
engines at various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Dec 1784
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Dec[embe]r 21 1784''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Mr Wilson
Birmingham
Dec[embe]r 21st 1784
Dear Sir
We have yours with the monthly acc[oun]t and also
yours of the 16th - I am sorry to learn the great consumption of
Crane Engine, But think by attention and Curing the faults it may be
reduced to 10 but scarcely made less at the load it now has which Mr
B[oulton]. says is about 10 lb [pound] on the inch one way - As to
Hallamanin I see no proprietry of giving up any time as they seem
resolved to give up the mine, our giving away our profits can answer
no end. As to Wheal Mount, you want = to 10 Strokes of 6 feet each
in an 8 inch box which are equivalent to 15 Strokes of 4 feet long,
& that number is probably as many as it will go under 19 lbs
[pounds] on the inch, and leave room to go faster to draw out the
water now 36½ fathoms of an 8 inch box will load an 18 inch
Cyl[inde]r nearly to 19 lbs [pounds] on the inch, therefore I wish
to know if that is the utmost depth proposed, or if you would have
the Cyl[inde]r enlarged. The castings are not yet ordered because we
are now & have been for some time busy planning the north downs
Engine which cost an infinite deal of time & trouble & prevent me
from being able to attend to other things besides Mr B[oulton]s
coming home has brought many visitants here who takes up ones time &
distract us, On your Answer however I shall order the materials for
Wheal Mount. As to Wheal Wreath, I shall order the Cyl[inde]r as
soon as possible, but cannot promise it immediately for the reasons
given & because Bersham people are quite full of work. I recommend
taking the 50 Guineas p[e]r month, but the bargain in all these
Engines should be for years certain if they work the mine, though in
that we run risks if War or other Accidents sh[oul]d raise price of
coals.
I think Chacewater new Comp[an]y are right to give no
security untill they have assignment & possession of all the
premises.
It is unlucky that any thing should render tin more
scarce as the Beasts here are making great Complaints for want of it
& intend to petition parl[iamen]t to prohibit or lay a heavy duty on
the exportation of it - As to the interest in Wheal Towan We had
much better have had no share in the mine than been plagued about
it, My opinion for myself is to give it to F[ox] P[hillips] & F[ox].
as they gave up their Share in W[hea]l Virgin & it will take many
W[heal] Towans to = it - We have had very cold weather here but it
is now much milder, though still frosty.
Mrs Watt joins in best respects to you & Mrs Wilson & I
remain Dear Sir Yours Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/1/44
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
parts for engines at various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Jan 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Jan[uar]y 8 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol''
''Mr Wilson
Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 8th 1785
Dear Sir
I am favoured with yours of the 2[n]d.
Since I wrote your last, I ordered 4, 18 inch Cylinders expecting
one would be wanted for Wheal Mount, Wheal Wreeth [Reeth] & Wheal
Maid, the other was on speculation, I shall however order a 20 inch
for Wheal Mount as you desire, & believe shall be able to dispose of
the 4th for a Mill; for I would not send one to Cornwall w[hi]ch was
not ordered, as they are so apt to take advantages. The other parts
of them shall be pushed on as fast as we can consistent with
expediting N[orth]. Downs which at present takes all our attention &
will do so for some time. In relation to our premium on these
engines I shall say nothing at present Mr B[oulton]. not being at
home only that I do not fall in with your sentiments.
I am very happy to hear that Mr Murdock is so much
happier than he was & hope he will continue so, he need not make any
further enquiry about Smiths as we shall endeavour to supply
ourselves here.
I write in haste there being a person waiting for me
but desire to be remembered with best Respects to Mrs Wilson & other
friends and remain
Dear
Sir Your's Sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/1/45
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various mining matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
31 Jan 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt 31 Jan[uar]y 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol''
''Mr Wilson /
Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 31st 1785
Dear Sir
We are favoured with yours of the 23[r]d. In relation
to the Gentlemen you mention if they are not disposed to agree to
what is reasonable, we cannot think of altering our determination on
that account. We should not wish to disoblige either of them, but on
the contrary, and we expect that they have more sense than to take
offence at a fair offer & where no offence was intended.
The thing principally to be regretted is that we have
on the faith of their support engaged in so many Engines which will
prove a load too much for us to bear, the outley of 4/5 of the cost,
(for you do not mention that W[illiam] M[urdock] seems willing to
take a part) - If therefore these Gentlemen or others proper,
decline taking shares, we should wish that you could either be off
bargain with the three last mines; as thus you could persuade them
(the adv[enture]rs in ye resp[ecti]ve mines) to take the Engines on
their own acc[oun]t I have not stopt the Cylinders &c nor from going
on hopeing that some thing may be done; but if you can be off
bargain with all or any of them shall not mind taking the
Cyl[inde]rs on our own acc[oun]t untill we can dispose of them
elsewhere - What with Chacewater Mine and Albion Mill we shall be
very scarce of money and should never of our own accord have thought
of sinking so much money in these small engines, without some more
assistance than it seems we are likely to have as therefore you know
our necessites we hope that you will lend your friendly assistance
to get us out of the scrape some way or other, which we shall take
as a favour. It seems to me that the best way will be to try the
resp[ecti]ve mines, to see if they will erect them for themselves,
but as Mr B[oulton]. is not with me I write only my private opinion
on that head but on the general topic have consulted him. We
certainly now can have no objection to erecting engines of that kind
for Wheal Virgin or Wheal Maid on ye adv[enture]rs account, Our only
reason for not wishing it before, was to keep these small Engines in
the hands of the Comp[an]y. But before we erect such Engines
indiscriminately for the county it will be necessary that Mr
B[oulton]. & I should have another consult[atio]n about the proper
premiums; for the Tables being calculated from the effects of large
cons[umptio]n Engines are by no means right for smaller ones, as
small engines of the Comm[o]n Construction would have used many more
coals in proportion We shall probably write you on this subject in
the Course of the week. You are not to understand from what we have
said on other page that we have any desire to exclude W[illiam].
M[urdock]. we rather wish him to be concerned, if agreable to him
therefore you will please to mention nothing to him as of our
implying a doubt or hesitation about him. In relation to Polgooth
tin, if the quantity you say, is coming here, our tin sh[oul]d
not come unless bought by some person here receivable in
Cornwall at the coinage price; otherwise they will serve us as they
have done formerly, that is will take every advantage of us.
Therefore please to reserve the tin until we advise you of a
customer. You are right, the market here has been supplied by people
whose necessities laid them open to the Birmingham sharks, who bit
very hard. - I apprehended the raising the price of Tin is a very
wrong & unnecessary step as it must open the market for the Malacca
Tin, which can be bought there for 50 or 56/ [shillings] p[e]r Cwt
[hundredweight] & may be brought to the Continent of Europe as cheap
as the Cornish tin at 70/ [shillings] coinage price as it comes as
Ballast. You may be sure we shall readily give every assistance to
any scheme for regulating the price of Copper, but if money is
required I fear we can do little as every 1d [penny] seems to be
preoccupied for some time.
We are very Glad to hear that Chacewater seems to be
mending, & hope you will avail yourself of its prosperity if it
sh[oul]d continue, to get some more of our Share disposed of as it
is much too large for our finances.
