AD1583/10/1 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding bond required from Richard Trevithick, and other
matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
3 Jan 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 3rd Jan[uar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson Truro
Soho 3 January 1798
Dear Sir
We have your favours of 30th & 31st Ult[im]o and having considered
the circumstances you mention relative to Trevithicks working single at Dingdong
for some time to come, we think upon the whole it will be best to make out the
Bond upon that supposition now, & have a fresh bond when it is intended to be
made double. The Lump Sum for working single is £158, which, if convenient to
Trevithick, may be paid at once and there will be no occasion for a bond. The
Instalments were proposed to accommodate him, but if he has the money, he will
save you and himself trouble by paying it down. Should this not suit him, we
would wish you to propose to him to pay by four Instalments at three months
distance each, with Interest on Arrears, which will make the whole payable in
one twelvemonth. - But if Trevithick should object to this, and say that it was
understood the payments were to be monthly, you will insist upon the whole being
liquidated in two Years at the utmost, with Interest as before upon Arrears
reckoning from the date of the Bond, which should bear date the Day of starting
the Engine. - The Bond to be simply an Engagement for the Money on the part of
Trevithick & to express no Covenant upon our Part. -
We observe that Trevithick has concluded his Agreement for the St.
Agnes Engines. As soon as the Dingdong business is concluded and we understand
that a formal application is made by him for leave to work them upon our
principle, we shall state the Sum for which he is to give bond, in which we
shall make allowance for the time necessary to get them to work. -
At the time of mentioning Mr. Edwards name, I had not in mind the
circumstance of Mr. Warren's being employed. You are at full liberty to employ
whichever gives you the most satisfaction. -
Mr. Murdocks Aff[idavi]t is received & sent up to Mr. Weston. It
appears to us very proper in every respect, except perhaps, that allusion ought
to have been made to the Engine being similar to that constructed by Bull
against which Verdict was obtained. If this is essential, Mr. Weston will send
it down to be resworn. -
We have as yet not communicated his Instructions upon the case of
Pednandrea, nor has he sent the Memorandum for entry in the Mine Books. -
We have nothing farther to add at present, but our earnest request
that the main subject of this letter may be brought to an early conclusion and
remain very sincerely
Yours
for
Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/2 Letter, G Watt to Wilson regarding visits to
Goldsithney, and the stoppage of Wheal Jewell
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Jan 1798
Endorsed: G: Watt 4th Jan[uar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, & forw[arde]d by Mr. Jenny
''Penzance Jan[uar]y 4th 1798.
Mr. Wilson.
Dear Sir
I rec[eive]d yours in due course and immediately went to
Goldsithney but found both the Gundrys were at Penzance - I went again to
Goldsithney next day & found old Capt[ai]n Gundry - and settled to go to
Dingdong with Capt[ai]n Thomas on Saturday - In the course of the week I shall
obtain information concerning the wherry - Wheal Jewell has stopped being
unable to keep the water - They will probably lie by till May -
I proposed if I had procured the requisite information to have come
to Truro on Saturday but this arrangement precludes it - On Tuesday I go to an
account at Herland and on Sat[urday] next week shall perhaps come to Truro.
with Comp[limen]ts to Mrs. Wilson who I hope is well I remain Dear
Sir
your obliged &
Humble Servant
G Watt
[marginal] Shall thank you to get the tables for me by the time I come''
AD1583/10/3 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding form of entry for agreements with mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
10 Jan 1798
Dear
Sir
Your favour of the 6th is at hand. My last of [blank] Inst[an]t has
I hope been found explicit with regard to Trevithick. It was left optional with
him to pay by Instalments, because it was thought it would not be in his power
to pay down & that by insisting upon it we should defeat our own purpose. -
We have written to Mrs. Matthews about the India Bills & when we
have her answer shall let you know our determination. -
You may send the 10 Blocks of Tin as you propose.
The following is Mr. Weston's advice respecting the Entry of
Agreements, which you will please to adhere to.
''I recommend that whenever you want to get an Agreement entered on
any of the Mine books you should leave as little as possible for the Adventurers
or their purser to do. Therefore I should advise that you state your terms in a
letter, (concerning which you cannot need any assistance from me), then let the
Entry on the Mine Books be as follows,''
At a meeting of the Adventurers of -------- Mine held this Day at --------
present A B,
C D &c
Read a
Letter from Messrs B[oulton]&W[att] as follows,
[Insert the Letter]
Whereupon it was resolved & agreed to accept the terms offered to the Mine
Adventurers by Messrs B[oulton] & W[att] in the said letter + [see below] and
ordered that the Purser do transmit a Copy of this Resolution to Messrs B&W,
with a request to them to proceed to execute the Agreement with Dispatch.
Where we do not erect the Engine, the part underlined, may be omitted.
As to the letter to be sent to the Adv[enture]'rs, we approve of the
form of that to Trescaw Mine contained in your favour of 24 Dec[embe]r, except
that we wish you to substitute for the words ''unexpired term of the Patent'',
the following, unexpired term of the Act of Parliament.
Mr. Weston will send down Murdocks aff[idavi]t to be resworn before
the 1st day of term, when Pednandrea Business will also be brought
forward. We remain
D[ea]r Sir Yours for
B[oulton]&W[att]
J Watt Jun[io]r
[marginal] + or Extract as the whole letter need not be copied if it relates to
any thing else''
AD1583/10/4 Letter, Carpenter to Wilson submitting proposal
to settle dispute by arbitration
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Jan 1798
Endorsed: Mr. Carpenter 13th Jan[uary] 1798
Addressed to: Thomas Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro
''Sir!
With a view of avoiding litigation (if possible) I do hereby offer
to Messrs Boulton & Watt, through you, to submit our dispute to the arbitration
of any respectable characters, residing within the county of Cornwall or Devon.
After what had past, you, I am certain, will not be at all surprized
at my late refusal of meeting you with the Gentleman, I formerly named as my
referee - unless a regular submission had first been made to abide by his award.
It was my most earnest wish that it might be decided by persons residing here,
because they would be better able than strangers to appreciate the characters of
those, by whom they were to be furnish'd with evidence: but, Sir, my anxiety is
so great to avoid an expensive law suit with men, whose wealth may afford them
the means of crushing me, that I will readily consent to leave the dispute to be
decided, by any respectable bankers in London, persons on the Royal Exchange,
Bank of England, or any eminent counsel in either of the courts of law or equity
in Westminster Hall.
Your forwarding to Messrs Bolton and Watt this proposal will oblige
Your humble Servant
J:
Carpenter
Redruth
1st jan[uar]y 98
In the event of their compliance, I will name my referee, who shall
be exempt, by character as well as fortune, from the smallest suspicion of
partiality. Indeed I would go further for my own part, and wave the terms first
concluded upon; by which means Messrs Bolton & Watt as well as the country in
general might be possess'd of an equitable basis of compensation for the
priviledge of using what they claim to have invented.''
AD1583/10/5 Letter, G Watt to Wilson regarding his
dislocating his arm near Penzance
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
14 Jan 1798
Endorsed: G: Watt 14th Jan[uar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro
''Penzance Jan[uar]y 14th 1797.
Dear Sir
I take up the pen to relieve your friendly anxiety. My arm
certainly was dislocated partly what is called a sub Luxation, but was
reduced almost immediately by Mr. Williams' holding it as we walked into
Penzance - The pain is nearly gone & in a few days I shall have tollerable use
of it -
Remember me to Mrs. Wilson & Thomas who I trust are well & excuse
this short scrawl as I write in some pain.
I am D[ea]r Sir
your Obliged &
Humble Serv[an]t
G Watt''
AD1583/10/6 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding bonds from Trevithick and Carne, and other
matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
15 Jan 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 15th Jan[uar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho 15
January 1798
Mr. Wilson
Truro.
Dear
Sir
We have your favour of the 11th Inst[an]t and are glad to find you
have settled with Trevithick; We have not entered into the calculation of
Interest, but have no doubt it is quite right, and you have our best thanks for
your exertions in this affair. - We wish Mr. Warrens Draft to be sent to us & we
will either return it signed or write a letter to Trevithick which will be
equally efficacious. - You will please desire Trevithick to state by letter to
you the size of the St. Agnes Engines & whether wanted to work Single or Double.
-
The India Bonds from Carne are approved of, so that you may
endeavour to get the remainder of the Debt paid in the same Manner if possible.
It is understood that all the Bonds are to be endorsed by Mr. Carne & that
Interest upon the time they have to run at the rate of 5 per Cent per Annum is
to be allowed. If you take more it will be Usury. -
We beg you to observe that we have no objections to your employing
Mr. Edwards, but what arose from his former neglect of our business. If you find
him willing to attend to it, we should certainly wish him to be employed
occasionally, or always, as you please.
The case of the new Wh[ea]l Jewel near Goldsithney requires
consideration & cannot be replied to immediately, as it must involve in it many
questions of the utmost importance.
We remain respectfully
Dear Sir
Your
ob[edien]t Servants
for Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r
P.S. We
had the pleasure of seeing your partner Mr. Gould at the Stourbridge meeting,
but could not prevail upon him to accompany us hither. We are sorry he has such
unpleasant Intelligence to communicate, for it seems now understood that among
the other benefits of Mr. Pitts administration is to be enumerated a tax on Iron
and the consequent starvation of one half of the Inhabitants of this
neighbourhood''
AD1583/10/7 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding terms for Mr Carpenter
Item
1 folio and 1 sheet
Manuscript
29 Jan 1798
Endorsed: Copy to Mr. Carpenter no date & J Watt Jun[io]r Jan[uar]y
29th 1798
''Soho 29th
January 1798
Mr. Wilson
Truro.
Dear
Sir
The absence of my father & Mr. Boulton Jun[io]r for the last week,
has been the cause of your not hearing from us upon the Wheal Jewel business and
in answer to your letters of the 18th & 25th Inst[an]t which came duly to hand.
-
Now that the barrier we had erected with so much trouble, has been
broken down in one instance, and sapped in another, it appears to us to have
become matter of necessity and not of choice, to abandon our intention of
enforcing the lump sum in Cornwall. We cannot however avoid stating that we are
very far from being convinced that it might not have been carried into effect
had we met with a cordial & zealous cooperation, such as every change of system
must require in the first stages of its Introduction. Some difficulties were
also to be overcome in the other parts of the Kingdom, as well as in Cornwall,
but perseverance & uniformity of language soon overcame them & since the terms
have been generally understood, we have had more Orders & fewer disputes than at
any former period and we must farther observe that some of these Engines, being
for Mines, were under similar circumstances to those of Cornwall. We have never
found it extremely difficult to convince parties it was their Interest to pay a
moderate sum at once, rather than be burthened with an Annuity the purchase of
which would amount to considerably more. There are many other arguments which
might be deduced from our situation to shew the propriety of the measure, if it
were proper to appeal to the reason, instead of appealing to the pockets of
Individuals. But the principal one in which you appear to us never to have
properly understood, or never properly impressed upon others, was, that we
would not assent to other terms and that they must either have the Engines
upon them, or not have them at all. It is very evident from your letter to us of
the 6th August last, that you did encourage Carpenter to offer us the 2/3rds
although you were present when our letter was written to Teague & you yourself
sent a copy of it from hence to Mr. Carpenter on the 14th April 1797: nay the
terms were confirmed to you again in the most explicit manner so late as in our
letter of the 7th June & we never had the remotest idea of departing from them.
What Inference can people draw when you hold one language & us another, but that
we have no steady regulation for our business and that the whole is abandoned to
the caprice of the moment. - Examine our letters ever since the lump sum was
first proposed in 1795 and say whether we have not been uniform in our demands
for new Engines. You must recollect that our motive for lessening our
demands at Wheal Ramoth & Wheal Fortune, was, that these Engines were erected
previous to any Agreement being made and upon that Account we were at the mercy
of the Adventurers. Wheal Abram having been built under similar circumstances,
our friendship for Mr. Kevill induced us to put it upon the same footing. But at
the time these concessions were made, the principle was not abandoned, & it has
been since repeatedly enforced, particularly in conversation with you in London
& when last here. We appeal to your recollection whether this is not fact. We
mention these circumstances not with any idea of reproach, we are persuaded you
thought you were acting for the best, but it is necessary to free ourselves from
the implied imputation of inconsistency and to shew you that we have not acted
but upon mature consideration.
We have a letter from Carne upon the Wheal Jewel business, which we
shall answer by acceding to their proposal for the two thirds, indeed we could
alledge no good reason, for refusing them the terms granted at Trescaw. You will
therefore please to see that the terms are properly entered upon the Mine Book &
for this purpose we shall send you by our next a copy of our letter to Carne. -
What we have said of the two thirds, is not meant to have any
reference to Mr. Carpenter, for although we are aware that that case is
considerably embarassed by your conversation & by Mr. Murdocks acts, we shall
readily obtain the Injunction & you may rest assured that we shall not suffer
ourselves to be trod under foot, whilst we have a shilling left to pay the
Lawyers bill.
Proper Affidavits for that case are now making out for you & for Mr.
Murdock and also a fresh one for the latter in the case of United Mines. These
you will please to get dispatched as soon as you receive them & you will inform
Mr. Murdock that we wish him to be very guarded in his Conversations with
Carpenter or his Agents, & if applied to by them for an Affidavit, to refuse it,
saying that he has made one already. -
On the other side we send you the Copy of a letter which we wish to
have written by you to Mr. Carpenter and remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
for
Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r
Copy of letter to be written to Mr.
Carpenter
Sir
I duly transmitted the Copy of your letter of the 1st January to
Messrs Boulton & Watt, by whom I am instructed to inform you that their own
opinion was against the proposed reference, and that being now confirmed therein
by the advice of Counsel, they decline it.
The terms they have offered to accept, are either that you pay
monthly their full premium amounting to £55 per Month, during the remainder of
their exclusive privilege, or so long thereof as the Mine shall work, or the
that you purchase their license by the payment of the sum of £800, which you
will observe is a less sum than was asked by them previous to your erection of
the Engine without their consent. -
I remain &c &c
J.W.''
AD1583/10/8 Letter, G Watt to Wilson regarding Trescaw,
Wheal Jewel and Ding Dong mines
Item
1 large sheet
Manuscript
31 Jan 1798
''Penzance Jan[uar]y 31 1798
Dear Sir /
Enclosed you will receive a copy of the entry made on Treskow
account book - All present signed it excepting Mr. Bull who Looked very black -
Very little objection was made & that I soon crushed by hinting that unless they
complied with this portion of the agreement on their side Boulton and Watt would
certainly be at liberty to insist on much more severe terms & the short clause
at the end was inserted at the Request of John Penrose who behaved very well and
was the first to propose that it should be immediately entered.
They are very anxious to obtain B[oulton]&W[att]s answer respecting wh[eal]
Jewel and wished me to write to Soho on that subject this however I declined but
promised to write to you. J. Penrose told me privately and as he said in
confidence that a number of the adventurers of Wh[eal] Jewel, were disposed to
employ Trevithick but that if B&W would grant the same terms they had given to
Treskow he would pledge himself that Murdock should be their man - This he
begged me not to mention to Carne or another other adven[ture]rs. This I
promised & beg you will also be silent but why any injunction for secresy should
be given I know not unless either Carne or himself is playing an underhand game
- When you write to Soho it may be proper to mention this and also that if B&W
do not grant them the terms allowed at Treskow they will stop till summer & Men
work the old engine in the dry months till the act of parliament is expired.
I arrived here very safe but thoroughly soaked as from the nature of the day you
may suppose -
Thomas Gundry has promised faithfully to inform me when Ding Dong goes to work
double - Trevithick has been there rectifying the Engine. I hear he is concerned
in Wh[eal] Treasury Engine with Bull & Co - I dined with Tho[ma]s Revill on
Sunday - and was invited by him to come & spend some days at Trevenson - the Old
Gentleman is very much better -
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs. Wilson I remain dear Sir
your obliged humble servant
G Watt''
AD1583/10/9 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding injunctions for Mr Carpenter and for United Mines
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
31 Jan 1798
Endorsed: Mr. A: Weston 31st Jan[uar]y 1798.
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall.
Mr.
Thomas Wilson
Merchant Truro.
Fenchurch Street
31
Jan[uary] 1798
D[ear] Sir
I am preparing to file a Bill for an Injunction against
United Mines in respect to their New Engine.
I shall send a Draft of an Affidavit to be sworn by Mr.
