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
|