As I write this letter merely to make you turn your
mind to what may be most proper to be done, you will naturally take
no decisive step untill You hear further from us.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & all friends, I
remain
Dear Sir Your's
Sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/1/46
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
engines at various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
3 Feb 1785
Endorsed: ''Boulton & Watt Feb[ruar]y 3 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol''
''Mr
Wilson
Birmingham Feb[ruar]y 3[r]d 1785
Dear Sir
We are fav[our]d w[i]th yours of ye 29th Ultimo in
which we have recievd 6 Bills Value £703. 7s [shillings]. 7d
[pence]. Also your several acc[oun]ts of Mines & Engines which we
will examine in a few days & write you the result. Our Mr Watt wrote
to you on Tuesday last which we now confirm. As Ye Gent[leme]n who
were intended to be concernd seem to decline it becomes necessary to
look out for another set of Advent[ure]rs & cannot think of any more
likely or desireable than our friends Phillips, Fox's or Edwards as
we would on no account engage with any but respectable persons for
we do not by any means consider it as a bad concern, but should find
it rather inconveinient at this time, to spare all the money as we
have so many new undertakeings in hand which are daily swollowing up
considerable sums.
On 2[n]d thoughts we think it will be best not to offer to
the adventurers, of Wheal Mount, Fuz [possibly Fursden mine, Sithney,
or Furze Hill Wood Consols near Buckfastleigh, Devon] & Wreath, the
Engines on their own acc[oun]t as by erecting a number of small
Engines about ye Country will multiply your & our Trouble to little
purpose doubting not but in a short time a proper set of partners
may be found.
The Engines now contracted for have certainly a title
to a preferance before any others & when they are erected We Shall
then be better able to judge whether we should go on any further on
this plan. In relation to W[hea]l Wreath we shall write to know if
their Cylinder is cast & if not we shall order it to be a 20 In[ch]
Cylinder being of your opinion that it will be a better bargin.
We shall be happy to hear of ye new Engine at Chasewater being got
to work & more so to find a good mine.
With respectfull Compliments to Mrs. Wilson
We Remain
Dear Sir
Your faithfull & Obed[ian]t
Serv[an]ts
Boulton & Watt''
[the handwriting
is that of Matthew Boulton]
AD1583/1/47
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
meeting with Mr Pitt and various other matters
Item
1 large folio
Manuscript
10 Feb 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Boulton Feb[ruar]y 10 1785''
Addressed to: ''To Mr Thomas Wilson, Chase Water near, Truro,
Cornwall, Via Bristol''
''Soho Feb[ruar]y 10th 1785
Dear Sir
Yours of ye 31st Ul[ti]mo the post did not deliver
untill this minute so that it hath been ten days in coming. Mr Watt
went to London with Mr Wilkinson on Tuesday even[in]g and as I have
had two summons's from Mr Pitt I shall set out tomorrow even[in]g
upon the subjects of the Iron Trade, the Irish trade, & many of the
late taxes, which the Commercial part of this Country are unanimous
& Violent against. I refer you to the news papers for our resolves
at the Quarterly meeting of ye Iron Masters at Stourbridge
[Worcestershire] which I attended, & likewise the Resolves of ye
Birm[in]g[ha]m committee w[hi]ch will be pub[lishe]d in a day or
two. You are too tranquil in Cornwall to enter into the spirit of
these sort of politicks but tis necessary somebody should & that
even the whole manufacturing & Commercial part of the Kingdom should
be unanimous in correcting the erronious principles w[hic]h our
Goverment hath adopted in laying taxes, perhaps you will feel when I
say dont tax Mines nor the means of getting rich but tax
Riches when got & the expenditure of them.
Mr Will[iam]s hath not wrote ye letter you alude to, he
lately wrote upon the subject of
North downs
Engines & non other. What I said to Capt[ain] Paul[l] was upon the
supposition that he had enterd into ye little Engine Co[mpany] upon
some intimation either from you or Mr Watt, that the little Engines
should pay B&W nothing for saveings; & therefore for the sake of
peace I acquiessed untill Mr Watt & I could discuss the subject:
which we have since done & I see the thing in a different light to
what I did when the subject was first broched & am now fearfull that
the Ultimate consequences of erecting many of these small Engines
may be very injurious to our interest as well as to the interest of
certain mines which have been set to work by our best friends at
great expence; & therefore neither you nor Capt[ai]n P[aull] can ask
us to put our selves to expence & trouble (for we cannot erect a
small Engine without both) to do our selves & friends an injury. I
wish from Motives of peace, & friendship, that Capt[ain] Paul may
continue one of the Company & if it doth not afford him reasonable
profits or even such as are equivilant to his first expectations I
will make it up to him out of my own profits, in ye 2 Engines
you mention, if he thinks it reasonable, for I will never be accused
of breaking my word or promise.
I had no other motive for wishing to take our Polgooth &c Tin in
kind than to stop the clamors of this Town, which was indispensably
necessary, not only for the good of its Manufactures, but likewise
for the interest of Cornwall for two reasons 1st because I am sure
if the scarcity of Tin at this place had continued that our
Commercial Committee would have applyd to parl[iamen]t to put a
duty upon all Tin exported to foreign Countries, & 2[n]dly because
many of our Manufacturers from the mere want of Tin have lately
taken to ye use of Iron Tin'd in lieu of solid Block tin as
for example, many Tuns of Tin are used p[e]r Annum in makeing
Buckles with a thin coat of Silver on the Top but since tin hath
been so scarce they have made the Buckle of Iron & only tin'd it &
then Silverd the top which I fear will lessen the consumption of Tin
at Birm[in]g[ha]m. I partly promised one of my friends here some tin
at the next Coinage & if he cant supply himself I must perform my
promise: however you shall be informd before Lady day [25th of
March] for I have no wish to take it out of our friend Fox's hands.
Crane Engine ought not to consume more than 12 Bush[e]l in 24 Hours
working 13 or 14 Strokes p[e]r Minute in lieu of 16 or 17 Bush[e]ls
p[e]r day It is therefore certain that there is some imperfection
either in the escape of Steam by the Piston, or the joints are bad,
or the Valves do not open & shut in right time or dont fit well or
the Boiler is bad, & must be tryd. I am convinced that the inward
flue or tube in small boilers is of importance & am sorry that hath
not one It cost a large sum in comparision to some made here about
that size of new plate instead of old thick plate. We will write to
you from London about the Beams & Gudgeons for N[orth]. D[owns]: for
I cannot give you now any directions only I think Beams long enough
should be provided & the drawings I left w[i]th W[illia]m [Murdock]
may be of some guide.
I am happy to hear that health is restored to your family & pray for
a long continuance of it. We are all well & join in best wishes &
Compliments to Mrs. Wilson yourself & Truro friends.
I am with great regard
D[ea]r
Sir Yours sincerely
Matthew
Boulton
I am convinced
that 'tis both my interest & duty to come to Cornwall again soon but
we have a large field of Business before us in this Country & Mr
Watt wants more of my assistance so that I think he will not readily
concur in my coming to Cornwall so soon as I ought I therefore wish
you would take frequent opportunities, between now & May, to
intimate that either He or I should come to Cornwall soon or
our friends will complain & that we shall find it our interest to
spend more of our time in that Country as the whole of our Cornish
business is now become very important - I shall be glad to hear that
ye Mare is gone.
Burn this piece''
AD1583/1/48
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
Arkwright's patent, also various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Feb 1785
Endorsed: ''Boulton & Watt 26 Feb[ruar]y 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, near Truro,
Cornwall''
''London 26th Feb[ruary] 1785
Dear Sir
Yours of ye 20th In[stan]t is before us We also
rec[ei]vd by the last post a letter signd by W Paul & J: Williams by
which they decline all connection in the small Engine concern &
request us to you directions to repay them the money they have
advanced. In complyance therewith We desire you will accordingly
repay them as they have left us no other alternative. As We had
complyd with your request as to an abatement upon the 2 Engines viz:
Crane & Wheal Towen [Towan] & as M[atthew]: B[oulton]: intimated in
his last to you that he would forego the whole Profits of those two
Eng[i]n[e]s rather than have any difference of give a shadow of
ground for an accusation of breaking his word, He was the more
surprised to receive so peremptory a refusal: however be it so.