Murdock - which must be ingrossed on a stamp & sworn by him. If the Draft should
not state the facts correctly, or if Mr. Murdock can now say more than he could
before, let the Affidavit be altered by Mr. Warren. The Aff[idavi]t lately sent
was not full enough in some particulars.
I am also preparing an injunction for Mr. Carpenter. It will
be a friendly act towards him to let him know it, because the expence will be
large - & he must pay it, as many others before him have done, in like Cases.
The Draft of Mr. Murdock's affid[avi]t will be sent Tomorrow - or
possibly today, if the Copy can be made in time.
I am D[ea]r Sir Y[ou]rs
A Weston''
AD1583/10/10 Letter,
Weston to Wilson enclosing draft affidavit for William Murdock
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
31 Jan 1798
Endorsed: Mr. A: Weston 31st Jan[uar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
Mr
Wilson
D[ea]r
Sir
Having written a Letter to you by this post I beg Leave to refer
thereto & I inclose a Draft of the affidavit proposed to be made by Mr. Murdock
concerning the United Mines New Engine.
I wish to know what Mr Murdock can say concerning Mr. Carpenter's
Engines which must be our next object.
I am D[ear] Sir
Y[ou]rs &c
A Weston
Fenchurch Str[eet]
31 Jan[uar]y 1798.''
AD1583/10/11
Letter, Watt junior
to Wilson enclosing copy of letter, Boulton & Watt to Carne
Item
2 folios
Manuscript
31 Jan-1 Feb 1798
AD1583/10/11/1 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding letter received from William Carne
Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
1 Feb 1798
Endorsed: Mr James Watt Feb[ruar]y 1 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
Mr.
Wilson
Truro
Soho 1st February 1798
Dear Sir
In consequence of a letter received from Carne, of which you have a
Copy on the other side, we have written the inclosed answer, which you will
please to forward, after having taken a Copy. -
We are not very certain about our Agreement with the Mine, being to
the purport he mentions; we shall be obliged to you for information upon that
point and also a statement of our Account with the Mine. The sum we have stated
for the materials of a Six Horse Engine, will be the same at all events we have
long ago reduced the Premium upon these small Engines to a manufacturing profit,
and patent, or no patent, they will be much the same. We can easily conceive it
may be possible to get up such Engines cheaper in Cornwall by using inferior
materials & inferior workmanship, but we are certain it is neither worth our
while, nor upon the whole the Interest of the proprietors to employ such
Machines. -
This affair having occasioned a reference to the Trescaw Agreement,
we observe an error in the terms for the working double, which we did not Notice
before, having taken it for granted that your calculations were right. You have
stated the single Premium at £18. 13 [shillings]. 4 [pence] & the double at only
£28 per Month; this should surely have been £37. 6s[hillings]. 8d [pence]. - If
this has been a mistake, as it appears to us, the Adventurers cannot fairly
object to its rectified & we must request you to get it done. -
As the 2/3rds Plan is now resolved upon, it may be proper to give
verbal intimation of this to any of the Adv[enture]'rs of Wh[ea]l Treasury
you are acquainted with, as if the arrears due from the new Adv[enture]'rs were
paid up, we should be disposed to accept of the 2/3rds in Monthly payments for
the future, a proper Agreement for that purpose being entered into by the
Adventurers. -
Nothing farther occurs at this Moment & I remain
Dear Sir
yours sincerely
for Boulton &
Watt
Ja[me]s
Watt Jun[io]r
Copy
Penzance 26th Jan[uar]y 1798
Gent[leme]n
Having some Conversation with Mr. Wilson last Monday respecting
Wh[ea]l Jewel Mine, near Marazion, where I had a large share, who informed me
you would not consent to our erecting a new Engine on the same terms as Trescaw
Mine, viz to pay 2/3 of the Customary savings. -
And having attended Wh[ea]l Jewel Acc[oun]t on Tuesday the
Adv[enture]rs desired me to write you upon the subject. Will thank you to inform
me by a line per return of post, if you will admit us to erect an Engine, say a
40 Inch Cyl[inde]r on paying 2/3rds Savings, or not, - in course of refusal, the
mine will remain unwrought until the Expiration of your patent. -
We want a small Engine for Herland to work our whims, ab[ou]t 18
Inch Cyl[inde]r single - please say what would be nearly the amount of one
compleat, without any rotative work - You will observe in our Agreement for
savings, we have liberty to erect as many Engines as we wanted on the same
premium so that you will not charge us any thing for Premium, waiting your
reply,
I remain &c
W.
Carne''
AD1583/10/11/2 Copy of letter, Boulton & Watt to Carne regarding the rebuilding of the
engine formerly at Herland
Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
31 Jan 1798
Endorsed: Copy of a Letter from Boulton & Watt to W[illia]m Carne dated
Jan[uar]y 31st 1798
''Soho 31st
Jan[uar]y 1798.
Mr. Carne
Penzance.
Sir
In reply to your favour of the
26th ins[tan]t we have the honour to inform you, that we shall assent to the
Adv[enture]rs in the mine of Wh[ea]l Jewel in Goldsithney rebuilding the Engine
late belonging to Herland with a Cylinder of 40 inches dia[mete]r upon our plan,
on condition of paying the sum of £14. 15 [shillings]. 4 [pence] per month
whilst working, single, that is, under the load of 10lb½ to each inch of the
area of the piston, and the sum of 29. 10. 8 when working double or above 10½lb
to the inch, for so long during the remainder of the unexpired term of our
exclusive privilege as the Engine shall continue to be wrought on the said mine;
Provided that an agreement be entered into the mine books by the Adv[enture]rs
in their next meeting for the fulfillment of the above conditions & that a Copy
thereof signed by the Adv[enture]rs present be sent to Mr. Wilson or to us.
We do not now make any single rota[ti]ve Engines, as we do not consider them so
eligible for that pourpose as double ones. One of our double Six horse engines
would be somewhat more powerfull than an 18 inch single four feet stroke, and
perhaps would not on that acc[oun]t be objectionable. The metal materials of
such an Engine, fitted up here in the compleatest manner, would be delivered by
us at Birming[ha]m for the sum of £370. You will understand that their proposal
comprehends every part of the metal materials of the Engine, excepting the
boiler itself, the rotative work & the strap pins & bolts for the framing.
Should we be favour'd with your order we hope to be able to compleat it, in less
than 3 months from its receipt. You will observe that the above sum is payable
in 3 months from delivery here. We are respectfully - Sir
Your Ob[e]d[ien]t h[um]ble Serv[an]ts
Boulton & Watt.''
AD1583/10/12 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding William Murdock's affidavit
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Feb 1798
Endorsed: Mr. A: Weston 6th Feb[ruar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
Mr.
Thomas Wilson.
Sir,
The delay in returning Mr. Murdocks affid[avi]t is of no consequence
compared with the importance of beginning with a correct affidavit. The Draft
sent you was only pro forma, & of course subject to correction as to
matters of Fact, by the person who is to swear to it.
- There has been no mistake on the part of Messrs Boulton & Watt - nor is there
any error in fact in the Affidavit in respect to the Engine's being similar to
that which Bull erected at Balcoath Mine; For, the Affidavit after speaking of
the Separate Condenser & Air Vessel states, that in those
respects the Engine erected by the Adv[enture]rs in United Mines is exactly
similar to the Engine erected by Bull at Balcoath Mine, w[hi]ch is correctly
true.
I had no Instructions for the Affidavit of Mr. Murdock - except his
own Words in the Affidavit sworn by him the 30th dec[embe]r last in which
nothing at all is said about the form of the Engine, whether Double or
Single, nor is the form at all material in substance, tho' for the sake of
making the complaint more explicit there will not be any impropriety in setting
forth that it is a double Engine with a Rotative Motion - because these
circumstances will shew the injury done is the greater. - But in principle these
Circumstances make no Difference. The use of the Separate Condenser & Air Pump
form the essential ground work of the Infringement.
You may delay still the sending of the Affid[avi]t 'till I write to
you again, as I intend to apply to B[oulton]&W[att] for explanation as to the
History of this Engine, w[hi]ch I perceive from what you say is not new, but
appears in this instance for the third time, with the addition of a
Rotative Motion.
I am, Sir, y[ou]r
most ob[edien]t S[ervan]t
Ambrose
Weston.
Fenchurch Street
6 Feb[ruar]y 1798.
PS. The
Injunction against Hornblower & Maberly was obtained upon an affidavit made by
Mr. Watt & Mr. Southern, That the Engines built by Hornblower for Maberly were
erected upon the same plan & principles as Bull's Engine at Balcoath Mine. And
yet no two Engines could be so unlike in form as Hornblowers to & Bull's.
It is the application of the method of saving Steam & Fuel invented
by Mr. Watt which is alone material. And it does signify how varied & disguised
in form. The knowledge of this fact should be universally diffused - &
the want of it's being clearly understood has caused B&W all the plague they
have met with.
AW.''
AD1583/10/13 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding the history of the engine re-erecting at United Mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Feb 1798
Endorsed: A: Weston 7th Feb[ruar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
Mr.
Thomas Wilson.
Sir,
I have not yet got either from Boulton & Watt or yourself what I
most of all want which is to know whether when the Engine now re-erecting upon
United Mines - was first built upon the Mine called Crane any Licence was
granted by B[oulton]&W[att] or by you as their Agent by virtue of w[hi]ch the
Adventurers in that (Crane) Mine obtained a Right to transfer the Engine from
place to place at their pleasure. I know that such a Grant of Liberty to remove
the Engine without further Consent is very unlikely, as such an unrestrained
Right of Removal has never been granted, I believe, in any instances, & I
believe I may say certainly was never granted in Cornwall.
Your History of the Engine is by no means a detailed one nor
sufficient for my purpose. I want to be informed what agreement was made & what
licence granted on occasion of the first erection at Crane Mine - what premium
was to be paid and whether any & what right of removal was granted; - what new
agreement was made on the successive removals to Chasewater & Wheel Carpenter.
In regard to the latter, Wheel Carpenter, I observe the
Adv[enture]rs in that mine were to pay 3 Guineas p[er] month - and I conclude
that this was by virtue of a new agreement & not a continuance merely of the
same payment p[er] month as had been agreed upon in respect to Crane &
Chasewater.
You will understand from what I have said that the object I have in
view is to ascertain this point - that the Adventurers in United Mines have no
Right to erect the engine in question upon their Mine - without first
obtaining Messrs Boulton & Watt's consent, in this instance, in like manner as
it was obtained by the Adv[enture]rs in Chasewater & Wheel Carpenter upon the
removals to their respective Mines.
It is upon the footing of no such Right having been granted that the
injunction is to be obtained - & tho' it is a manner self-evident from common
sense that no such right in fact exists, I am desirous of exploring the history
of the Engine to the bottom in order that our Affi[davit]s may be precise &
correct.
I cannot possibly treat with
Franco.
I am Sir y[ou]r most ob[edien]t h[um]ble S[ervan]t
A Weston.
My
Compl[imen]ts to Mr Southerne if he is with you.
I presume Nothing has been said or done by yourself or Mr. Murdock
w[hi]ch can be called connivance at or Consent to the proceedings of United
Mines in this Case.''
AD1583/10/14 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding United Mines engine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Feb 1798
Endorsed: Mr. J: Watt Jun[io]r 8th Feb[ruar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr
Wilson
Truro
Soho
8th Feb[ruar]y 1798
Dear Sir
We have your favours of the 1st 3rd & 4th Feb[ruar]y to which we
have little to reply. -
As you have often sworn that Bulls Engines are the same as ours, you
need not be scrupulous at swearing that ours are the same as his, meaning the
same in principle. We have sent Mr. Weston at his own desire, a statement of all
we know of the History of the Engine now building on United Mines. It would be
as well if you were also to send him a detailed history of it, least we may have
fallen into errors. We suppose it will be material to state the particulars of
the Agreement between us & Wh[ea]l Carpenter, whether verbal or in writing, &
also what you know of the purchase by United Mines.
Upon the other subjects of your letter we shall write tomorrow,
meantime remain Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
for Boulton & Watt
J Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/15 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Feb 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 12th Feb[ruar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr
Wilson
Truro
Soho 12 Feb[ruar]y
1798
Dear Sir
In consequence of the apprehensions stated by you in your favour of
the 7th Inst[an]t as being entertained by Murdock, we have judged it expedient
to dispatch Mr. Lawson to procure the necessary evidence and take the Oaths in
his stead. He is furnished with Notes by us of what is to be done, and you of
course will put him in the shortest way of getting through with his business, as
he must be at Norwich on the 23rd Inst[an]t to inspect another Piracy. -
I omitted in a former letter answering that part of your letter
wherein you mention Mr. Murdock's wish to have his Account settled from
Midsummer to Xmas at the rate agreed upon. We have not the smallest objection &
beg you will do it in future as a matter of course, sending us statement of
particulars when settled.
The India Bills were received & are at your Credit. I have no time
to say more & remain Dear Sir Yours sincerely
J
Watt Jun[io]r
T[urn].O[ver].
P.S.
If you have not yet done it; do not fail to send Mr. Weston by Lawson a history
of Wh[ea]l Carpenter Engine from the beginning and a statement of all the
various Agreements entered into, particularly of the last one with Wh[ea]l
Carpenter. send him a Copy of the licence or Agreement. He wants to know whether
the Adv[enture]'rs in United Mines have any ground for alledging that we have
granted a general licence for the use of this Engine by any persons to whose
hands it may be transferred.
Send also a history of the Engine built by Bull & Murdock at
Pednandrea. Was it the first Engine at Poldice? or was there any Agreement for
it & what? State all you know about it. -''
AD1583/10/16 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding Gregory
Watt's recent accident
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Feb 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 12th Feb[ruar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho Feb[ruar]y 12th 1798
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have received your long letter which I intended to have answered
to day but find I have not time & am going from home to morrow for a day or two
- The letter is in general satisfactory. I thank you sincerely for your care of
Gregory, but would have been more obliged to you had you wrote to me as soon as
heard of the accident, I should have been easier in my mind than I was, for I
suspected the real fact or something worse, concealments occasion distrust on
other similar occasions, & I beg there may be no more of them & that you will
always let me know the worst, particularly at present inform me whether you
understand he has been hurt any where else or has any cough or pain in his side
or breast - I have thought much on Tom's case but can at present advise nothing
else but a sea voyage if his medical advisers see no harm in it. A sail of a few
hours could easily be tried & observations made on the consequences, on this
subject I shall write more fully, mean while with comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson &
family I remain
Dear Sir
Yours Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/10/17 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding charges for double engines, and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Feb 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 16th Feb[ruar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Soho 16
Feb[ruar]y 1798
Dear Sir
Please tell Mr. Lawson, if still with you that Mr. Weston has
nothing to add to the Instructions of which he is already in possession. -
The inclosed you will have the goodness to read & forward to
Gregory.
We by no means approve of your reasons for lessening the sum for
Double Working at Trescaw. It stands to reason that in every case where a double
power is at the disposal of the Adv[enture]'rs, they should pay double, and you
will in future take this mistake entirely upon your own shoulders, as we do not
in any shape approve of it.
I remain Dear Sir
Yours &c
J Watt
Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/18 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding Thomas
Wilson junior's illness, and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Feb 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 17th Feb[ruar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Heathfield Feb[ruar]y 17th 1798
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
In answer to yours of the 6th, I think your letter to Mr Townend an
exceedingly proper one, only you need not have mentioned your tears, T.
is not a man to be moved by them he is more firm, I expected to have heard from
him but there has been no letter & I think we shall not write to him, till the
time of payment approaches, if it shall be at all thought necessary.
I think you should send B[oulton]&W[att] your bond for the ballance
either payable by installments, or general as may suit you this will make
matters clear & prevent future uneasiness to both parties. I do not admire the
comp[an]ys generosity, but much was not to be expected from them, they probably
argued that they had been of use to you as well as you had been to them, & every
body is most convinced by the arguments on their own side of the question.
Had you reposed confidence in us sooner, the disagreable altercation
between you & us would have been totaly avoided, for we certainly were & are
your friends as much as any body could be, but we thought you used us ill &
could not help blaming your conduct in that affair. However the affair is over &
I am not disposed to open it again. I hope the whole will be for your good in
the end, & nothing is more pleasant than the getting quit of embarrassments
however disagreable the means may be & I expect & pray you may soon have that
satisfaction.