There are 3 Cylinders cast for W[hea]l Mount, Wheal Wreath & Furze
[possibly Fursden mine, Sithney, or Furze Hill Wood Consols,
Buckfastleigh, Devon] & one of them is a 20 In[ch] Cylinder but
orders for any change in the other two came too late to the best of
our remembrance but as we have not Copies of our correspondence here
we cant speak decidedly. After consulting with Mr Wilkinson at
Birmingham respecting the devision of the Tin stuff We wrote you the
purport, which was, that it would be quite agreeable to us all, to
acceed to your plan of takeing the Stamps you mentiond & stamp (in
conjunction with you) all our shares of Tin Stuff both of Chase
water & Poldice. Mr Wilkinson is now here & continues of the same
opineon We must therefore request you will take the necessary
measures to enable us to do it to the best advantage.
The new double Engine, for N[orth] Downs are very
serious matters & require many new contrivances which Mr Watt was
got into the very marrow of when he was supenied [subpœnaed] to
London by which that business must unavoidably be suspended 'till he
returns home which will be next week. As these new contrivances will
effect the form & situation of the Engine House We must request a
stop be immediately put to it, as the alterations will take place at
the foundation; but if there is much progress made in the building
we must beg that a section of it with a plan of it & the situation
of the Shaft be directly made out & sent to Birm[in]g[ha]m p[e]r
post.
It gives us great joy to hear of the discovery at W[hea]l Virgin &
hope we shall e'er long hear of similar good tydings at Chase water.
With best respects to Mrs. Wilson We remain
Dear Sir
Your faithfull &
Obed[ien]t Serv[an]ts
Boulton
& Watt
Mr [Richard]
Arkwright the great Cotton spiner had a second trial this last week
of the validity of his patent for Carding & roveing & after a
hearing of 9 hours the infringers & evaders were cast, by which many
Capital Cotton Mills will be stoped Notwithstanding Proof was offerd
to the Court that more than ten tho[usand] people would be thrown
out of employ [&] 200,000£ worth of works renderd useless. But the
Judge answerd & said the Question before them was a Question of Law
& not of political expediency & therefore the Jury without going out
of Court gave a verdict for Mr Arkwright.
N.B: The evasions were not so like Mr Arkw[righ]ts as the Trumpeters
Engine is to ours but the Judge & Jury confined the evidence to
principles & not to forms or Names. Thus more stability hath been
given to patents than by almost any Trial that ever came before a
Court''
[the handwriting
is that of Matthew Bouton]
AD1583/1/49
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Chacewater tin and various other mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
15 Mar 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt March 15 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Mr Wilson
/
Birm[ingha]m March 15th 1785
Dear Sir
I am favoured with yours of the 5th & 10th
I returned from London on Thursday last much indisposed with a cold,
which is now getting better, I left Mr B[oulton]. there which will
prevent my answering some parts of your letters. I shall next post
concerning Wheal Wreath Cyl[inde]r, as to Wheal Maid I can give you
no answer till I see Mr B[oulton]. for he is too much hurried at
present to be able to give an answer from my writing to him - I
shall be glad to have the cost and ammount of ores at ye sev[era]l
mines you promise, as soon as you can.
In relation to N[orth]. Downs Engines please inform Mr
Williams that it was only Wheal Messa [part of North Downs sett]
which we wanted to stop, knowing that the other was built. The
Cyl[inde]rs for both & most of the other goods are cast, otherwise
it would have given me much pleasure 6 months ago to have received
orders to go on in the way we used to do, as it would have saved me
much labour pain and anxiety; I hope however that the Engines will
answer very well in the new way at least I shall do all I can to
make them answer, and I believe that they can now be executed as
soon in the new way as the old, If I can I shall write Mr Williams
next post in the mean time please advise him or the adv[enture]rs to
set their minds at ease.
As to the division of Chacewater Tin among the smelting
houses; I can say little, particularly as I do not understand from
your letter whether Mr Daubuz has a smelting house independant of Mr
Fox, If so in my opinien we should send part to the one & part to
the other, as to Mr D I know not what to say - If opposing us be a
tie of friendship we owe him that obligation, as to Polgooth tin I
am for letting Mr Fox have it, but I believe Mr B[oulton]. has
promised some people here to lett them have some of the other, but
if they gett any they must buy it as it lies in Cornwall as I shall
not consent to bring an ounce here without we can retail it on our
own account.
With best respects to Mrs Wilson, I remain
Dear Sir Your's sincerely
James Watt
I think you may
sound Fox & Co[mpany]. about the small Engines, & advise''
AD1583/1/50
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
possible tax on tin and copper
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 Mar 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Mar 19 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Mr Wilson
/
Birm[ingha]m Mar[ch] 19th 1785
Dear Sir
I find by a letter from J. Turner that
Wheal Mount and Wheal Wreath are made 20 inch Cyl[inde]rs. our part
of them shall be dispatched as soon as can be done without
interfereing with N[orth] Downs, to which I shall direct my
principal attention. I wrote to Mr Boulton about the Chacewater Tin,
He says that we should do as others do, send it to those who will
give most white tin for it. However I am for dividing it and letting
Mr Fox have 1/3 at least but at the same time you may lett all know
that in future we shall sell to those who give the best price As to
the White Tin Mr B[oulton]. says that the Minister is pondering upon
taxing tin & Copper, and in such Case our Birminghamites will most
infallibly Join him In order therefore to prevent any complaints he
says we should bring all our Tin to Birm[ingha]m. I agree with him
in the principle but will bring none unless previously sold or a
sale secured, for which purpose shall go or send about next week,
meanwhile you will please to keep our Tin disengaged & to advise
what quantity we are like to have of Polgooth & Chacewater - As to
Malacca Tin what I know of it is that the price is about 63/
[shillings] on the spot that the freight home would be a mere
trifle, coming as ballast so that the Insurance would be the
principal charge, there is about 1000 tons Shipped at the Port of
Rhio [Malaysia] annually and several other ports furnish it, and it
is supposed that with a larger sale they could furnish much more as
they have always a large stock on hand - The Tin is of excellent
quality some not inferior to Stream tin.
Mr B[oulton]. has met with a bad accident by falling
down the steps from the house of Commons into Westminister hall, by
which he has much bruised himself and sprained an arm & one leg.
Our minds here are all engrossed with this Irish
treaty which if not amended is like to prove a fatal one to the
nation at least to the manufacturing part of it - The Taxes on
Manufactures too cause Loud complaints, when you get your Tax upon
Tin Cornwall will join the cry, but I would advise them to begin per
advance and to join the lead miners, who are now solliciting a
repeal of the Tax on that Metal, It is only by manufacturers and
miners supporting one another, that they can prevent themselves from
being crushed by the Landed Interest.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & all friends
Dear Sir
Yours Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/1/51
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
29 Mar 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt Mar 29 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol''
''Mr Wilson
/
Mar[ch] 29th 1785
Dear Sir
I wrote you last on the 19th since then I
have been quite knockt up with a kind of Slight fever, so that I
could not apply at all to business. I am now recovered & hope to get
forward in the business, Mr B[oulton]. lies confined with a sprain
in London which however is not dangerous, and does not much hinder
his politicks, as he has regular levee every morning.
This day I have yours of the 24th & shall put a 20 inch
Cyl[inde]r in hand for Wheal Maid.
It gives me much satisfaction that W[illia]m [Murdock]
& you have agreed to take up the half of the small engine concern,
as I should have some regret at multiplying the shares & we could
not conveniently go on as we were, whither W[heal]. Maid shall be on
our or owners acc[oun]t I shall not attempt to determine untill Mr
B[oulton]. comes home, I shall also as soon as you desire order a
new Cylinder &c for Crane & approve of your destination of the
present Cyl[inde]r &c, but hope you will be able to make the
erection at a less expence than the last rotatative you made. The
House & beam at Crane will probably do with the boiler & condenser
cistern, but the condenser should be removed with the Cylinder -
Tubes should be put through all the boilers Or at least the flues
made to wind round them in one direction, not bridle flues. I would
recommend the Plan for the Engine houses that I sent for Towan. The
firing in the inside of the house has several Conveniences & will
save the expence of a boiler house if the boilers are well covered
with bricks I do not see that they suffer from the weather & if they
should a slight shed roof will secure them, I would also make the
working beams 13 feet long for the 4 feet Strokes as it gives a
little more room. The working beams according to the new method need
not be splitt as Crane is, I would send drawings but being very busy
with N[orth] Downs do not chuse to break off, but thinks that by
saturdays post I can send you some thing for a guide as to the
novelties, I would also place the T. Bobbs in the same direction
with the working beam.
Polgooth adventurers should send a positive order for
the size of Engine they want, and it shall be double or single as
they please, which they will judge best of on seeing the drawings
for Wheal Messa which are nearly finished and shall be sent p[e]r
Coach when done, I shall also calculate the size of the Boiler, for
the 20inch cyl[inde]rs & send you as soon as I can - In your
acc[oun]t of Polgooth tin I observe you debit Sawle & Comp[an]y for
8 Cwt [hundredweight]. 0 [quarters]. 4 [pound] short paid in
Mich[aelma]s quarter, for which you do not debit them in the
Ball[an]ces at the end. I am sorry to see W[hea]l Virgin cut so poor
a figure in the month of Feb[ruar]y & to hear that your prospects
there are like to grow worse, I think some means should be fallen
upon to get at the distant bottoms in time before the state of the
mine becomes too bad, when do you hope to have C[hace]water in the
way of basting herself & Poldice too, I don't like these outgoings
without they tend to speedy returns.
I wrote you on the 19th concerning the tin, but having
been confined could not since go out about it but shall do so soon
and advise. Mr Daubuz w[rote] to Mr B[oulton]. about the smelting
what he promised [or if?] any thing I know not, but upon = terms I
desire that 1/3 be given to Fox & Comp[an]ys Smelting house, as to
Mr D[aubuz]. I really think his claim I should be small considering
his having no connection in the mine.
I am sorry to hear of Mrs Hornblowers death she appeared to be a
worthy woman, much better than he deserved, Mrs Watt desires to join
in Comp[limen]ts to you to Mrs Wilson & other friends &
I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt
One fault in
Crane boiler is the great thickness of the plates''
AD1583/1/52
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Mr Daubuz's Smelting House
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 Apr 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Boulton Ap[ri]l 2 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water near, Truro,
Cornwall''
''London April 2[n]d 1785
Dear Sir
I rec[ei]vd a letter about 9 day ago from Mr Daubuz of
Falmouth intimating that it was understood by all parties when they
engaged in Chase water Mine that their Smelting House should have a
preference in the Tin Stuff of that mine & that it was one of the
things that induced them to engage & other Arguments (but I can't
this instant refer to their letter) Now although my friendship for
some other persons would lead me to throw every advantage in my
power into their Scale yet I must own I think there is reason &
Justice in what Mr Daubuz says as they have a right to consider
themselves upon a similar footing in Chase water Mine as our friends
Foxes &c are in Polgooth Mine.
I dont believe I ever mentiond to Mr Watt any thing
relative to ye disposal of that tin & probably it will not occur to
him that any thing had been said by ye Truro Comp[an]y & therefore
he may possably write to you without considering it. But my opinion
is that they are entitled to the most consederable share of it and
if it is too late this quarter we must correct it the next. Pray ask
Mr Daubuz to shew you my letter by w[hi]ch youl see my sentiments
However I will by ye next post write to Mr Watt both upon that point
& also respecting the Tin wanted at Birm[in]g[ha]m.
I write now in a hurry & can't say more than that I remain with
respects to Mrs. Wilson
Dear Sir
Yours &c sincerely
M: Boulton
I will send you
a few papers to read by ye next Coach upon Irish affairs w[hi]ch I
am now busy upon, & have united all the great Manufacturers of
G[reat]: Britian into one Society.''
AD1583/1/53
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Tin and Copper Taxes, Chacewater tin and various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Apr 1785
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Ap[ri]l 16 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Mr Wilson
/
Birm[ingha]m Ap[ri]l 16th 1785
Dear Sir, I would have wrote you sooner but had not
answer from Mr B[oulton], to whom we should sell our tin he agrees
with me to sell the whole to Messrs Fox & Co[mpany] and to bring
none here, as our Tin merch[an]ts formerly took the advantage when
we brought tin here, and now no one has offered to take it in
Cornwall at the Coinage prices, and if they had, unless it were to
prevent mischief we would much rather sell it to those who bought
from us when it was more plenty - As to the Smelting he determines
on nothing and I am not disposed to change the sentiments I
expressed in my last on that subject. I have yours of the 7th with
the monthly accounts -
I have now got very nearly through the tedious Job of
drawing and contriving for N[orth]. Downs, and expect health
granted, to dispatch the drawings & executed agreements next week.
J. Turner has shipt the Cylinders & great part of the pumps and
other things, & has now got all the drawings from us for the small
parts, so that the whole will very soon be compleated there, and we
are hard at work upon the nozles &c. I know not how these engines
will turn out; but I have been at all the pains I could to make them
perfect in their kind and I think never bestowed so much attention
on any thing.
[here is given a
paragraph being subsequently heavily crossed through and illegible]
I
have it on good Grounds that a tax is proposed to be laid on the
exportation of Copper & on Tin, It having been represented to the
minister that the former is sold £10 p[e]r ton cheaper abroad than
in England and that they can get the latter from no other quarter.
The Minister has shewn a degree of obstinacy and faculty of
manœuvring in the Irish business and in the Excise Laws that nobody
thought him capable of - And at present he seems likely to carry his
points in the house of Commons, at least, the consequences of which
will be dreadfull unless the higher powers side with the people.
Loss of trade Emigration or civil war is what we are threatened
with. I mention this to make you put your neighbours on their guard,
for if the Minister subsists & thinks proper to tax copper, he will
not be foiled nor persuaded out of it.
Please excuse the scrawling above [referring to the
paragraph being crossed through], you shall know some other time
what it means - With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & other friends, I
remain, Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt''
[the next page
contains numerous sums of multiplication and addition]
AD1583/1/54
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
the smelting of tin
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Apr 1785
Endorsed: ''Bouton & Watt Ap[ri]l 26 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol''
''Birmingham April 26th 1785
Dear Sir
As we are now together (our Mr Boulton
haveing returned from London on Fryday last) We take ye first
opportunity of giving you our joint sentiments, respecting the
disposal of the Chase water Tin. -
You are sensible of our attachment to & our friendship for
Messrs Phillip's & Fox's & there needs no arguments to perswade you
of our inclination to throw our Tin & every other advantage in our
power into the Scale of their interest.
But you also know that it is our earnest desire in all cases to keep
up harmony & good humour in the Mines in which we are concernd.
As you are not a stranger to the Conversation which passed at Truro
with the Cavedres [Carvedras Tin Smelting Works, Kenwyn] Gentl[ema]n
previous to our takeing possession of the Mine You are the better
qualifyd to steer in that middle course which our connections, our
interest & our friendship require.
Pray tell us whether it is the profits of Smelting, or the
profits of buying our White Tin at the end of each Quarter at
the Coinage price that is most coveted by the parties.
We think it not prudent implicitly to send all our Black tin to any
one House for reasons you understand. But in most cases where the
offers are equal we think such smelters as are concernd in each Mine
which produces the Tin hath a natural and equitable claim for a
great part & therefore in ye Case of Chasewater Tin we should
suppose that it could not be deem[e]d unjust or ungenerous if we
sent 2/3 to Cavedras Smelting house & 1/3 to friend Fox's & to
continue Polgooth as usual to Messrs Fox's.