I am sorry you were so unfortunate with your summer drinks, but the
demand which caused the accident ought to afford you satisfaction & I hope will
repay you soon, a good cellar & I believe large casks are absolutely necessary
in that business.
I feel myself much obliged to you for your kind attentions to
Gregory, which I hope you will continue & give him as much business as he can
do, while he stays with you, he seems to take pleasure in attending the mines
which is well. I say no more to you on his accident but hope that whatever may
happen to him in future you will write to me immediately.
I am much concerned to see your accounts of Tom. In addition to the
trial of a sea voyage which I recommended the only other thing I can think of is
breathingoxygene air, provided he has no inflammatory symptoms. He should begin
with a dose of one pint of oxygene mixed with 20 or 30 pints of common air taken
twice a day, if this quantity produces no bad symptoms, the dose may be
encreased to a quart of oxygene & 20 quarts common air twice a day, & if that
produces no sensible effect he may take 3 of these doses daily.
As his disease seems to lie principaly in his bowels it has occurred
to me, that injections of oxygene air may be of use by stimulating them to
action, the air should be retained some time in the bowels that it may have time
to take effect. I believe no other air has been given in this way except fixed
air, which is said to have had very good effects in fever, I should however not
be afraid of any bad effects from oxygene provided there exists no inflammation
of any of the viscera & if there is any suspicion of such a cause of his
complaint I would try Hydrocarbonate air as an injection, which might probably
remove it. I should not have proposed the injections of these airs, had any of
the remedies he has taken seemed to reach the cause of his complaint, but as
that is not the case, any thing should be tried which has a chance of
succeeding.
With best wishes to Mrs Wilson & family in which Mrs W.
joins I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt
P.S. We
have received your favour of the 15th Inst[an]t and one from Mr. Tremayne of
the same date, announcing the Proposal of Poldice Adventurers to which we of
course accede, and you may settle the Account with the Purser at the stipulated
rate of 50 Guineas per Month. When this is done we shall transmit our
Instructions concerning Wh[ea]l Unity, of which, at present, you may say you
are uninformed. My father has received yours of the 16th Instant -''
[the
handwriting of the postscript is that of James Watt junior]
AD1583/10/19 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding Pednandrea, Maberley's Writ of Error, and other
matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Feb 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 22nd Feb[ruar]y 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
Soho 22 Feb[ruar]y 1798
Dear Sir
We have yours of the 18th to which have nothing to reply,
Pednandrea affair being now in a course of working. Lawson writes from Exeter on
the 20th Ins[tan]t whence, we infer he has reached town ere this. -
Please to say what are the points we have left unanswered, to which
you allude; upon a re-inspection of your late correspondence, I find nothing
that has been neglected.
Maberley, if he chose to indulge his Cornish Friends with a peep
behind the Curtain, could assign better reasons for the procrastination. It lies
entirely with him; & it is not in our power to accelerate his writ of Error,
which he has not yet applied for. -
I remain Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
J Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/20 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding Murdock's being needed at Soho, and other
matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Feb 1798
Dear
Sir
The present is merely to acknowlege receipt of your favour of 23rd
Inst[an]t covering your Bond for Fifteen Hundred Pounds. -
Upon the other parts of your letter, my father will write at his
first leisure being at present much engaged. -
Lawson was obliged to set out for Norwich immediately upon his
arrival in town, but is probably by this time returned & has compleated his
business.
We wish you to spirit up Murdock to use every exertion to get here as soon as he
can, for we are now very anxious to have our large boring rod at work, which
need not detain him long. -
We remain respectfully
D[ea]r Sir
Your ob[edien]t h[um]ble Serv[an]ts
for Boulton &
Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/21 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson acknowledging receipt of remittance from Poldice
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 Mar 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 2nd March 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho 2 March 1798
Mr. Wilson
Truro
Dear Sir
I write solely to acknowledge receipt of your favour of 26th
Ult[im]o covering remittance of £719. 12 [shillings]. 3 [pence] from Poldice,
which is at your credit. We shall thank you for a particular statement of the
Account as now closed. - In a few days you shall have our determination about
Wheel Unity. I am Dear Sir
sincerely yours
for Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/22 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding Mr Wilson's
share dividend
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Mar 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 5th March 1798
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho March 5th 1798
Mr Thomas Wilson
Dear Sir
By this day's mail we were favored with a letter from Geo[rge]
Townend Esq[ui]r[e] of York inclosing Garforth & Co[mpany]'s Draft value four
hundred & seven pounds eight Shillings & 6d [pence] being he writes ''for a
dividend of £100 p[e]r Share on your four Shares in Messrs Fenton & the
Yorkshire Copper Comp[an]y & 65 days In[teres]t thereof & for £3. 17. 6 more
paid by you for the Company'' - The reciept of said Remittance has been
acknowledged to Mr Townend & its am[oun]t carried to your Credit in liquidation
of your Acceptance transmitted herewith & seven pounds 8/- [shillings] 6 [pence]
additional -
Beging the favor of your advice when the present comes to hand.
We remain very respectfully
D[ea]r Sir
Your obed[ien]t humb[le]
Serv[an]ts
Boulton & Watt''
AD1583/10/23 Letter,
Trevithick to Wilson enclosing bills
Item
1 small sheet
Manuscript
8 Mar 1798
Endorsed: R[ichar]d Trevithick 8th Mar[ch] 1798
''Redruth March 8th 1798
Sir /
Enclosd you have two Bills Am[oun]t £30
D[itt]o
- [£]13. 12 [shillings]. 8 [pence] not having Bills for the exact Sum agreed on,
but will Settle in a future payment.
I am Sir your very H[um]ble
S[ervan]t
Rich[ar]d Trevithick''
AD1583/10/24 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson enclosing copy of letter to Reverend Tremayne
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Mar 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 8th March 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho 9th March 1798
Mr. Wilson
Truro
Dear
Sir
On the other side you have copy of a letter from us to Mr. Tremayne,
containing our determination to put Wh[ea]l Unity upon two thirds of the full
premium for a double 58. If you learn that this meets with his approbation and
is likely to be carried, you will see that a proper entry is made upon the books
according to the formula in your possession and get it signed by as many of the
Adv[enture]rs as are present. -
We shall not depart from this claim if therefore any opposition is
made, you will say, that our proposal, if not accepted, will be considered as
null by us.
We are very sincerely
Dear Sir
Your
ob[edien]t h[um]ble Serv[an]ts
for
Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r
Copy
The
Rev[eren]d Mr. Tremayne
Soho 8 March 1798
Dear Sir
We beg leave to express our grateful acknowledgem[en]t to you and
our other friends for the trouble you have so obligingly undertaken in bringing
our claims upon Poldice to a final settlement.
After so recent a proof of your kind attention to us, we feel much
regret that the particularity of our situation should oblige us to withold our
assent to a proposal coming from you; but we are persuaded you will give a
favourable interpretation to our motives, when you weigh impartially all the
circumstances of the case of Wh[ea]l Unity. The Adv[enture]rs in that mine,
considered as a body, have certainly no claims upon our generosity either in
regard of their past treatment of us, or of the present situation of the Mine.
The motives which induced us to favour Poldice Adv[enture]'rs do not therefore
here apply; and it was with a view of making what appeared to us a proper
distinction between the two cases, that we have hitherto kept them separate, as
you may have perceived by our correspondence with Mr. Vivian on that subject.
If it were not for the sake of yourself, Mr. Vivian & a few others,
we should not think ourselves justified in asking less than the full premium
from Wh[ea]l Unity, but considering you as parties interested, we are willing to
put this Mine upon the footing of the two thirds Premium, which is as great a
concession as we ever made to any mine similarly situated. -
We hope this will give you and our other friends satisfaction, in
which case, we must beg the favour of you to get an entry made to that effect
upon the Mine Books, which Mr. Wilson will sign on our behalf. -
We are with great regard
&c &c
B[oulton]&W[att]. -''
AD1583/10/25 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding amendments to the agreement with Richard
Trevithick
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Mar 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 22nd March 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
Soho 22nd March 1798
Dear Sir
We duly received your favour with Copy of the proposed Agreement
with Trevithick, but have hitherto been prevented from delivering our sentiments
upon it by more urgent business. - We wish you in the first place to substitute
the title of ''Engineers'' in the Preamble in lieu of that of Esquires to which
we have no pretensions.
Secondly, Instead of ''who are possessed of an exclusive privilege &c''. - read
''in whom the exclusive privilege of a method of saving steam & fuel in fire
Engines is vested by Act of Parliament for a limited time''
Thirdly: towards the end of the Agreement, you make a covenant to allow
Trevithick the liberty of working the Engine singly either on Dingdong Mine
or any other Mine whatsoever to the end of our term. Now, we always reserved
to ourselves the power of preventing him from erecting his Engines upon any
Mines with which we were in dispute and we by no means intend to relinquish this
reservation being fully aware of the bad consequences which must ensue to our
Interests. We therefore desire the clause may be altered thus. ''It shall & may
be lawfull unto & for the said R[ichard].T[revithick]. &c to use & work the said
Steam Engine of 28 Inches Diameter in the Cylinder now working on Dingdong Mine
aforesaid for so long as the said Engine shall continue to work single or by
steam pressed on one side of the piston only , on the said Dingdong Mine, or on
any other mine whatsoever: with the exception of such mines with which the
said Boulton & Watt are now in litigation, or which have withheld the Premiums
claimed by them'', &c as you have it. This is the idea which Mr. Warren will
no doubt be able to express better. -
4. We wish also to have a proviso inserted at the end, that nothing herein said,
is meant to refer to the double working of the said Engine and that in
case of the said R.T. wishes to apply the steam to both sides of the Piston,
another Agreem[en]t must be entered into. -
What
you about Poldice is sufficiently satisfactory for the present. We think you
should make no mention of our concession to Wh[ea]l Unity, until the affair has
been brought forward by Mr. Tremayne. -
We are much concerned to hear of your indisposition, which we hope is by this
time removed. - Pednandrea business comes on in Chancery this day and we trust
will be favourable. -
When you are perfectly recovered, we shall be glad to learn that you
have concluded the affair of Entries in the Mine Books for the different Engines
now erecting or erected. If a clause could be inserted in these entries to
prevent the removal of the Engine without our permission it would give us
pleasure. -
Nothing further occurs at present but remain with best wishes in
haste
Dear Sir
Your ob[edien]t
h[um]ble Serv[an]ts
for
Boulton & Watt
J Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/26 Letter, Boulton to Wilson introducing Mr
Deriabin from Siberia
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Mar 1798
Endorsed: Mr Boulton March 28 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho March 28 - 1798
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson
Dear Sir
This letter will presented to you by my Friend Mr Deriabin a
Gentleman of Letters from Siberia who has resided a few Months at Birmingham &
is most particularly & justly recommended to me by the Ministers of the Emperor
of Russia. Mr Deriabin means to make the tour of Great Britain in persuit of
Knowledge particularly Minerology & Natural History as well as to see the most
remarkable Mines of every kind.
I therefore most earnestly recommend Mr Deriabin to your favour & protection &
beg you will point out to him every object in Cornwall worth his attention in
the line of his persuit, & assist him by every means in your power in the
accomplishing of his Views there being no danger of the Siberian Mines ever
Clashing with the Cornish Mines.
I have given Mr D[eriabin]: letters to Mr P. Rashley [Rashleigh] Mr Edwards,
Messrs Fox's & I also beg Mr Will[ia]m Murdock would accompany him into Polgooth
& some other of the most interesting Mines.
I have been honourd with a letter under the hand of his Imperial Majesty, & I
have been requested By his Britanick Majestys Ministers to shew all proper
attention to the desires of the Emperor & I beg you will assist me in so doing.
Although Mr Deriabin is a Foreigner I know him to be a friend of this Country &
I will be answerable for his Conduct in in every respect.
Every Civility shewn to Mr Deriabin I shall consider as conferd on
Dear Sir
Your faithfull friend
Matt[he]w Boulton''
AD1583/10/27
Letter, Watt junior
to Wilson enclosing letter to Gregory Watt
Item
2 folios
Manuscript
28 Mar 1798
AD1583/10/27/1 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson requesting Herland account
Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Mar 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 28th Mar[ch] 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho 28 March 1798
Mr. Wilson
Truro
Dear
Sir
We learnt from Mr. Weston by the same post which brought us your
favour of the 24th that he had stopped Jonathan Hornblowers progress for the
present, and will oblige him to declare to the Attorney General what the nature
of his Invention is. We need not add that if it clashes with ours, there will be
an end of it altogether. -
Before we make any reply to the application of Herland Adventurers,
we desire to have a statement of our Account from the beginning with them. You
will state the particulars of the sums given up by us, the amount of their
present debt & what they are bound to pay in future.
We perhaps might collect these particulars by reference to letters,
but it would be a work of time and you probably have the facts present to your
recollection.
The inclosed please to forward immediately to Gregory. I
am D[ea]r Sir
Yours
faithfully
for Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/27/2 Letter,
Watt junior to G Watt regarding injunctions to be served on Carpenter and Franco
Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Mar 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt Mar[ch] 28 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Gregory Watt
''Mr.
Gregory Watt
Truro
Soho 28 March 1798
Dear Gregory
The Injunction against Carpenter is obtained, but the utmost secrecy
is ordered by Mr. Weston until it can be drawn out & send down to be served,
which will be in a day or two. For this reason I have not mentioned it in my
letter to Mr. Wilson of this date, least it should somehow get wind. The object
is to keep Mr. Carpenter unapprized lest he should secrete himself and render it
difficult for him to be served. - You will therefore do well on receipt of this
to go to Truro & wait there the arrival of the Injunction. You will then concert
with Mr. Wilson the best means of securing the service of it, either by Mr.
Warren, or any other person better adapted for the office. This done, you may
apprize Murdock. Mr. Franco the rich Jew, will be served at the same time in
London. You will keep spies upon the Engine & if it works after the service of
the Injunction procure such evidence as can be made matter of Affidavit, upon
which we can ground an application to Chancery to commit the body of Mr.
Carpenter to his Majesty's prison of the Fleet by Attachment.
But should Mr. Carpenter attempt the more prudent course of
effecting a compromise, you & Mr. Wilson are hereby given positively to
understand that we shall not now accede to the payment of even the full monthly
premium, but that we must have the lump sum of £800 paid down. This you will
insist upon in the first instance, but you have a latitude given you to accept
of it in Instalments bearing Interest, Mr. Carpenter & Mr. Franco entering into
Bond for the same, or securing the payment by accepting bills or promissory
Notes. - Carpenters bonds or Notes we suppose are of themselves worth nothing,
and if so the additional security of Franco, or some monied man among the
Adventurers must be had. The Instalments to be all made payable in one
twelvemonth at farthest. Upon receipt of such bonds, bills or Notes, we shall
grant a licence in due form.
I am D[ea]r Gregory
Yours affectionatly
J Watt
Jun[io]r
P.S. I
have given a letter of Introduction to you to Mr. Deriabin a Russian Gentleman
sent over by the Emperor to superintend a Mint now preparing by Mr. Boulton for
him. He is a scholar of the celebrated Werner and a very able Mineralogist as
well as an agreable man. You will do well to cultivate his acquaintance.
My father gets better though slowly. Tell Murdock he must positively
be here by the middle of April & get him to fix it so.''
AD1583/10/28 Letter,
Watt junior to G Watt regarding Pednandrea mine, Redruth
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
29 Mar 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt Mar[ch] 29 1798
''Soho 29 March 1798
Dear Gregory
In addition to the Instructions conveyed in my letter of Yesterday
respecting Penandrea, you will observe that the repayment of all our law
expences incurred on this occasion must be stipulated for & even made a sine qua
non of the Agreement, such Expences not to be taxed, but to be taken as between
Attorney & Client according to our actual disbursements. -
We wish you to take an early opportunity of seeing R. Mitchell &
learning from him what progress is making in the large Engine for United Mines,
whether the Castings are ordered & where? - We do not proceed in that business
until it is become a little riper, but we wish to be kept informed of what is
going on.