We sent by the coach which sets out from this Town yesterday
Morn[in]g 3 oClock & w[hi]ch gets to Exeter this night & to Truro
on Thursday next a Rolle of drawings for N[orth]: Downs Engine as
p[e]r list on the other side upon which subject Mr Watt will write
sundry particulars next post.
Wishing prosperity to the Mines & health to Your Family We remain
with esteem
Dear Sir
Your
faithfull friends & Serv[an]ts
Boulton & Watt
The drawings are
directed to you & adressed to the Care of Land of Exeter & Rivers of
Truro}
Mr B[oulton]
hath orderd the 5 Circumferenters & Instrum[en]ts which Mr Lawson
wrote for & they will very soon be sent from London p[e]r Wagon to
Truro directed for You.
a List of the drawings
No
1 General Section of W[hea]l Messa
2 Ground plan of d[itt]o
3 Plan of ye first floor of d[itt]o
4 Inside front view of d[itt]o
5 outside front View of d[itt]o
6 Parrallel Motion drawn Connected
7 D[itt]o in parts
8 D[itt]o Views of the Beam
9 General Section of W[hea]l Fortune
10 out side front View
11 Inside Front View''
[the handwriting
is that of Matthew Boulton]
AD1583/1/55
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
premium on smaller engine at North Downs mine, Redruth
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 May 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt May 9 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Birm[ingha]m May 9th 1785
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We have yours of May 5th covering Freemans
Draft on Goslings value [£]142. 10 [shillings]. 4 [pence] at your
Credit. In respect to Harris You will please bring that matter to a
conclusion. We absolutely refuse the having any concern in the
alledged mistakes about the Boiler but as to ye s[ai]d months
savings you may do as you please in giving it up, so as you procure
payment for the rest.
By our last letter to Mr Daniel we absolutely refused
giving any Abatement beyond the 1/3 come what will. We have
certainly shewed a disposition favourable to the Mines even
beyond our interest, but we neither can nor will be any more the
only persons to make up their deficiencies.
As to the proposition of giving up our premium on one of
N[orth]. Downs engines when working without the rest. We agree that
if such engine or a smaller one is erected merely for
bringing in the Addit sooner, we shall give up the premium entirely
till the mine is set to work; but if the Engine is wrought so as to
drain & set to work a part of the mine, in such case we shall expect
to be paid a part of our premium proportioned to the work done in
the mine, pray tell Ed[war]d Bull I shall send an answer to his
letter next week - I remain Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/1/56
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
proposed abatement for Wheal Virgin
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
10 May 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt. May 10 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Birm[ingha]m May 10th 1785
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 5th covering two bills
value £600, I approve in general of what you say about the tin so
far as the dividing equally extends but I see no good reason of
putting D. on the same footing with the rest -
In relation to Wheel virgin I know not what to say, but
cannot help thinking their proposition very remarkable that previous
to the mines having made any material or continued loss they should
apply for an abatement or expect that we should be at the sole
expence of sinking a new shaft, they might with equal propriety ask
us to take on ourslves any other expence about the mine all that can
be said is that shall not even give reason to expect an abatement
untill we are fully satisfied of the propriety of it, particularly
as they have had a continual abatement in the agreement for the
Engines, which has not been the case with those to whom we have
granted abatements, for most of them have paid nearly as much in
proportion after the abatement as W[hea]l Virgin does now; However
Please to give them a civil answer and put them of till we see more
into it - I have no hesitation however in saying, as an
adventurer, that the Shaft should be set about immediately at ye
cost of ye mine as the delay of it is running too great a risk in
such a concern as to the small engines I thought I had mentioned to
you in one of my letters, that we agreed to the exchanges of places
for the Engines which you mentioned, and that if we could gett the
18 inch ordered for Furze disposed of which we have an immediate
chance of we should order another for Prince George [mine, Gwinear]
a 20 inch Cyl[inde]r.
Drawings for these small engines shall be sent as soon
as we get clear of some things which have fallen behind by our
attention to N[orth]. D[owns].
Mr B[oulton']s sprain gets better though slowly he
being still extremely lame.
- I am glad to hear that Chacewater looks so
favourable as it has given me much uneasiness, I shall be glad to
receive a more particular account of it & the other mines when you
write next -
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson I remain
Dear Sir
Yours &c
James
Watt''
AD1583/1/57
Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding Cornish Metal Company
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 May 1787
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt May 10 1787''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Birm[ingham]
May 10th 1785 [1787]
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 6th also yours by Tom
baker who came last night, Mr B[oulton]. has Committed a mistake in
not informing you Prince George Drawings were never sent off as he
desired them to be detained here that he might send some thing with
them, which I did not know of, & afterwards he took on him to inform
you of their detention which he has forgot to do, & they are safe
here we are at a loss whether to go on in preparing materials for
that Engine or not as it does not seem that every thing is settled
with the adventurers, & if any Stramash happens in the Coper trade
these small mines will be crushed, we have however already got
patterns & other articles in considerable forwardness so that much
of the expence is incurred, but we shall want orders before we go
any farther.
I am glad that the evil day is suspended in respect to
the C[ornish] M[etal] C[ompany], though I must confess I do not much
like finnancing & carrying on trade by borrowing such sums. The
intelligence you have had concerning the India Comp[an]y is partly
true, but I cannot say to the ammount of 3000 Tons yet they will
probably be forced to export at least their usual quantity of 1500,
but W[illia]ms has taken care to come in at least for his share, our
information was principally from him & from Mr Wilkinson, the latter
has proposed as a means of taking the burthern of Sales of the
shoulders of the CMC that Mr W[illia]ms should buy all their
Copper at a reasonable discount & dispose of it as he can & that
some means should be devised, such as lowering the price in
proportion as the quantity increased, to prevent more being raised
than can be sold, & it seems from Mr Wilk[inso]ns sounding that Mr
W[illia]ms might be brought to come into it. This w[oul]d be a
desirable thing if Mr W[illia]ms can be perfectly tied down to
bargain, but it would be a bad thing for this town & the nation in
general: as he w[oul]d have a monopoly or the next thing to it in
his power - If Poldice No 3 beam cannot be had or sh[oul]d not suit
you I w[oul]d recommend one of the new sort but please advise as
soon as you can that the castings may be got ready & drawings for
the paralel motion.
Not withstanding this new recruit of money to the County
please attend to my caution - In any case the standard of ores must
be lowered to stop in some degree the fury of new mines & raising so
much ores.
My health gets rather better, though it gives no room
to brag much of it - With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & family I
remain Dear Sir
Your's Sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/1/58
Letter,
Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts for Trevaskis and Wheal Crenver mines
Item
1 large sheet
Manuscript
14 May 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Pearson 14 may 1785'', also [non-contemporary
annotation] ''re Trewaskus & Wh[ea]l Crenver acc[ount]s''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro,
Cornwall, Via Bristol''
[The top half of
the page consists of accounts for Trevaskus (Trevaskis mine, Gwinear)
Adventurers for August to November 1784, and for John Landor for
September 1784 to April 1785]
''Soho near Birmingham 14 May 1785
Mr. Thomas Wilson.