I remain Dear Gregory
Yours affectionately
J Watt Jun[io]r
My
father continues mending''
AD1583/10/29 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding payments due from the Herland Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Apr
1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 13th Ap[ri]l 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
Soho 13 April 1798
Dear Sir
Annexed you have Copy of a letter to Mr. Carne sent by this post. -
We shall not grant any concessions until the Arrears are paid up, as they appear
to make a practice of letting the Premium accumulate for the express purpose of
begging it off. Requests for Abatements to B[oulton]&W[att] were always founded
in Injustice and in my opinion always granted with impolicy. - As the term draws
nearer to a conclusion, the impolicy of granting them diminishes, but the
Injustice of asking pecuniary concessions increases. The Lords may very well
afford to give up their dues for 18 Months from the prospect of future
advantage; they know if they did not give up a part, the whole would be lost
until another set of Adventurers could be found to take up the Mine. That is not
our Case, if the Engines stopped there; they would work somewhere else and the
whole of our Interest in the prosperity of the Mine does not amount to more than
a couple of Years, after which (as they very well know) they will be freed
entirely from the charge of Premium. We think it is highly unfair to ask of us
to give up so large a part as a fourth of our future Interest and from a
consideration of all the circumstances we are not disposed to concede more than
three Months Premium, unless a proposition were made for the payment of the
remainder in a lump sum now. We have no objections to your stating these to
Carne as being our Sentiments, but the payment of all arrears must precede any
Concession.
We must beg of you to get the Agreem[en]ts for Prince William Henry
& Wh[ea]l Jewel West immediately entered upon the Mine Books. We are not willing
that Murdock should proceed with either until that is done. We have recommended
the Wh[ea]l Fortune Adv[enture]'rs to Messrs Weston, from whom you will probably
hear shortly. - The Wh[ea]l Abram Agreement should also be entered into the
Books without farther delay & payment be procured upon it up to this time. Mr.
Kevill will certainly not object. -
I remain Dear Sir
Your ob[edien]t h[um]ble
Serv[an]t
for B&W
J Watt
Jun[io]r
P.S.
upon farther consideration I inclose the letter to Carne. If the word
''repeatedly'' in the second line is wrong, please to strike it out before you
send the letter.
Copy
Mr.
Carne
Soho 13 April 1798
Sir
From the great Concessions we have repeatedly made to the Herland
Mine, both you & the Adv[enture]rs must be fully convinced of our disposition to
befriend them. - When we made the last very considerable allowance, we flattered
ourselves that we had satisfied your wishes, and that considering the short
duration of our unexpired term, nothing farther could with Justice be expected
from us or would be asked. - We however notice with regret that the Payments
have not been made to us as then stipulated and that nearly £600 is at this
moment due. - Previous to making any farther concessions, we shall certainly
expect the Accounts to be ballanced up to the end of the present Month, and we
shall communicate to Mr. Wilson our Instructions in what way he is to act when
that is done. -
We are respectfully
&c &c
for B&W
J
W Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/10/30 Letter, M R Boulton and Watt junior to Wilson regarding draft from
Garforth & Co
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Apr 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 18th Ap[ri]l 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr T
Wilson
Soho April 18 1798
D[ea]r Sir
We have been favored with a letter from Mr Townend of which you have
a copy annexed - Its contents viz Garforth & Co[mpany]'s draft value four
hundred & five pounds fourteen Shillings have been duly passed to your credit &
the receipt of it acknowledged to Mr Townend -
We remain
Dear Sir
Your obed[ien]t humb[le]
Serv[an]t
for Boulton &
Watt
M: Rob[inso]n Boulton
(Copy)
D[ea]r Sirs
Inclosed you will receive Garforth & Co's Draft, value four hundred
& five pounds 14/- [shillings], for a further Dividend of one hundred pounds
p[e]r Share on Mr Thom[a]s Wilson's four Shares in the Yorkshire Copper
Comp[an]y & one hundred & four Days In[teres]t thereon which you will please to
place to his Acc[oun]t & advise him there of -
Signed Geo[rge] Townend
York 11th April 1798
P.S.
Please to draw out a continuation of the Statement sent in 1794 of the History
of the Cornish Engines. I will thank you to bring it down to the present time.
You need not copy over again what was formerly written.
J W Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/10/31 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson enclosing letter to Wheal Fortune Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Apr 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt April 27th 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Soho 27 April 1798
Dear Sir
We are instructed by Mr. Weston to write the inclosed letter to the
Adv[enture]'rs in Wh[ea]l Fortune. You will have the goodness to let it be
delivered into the hands of Cap[tai]n Cornish by some person who can attest the
delivery. -
A Bill is prepared in Chancery against them & their answer to this letter, or
their neglect of answering it, is all that is wanting to compleat the measure of
their iniquity. -
I am truly
Dear Sir
Yours faithfully
J Watt
Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/10/32 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding Herland, and other mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Apr 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 27th Ap[ri]l 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
Soho 27 April 1798
Dear Sir
After the fullest consideration of the Herland affair, it appears
to us that we ought not to concede the three months without a certainty of
payment of the arrears now due, as past experience shews pretty strongly that
concessions made by us have no tendency to promote punctuality. However, we
shall be satisfied with Mr. Carnes Bond or Bill payable the 1st of August for
the arrears due to the end beginning of May and on such, or other equivalent
security being given to you, we agree to give up our dues during the Months of
May, June & July. -
We wish either you or Gregory to wait upon Mr. Kevill Sen[io]r or
Jun[io]r & to press the entry of an Agreement upon the Mine books and also to
urge payment of what is due. It must be stated to them that in making a
reduction of 1/3 Premium in the first Instance, we meant to do away all the
usual allowances for forking &c and that We hardly think it fair considering the
shortness of our remaining term & the scanty pittance acruing to us, that any
diminution should be asked. It certainly will not be granted, be the event what
it will and we have a right after all this delay, to expect a speedy & a
decisive answer.
We are going to be very troublesome to some of your Cornish
neighbours this term & they probably may yet live to ascertain the truth of the
old adage, that honesty is the best policy.
I presume you have received our letter acknowledging receipt of the
money from Mr. Townend; indeed upon referring to your favour of the 23rd (which
I had mislaid) I find you say so.
You have not given the dates of removals & new erections so
accurately as in your former list, this I shall be obliged to you to do, if you
have the materials; Please also to send a compleat list of the Engines now
working & of those lying idle & saleable. - We cannot find out what Engines have
been taken for Wh[ea]l Jewel West & Prince W[illia]m Henry. Can you or Gregory
procure us information of the progress making at United Mines. I have received
G[regory]'s letter of the 18th Inst[an]t but he gives no information whether the
castings are ordered and in what state of forwardness? - It is material that Mr.
Weston should be written to upon this head. -
We must consider of some arrangement for John Lander, but would wish him to be
kept employed in Cornwall until we can see Mr. Murdock & settle something
decisive. -
Please forward the inclosed with such extracts from this letter as
you think proper. -
My father recovers now very rapidly from his accident, which has
been a very unpleasant one. We shall be happy to hear a good Account of your own
health and of Toms, to whom & to the remaining branches of your family, the
writer begs to be particularly remembered. - Being faithfully
Yours
J Watt
Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/10/33 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding recent
business
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Apr 1798
''London 28 April 1798
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson
Dear Sir
Be assured my long silence arises from no other Cause than from the
impossibility of doing all those things which I have undertaken to do & from the
want of two heads & 2 pair of hands. If it will be any consolation to you I can
with truth assure you that the state of my correspondence with all those
friends, to whom I write with my own hands, is exactly similar with yours, &
even the Ladies complain of me: but tis better to neglect words than things. I
am now engaged in the Service of three Crown heads as well as enlisted in 2
Corps of Cavalry & one of Infantry. I am also Erecting a superb Mint at St.
Petersburg upon my own Plan which Covers near 2 Acres of Ground & requires
(particularly the internal part of it) much midnight oyl as all is totaly new -
I am now summonsd to Town by our Privy Council to assist them in a Reform in the
English Mint which will confine me here about 8 days longer but we can
never make it equal to the Russ Mint, the plan of which has been layd before ye
P[riv]y Council & Expl[ain]d.
I have taken the liberty of giving a letter of recommendation & introduction to
my Friend Mr Deriabin whom I expect will present it to you in few days. This
Gent[lema]n is a Native of Siberia & extreamly well informd in Mines &
Minerology & is sent by the Emperor to transact some business with me; as well
as to make a tour through great Britain, as he has already done through the most
remarkable Mineral Countries of Europe, & as I will answer for his not takeing
away any of the Cornish Mines, I hope my Friends will not obstruct his pleasure
in seeing them, & I will thank you & W[illia]m Murdock to direct & assist him in
obtaining the inspection of some of the most important. If he should want any
money I beg you will furnish him under my Guarantee -
I hope your Son Will[ia]m goes on as much to your satisfaction in
Cornwall as he did to mine at Soho. Give him work enough, keep him constantly
employd, & he will do well: but I fear he scarcely took time enough in London to
gain all the necessary knowledge & Experience to be the Prime Conductor of a
Brewery: at present, however, I hope he gaind knowledge sufficient to improve
your Brewery, & make it profitable to you & himself.
In regard to your transactions with Mrs. Matthews you would not
wonder at my Silence if you were acquainted with sundry other circumstances of a
similar nature that have occurd to me in the Cource of the present year
all which have arisen from Friendly & not Commercial motives, such as
Holbrook desired to draw in that way for 200£ but it soon encreased to 3 & then
to 4 to 5 to 6 & even to double that sum & there I put a dead Stop 1200£.
Jac & Eginton whom I have done many kind things for begd an indulgence to the
extent of 300 but they crope on to 900 & then one dyed & the other became
Bankrupt 900[£].
Chipindale, whom you know, insensebly got into his hands our Money & then Stopt
& cannot pay 5 p[e]r Cent 2000[£].
a Mr Gray in London an old fr[ien]d & Correspondent has made a dead stop & will
not pay 2/[shillings] 6 [pence] in ye £ owing to me 800[£].
One of my oldest friends at Amsterdam has had such a fraternal Squeese by the
french that he, within ye Past Month, is gone - 750[£].
As I have lost all my Continental Trade except at Hamburgh I have lately done
much there but my Agent advises that it is now on a very precarious footing -
Although I could not bring my self to say no to you, yet from such a
train of discouraging circumstances you will not wonder that I was backward in
saying yes & more particularly so when you take into consideration the
very precarious state of the Kingdome & even of the Bank & all other property. I
therefore beg you will not extend an Acc[oun]t that is in itself ruinous, but on
the Contrary I hope you will adopt such plans as will enable you to annihilate
it in a short time, for the sake of your own peace as well as mine & Mrs.
M[atthe]ws for she doth not like it. -
I observe by the Tickiting papers that the Standard price of Copper has lately
risen which I presume is in some degree owing to the Mines being obstructed by
the Winter Water & if that is ye sole cause I presume the price will now lower
again pray what is your opineon.
I shall be happy to hear that Mrs. Wilson is in good health that Tom is recoverd
& beg you will remember me kindly to W[illia]m & all your family remaining ever
Dear Sir
Your faithfull friend
Matt[he]w Boulton
present
my Love to Gregory & assure him I am happy to learn he is so perfectly well''
AD1583/10/34 Account of Boulton & Watt engines working in Cornwall
Item
1 large folio
Manuscript
3 May 1798
Endorsed: Acc[oun]t of B[oulton]&W[att]s Engines working in Cornwall
1798
''Truro May 3rd 1798
Messrs Boulton & Watt
Gentlemen / Above you have Mr. Murdocks A[ccoun]t
C[redi]t which he has furnished me with this day, which you will be pleased to
say whether I am to settle with him, he desires me to say that he waits your
further orders whether he is to come to Soho; as he is apprehensive if he does,
the Adv[enture]rs of the Mines for whom he has Engines building & ordered, will
employ Trevithick, particularly Wh[ea]l Jewel & Prince W[illia]m Henry or new
Reskeare 37,16, Wh[ea]l Susan & removing Wh[ea]l Ramoth to Herland.
With Mr. Murdocks assistance you have the best Acc[oun]t we can give of your
Engines in this County, numbered the same as in the former list -
No 1 Chacewater 30 inch stopt at Poldory in Dec[embe]r 1794, sold to
Wh[ea]l Susan Adv[enture]rs to be built on that Mine near Godolphin -
2, Ting Tang 52 in[ch] at Wh[ea]l Rose, Cy[linde]rs Piston &c
remaining, I am commission'd by Mr W[illia]ms to say will be sold cheap -
3, Kestal Adit 63, remains working on Wh[ea]l Rose -
4, Chacewater 63, entirely annihilated -
5, Hallamanin 40, this Engine stopt at Wh[ea]l Treasury in Dec[embe]r
1793, but was removed to another situation on the same Mine, & set to work in
July 1795, where it continues workt.
6, Wh[ea]l Chance 63, stopt at Polgooth in Oct[obe]r 1796, & one of
66 ordered for Poldice, now working in its place -
7, Poldice 63 No.1 stopt in Agust 1795, sold to Wh[ea]l Treasure and
went to work on Bull's plan about the 18th of April last -
8, Poldice 63 No.2 sold to Penandrea, set to work Oct[obe]r 1797 -
9, D[itt]o 63 No.3 Cy[linde]r destroyed, a 64 new is working at
Herland with part of the Materials of the old one -
10, D[itt]o double 24 sold to Wh[ea]l Gorland, set to work March 1796
and still at work there -
11, D[itt]o D[itt]o 58 working on Acc[oun]t of Wh[ea]l Unity, since
Jan[uar]y 1797 -
12, Ale & Cakes 58 working but about to be replaced by one of 64 inches
-
13, Poldory 48 stopt Dec[embe]r 1794, replaced by one of 60 inches
formerly Pool, afterwards Chacewater, old 48 Cy[linde]r worn out -
14, D[itt]o 45 working at Cupboard from its first erection -
15, D[iyy]o 45 double working at Ale & Cakes D[itt]o -
16, Tresavean 28 rebuilt & set to work on Wh[ea]l Peever Mine Xmas
1794, where it continues to work -
17, Wh[ea]l Treasure 36 in[ch] working at Wh[ea]l Crenver, with 1 of 60
in[ches] in the same House -
18, Dolcoath 63 continues working at Wh[ea]l Gons -
19, Pool 60 working since Dec[embe]r 1794 at Poldory -
20, Consol[idate]d Mines Elvan 58 stopt in Sept[embe]r 1797 -
21, D[itt]o East 56, now fitting up to be removed to West Wh[ea]l
Virgin -
22, Wh[ea]l Maid East 58 removed to Wh[ea]l Virgin East in the place of
the above 56, went to work in Sept[embe]r 1797 -
23, Wh[ea]l Maid West 50, idle in the same house with the Elvan -
24, West Wh[ea]l Virgin 52 working, but to be replaced by the east
W[heal] V[irgin] 56 as above -
25, Wh[ea]l Maid d[ou]ble 63 working -
26, Wh[ea]l Virgin 20 double working at Wh[ea]l Jewel -
27, Wh[ea]l Crenver 48 stopt at Godolphin Dec[embe]r 1794, & was set to
work on Herland Mine in June 1795 where it still continues -
28, Wh[ea]l Crenver 60 working in the same house with 36 W[heal] J[ewel].
29, Trevaskus 45 stopt at Halebeagle Dec[embe]r 1796, removed to new
Brigan & set to work there Dec[embe]r 1797 -
30, Polgooth 58 Cockshead, used occasionaly -
31, North Downs 45 double, Briggan working -
32, D[itt]o 42 D[itt]o, Lemons Shaft D[itt]o -
33, Wh[ea]l Maid 18 rotative sold to NA Co[mpany] & resold by them to
Herland, set to work by them in May 1797 to draw Ores -
34, Crane double 14¾ stopt at Wh[ea]l Carpenter in Dec[embe]r 1796,
since sold to the United Mines & set to work in April last -
35, Wh[ea]l Towan 18 d[ou]ble sold to Mr. Morris at Swansea -
36, Wh[ea]l Mount 20 D[itt]o working at Beerferris since August 1797
for Mr. Crawshaw -
37, Wh[ea]l Reeth 20 D[itt]o stopt at Wh[ea]l Jewel west in Jan[uar]y
last and sold to Mr. Jno [John] Williams now laying idle on Wh[ea]l Jewel Mine
in Gwenap -
38, Prince George 20 D[itt]o working at Seal hole -
39, Hallamanin 60 sold to Wh[ea]l Ramoth, & set there to work in
Dec[embe]r 1796, stopt in Jan[uar]y 1790 sold to Herland Adv[enture]rs where it
is now building -
40, Wh[ea]l Butson 36 stopt at the Bog in May 1793, sold to Wh[ea]l
Fortune and set to work in Nov[embe]r 1796, where it continues working -
41, Herland 64 mentioned before, in the place of Poldice No 3 -
42, Hewas 45 double stopt in Jan[uar]y 1798, rebuilt at Treskow and set
to work the 21st April last -
43, Cardrew Downs double stopt in March 1796 & remains on the Mine Idle
-
T[homas]:W[ilson]: believes the above acc[oun]t is perfectly correct, the only
Engines which are idle, are at the consolidated mines, & I could get no answer
whether to be sold or not, Cardrew is intended to draw ore at North Downs, & the
small engine from Wh[ea]l Jewel bought by J Williams is intended for the same
purpose at Wh[ea]l Jewel in Gwenap, or North Downs -
44, Cooks Kitchen 36 Inches set working May 1793.
45, Halebeagle new 52 Double D[itt]o Dec[embe]r 1796''
AD1583/10/35 Letter,
Westons to Wilson regarding injunction against Wheal Fortune Adventurers
Item
folio
Manuscript
5 May 1798
Endorsed: A J & G Weston 5th May 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Thomas Wilson
Truro
Sir,
We have received your letter of the 1st instant, & have had an
opportunity of shewing it to Mr. Matt[he]w Robinson Boulton & Mr. Lawson & they
have explained to me that what you call & describe as an Engine of 64
inches diameter upon United Mines is only a new Cylinder of that size intended
to be applied to the old Engine & to replace the Cylinder of 58 inches which is
worn out. Therefore, when this new Cylinder is made use of, the Engine will
still be the same, with only an increase of power. I wish to know whether this
is the true way of understanding the matter; - and whether you understand
this increase of the power to be warranted by any agreement subsisting
between Messrs Boulton & Watt & the Adventurers in the United Mines. - We
conceive this increase of the power without a new Licence from B[oulton]&W[att]
constitutes an infringement of the Patent as much as the using of the small
Engine, which clearly is an infringement.
We have prepared a Bill for an injunction against the Adventurers in
Wheal Fortune Mine - and have it ready to be filed but we want to know the
Names of the Def[endan]ts the Adventurers. At present we know only of
Silvanus Jenkins & Mr. Edsell. The Christian name of the latter we are not
acquainted with. -
Therefore please to let us know as soon as you can the names of all
the Adventurers in Wheal Fortune.
We cannot get the order against the Penandrea Adventurers out
of the office owing to the fault of the Register. He promises fair, but does not
perform. From what we hear we are afraid the Engine, will stop of itself before
we get the injunction.
We are Sir
Your most obed[ien]t
Serv[an]ts
A J & G
Weston.
Fenchurch Street
5. May 1798.''
[the
handwriting is that of Ambrose Weston]
AD1583/10/36 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 May 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 9th May 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho 9th May 1798
Mr. Wilson
Truro
Dear
Sir
I have to acknowledge your favours of the 30th April, 1st & 3rd
Inst[an]t which are partly answered by my letters to my Brother.
Carne should be pressed for an Answer, as we positively will not
give up the three months unless we have security for the Arrears. Inclosed an
Account of £45. 9 [shillings] against Herland of which please procure payment.
Also an Account against North Downs, particulars of which need not, I think, be
delivered. You had best make the charge in one line ''for a set of nozzles
compleatly fitted with D[ou]ble sets of Valves &c £92. 15 [shillings]. 8
[pence].'' -
If Chasewater is erected at Wh[ea]l Susan, you must inform Mr.
Williams that the 2/3 say £8. 6. 8 admits of no modifications nor deductions
whatever. -
I thank you for your list of Engines which appears correct. I only
notice that you have omitted the time of erection of the new 52 D[ou]ble on
North Downs. -
I do not know any thing to say about the Wherry; I presume we shall
gain something by the Ores and at all events have the satisfaction of plaguing
our Brother Adv[enture]'rs & giving some mortification to our friend Jonathan.
By the Newspapers I see that Parson Cartwright has taken out a Patent for an
improvement on our Engines, by condensing in a separate vessel by the
External application of cold Water to the Condenser. - Much good may it do
him; he is in the high way to get acquainted with a Writ of scire facias.
We wrote a letter t'other day under Cover to Gregory to be delivered
to old Mr. Kevill, we rely upon that having been done, and if not done already
should not be delayed. The inclosed is in answer to one from his Son. -
As so much difficulty is likely to attend Murdocks leaving Cornwall
at present, we must make up our minds to flounder on as well as we can until
July; but for Gods sake, let us not be disappointed again. -
We have this morning received a letter from Mr. Townend covering
Garforth & Co[mpany]s D[ra]ft value £872. 5 [shillings]. - which he states as a
final Dividend of all the Money received, - amounting to £214. 5. 0 per Share &
130 days Interest thereof, since the 28th Dec[embe]r last on your five shares in
Fenton's & the Yorkshire Copper Company.
We have passed this sum to your Credit and have advised him of the
receipt. -
Please to send us an Account of Pearson's time & exp[ence]s at
Longmead & Co[mpany]s of Plymouth, as we wish to send in that Account. Please to
note also any monies advanced to him by them. - Murdocks account appears right
but I have not had time to examine it. -
I am D[ea]r Sir Yours faithfully
J Watt Jun[io]r.
P.S. Mr
Townend says the Company have a Security for £200 in the Swansea Harbour, which
is not yet saleable.
[marginal] I believe there are some acceptances of yours which should be
transmitted but I do not know where they are & Mr B[oulton] Junior who has had
the more immediate management of this business does not return home before the
end of the week -
[here
is given table of accounts for North Downs Adventurers, debtors to Boulton &
Watt, and for Herland Adventurers, debtors to Boulton & Watt]
AD1583/10/37 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding Maberley's Writ of Error
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 May 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 11th May 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho 11 May 1798
Mr. Wilson
Truro
Dear
Sir
In your list of Engines, I perceive no mention of Cooks Kitchen.
Please to fill up that deficiency. -
You will much oblige us by making out lists of Hornblowers & Bulls
Engines in the same manner. Great accuracy in point of Dates is not necessary,
but the removals should be ascertained. -
Maberley has at length reluctantly taken out his Writ of Error; by
his dilatory proceedings, he appears to have been laying himself open to
proposals from us, and most probably would rejoice at any Compromise which would
save the paym[en]t of the Great Costs of the Action. But we have no intention of
offering any such. - We are respectfully
Dear Sir
Your
ob[edien]t h[um]ble Ser[van]ts
for
B[oulton]&W[att]
J Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/38 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding Herland and Wheal Fortune mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 May 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 12th May 1798 -
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
Soho 12 May 1798
Dear
Sir
We have your favour of the 9 Inst[an]t covering India Bill for £400
from Carne on Account of Herland. In reply to his petition, you will please to
observe to him that there is upwards of £200 still unpaid, some security for
which, or the actual payment thereof, ought to precede the cessions of the three
months according to what we have formerly said. - We have no doubt that £200
would be more pleasing to the Adv[enture]rs than £180 & if the Arrears now due
are paid up in Cash, we are willing to gratify them, but not otherwise,
nor do we indeed consider the three months as given up until the terms of our
proposal are acceded to. -
In respect to Wh[ea]l Fortune, you will please to see the entry
properly made & a Copy of our letter inserted in the Mine Book; A Copy of the
Resolutions to be delivered you, as before directed in other cases & all Arrears
paid up. Payments in future to be Monthly, or at most quarterly at your
convenience. -
I have been fully explicit in my former letters with regard to the
conduct to be pursued by ourselves, you & Murdock in all cases of applications
for new Engines, or removals Viz that we will not stir a step in them until the
Ag[reemen]t is entered upon the Mine Book. You may write or say to Mr. James,
that such are our positive orders & decided determination in consequence of the
treatment experienced at Wh[ea]l Fortune. Mr. Murdock will have the goodness not
to give any drawings, nor be assisting in any way, until this necessary
preliminary is settled. - I am with true regard
Dear Sir
Yours Sincerely
f[o]r Boulton & Watt
J Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/39 Letters,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding Herland engine, and other matters
Item
2 folios
Manuscript
7-22 May 1798
AD1583/10/39/1 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding Herland engine
Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
22 May 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt May 22 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
May 22
1798
Dear
Sir
We are favoured with yours of the 18th & Gregorys of the 12th & 17th
Ins[tan]ts - We have also a letter from Carne accepting of our Terms for the
little Engine on Herland, but desiring us not to furnish duplicate racks &
valves for the nozzles & to deduct an allowance for them. When you see him, you
will please to inform him, that we did not include duplicates in the Estimate,
as he will see by referring to our Note of Particulars & consequently have no
deduction to make for not sending them.
Every thing at the Wherry reference appears to have been well
managed and you are entitled to our best thanks for your exertions.
If Franco wishes to settle for Pednandrea before the Law lays hold
of him, he must make up his mind quickly; nothing short of the full Sum demanded
for purchase of the Premium will be accepted. -
Inclosed we return your Acceptance for £1300, being paid within a
triffle.
I am in much haste.
Yours
faithfully
J Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/39/2 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding engine parts for the Herland Adventurers
Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
7 May 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 7 May 1798
''Boulton
& Watt will undertake to furnish the Adv[enture]'rs in Herland Mine with the
following Materials of an 18 Inch 4 feet stroke single Engine, delivered at
Birmingham for the sum of £189 payable in 3 Mo[nth]s from the date of delivery.
- viz,
1. Cylinder, its Top & plate; its Bottom, Gland, Brasses, screws &c compleat. -
2. Piston, its Cover & Spanners, Piston Rod, Cap & Cutters.
3. Air Pump; its Bucket & top & bottom Valves compleat Air pump bucket rod with
Cap & Bracket.
4. Perpendicular steam pipe & eduction pipe.
5. Nozzles compleatly fitted & Working Gear.
6. Condenser Vessel with Blow pipe & Blowing Valve, Injection Cock, rod handle &
Index.
7. Steam Case & Screws.
8. Barometer Pipe, Cock & scale & Steam Gage. -
Soho 7 May 1798. - for Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s
Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/10/40 Letter, Watt junior to Wilson regarding, Charles
Wilson, also New Roskear agreement
Item
folio
Manuscript
24 May 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt May 24 1798
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
Soho 24th May 1798
Dear Sir
We have received your favour of the 20th covering the New Reskear
Agreement, which appears right, and the Nozzles will immediately be put in hand.
If they wanted to have had them sooner, they should have got this business over
at an earlier date & not have delayed ordering the Nozzles until the other
Castings were ready. They cannot suppose that we shall let our other business
stand in order to accommodate them. -
The anxiety you express to have your son Charles placed under us,
renders it impossible for us to refuse compliance, although we do not feel
ourselves well calculated to restrain the sallies of Youth and perhaps our
situation upon the whole is not the best adapted for that purpose. But what we
can do, we will. We have not yet determined in what situation to place him; that
must be an after consideration, as well as the Salary to be allowed him. - It
will be proper you should impress him with the idea of this being a place of
work & not of idleness or dissipation, that we are naturally disposed to enforce
application & regular attendance & that you have begged of us to be strict with
regard to him. - We have no place in view to lodge him at present, but shall
cause enquiry to be made. -
You will please to settle Mr. Murdocks Account according to the
ballance delivered in & believe me to be
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
for Boulton & Watt
J Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/41 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding Wheal Susan, Wheal Fortune and Wheal Unity
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 May 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt May 26 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson, Truro
Soho 26 May 1798
D[ea]r
Sir
Yours covering Wh[ea]l Susan Ag[reemen]t and a remittance of £96
from Wh[ea]l Fortune is at hand. -
The Wh[ea]l Susan Ag[reemen]t is probably sufficiently valid, but we
should wish in future Erections where the Engine is not subject to previous
Ag[reemen]t containing a Clause to prevent the Removal of it without the consent
of B[oulton] & W[att], that a Clause to that purport should be inserted in the
Entry on the Mine Book. Mr. Weston thinks this would be an additional security
to ourselves. - When there is such a previous Ag[reemen]t it may be well to say,
that in other respects (besides the Prem[ium]) the Engine remains subject to the
conditions of such Ag[reemen]ts.
Wh[ea]l Fortune Adv[enture]'rs have certainly complied with the
Spirit, if not with the letter of our Demands. We have stated to Mr. Weston what
has been done & if he is satisfied, we are so likewise. -
It will give us pleasure to receive the arrears of Wh[ea]l Unity,
but if accompanied with an Entry in the Book, they would be doubly welcome. -
I set out tomorrow upon a Journey Northwards & am truly
Yours
for Boulton & Watt
James
Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/42 Letter, Tremayne to Wilson regarding Wheal Unity
and the Poldice Meeting
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
31 May 1798
Endorsed: Mr Tremayne May 31st 1798
Addressed to: To, Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, at Truro
''Heligan 31st May 1798
Sir -
I received your Letter and am sorry that my Endeavours to settle
the Wh[ea]l Unity business sh[oul]d meet with such Opposition as I c[oul]d
hardly expect. The Majority were certainly of my Opinion at our Poldice Meeting
at Truro. I had replied to Mr. W[illia]m Pauls Letter giving me an acc[oun]t of
the business, before I heard from you. I have desired from him an early Answer,
having delayed my writing to Messrs Boulton & Watt - till I am better informed.
I am
Sir
Your most obed[ien]t h[um]ble
Serv[an]t
H Hawkins Tremayne''
AD1583/10/43 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding injunctions
against United Mines and Pednandrea
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
1 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt June 1st 1798
Addressed to: Mr T Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho June 1st 1798
Mr T Wilson
Dear Sir
Your letter & a transcript of the entry made in Wh[ea]l
Fortune Books have been submitted to Mr Weston's consideration & you have below
a copy of his observations thereon - You will please to furnish us with any
particulars that may tend to satisfy his doubts upon this case.
You will probably be in possession of the injunctions ag[ains]t
United Mines & Penandrea before this reaches you. When R Mitchel is served you
should take an opportunity of explaining to him that he has been included from
friendly & not hostile motives - It will deprive the Adven[ture]rs of any
pretext of ill will against him for refusing to finish the new Engine as his
conduct will no longer be optional in this respect but regulated by higher
Authority than Messrs Reed Daniel & Co[mpany]'s -
A letter from Messrs Foxes to the purport you intimated has been recieved, but
they must surely entertain feeble expectations of our acceeding to terms which
were refused before we were in possession of an injunction - our answer will be
sent in a few days & a copy of it transmitted for your govern[men]t by the same
post, in the interim let Mr Warren proceed to serve the injunction without any
regard to this circumstance -
We remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
Boulton & Watt
Extract from Messrs Weston's
letter
May 29th
1798 -
''In any ordinary case I should think this payment & the entry made
in the Mine Books sufficient to secure the payment of the future Monthly
premiums, but you have had so many saucy tricks practiced upon you that I can
hardly say that anything can make you secure except payment in a lump sum before
hand - I do not think the delivery of the Minute signed would have much
mended your situation if it had been obtained - Next to actual payment security
by a bond or note for payment of a certain sum by installments would be
desirable - in which way of paying allowance might be made for the probability
of the Engines ceasing to work, which might I suppose be easily calculated now,
the remainder of the term being so short as to admit of applying foresight to ye
whole period yet to come - Mr Wilson must state how far he has bound you to
grant a Licence to these adven[ture]rs - If it is promised either expressly or
if the circumstances will warrant the inference that a licence was to be
granted, I fear there is no Remedy but such as the sense of honour of the
parties shall furnish - I am fearful the future payment will not be obtained in
case Mr Wilson by accepting the arrears has bound you to an implied grant of a
licence -''
[the
handwriting is that of Matthew Robinson Boulton]
AD1583/10/44 Letter, G Watt to Wilson regarding his plans
to leave the county
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Greg[or]y Watt June 6 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro -
''Dear
Sir
Mr Deriabin does not mean to leave this Part of the county till the
25th. I have determined to give up all thoughts of going with him. I shall be at
Truro on Saturday and Sunday and go early the ensuing week - Charles may
therefore hold himself in readiness.
I am your obliged Humble Servant
G Watt
Redruth June 6th 1798''
AD1583/10/45 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding injunctions
against Pednandrea Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
10 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt June 10th 1798
Addressed to: Mr T. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho June 10th
1798
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
We notice from your favor of the 5th Ins[tan]t that R Mitchel is
not included in the injunction transmitted by Messrs Westons. He has been
unintentionally excluded from the company of the Adven[ture]rs & we have
urgently requested them to rectify the mistake if it can be done without the
time & trouble of obtaining a new order - We understand Mr Franco has been
served with the injunction & was very indignant upon the occasion, we hope to
learn from your next that his colleague Mr Carpenter has undergone a similar
ceremony - They must now consider that they have to deal with the L[ord]
Chancellor & that their contumacy will become the object of his animadversion.