Sir
Herewith have sent sundry Accounts, with
which beg you will do the needful. Finding the balance due by
Trevaskus Adv[enture]rs not to agree with the list of debts you sent
the beginning of the year, have sent a State of that Account as
above by which you will be able to find out the cause of the
difference. In the list of debts mentioned above you take no notice
of W[hea]l Crenver [mine, Crowan] Adv[enture]rs therefore beg leave
to inform you that the bal[an]ce ag[ains]t them including Savings
for April is £73. 15 [shillings]. 7 [pence]. If any part of the
Coynage at Polgooth charg'd in last Monthly Account, should have
been charged to Doctor Withering; please to charge him with his part
thereof and let same appear in your next Monthly Account. - We
remain
Sir
Your most ob[edian]t Ser[van]ts
For
Boulton & Watt
James Pearson''
AD1583/1/59
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
specifications for Wheal Messa engine house, Redruth
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 May 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt May 19 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol''
“Mr Wilson /
Birmingham
May 19 1785
Dear Sir
I am favoured with yours of the 14th. The House for
Wheal Messa is to be executed by its own drawing and differs
from Wheal Fortune [mine, Gwennap?] in the following particulars -
1st in the house being one foot narrower. 2nd in the House being one
foot shorter if chosen 3[r]d in a difference of thickness of Lever,
back & side walls, for which see drawing. 4th in the Centre of the
working beam being placed lower, 5th in a different height of the
middle story 6th in the walls being higher above the spring beams,
7th In the lever wall being Slitt down below the cellar floor to
admitt the T bobb & in some other particulars which will be seen on
comparing the two setts of drawings. In so much that I conceive you
have misapprehended what Mr Murdock said, I fancy that he was
speaking of Polgooth house which will be nearly the same with Wheal
Fortune but for which will send Drawings on Saturday. The length of
Beam is the same both in Wheal Fortune & Wheal Messa.
In relation to small Engines there are cast & ready for
cornwall as under 3 - 20 inch Cylinders, Crane, Wheal Mount & Wheal
Wreath, 1, 18 inch which was for Furze, and there are two others 18s
cast of which one is ready & the other nearly so. Now we would not
wish to have such a number as 3 of one size lye on hand, as it may
be very long before we can dispose of them, as almost every customer
wants some peculiarity. In other respects I agree with you, that it
would be better to erect the 20 inch for Prince George You will
therefore advise whether you & Mr Murdock would agree that one of
the 18s lye on account of the small Engine company, or whether you
can not make it get its bread by stamping tin at Polgooth which I
foresee will be obliged to resort to some such shift, and in
consequence of this dry weather may be brought to bargain with you,
it may be wrought either as a single or double engine according to
the nozles it is fitted with, but as we do not wish to increase the
number of Engines belonging to the Company perhaps it may be as well
to lett it lye on ye Company's account at Bersham untill a customer
can be found, or you may use it as an argument for a better price or
some other favour from prince George people. We are sorry to observe
that expenses are like to run high and tin to run short at Polgooth,
by which kind of management that valuable mine may be wrought out
before it produces any profit, which might certainly be remedied by
the means above proposed; for an 18 inch single Engine would work 17
Stamp heads at their common rate of Going; but in case the engine
were to be erected on acc[oun]t of the mine it will be necessary for
us to consult how our premium should be charged & if erected by T.
Wilson & comp[an]y. The Mine should give a proper price for Stamping
& a preference so that the Engine might be kept always at work.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson I
remain Dear Sir
Yours
&c
James Watt''
AD1583/1/60
Letter,
Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts for Poldice and Polgooth mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 May 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Pearson 24 May 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro,
Cornwall, Via Bristol.''
''Soho near Birmingham
24 May 1785
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
Since writing the 14th ins[tan]t along with
sundry Accounts sent you, have been looking into the State[ment] of
the sundry Mine Accounts which you sent up to Decem[be]r last; and
find a great difference in Poldice Mine account, arising from the
Article of Tin, which without an explanation from you cannot be
understood here; viz according to the State[ment] you sent up to
Dec[embe]r Poldice Mine hath produced -
Tin to end of
October 1783 £6741. 10 [shillings]. - 1/124 part = £54. 7
[shillings]. 4 [pence]
d[itt]o from end of Oct[obe]r 1783 to December 1784} [£]15184. 5
[shillings]. - 1/62 d[itt]o = [£]£244. 18 [shillings]. 1½ [pence]
[Total] £299. 5 [shillings]. 5½ [pence]
From which
deducted £180. 5 [shillings]. 1¼ [pence] being the whole that you
have in your different Accounts allowed for Tin from that Mine, in
which sum is included £39. 7 [shillings]. 10½ [pence] 25 April for
1/62 part Tin Christmas quarter} [£]180. 5 [shillings]. 1¼ [pence] –
Deficiency £119. - . 4½ [pence]
and if the above
mentioned £39. 7 [shillings]. 10½ [pence] should prove to be for Tin
not stated in the Account you sent of that Mine (w[hi]ch seems
likely) in such case the deficiency will be £158. 8 [shillings]. 2¾
[pence] in our part of Poldice Tin up to Christmas last; for you
will please to observe the above £180. 5 [shillings]. 1¼ [pence]
includes the whole you have ever allowed, as far as last Monthly
Account goes, for Tin from that Mine. - There seems some difference
in Polgooth Mine Acco[un]t, for the State[ment] of the Mine which
you sent up to December does not correspond with the balance against
the Mine for 1/16 part. Beg you will if possible explain these two
accounts, but particularly that of Poldice Mine, where the
difference is so very great. and at same time wish to know what the
£100. - is for w[hi]ch you charged to D[oub]l[e?] Engines 23rd
Aug[us]t on Account. An answer as soon as is convenient will oblige
Sir
Your most Ob[edien]t Ser[van]ts
For Boulton & Watt
James Pearson''
AD1583/1/61
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Timothy Hollis' tour through Devon and Cornwall
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 May 1785
Endorsed: ''Matthew Boulton Esq[uire] May 27, 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, 6 Miles from,
Truro, Cornwall, p[e]r fav[ou]r of Mr Hollis''
''Soho near Birmingham 27th May 1785
Dear Sir
This Letter will be delivered to you by my
very worthy and particular Friend Timothy Hollis Esq[ui]r[e] of
London, a Gentleman of considerable fortune, and most respectable
character.
Mr Hollis intends to make a tour thro' Devonshire &
Cornwall in quest of health and amusement, & will naturally wish to
see such of the great Mines as are most easily accessable, and to be
acquainted a little with the general out lines of the Cornish
business as well as to see any thing, or place, that may be worth
the attention of a traveller; I shall therefore esteem it a
particular favor, if you will be so obliging as to contribute to Mr
Hollis's views in any respect, or furnish him with any travelling
money he may want and I assure you any favor or civility shewn to
him I shall more sensibly fe[?el than if shewn? - this part of the
letter is missing] to myself - I regret much that I cannot accompany
Mr. Hollis and shew him that regard which his Character and forty
years acquaintance entitle him to - Pray excuse my freedom and
retaliate on me upon all occasions -
I am Dear Sir
Your faithful
&
obedient humble Servant
Matt[he]w Boulton
Pray shew Mr
Holles Chase water Mine & any other he may wish to see & if he
should go to Marazion or Hayle pray fav[ou]r him with a letter to Mr
Edwards & to Mr Bevan. I have given Mr Hollis letters to Mr Daniel,
Mr Jno [John] Vivian, Mr Phillips's, Mr Foxes so that I hope by your
assistance your or their [this part of the letter is missing] will
see the Gwennap Mines and [this part of the letter is missing]
Dolcoath''
AD1583/1/62
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
plans for Polgooth mine, St Austell
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 May 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt May 28. 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol.''
''Birm[ingha]m May 28th 1785
Mr Wilson /
Yours of the 23[r]d which seems to require no particular
answer, I shall write on tuesday concerning Mr Boultons Coming as I
have no opportunity of seeing him to day.