Their motions should therefore be carefuly watched & in the event of their
manifesting a refractory disposition we shall take care to have them properly
represented to the Chancellor, who will not be inclined to suffer his orders to
be disregarded with impunity - We considered Messrs Foxes mediation in the same
light you have represented it & our answer has been framed accordingly - a copy
of it is annexed for your government in conversing with these Gentlemen upon
this topic -
We are expecting Messrs Weston's reply to your observations upon the
transactions at Wh[ea]l Fortune & if it contains any suggestions of moment they
shall be transmitted -
We observe your son's intention of forming a connexion with Mr Mudge
of Truro - Influenced solely by a regard to his welfare & prosperity, in the
event of it's being settled to your mutual satisfaction, the measure has our
entire concurrence & we very sincerely wish our friend the success, his Industry
& Assiduity so well deserve -
We hope also that the plan will be attended with every benefit to his health
which can be expected or desired & remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your
obed[ien]t humb[le] Serv[an]ts
Boulton & Watt
P.S.
You don't mention a syllable of the award in the case of the Wherry Mine - we
are curious to learn the issue of the business -
Mr
Boultons respects to Mr Wilson & begs to know if he has got an Assay made of the
bit of Ore sent by Mr Deriaban & the result thereof as he has promised to inform
Lord Dudass.
Mr B: is about agreeing w[i]th Messrs Fox's to take all their ♀ [the alchemical
symbol for copper] at a certain rate above ye average Stand[ar]d of each
Q[uarte]r & has proposed to leave it to Mr Wilson & Mr Christo to determine that
Standard.
[this
previous paragraph being written in the hand of Matthew Boulton]
(Copy)
Messrs
Foxes.
Soho June 25th 1798
Gentlemen
It is very far from our inclination to impute your interposition to
other than friendly motives, & in this view it will always ensure on our part
due regard & respect. - Our little personal knowledge of Mr. Franco must both to
you and him free our conduct from every imputation of a personal nature & prove
that the measures we have pursued were solely necessitated by what we conceived
a just regard to the protection of our property & the security of the right
granted to us by the legislature of the country. - Concieving that the whole
Circumstance of the case have not come to your knowledge we shall briefly relate
the outlines of the Transaction - The first letter from Penandrea Adven[ture]rs
was to say that unless we made considerable abatements from our monthly premium
they should erect other Engines. - This declaration was followed by their
erecting an Engine under the direction of Edw[ar]d Bull with various devices to
evade our patent till at length failing wholly in their attempts they had
recourse to the assistance of Mr Murdock who under a promise on their part to
accede to our terms, extricated them from their difficulties by remedying the
defects of the Engine - our demand with the reasons for stating it in the shape
of a lump sum appears in the annexed copy of our letter to Mr. Carpenter.
The Offer, notwithstanding the assurances given to Mr Murdock & Mr.
Wilson was rejected & they have since persisted to use our invention in defiance
of a formal notice to desist & in contempt of Mr Wilsons repeated intimations
that the consequences must be an application for an injunction which upon the
facts we have mentioned being stated to the L[or]d Chancellor was obtained and
this mark of the Chancellors approbation of the measures pursued by us we cannot
but regard as a confirmation of their equety -
We must observe to you in confidence that there has been an evident
want of candour in some persons concerned in the origin of this dispute & that a
spirit far from conciliatory has been manifested in the course of the
negotiation & which we fear is not likely to be influenced by - motion of Amity
- Some of the parties have we understand been served with the injunction and in
this stage of the business therefore we can only say that every attention shall
be paid to your mediation which the future conduct of the principals & agents
shall render possible -
We remain very respectfully
Gent[leme]n y[ou]r &c
(signed) Boulton & Watt''
AD1583/10/46
Letter, Weston to Wilson regarding injunctions against the Pednandrea
Adventurers Item 1 folio Manuscript 13 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston June 13th 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
Mr.
Thomas
Wilson
Fenchurch Street
13 June 1798
Sir
The
error in respect to sending the Writ to you; instead of Mr. Warren arose
from the over great haste of a young gentleman in the office, who supposed I had
written a letter to you about it - and my removal into the country for my health
at that time occasioned the mistake not being corrected.
In regard to what you suppose to have been an impudence in serving
Mr. Franco first, I see nothing in that - for if the Law is to be total Defiance
it may be done as well in the first instance as in the last. Supposing the
injunction served, of what avail would that be if an attachment could not be
executed, but at the peril of the officer's life?
If you will send me the materials for an affidavit of the threats &
declarations of resistance &c, I will find a way to come at Mr. Carpenter. Send
me also if you please the names of the principle Engine men, & those concerned
in working & repairing the engine - & you may be assured a remedy will not be
wanting for the Evil you appear so much to dread.
I am, Sir, Y[ou]r most obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
A. Weston.
[marginal] I hope you will be able to state circumstantially the threats - &
the names of the persons who threaten to oppose the officers employed to
serve the Writs.''
AD1583/10/47 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding injunctions against the Pednandrea Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston June 14 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Thomas Wilson
Sir,
I wrote you yesterday to which I beg leave to refer. From what you
say it is plain that Carpenter's design is to answer the bill, & then move to
dissolve the injunctions. This is the regular course, and is no way injurious to
us. The question will then come before the Court, and will be decided upon the
merits, which is all we can desire.
If he had been served with the injunction, & had immediately
proceeded to put in an answer, I do not think his continuing the working of the
engine till the Chancellor's pleasure could be known would have been considered
as so heinous a contempt as to subject him to an attachment. Indeed he need not
have been the acting party, for any other adventurer in the mine could have
taken him upon the continuing the working of the engine; - I mean any adventurer
not known to us at present & consequently not included in the injunction. Or Mr.
Franco might have eluded the injunction if Carpenter had been first served.
All this will end as it ought, if we have substantial grounds to go
upon, which is not quite clear as you well know.
It
ought to appear from Carpenter's answer whether Penrose is concerned in the mine
or not. In the mean time, from your information it would be wrong to serve him
with the injunction.
I wish it to be ascertained that threats &c are employed to prevent the service
of the writ. Let the facts on that head be ascertained upon oath. Mr. Franco
himself made a most improper declaration when he was served with the Injunction.
I observe the United Mines adventurers are disposed to come into
Terms. I rather think they only mean to gain time. I presume they are aware that
the business is not ended in which we are engaged with Hornblower & Maberly, and
they are probably looking to the issue of that business.
I am Sir
Y[ou]r
most obed[ien]t h[um]ble S[ervan]t
A Weston.
Fenchurch Street
14. June 1798.
There
is not any such place now as the St. Clements Coffee house to which you refer as
the house which Carpenter is probably come to. That coffee house is pulled down
in consequence of the improvements at Temple bar.''
AD1583/10/48 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding form of
negociations for future erections
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt June 14th 1798
Addressed to: Mr T. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho
June 14th 1798
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
Your favors of the 8th & 10th are at hand. The suggestions we have
to offer in regard to Carpenter's refractory proceedings have been communicated
to Mr Weston & we have therefore only to refer you to his instructions upon that
point. Our present will be chiefly confined to the consideration of the case of
United Mines - We beg in the first place to recall your attention our letter of
the 2nd June of last year -
You will see the settlement of the arrears there made a preliminary
to any negotiation for future erections & to this principle we mean to adhere &
as the overtures repeatedly made by us have never produced on their part
the least indication of a conciliatory disposition we shall in the present
instance follow in this respect a different line of conduct. If you are applied
to by the Adven[ture]rs to make or convey proposals from them we beg you to
inform them that you have none to offer from us till our former demands are
settled & that you have our positive instructions not to recieve any verbal
proposals or to convey any other than written ones authenticated by the
agent or purser of the Mine - The necessity of this precaution must be obvious
to you from the recent instances of retraction & prevarication in the case of
Wh[ea]l Fortune & others - By entirely disregarding verbal agreements & offers
our Cornish opponents have enjoyed great advantages in personal negotiation
& sensible of their superiority in this respect, they have constantly avoided
with the greatest caution committing themselves in black & white - Mr Daniel
practiced this artifice in his treaty with you upon the Consols settlement & the
same manuvre has been successively attempted by Trevithick Carpenter & the rest
of this honorable corps. Our situation however no longer requiring us to be the
dupes of it we should be worthy of such a treatment if from our long experience
we were not convinced of the necessity of guarding against it by requiring
written attestations of their acceptances or rejections throughout the course of
our negotiation - This plan we wish to be pursued in treating with the United
Mines & your observance of it will materially oblige us -
For our government you will please to furnish us with a copy of the
last Acc[oun]t delivered to the United Mines, with a statement of our demands
ag[ains]t them to this date made out upon the same footing - We much lament Mr
Kevil's fate, honest Men are not so numerous but that his loss will be
severely felt -
We remain
D[ea]r S[i]r Your obed[ien]t humb[le]
Ser[van]t
Boulton & Watt''
[the
handwriting is that of Matthew Robinson Boulton]
AD1583/10/49 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding the employment of Mr Warren
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston June 17 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Dear
Sir
I duly received Mr. Gregory Watt's Letter & have this morning
received your's of the 15th - I write this from Westminster Hall where I am
attending in expectation of Maberly's writ of error being argued. Therefore I
can only say that your communications are attended to. -
We should never have employed Mr. Warren if Mr. Edwards would have
done the business, in Boulton & Watt's concerns. Nothing but necessity obliged
us to have recourse to Mr. Warren, whom we must say we have found very attentive
& sufficiently intelligent.
I am D[ea]r Sir, y[ou]rs
sincerely
A
Weston.
Monday 17 June
1798''
AD1583/10/50 Letter,
Harris to Wilson regarding the Pednandrea dispute
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
18 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Jno [John] Harris June 18 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro
''Sir,
The Sum which you say Messrs Bolton & Watt expect to be paid by
Pednandrea Adv[enture]rs is so large that Mr Carpenter declares he cannot
consent to saddle himself & his Friends with it; he therefore intends to set off
for London to morrow morning for the purpose of preparing his C[ounter?].fence &
entertains no doubt of representing the Case so effectively to the Chancellor as
to dissolve the Injunction -
I am sorry an amicable Settlement cannot be effected, but at the
same time must observe that I think Messrs B[oulton].&W[att]s were rather hasty
in commencing their suit & that they are still unreasonable in expecting the
Gent[leme]n concerned in this Mine to pay a gross Sum at all Events whether the
Mine may answer or not which is contrary to their usual mode of dealing with the
proprietors of other Mines.
I am Sir
Your
obed[ien]t Ser[van]t
John
Harris
Falmouth
18th June 1798}''
AD1583/10/51 Letter, G Watt to Wilson regarding Charles
Wilson's employment, and various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt June 19 1798
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho June 19th 1798
Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson
Sir /
Wh[eal] Abraham business must for the
present be allowed to remain dormant. When Trevithick communicates to you the
result of his application to the adventurers please to inform us.
Nothing farther can be done respecting Wh[eal] Unity untill Mr. Tremayne's
answer to B[oulton]&W[att] letter is rec[eive]d.
Information must be obtained respecting the transactions at United Mines whether
they have or have not discontinued the working the Whim & the erection of the
new engine.
It is also necessary that measures be taken for procuring evidence
to the working of Pednandrea after the service of Carpenter in order to procure
the attachment against him. What will afford matter for such an affidavit the
Westons have been desired to inform you - If old Zackius Andrew has not yet been
personally served you should obtain information from the Westons whether it is
indispensibly requisite if so he must be served with another copy.
I remain
yours obed[ien]t Servant
for B&W
G Watt
[next
page]
Soho June 19th 1798.
Dear Sir /
Your son and myself arrived here safely yesterday morning - and had
the pleasure of finding all friends in good health. Charles stood the Journey
well and is in good spirits, His cough has rather abated & I hope will soon
leave him entirely.
He will be stationed in Mr. Formans counting house at first - till he knows
something of the nature of Business - We have found much difficulty in procuring
him lodgings but have at length suceeded. Mr. Forman will accommodate him with
lodging & Mr. Hodges will board him.
I have not yet made up the expence of the journey and therefore do not know how
much you are indebt to me but will send word next time I write -
There is no news of importance Mr. M R Boulton proposes writing to you in a few
days on business.
Please to remember me in the kindest manner to Mrs. Wilson Tom Peg & Mary &
believe me your
obliged & Humble Servant
G Watt
AD1583/10/52 Letter, G Watt to Wilson regarding Carpenter's
going to London
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Jun 1798
Endorsed: G Watt June 21 1798
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro. To be delivered To night -}
''Mr.
Tho[ma]s Wilson
Dear Sir
The bird is flown - Carpenter yesterday morning betook himself off
in a chaise for London - Intelligence should be sent to Westons of this - I did
not know it till late last night. All that can be done now is to serve Penrose -
Westons certainly were too early in serving Franco - Both should have been taken
on the same day & then no cross communication could be given.
I shall come to Truro on Sunday & probably Murdock also -
& send by Post - My Portmanteau - 3 Boxes.
Dont go quite mad - Franco clenches the nail - C[arpenter]. has nailed up the
doors & windows of the Engine house & no one is admitted. The men got orders to
remove all their cloathes from the boiler - as they would be seized by
B[oulton]&W[att]'s agents. Yours &c GW''
AD1583/10/53 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding costs arising from current legal causes
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston June 21 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Thomas Wilson
Sir,
I have not time to make out the Bill of Costs in the Cause against
Carpenter, but from former instances, I can ascertain that the Expences will be
from £70 to £90. If the Def[endan]ts will pay the former sum you may accept it
for the Costs in this cause.
The Cause in the King's Bench respecting the Validity of the Patent
will be argued probably tomorrow, but will not be determined then, as there will
be another argument next Term. We have no fear of success.
I am
D[ea]r Sir y[ou]r most obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
A Weston.
Fenchurch Street
21 June 1798.''
AD1583/10/54 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding the Pednandrea and Hornblower legal causes
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston June 22 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr
Thomas Wilson
Sir,
Our Adversaries Hornblower & Co[mpany] received a severe
mortification this day by having the argument on the writ of Error put off to
next Term. Delay is death to them, and yet they got a pretty smart
censure from the Court for bringing on the question at present, after having
done nothing since the Argument in the Common pleas upon Bull's case. For
the Court saw clearly that the present Agitators of the Question & those who
acted in Bull's Case are in fact at the bottom the same interest.
The Penandrea negotiation has ended a[this part missing]. It was
plain enough the Adventurers never meant to act bonā fide in their last offer
any more than in any of the former ones. I presume they have been looking to a
decision adverse to Boulton & Watt in Hornblower's Case. They will be
disappointed by what passed today.
I am, Sir,
Y[ou]r most
obed[ien]t S[erva]nt
A
Weston.
Fenchurch Street
22 June 1798.
Whatever you may think about B[oulton]&Watt's Terms &c in relation to Penandrea,
I presume you do not declare to them what you write to us.''
AD1583/10/55 Letter, G Watt and Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding the
Hornblower and Maberley case
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt June 14 1798
Addressed to: Mr Thom[a]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho June 24th 1798
Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson
Dear Sir
Give me leave to remind you of the request I formerly sent you to
forward my keys which I am not a little in want of - or at least to mention
whether you have them or not - Charles expenses on the road amounted to £6. 11
[shillings] - which I beg you to deduct from my account. Mr. B[oulton] having
something to add in reply to yours rec[eive]d to day I subscribe myself
Yours &c
G Watt
[this
next letter is written in the hand of Matthew Robinson Boulton]
Mr
Tho[mas]
Wilson.
Soho June 25th 1798
Dear Sir
It has uniformly occurred that every motion in our cause with
Maberley has been preceeded by the exultations of our adversaries & followed by
their dejection - From the frequent recurrence of this conduct we should not
have thought that the late reports of Mr Martyn would have caused you a moments
solicitude, they have as usual been the harbingers of our enemies mortification
-
We shall transcribe for your edification Mr Weston's report of what passed in
Court.