On Thursday morning last I sent off per Coach section
front view and Ground plan of Polgooth No 2. I have drawn it with
the new motion but if chains are preferred, I believe the house is
high enough, but of this you will please advise immediately as we
mean to make particular drawing of the working beam and motion with
dimensions, The outer end I mean to hang merely by a simple joint
and to guide the rods below by rollers if required. The cylinder
condenser & nozles I regard as fixt, and have ordered accordingly -
The house was obliged to be made higher because I did not think it
would answer to put the beam above the Centre in a single Engine.
The Great perpendicular links are to be formed each out of two
strong straps of Iron with a piece of good dry oak put in between
them, I find that this motion will save about half a ton of Iron
work on the inner end of the beam and more at the other, but I do
not think it will save any wood as the Logs of the beam must be
longer than in the other way - Mr Southern not being used to draw
the pit head frame had drawn the uprights as set a spur which I did
not intend, but the other two pieces which butt against the catch
piece should be placed as drawn as it will distribute the pressure
better. The Drawings for the small Engines perpendicular motions are
now in hand, some of the nozles are finished and shall be sent off
soon, I have got a customer for one of the 18 inch Cyl[inde]rs which
lie upon hand & shall the 20 inch one for prince George mine.
I remain - Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt
I have been much
plagued with headaches lately -
In the parcel was also sent Drawing of T bobbs for N[orth].
Downs -''
AD1583/1/63
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
engine at Wheal Maid, Gwennap, and the copper trade
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Jun 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr. Watt 7 June 1785''.
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''.
''Birm[ingha]m June 7th 1785
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I am fav[oure]d with yours of June 1st. In
relation to the stamping by Wheal Maid Rotative, If you will send me
the right number of blows p[e]r minute that a good Water Stamps goes
& the height the head is raised each time I will endeavour to
contrive the proper method of applying W[hea]l Maid Engine to that
purpose -
What you heard about the Copper trade certainly concerns
us very much & we are are obliged to you for your information,
though we knew of it before, and Mr B[oulton]. is now in London
about it. I cannot give you particulars, but it seems absolutely
necessary that something should be done, and I give you the hint
that you may use it with prudence without mentioning my name; that
those Companies who do not come into the Compact or who may not be
received into it, will stand a bad chance of being able to purchase
Copper ores in Cornwall. The folly of the Companies has been pushed
to the extreme they have been taking the direct way to extinguish
the mines by which they lived and have been working to Williams hand
- with Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
I remain Dear
Sir Your's sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/1/64
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
terms for Crane mine, Camborne
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Jun 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt June. 21. 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''London June 21st 1785
Dear Sir
Yours of the 9th & 11th were transmitted to me here -
Though Mr B[oulton]. was here when I received the Letters, yett I
have had no opportunity of counsulting him on ye subject of Crane;
but I think we should agree on the terms you mention, that is £70
p[e]r month, and if £120 is not gained that they should make up the
deficience - As to men I know not what to say, as we are extremely
deficient in that article even for the works we have in hand here,
but when I return will try what can be done. We have only 3 men who
can put an engine together & each of these must do at least 3
engines this season, and the inferior hands we have are very few &
at such wages as would probably be grudged in Cornwall. We must see
if we can get some hands from other works which we are constantly in
quest of but there is so much machinery going forward all over the
nation that it is difficult to get any that are worth hiring - As to
W[heal]. V[irgi]n I can add nothing to what I said before only that
their saying they would stop the sumps & drifts does not savour of
good policy, and therefore cannot operate on our minds as a motive -
I fancy by this time the copper business is settled as
Mr Vivian sett out from hence with the principals of two Copper
Comp[an]ys to meet others at Bristol & I believe they have formed a
plan which if followed out under good management will be beneficial
to the County, but will strike off many of the Copper Comp[an]ys.
I wished to have been able to have done something for
your personal interest in it but had nothing to say, being no way in
authority, and Mr B[oulton], only a secondary - I am happy to hear
of the success of Polgooth which I hope will continue.
And also of the well doing of Wheal Towan but think the
risks of frequency of removal should be better considered in small
Engine agreements, by some saving Clause.
I am unhappily detained here till Sunday next which
proves exceedingly inconvenient.
I remain
Dear Sir
Your's Sincerely
James Watt
Mr B[oulton]. is
at Birm[ingha]m''
AD1583/1/65
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
proposed Copper Association
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Jun 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt 28 June 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall''
''Birmingham June 28th 1785
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 22[n]d inclosing two
Bills, value £300. 5 sh[illings]. 8d [pence] -
I was very sorry that being under the tie of secrecy I
could not communicate to you what was passing in relation to the
Copper trade, and if I had communicated what I first knew of their
intentions my information would have been bad as they have intirely
gone off their first ground. Neither Mr B[oulton]. nor me were
originally in the secret, but he was desired by the meeting at Truro
to assist Mr Vivian in the negociation, for my own part I did not go
to London untill all was concluded, and being no way impowered had
no right to give my opinion, which I was the less disposed to do as
I do not thoroughly understand the subject. Neither Mr B[oulton].
nor I however lost sight of your private interest we have mentioned
you in such terms to Mr Vivian as with his own good opinion of you,
will I hope prove for your advantage, & which I hope you will pursue
by being of any service to the Association which you can be,
consistent with your duty to your employers.
I am sorry to say that I fear nothing can be done for
your Company but the association buying their works from them. The
plan came ready digested from Cornwall and Mr Vivian & Mr B[oulton]
were only impowered to make specific propositions, these produced
others from the Comp[an]ys which are now under the consideration of
the meeting at Truro and I expect made publick or refused.
In whatever state they are I shall now venture to tell
you them on condition that if they are still secret you will keep
the matter so and any rate burn this letter that I may not be
brought into any scrape. The Cornish miners to associate and fix the
Standard of their own ores from time to time.
The 4 Companies - English. Morris. Gnoll, Freeman to buy
the ores at the Standard with allowance for returning charges.
The Mining Company to buy the Copper from the Smelting
Companies allowing 8 p[e]r Cent profit.
Ores to be paid as usual 6 months Credit to be given on
Copper.
Williams & the Associated Miners to divide the Copper
market among them & keep up prices -
These are the principal outlines the principal part
unsettled was the value of the returning Charges in which if proper
you could be of service in giving them information - On the whole I
am not quite satisfied on the matter, I do not like the Cutting off
so many of the Companies and yet it seems necessary to the being of
the Mines.
Let the Event be as it will you may be sure that we
will do all we can for your interest, but considering the people we
have to deal with you will see that our power is limited -
I fancy Mr B[oulton]. will set out for London soon but
some matters of importance detain him for a little.
- Arkwright has had another tryal & lost it shamefully by a proof of
prior invention brought against him.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
I remain
Dear Sir
Your's
Sincerely
James
Watt
I beg you will
destroy
this letter -}''
AD1583/1/66
Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding Cornish Metal Company
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Jun 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr Watt 30 June 1785
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol.''
''Birm[ingha]m June 30th 1785
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We are favoured with yours of the 25th.
You have not been properly informed of the nature of the bargain
which Mr Vivian has made with the 4 or 5 Companies in the name of
the Cornish miners - The Smelters are to find stocks to pay for the
ores as usual and to give credit on the Copper for 6 months & then
to take bills at 2 months which you see will require a large
capital. The Cornish Company take on themselves all the risks of
sales & buy all the Copper from the Smelting Companies at the
standard price they themselves fixt allowing the returning charges
and 8 p[e]r Cent for profit - The Scheme of buying your Companie's
works on your & our account you see will not do, as we could not be
admitted into the Contract, but as the Cornish company had a
proposal of having some works of their own, I think it very probable
that in such case they may be induced to buy those belonging to your
Comp[an]y.
You may depend on having our interest for yourself as
far as it will go, but in the mean time think you would do right to
apply to Mr Vivian, to Mr Fox and to any others you think can be
serviceable. To give you a key how to render yourself usefull I find
by a letter Mr B[oulton]. received to day that the returning charges
are not yet settled and that information on that head is wanted they
Companies say that the £3. is little enough and Williams has got
information from some company that 55/ [shillings] is enough, which
exceeding your estimate so much, leaves room to suppose that you
have not comprehended every charge in your account.