He says ''They (H[ornblower]&M[aberley]) experienced likewise some
rough usage from the Court - who attributed to them the delay & loss of time
that have occurred in Boulton & Bull. The Court seemed to think them not sincere
in wishing to have the Matter ended - Their counsel replied that they were not
the same parties - but the treated that suggestion with disregard & apparent
disbelief
The judges who spoke on this occasion were L[or]d Kenyon & Mr
Justice Grove - Maberley's Counsel was rather pertinacious in endeavour[in]g to
force on the agument but in ended in L[or]d Kenyon's saying with some heat ''It
must stand over to next term.'''' Tho' the motion has
only been postponed, the observations which have fallen from the Court cannot be
very flattering either to the feelings or expections of Mr Maberley & his
partizans.
There is certainly nothing to put them Cock a Hoop as you intimate on the
contrary we are well persuaded that Maberly has been sorely disappointed by the
event of this motion -
We trust you are before this in possession Mr Westons instructions
relative to the Penandrea Affair - We must beg you to state fully whether any &
what difficulties you foresee in their effectuation. If you think the business
likely to be attended with any unpleasant consequences to you personally we beg
you in first instance to apprise us that we may have time to send from hence
somebody to carry them into effect -
We hear nothing from Mr Tremayne, be pleased to mention in your next
when the settling Account Day at Wh[ea]l Unity will take place - If you
prevail against the Wh[ea]l Abraham Adven[ture]rs you will exceed our
expectations - They are a most precious set & Mr Reed a very worthy member -
We are
D[ea]r
your obed[ien]t
humb[le] Ser[van]ts
Boulton
& Watt.
Mr
B[oulton] will acknowledge your last fav[ou]r in 2 or 3 days''
[this
last sentence being written in the hand of Matthew Boulton]
AD1583/10/56 Letter,
Weston to Warren regarding injunction to be served on Richard Michell
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston June 27 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Warren, Attorney at Law, Truro
''Mr.Warren.
Fenchurch Street
27 June 1798.
Sir
Boulton v[ersus] Michell &
others (United Mines.)
We
herewith send you another copy of the Writ of Injunction in this cause - and we
request you will cause this copy to be served upon Richard Michell (the
Engineer) one of the Def[endan]ts herein. We recommend your sending for
Michell, who will give you, we doubt not, candid answers to any questions you
may put to him - and we wish therefore you would ask him what effect has been
produced by the service of the writ on those Def[endan]ts who have already been
served with the injunction - and whether the Engine is continued to be worked
notwithstanding the injunction.
We have hitherto refrained from serving the Def[endan]ts universally
on account of the expence w[hi]ch would attend that measure - but we expect that
we shall be driven to it, and also to follow up with a Motion for Attachments
against the Def[endan]ts or some of them. We
are, Sir, your most obed[ien]t Serv[an]ts
A J & G
Weston.
[marginal] PS. Michell is friendly to the Pl[ain]t[iff]s, but must not appear
so: It may be proper to serve him first, & then send for him.''
AD1583/10/57 Letter, G Watt to Wilson regarding specimens
of minerals required
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Jun 1798
Endorsed: Greg[or]y Watt July 30 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho
June 30th 1798
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Dear Sir /
My absence from Home for the last 10 days prevented my returning you
an earlier answer. - As to my account. I must beg you to place the following
articles to my credit which comprehend all that is due
Copying machine
£6. 10 [shillings]. -
Charles expences
[£]6. 11. -
Grate for William bought at Dearmans
[£]1. 12. 6 [pence]
[Total] £14. 13. 6.
When these sums are deducted I believe the balance against me will amount to
£79. 4. 8 -
Mrs. Wilson paid me for Mr. Hicks bag - and she had no other article that I know
of - Perhaps she might get the plated mouthpiece. If so you may also place it to
my credit.
I have made all possible enquiries about that Pneumatic apparatus
sent to Edward Rogers - and the result of my investigation is that the mistake
lies between
Thomas &
William.
Mr. Forman told Will that it would be better to send only part to which he
replyed. ''Do you notice that they have ordered the whole? We must send as they
direct'' However tho the blame does not attach to any of our people we are
willing to take the machine back on Neddy paying for the articles he has taken &
the carriage back by sea - which I think he may do out of the £3. 3 [shillings]
he squeezed from Deriabin. If there appears to be no chance of disposing of the
remains of my apparatus I will thank you to stow it into the vacant space of the
big apparatus packing boxes which I dare say will be more than sufficient to
hold it - Perhaps the Manganese & picked charcoal may be found of use at Truro -
I have the pleasure to assure you that Charles has enjoyed perfect health since
he came here & I have every reason to be pleased with his conduct. His hand
writing is as yet too bad for to admit of his being employed in the books but by
writing copies of invoices &c he has an opportunity of improving it and
acquiring some general knowledge of business -
My Brother is not yet returned tho we expect him soon. We hope William Murdock
will be ready to come here by the time of his arrival. Be so good as to Remember
me kindly to that Gentleman and endeavour to learn from him what time he can
leave Cornwall. Above all beg him to enter into no new engagements which may
retard that desireable event. Tell him I shall be much obliged to him if he will
bring me - a Specimen he knows my size of Denabole slate. Of the
Tintagel slate in which the quartz chrystals are found. Of the Lelant
sand. Of the limestone used at Hayle I believe from Aberfraw -
And if he will purchase for me from Moses Jacobs - some very good
specimens of Chrystalized quartz about my size - He must not give himself
particular trouble about any of these only to bring them if he happens to be in
the way where they are to be met with.
You may also inform him that all my goods arrived safe & that I hope to have all
my minerals arranged before he reaches Soho -
My father & Mother will soon set out for Scotland on a visit to their friends
there. The time they may be absent on that excursion is uncertain. I have heard
of our friend Deriabin having arrived at Bristol in safety - None of the party
have had the grace to send me a line - When you see Mr. Williams I beg you will
remember me in the kindest manner to him and his family & tell him I shall be
much indebted to him if when he writes to his son he will mention my wish to
receive a few lines from him or either of his companions who may be most
disposed to take up the Pen -
I am extremely happy to hear of the prosperous state of your brewing concerns at
Truro & Penryn & sincerely wish the Camp may have an increasing thirst for
porter -
Remember me affectionately to Mrs. Wilson & Peg, Mary, James &c - I wrote some
time ago to William about his grate which I hope to hear arrived safe & answers
well.
I beg you will remember me to all my old Friends without exception & believe me
Your much obliged
Humble Serv[an]t
G Watt''
AD1583/10/58 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding injunctions against the Pednandrea Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston July 2 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Thomas
Wilson.
Fenchurch Street
2 July 1798.
Sir,
Penandrea.
We
obtained copies of the answers of Mr. Franco & of Carpenter & Paul Penrose this
morning, & we now send you copies thereof for your perusal. We are concerned to
observe the very unhandsome manner which Mr. Carpenter's spleen has led him to
adopt in speaking of you. (We only send Carpenter's answer - As there is
nothing material in Francos for you to reply to.)
We have received a notice of a motion to dissolve the injunction for
next Friday the 6th instant, but we shall get the motion postponed to the 14th
in order that you as well as B[oulton]&W[att] may reply to the answers by
affidavits, if our Counsel the attorney gen[era]l &c should think it necessary
to do so. - We shall want to know particularly whether the Engine continues
to work now.
You will please to peruse the answers attentively & send us such
remarks as occur to you in order that we may prepare a proper Affidavit to be
sworn by you for the purpose of giving the true explanation of the matter.
It will be proper & necessary that Mr. Murdock should make an
Affidavit, either separately, or jointly with you. Therefore please to
communicate with him.
We are, Sir, y[ou]r most ob[edien]t
S[ervan]ts A J & G Weston.
[marginal] PS. There are some inaccuracies in the office copies which will
appear in the Transcripts sent you, but the sense is plain enough.''
AD1583/10/59 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding depositions
required for legal cases
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt July 4 1798
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho July 4th
1798
Mr T Wilson
Dear Sir
We presume before the reciept of this you will have perused the
scurrillities of Mr Carpenter, the abuse of such a scoundril can scarcely excite
surprise or indignation & if Mr Weston, as we have no doubt he will, takes
proper care to give the Chancellor an insight into his character, it will have
it's effect in recommending him to a snug birth in the Fleet - You will of
course lose no time in furnishing Mr Weston with your answer to their
allegations & we should suppose you will find little difficulty in exposing, by
circumstantial evidence the unbounded effrontery & injustice of their
accusations -
We observe Mr Weston has not given any instructions as to the tenour
of the evidence for the motion of Attachment perhaps such affidavits will not be
wanted till the present motion of our adversaries is disposed of, but
nevertheless we think you should profit of any opportunity to procure an
affidavit of the working of the Engines under the direction of any of the
parties included in the injunction. We should wish you also to procure similar
depositions in regard to the United Mines for whatever may be the event of our
proceedings against Carpenter there can be little doubt of their success in the
case of United Mines, as the latter is disembarrassed from all the legal
perplexities attending the Penandrea transaction - The service of the attachment
itself will either be done by a proper emissary from London or perhaps Mr Tippet
will be a proper person to be employed on such a business - The zeal & ability
displayed by him in serving Carpenter has given us a very favorable opinion of
his talents for such undertakings & it will certainly be prudent to retain him
in our interest by a liberal remuneration of his services on that occasion - You
have a discretionary power as to the quantum as you can best judge of his
deserts & expectations -
You are perfectly right in supposing the communication of the Judges
observations intended rather for your private government than for the public ear
- It appears however to us that you misconcieve the cause of the satisfaction we
derive from them - It does not proceed from the judges having recommended delay
but from their having indicated a conviction of an unjust confederacy carried on
under the name of Bull in the first instance & afterwards in that of Maberley -
They are therefore satisfied of a point we have much laboured to prove & they
have also plainly intimated a suspicion of Maberleys sincerity in wishing to
rest the question fairly upon its merits - They accuse this confederacy of
having caused the delay & loss of time which has occurred in the case of Boulton
& Bull & why! Because instead of bringing the legal question to a discussion in
the Court of Kings bench as they might have done after the first trial, they
have in the name of Maberley instituted a new trial relying rather upon their
attempts to invalidate our patent by some new flaw than by an agreement upon the
reserved question. Our oponents may not perhaps agree to this construction but
we have good reasons to believe it grounded -
We are not as you may suppose inclined to dispute the force of your
reasoning to Mr Giddy, but we cannot agree with you [this part missing] the
propriety of such a letter to an abi[this part missing] especially while the
award is in susp[this part missing].
It does not appear to us that you would be justified in conveying
your opinion to an abritrator by a private letter - The information it contains
should have been stated at the meeting of the referrees when the other evidence
was produced. Tho' the judgement formed by Mr Giddy from the statement then laid
before him may be erroneous we think it would be improper to attempt to bias it
by any partial communications which your adversaries have not an opportunity of
refuting - Such a conduct, from whatever motives it may proceed on your part
would be considered as tampering with the abitrator & if Mr Giddy is much alive
to the scrupelous feelings of honor it would have a very opposite tendency to
what you propose by it -
We are not ourselves apprehensive for the reputation of our Engines
from any decree of cornish arbitrators & surely if their genorosity awards a
premium to Mr Hornblower's merits we shall hereafter find less difficulty in
justifying our premiums -
We remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your obed[ien]t humb[le] Serv[an]ts
Boulton & Watt''
[the
handwriting is that of Matthew Robinson Boulton]
AD1583/10/60 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding the legal case against Pednandrea Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston July 6 1798
Addressed to: Thomas Wilson Esq[ui]re, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Thomas
Wilson.
Fenchurch Street
6
July 1798.
Sir,
The motion in the Penandrea Case was put off as I expected to the
14th instant. I shall not be here tomorrow & very little on Monday - so that if
you do not hear from me so soon as you expect please to impute it to my absence.
If any instructions should come tomorrow for your affidavit, it shall be
prepared notwithstanding my absence. Mr. Murdock should join in confirming what
you state so far as his knowledge extends.
As the 14th will soon be here, I am anxious about the affidavit you
& Mr. Murdock are to make & it's return back from Truro, after being drawn or
settled here - and to prevent disappointment in that particular, it may be best
for you to get your affidavit & Mr. Murdock's also drawn & ingrossed & sworn
without waiting for communication with me. The affidavit must be intitled ''In
Chancery - Boulton & an[othe]r v[ersus] Carpenter & others.''
I made Mr Carpenter (who was present in Court) an offer of taking
the Middle sum between £36, & £55 p[e]r Month, instead of a Lump sum. He
refused the offer.
I am D[ear] Sir Y[ou]rs
A Weston''
AD1583/10/61 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding the case
against Pednandrea Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt July 7th 1798
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho July 7th 1798
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
Forwarned is forearmed. This maxim applies to our transactions with
Penandrea for tho' we are not positively sure of procuring an Attachment
ag[ains]t Carpenter it behoves us to be prepared for that event with the
necessary evidence - Mr Weston wishes you without loss of time to report the
facts with the names of the person or persons who can make oath of the
Engines being continued in work - The Affidavits he will prepare & transmit you
to be sworn by the parties - We suppose it is unnecessary to point out to you
what constitutes a breach of the injunction, it is in fact doing what the
injunction forbids to be done - Your friend Mr Tippet can assist you with his
advice & probably if you cannot find a person to make the necessary affidavits
he will also be able to provide a proper subject - We cannot too strongly
recommend dispatch in this business & we beg you to understand that similar
evidence will also be wanted to prove the contempt committed by Mr Beauchamp &
others in the case of United Mines.
It should if possible be stated by whose orders the Engines are continued at
work.
In case Trevithick has not informed you of the result of his
application to the Wh[ea]l Abraham Adven[ture]rs, a letter should be written to
him requiring to know the determination of the Adven[ture]rs that you may
apprise us of it - Please also to mention in your next whether there any hopes
of Mr Kevil's recovery - We hope you & Murdock have given a full rejoinder to
Carpenter's accusations ag[ains]t your verity of Speech & that you will give him
a Rowland for his Oliver -
We remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your obed[ien]t humb[le]
Ser[van]ts
Boulton & Watt
Charles
is well & nearly if not quit of his cough''
[the
handwriting is that of Matthrew Robinson Boulton]
AD1583/10/62 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding affidavits required
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston July 9 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr
Thomas Wilson.
Sir
We observe you intend sending off your aff[idavi]ts tomorrow which
design we much approve.
Please to let me have an aff[idavi]t that the adventurers continue
to use the Engine.
We are Sir Y[ou]r most
ob[edien]t S[ervan]ts
A J & G Weston.
[the
handwriting is that of Ambrose Weston]
AD1583/10/63 Letter, Forman to Wilson regarding nozzles for
Roskear Mine
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
10 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Mr Forman July 10 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Tho[ma]s Wilson.
Sir
On the other side I send you Invoice of the Nozzles for the Reskear
Mine. They are this day sent p[e]r the Canal to the care of Mrs. Barlow Bristol
and She is advised to send them by the first Opportunity which offers to Hayle,
to lie there till sent for by Mr. Silvanus James.
I have the pleasure to inform you that your Son is very well and
should be very happy to hear the same Acc[oun]t of his good Brother to whom I
beg to be kindly remembered also to Mr. William.
I am
most respectfully
Sir
Your
most obed[ien]t h[um]ble Serv[an]t
for Boulton & Watt
W[illia]m Forman.
Soho 10th July 1798.''
AD1583/10/64 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding affidavits of Wilson, Rogers and Murdock
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston July 12 1798
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr
Thomas Wilson.
D[ea]r Sir
Your aff[idavi]t is quite satisfactory, but Mr. Rogers's is of no manner of use
whatever. I presume Mr. Murdock's expected aff[idavi]t will supply all that is
wanting. - I flatter myself we shall make a good end of the business.
In my opinion nothing can be more honourable than your Conduct in
this business - You are extremely ill-treated in this matter by Mr. Carpenter of
whom I entertain a very bad opinion.
I am
D[ea]r Sir Y[ou]r most ob[edien]t S[ervan]t
A. Weston.
Fenchurch Street
12 July 1798.''
AD1583/10/65 Letter,
Weston to Wilson regarding settlement of the Pednandrea dispute
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Mr Weston July 14 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Thomas Wilson.
D[ea]r Sir,
As I know you have always wished the Penandrea Business to be
compromised, I have the pleasure to say this is now done. -
The adventurers are to pay £600; - Vizt by £300 at 6 months, & £300
at 12 months from this date. No Costs on either side - Each to pay his own.
I am D[ea]r Sir Sincerely y[ou]r
most o[bedien]t S[ervan]t
A Weston.