You will now no doubt have learnt that no other company
can be addmitted except those with whom they have bargained, which
mode of agreement took place only 2 days, before Mr Vivian left
London Mr Boulton called once or twice upon Mr Boldero to inform him
partly of what was going on but did not meet with him, Mr Wilkinson
Governer of the Mines Royal was also warned, but said he must call a
meeting of the Comp[an]y before he could do any thing and in the
mean time the bargain was concluded & that Comp[an]y left out - The
only chance any comp[an]y has of getting in is by some difference
happening about the returning charges, which as it is submitted to
reference can scarcely happen - As this Matter will make a great
difference in the mining interest in Cornwall, hope you will keep
you eye steadily on what is like to take place. I should think that
some of the Copper comp[an]ys finding themselves shut out every
other way will be glad to become concerned in the mines which must
be now much more valuable than they were before.
Mr B[oulton]. desires me to say that he mentioned you in
a proper manner to Mr Vivian when in London, and that he is now
writing him on the same subject.
With Compliments to Mrs Wilson
I remain
Dear
Sir
Your's Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/1/67
Letter, Watt and Boulton to
Wilson regarding
terms for Mr Harris
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Jul 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr. Watt 5 July 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol''
''Birm[ingha]m July 5th 1785
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Yours of the 29th received, covering bill
for £500 which shall be duely placed to your account.
In answer to Mr Harris the terms will be as you have
said £56 p[e]r month for a 63 which comes about £47. 9 [shillings].
- from this sum we can make no abatement neither at beginning the
mine till they are repaid costs nor afterwards should it become a
losing mine, as by accepting of it we give a continual abatement,
nor if they agreed by the tables would we commence by an abatement -
I believe I shall prevail upon 2 men to come down to assist you in
the erections, but there is one of them we have not agreed with yet,
as soon as we can we shall send them off.
I have heard nothing particular concerning Mr B[oulton]s
motions, but suppose that he will be with you by the time you
mention, with Compliments to Mrs Wilson I remain
Dear
Sir
Yours sincerely
James Watt
Dear Sir
I have just seen yours of ye 29th & return you my
thanks for your kind invitation w[hi]ch I think it is probable I may
avail my self of, but have not yet scarcely thought of my plan. I
understood by a letter from Mr Vivian that ye meeting was to be the
28th but you say ye 22nd pray enquire of him & tell me as soon as
possable.
Mr Vere
undertook to acquaint Mr Baldero that I wished to give him some
usefull information but as I heard nothing from him I went to ye
Shop. He was not at home, I left my name, & heard no more.
I have not been inatentive to your interest, Mr. Vivian seems well
disposed towards you, but the primary plan must be settled before
the secondary parts of it. I hope when I come we shall be able to
make ye plan usefull to you & to make you usefull to it. My Leg
mends very slowly I can't walk or ride on Horse back. pray can I buy
in Cornwall a one Horse Chaise & a Horse if not let me know at
Exeter (at Llands) as I could probably pick up one there.
with best Compl[imen]ts to Mrs. Wilson
I remain D[ea]r S[i]r Yours
sincerely M: Boulton''
AD1583/1/68
Letter,
Roberts to
Wilson regarding John Holl's employment in Cornwall
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Jul 1785
Endorsed: ''John Roberts 28 July 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr
John Wilson, Chasewater, near Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr John Wilson
Sir
We sent away yesterday a Man named John
Holl, who by the time this reaches you, will most likely be arrived,
he has been some time at Work for us here, his Wages fifteen
shillings p[e]r Week - he has had the misfortune to have a Sick
Wife, who lay for some time at a great expence to him, she is now
dead, but was the cause of his being in debt, in consequence of
which you will only pay him Ten Shillings p[e]r Week, as he has
agreed to leave 5/ [shillings] p[e]r Week for the Support of his
Child, and to discharge his debts . . . We recommend him to your
Care and remain
Your Most Obed[ien]t Servants
for Boulton & Watt
Jno Roberts
Soho near Birmingham
28 July 1785''
AD1583/1/69
Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Co, and the
death of
William Phillips
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Aug 1785
Endorsed: ''Mr. Boulton 20 Aug[ust] 1785''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, of Cornwall at, Mr Stephen
Ludlows, No 5 - Lower Royall Copper Warehouse, London''
''Chasewater
20 Aug[us]t 1785
Dear Sir
I could sooner calculate an Eclipse than where or how
to intercept your Orbit so as to convey a letter to your hand but as
Mrs. Wilson tells me it is probable this may find you in London I
will therefore venture to risk a few lines, if it is only to tell
you that Mrs. Wilson, Your Six Sons, Your Mother & Sister are all
here alive well & merry which information I know will be a Cordial
to you. -
But alass we have had a sudden & melancholy change in
the death of our worthy, good, sincere, Benevolent, hospitable,
Charitable, usefull, spirited, good humourd, Religious, pleasant, &
kind friend, William Phillips of Redruth. I dined with him & all the
Quakers at Truro on Tuesday ye 9th & he as as well on Thursday as
ever I saw him. On Fryday ye 12th Dick & I went in a Chaise to
polgooth We dined & drank one Glass of wine when lo! a Messenger
arived to announce his Death. I will not depress your Spirits by
discribing all that followed: poor Dick hath almost been overset. I
accompanied him home that night & have done all I could to alleviate
the shock by every friendly office in my power. - let us change ye
Scene.
The New Copper plan is commenced We have bought the
whole of 2 Days Sales of Ore (except a dole belonging to Mr Innis of
Tresavene [Tresavean] Ores) & all is going on unanimously & much to
the satisfaction of all parties (except a certain Class whom I need
not discribe) and I expect the Cornish Metal Co[mpany] will have
Copper in London in a Month. If you or Mr Matthews could have found
anybody in Town that would have taken a part w[i]th me I would have
Subscribed for Ten Thous[an]d & then our particular friends & us
could have formd a Majority in the Metal Co[mpany] however be that
as it may I shall take a good Slice as I have no doubt but I can
find chaps for any part in a little time on my own terms as the
security is as good as the Bank & the foundation of the New House is
grown more Solid since your departure although Mr Ennis & his Son &
his Sons Brother are laying their heads together but all in vain.
It is unfortunate for your self that you are obliged
to be from home at this time as I wish you to be one of the Miners
Committee but the thing is too intricate & long to tell you all.
Chasewater adventurers have put you into their lisst. I believe Mr
Ben[allac]k hath been proposing to Mr Edwards some plan of Smelting
for Hayle Co[mpany] at Peng[?]es works. I know nothing of your or
his plan & therefore I say nothing.
I have done all in my power to serve Ben[allac]k & had induced
Vivian & all the Quakers to resolve to serve him but was sorry to
learn yesterday at Truro that he is one of the Privy Council that is
held on the South side ye Street at Truro, & they now say they dare
not trust him. they say he hath also given ye Vice Warden bad
advice.
I wish you would take an opportunity of Explaining to the
Gent[leme]n in Lombard Street that I was not desired by the Cornish
Gent[leme]n to go to London to form plans but to Execute that
which they had formed & our success in the accomplishing of
it, depended upon Secrecy & dispatch: and if I did any thing wrong,
it was in calling, with an intent to communicate the Plan to Mr
Baldero - because it was in intent a breach of trust that I could
not have justifyd my self in had any inconveniences arose from it,
My Partner Mr Watt had a greater right to be offended & so had you
Besides my own interest as well as my honour was at Stake.
My Leg is no better but rather worse within these few
days & I cannot pick up either a one horse Chaise or a |