Fenchurch Street
14 july 1798.
The
payments are to be secured by Bills drawn by Carpenter upon Franco.''
AD1583/10/66 Letter,
Trevithick to Wilson regarding savings due from the Wheal Abraham Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Rich[ar]d Trevithick Feb[ruar]y July 16 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, paid
''Camborne July 16. 1798
Sir /
at Wh[ea]l Abraham meeting held the 10 Ins[tan]t was brought before
the Adv[enturer]s Mr. B[oulton]. & Watts demand for Engine Savings but not
having orders from a Majority of them for entering such in the Book and of
course cannot chardge it untill farther orders from the Adv[enture]rs.
I am Sir your very H[um]ble Ser[van]t
Rich[ar]d Trevithick''
AD1583/10/67 Letter, Kevill to Wilson regarding savings
claimed from Cook's Kitchen mine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Mr Tho[ma]s Kevill July 19 1798
Addressed to: Mr Wilson, Truro
''Trevensen
19 July 1798
Dear Sir /
I yesterday rece[ive]d your favour addressed to Mr R_ the savings at
Cook's Kitchen have not been for the months you demand charged at more than £12
per Month - Cook's Kitchen having ever paid without any sort of dispute
the whole savings we conceived that Boulton & Watt would not by any means
object, after so fair and honorable a conduct, to put us on the same footing as
they now consent to make mines who have wholly refused any payment whatever - we
trust they will still permit us to charge the £12 p[er] Month instead of £18
more especially as our Mine is become a losing adventure. My poor father, had he
been alive and able would have himself written you on this Subject. I holding
the same situation have on the behalf of the adventurers stated these
circumstances to you & am Dear Sir - with best Compl[imen]ts to Mrs Wilson &
family -
Yours, most faithfully
Thomas Kevill''
AD1583/10/68 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding various
matters
Item
2 folios
Manuscript
20 Jul 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt July 20th 1798
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho
July 20th 1798
Mr T Wilson
Dear Sir
Your two favors with Copies of the Affidavits & since one dated by
mistake Nov[embe]r 14th cover[in]g a bill value £136. 10 [shillings] have been
severally recieved -
An extract from your letter of Oct[obe]r 26th 1795 touching the
remission of Hewas premium accompanies this. It fully confirms your statement to
Mr Fox & accords entirely with the sentiments we have uniformly expressed &
entertained upon this subject - We do not see upon what grounds Mr Fox can
expect a further modification of our demands - The poverty of the Mine does not
induce the Merchants to relinquish their profits or the purser to wave his
salary & yet they are materially more interested in the existence of the Mine
than ourselves - Our claims upon the Mine cannot possibly exceed two years, but
they may expect to benefit from it for several & we think it therefore unjust to
be called upon to sacrifice the Modicum of our premium while they enjoy their
emoluments undiminished - You know as well as ourselves, that upon several
occasions & particulary in a recent instance very ungenerous advantages have
been taken of our concessions to particular Mines, in all litigations they have
constantly been alledged as precedents for ye abatements claimed by our
opponents & thus our very acts of generosity have been construed to our
prejudice -
By such manauvres our rights have gradually incroached upon & our
premiums in most instances reduced to two thirds of the sum originally
stipulated. In order to prevent the remainder from being equally frittered away
you will recollect we came to a resolution of regulating our future demands upon
an invariable principle & the modified premium of two thirds was considered as
the standard from which we ought not to depart upon any pretext whatsoever. We
intend most tenaciously to adhere to this determination from a firm conviction
that any deviation from it would produce a sucession of the perplexities &
losses which ensued from our former cessions & would soon totally annihilate the
emolument to be expected from the short residue of our priveledge - You will
readily anticipate from these observations the purport of the answer we wish to
be given to Mr Fox's application & in informing why it cannot be Complied with
you will not fail to impress upon him that it is by the Machinations of some of
his neighbours that we are precluded from making any discriminations in our
demands.
We have perhaps unnecessarily dilated upon this subject from our
desire to put you fully in possession of the sentiments which will in future
actuate our conduct & to satisfy you of the propriety of discountenancing in the
first instance all further applications for abatements -
You will probably have learnt from Mr Weston the issue of the
Penandrea business -
Carpenter has certainly escaped upon better terms than he deserved,
but Weston was reluctant to risk any diminution of the good opinion of the Court
by bringing forward a cause in any degree embarassed & such, it appears there
was grounds for apprehending the present one might be thought by the Court, Mr
Carpenter's Character not being so well known there as is Cornwall - It is now
become doubly necessary to pursue with additional Vigour our attacks upon the
other refractory Mines & we are only hesitating as to the proper object to be
selected - Mr G Watt reports that Trevithick has erected an Engine similar to
Hornblower's at Wh[ea]l Unity - The reasons which induced us to disregard the
neglected infractions of Hornblower not applying to this case Mr Trevithick's
contempt may perhaps recommend him to this post of honour in our next contest -
What particulars can be learnt with[ou]t putting him upon his guard we shall be
glad to recieve as early as possible - We mean any authentic information of the
principles of the Engine & of its being constructed by Trevithick - Endeavour to
learn these facts without giving the Alarm to Trevithick as we should not wish
him to have any intimation of our intentions till we are ready to pounce upon
our prey - We perfectly approve of your proposal to make the payment of the
arrears due from Wh[ea]l Leeds Adve[nturer]s a preliminary to our licencing
their Engine -
If you are applied to upon the subject, avoid entering into any
negotiation & simply notify to them that the liquidation of the arrears upon the
footing of the full premium must precede any treaty for the future premium & if
any modified proposals are offer'd by them, we request you will not recieve them
but in writing authenticated by the purser or some responsible person concerned
in the Mine - When a settlement has taken place for the arrears we should
propose to put them upon the same footing as Wh[ea]l Susan & others, subject to
a similar entry upon the Mine Books -
You will of course desire Murdock not to give them any assistance
till an agreem[en]t is concluded - There is considerable analogy between this &
the case of United Mines & a reference to our letter of the 14th Ultimo may
perhaps more fully explain our sentiments - We are much confirmed in our opinion
of the propriety of adopting some regulation of the nature there pointed out by
the late proceedings of Carpenter, & it may be a consideration whether the
precaution we have proposed should not be strengthened by a circular letter
addressed to the Mines stating ''that after the attempt which have been made in
a recent litigation to pervert an interposition arising on'' your part solely
from conciliatory motives, to the prejudice of yourself & Messrs B[oulton]&W[att]
you feel yourself called upon to declare in contradiction to those unfounded
assertions that your agency for B&W is confined to the management of their
pecuniary concerns & by no means empowers you to act in the settlement of their
disputed claims with[ou]t special instructions - From a desire to prevent all
further misconceptions you request that the communications relative to their
litigated premiums may be stated in writing or transmitted directly to B&W
themselves - We submit to your own consideration whether a notification
something to the above purport would not have its use in securing both of us
from many perplexities -
We remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your obed[ien]t humb[le]
Ser[van]ts
Boulton & Watt
PS.
Your favor of the 17th cover[in]g a bill value £105. 6 [shillings]. 11 [pence]
on acc[oun]t of Wh[ea]l Unity Adven[ture]rs is at hand -
In regard to your quiry concern[in]g Carpenter's abuse we shall
consult with Weston, if legal cognizance can be taken of it. In case he thinks
it cannot we should think Mr Carpenter's notorious character would render any
other notice of it unnecessary - These are however our hasty sentiments & we
shall further consider the subject - Has the payment of Wh[ea]l Unity arrears
been accompanied with any & what entry upon their books -
Extract of a Letter from Mr Wilson Truro Nov[ember] 21.
1797
-----
However yesterday I was told by two different persons that Bull was discharged
on friday last, & the Engine put under Mr Murdocks care. This induced me to set
out this morning and the first persons I saw on my arrival were Mr Carpenter &
Paul Penrose, they at once confirmed what I had heard & told me they intended to
write me this day, they were willing to execute any agreement I chose to have
drawn for the payment of your premium; I saw the steam going from the Boyler &
enquired why they had not stopt, Carpenter said it was not their intention to
stop till the condenser was got ready which would take some days, this I did not
like, as Murdock might what Bull could not, but on my arrival at the Engine
found W[illia]m [Murdock] had stopt all further proceedings, till put upon the
old plan, & was heartily congratulated by him, on being in at the death of the
Bull. There remains now for you to state the quantum of Premium; they are fallen
and at your mercy, Carpenter Penrose, & Mr Murdock all say, that at a former
meeting at Redruth, I would have engaged at 2/3 say [£]36. 13 [shillings]. 4
[pence], they expect to pay no Less, but hope not to pay more. Mr Murdock & Paul
Penrose both pressed me earnestly to use my endeavours with you not to ask more,
Murdock says they have already suffered enough to satisfy your vengeance, & that
you ought to put them on the same footing as Wh[ea]l Treasure; I have nothing to
say for them more than I am desired, but we wait your determination both as to
terms and sort of agreement; I do not even know whether you will approve of Mr
Murdocks altering the Engine without your concurrence, I would not however take
upon me to stop him, & he hopes to have her at work next monday. -
(Copy)
Truro
Oct[obe]r 26th 1795
Dear Sir
Yesterday Morning Mr Murdock left us on his way to Soho; & suppose
he will be with you by this comes to hand or soon after, since I wrote you the
23[r]d Mr. E. Fox & I have settled for Polgooth & Hewas to the end of
Sept[embe]r. It is pretty certain the former mine lost 5000 from March 94 to
this year & at Hewas they have sunk at least £16,000. I understand Polgooth is
now gaining some money, but Hewas is still losing, many of the Adv[enture]rs
have thrown up their shares & more are about so to do, under these circumstances
I proposed to E. Fox that B&W should give up any demand for past time to Hewas;
& as they had agreed at Xmass to remit 1/3 at Polgooth, that the latter mine
should pay 2/3 still this was £36. 13. 4 p[e]r Mo[nth] after a long discussion
he proposed to pay £31. 10 which I accepted & he gave me the inclosed bill for
£189 which is for 6 Mo[nths] to the end of Sept[embe]r. I hope this will meet
your approbation, I considered that if I took time to write to you that you
would not consider the £5. 3. 4 as worth contending for, & again that you would
think this connexion (having behaved much better than others) more entitld to
favour -''
[the
handwriting of the main letter is that of Matthew Robinson Boulton]
AD1583/10/69 Letter, Watt and G Watt to Wilson suggesting treatments
for Tom Wilson, also other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Aug 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 7th August 1798 -
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall, Double
''Soho
Aug[us]t 7th 1798
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I am very sorry to hear that Tom continues in such bad health - Dr
Wittering is himself so much indisposed that I have not yet been able to consult
him But Dr Carmichael says that he thinks instead of the Rhubarb which Tom
takes, he should take castor oil in such doses as will keep his belly open -
That in his opinion a sea voyage might be of service to him & that if he is not
strong enough for that he is not strong enough to travel to Bath (to this I add
that if he goes to sea some person should go with him to take care of him)
Thinks that a Tepid bath about 90° to 96° of heat would be very serviceable to
him, which may be had at home & if made with sea water so much the better, he
should stay in it about half an hour at a time (to this I say from experience
that all baths in small vessels fall much short of the effects of large
quantities as you have at Bath, you could however come near it by putting him
into some of your large vessels at the Brewhouse) The D[octo]r says he should
take the Bath about 3 hours before he goes to Bed & should dress himself after
it, in order to prevent any sensible perspiration which would be hurtful to him.
So far as Dr C[armichae]ls advice, when Dr W[ithering]. recovers I shall consult
him.
In the mean time if you should determine upon taking him to bath, he
should Bathe in the cross Bath or Queens bath, at first sitting upon the stairs
& not going in to the Bath & for the two first times staying in only from 15 to
20 minutes - Dr C. says he should not drink the Bath water.
I have given all the advice at present in my power & wish I could
give better.
Charles seems to do very well & is sufficiently attentive, I have not heard him
complaining since he was cured of his cough by the Hydrocarbonate.
Mrs Watt Joins me in kind remembrances to Mrs Wilson & all your
family & I remain
Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt''
''Soho August 7th 1798
Dear Sir /
We beg you will apply for payment of the balance due to us from
North Downs £92. 15 [shillings]. 8 [pence] for goods as per account delivered -
We enclose our account against Herland for their new whim Engine. The very low
The very low terms and which that engine was executed render prompt payment
absolutely necessary and we beg you to dun Carne till he discharges the
account. We do not chuse that this payment should be made in India bills as
ready money is what we are in need of. We are unable to send Clark and Langmead
their account till Pearsons time and other particulars are ascertained. Repeated
applications were made to this drunken delinquent during my stay in Cornwall and
we must request that whoever pays him his wages will abstain from so doing until
he has given the information needed. Mr. Murdock gave me a note of his time &
expences there which I gave in here but which has been mislaid, We beg he will
be so good as to renew it. My Brother is expected at home almost daily & will be
extremely anxious to be informed which we may expect his arrival here. Beg him
to state at what period that so long protracted event may be expected to take
place.
We remain Dear Sir
your very obed[ien]t Humble Servants
for Boulton & Watt
G Watt''
AD1583/10/70 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding the
ticketing standards of copper, and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Aug 1798
Endorsed: Boulton M[atthe]w 12th August 1798
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Dear Sir
I am now in a lonely Village in Bedfordshire alone & without a
Serv[an]t & where neither Chaise or Horses can be had. - As I have a leasure ½
Hour before I go to Bed, I cannot employ it more agreeably than in writing a
line or two to you; which I dispair of doing from home, where I am incessantly
engaged or interupted: otherwise I should have wrote you many letters &
acknowledged many of yours which I have rec[ei]vd, but cannot at this place
refer to them. I am particularly obliged to you for the labourious calculations
respecting the Tickitings & the Standard which have been of much use to me, & I
must beg ye fav[ou]r of you to continue them through the present year only - I
have agreed at the Rose ♀ [the alchemical symbol for copper] Co[mpany] to pay
them 5 p[e]r Cent above the average of the Standard which they buy at, & though
they buy their ores very well, yet I fear I must change that plan or confine it
to one Co[mpany] only; for haveing made a similar agreement with 2 or 3 others I
am thereby put into a situation of biding against my self at the Tickitings.
I want to know the Tickiting Standard price of Copper from the year 1770 to
ye year 1789 each Year or as many Years within those limits as you can come at.
I also want to know the selling ready money price of Copper each year within
those limits. This would be of Material use to me if I could receive it soon &
beg you will furnish me with such part of it as come within the Latitude of your
own Books Pray have you any Idea of the quantity of ♀ now produced by
Anglesey
mine.
I saw your last letter to Mrs. Matthews from which & from one I rec[ei]vd from
you some time since. I think you have misunderstood me or that I did not explain
my own Ideas about your drawing on Mrs. M[atthews]: I only meant to check an
Evil that I considerd would be a growing one to you, as well as to me, haveing
in many instances seen ruin arise solely out of that plan; & the recent Exampl[e]
of 2 persons whom I shall loose largly by convinces me of the bad effects of it
& yet I am perswaded there are moments in a mans life that a temporary
assistance may save him, or at least be of important Service to him, & when ever
such moments occur, I assure you I shall be happy in being instrumental to your
prosperity & happiness: & for any temporary assistance that will promote either
I consent to your drawing on Mrs. M: on my Acc[oun]t but these drains like
Brandy, may cheer for the moment, but too frequent use, will parch & dry up a
mans Vitals.
None of my Family know where I am, for I am come here to save from Ruin an
amiable & worthy family, which a very few Hundred £ will do: & I shall do it
because I know the Extent of the Mischief. -
Pray why will not the Cornish & the Copper Co[mpanie]s sell me Copper for ready
money at as low a price as they will sell the E[ast]:I[ndia]:Co[mpany] for a
long Cred[i]t.
I am happy to hear that your Son William is going on very well, which I hope he
will continue to do: but I recommend that he doth not cherish an opineon that he
knows all that is to be known on Brewing - I saw a new Book on that subject
advertisd a few days ago, but I could not get it; however I desire he will read,
mark, & learn.
I hope to hear that Tom is quite Well as I shall do to learn that Mrs. Wilson, &
your self are so, to whom remember me very kindly & believe me
Dear Sir
Your faithfull friend
Matt[he]w Boulton
Ounley
[Oulney, now called Olney] in Bedfordshire
Aug[us]t 12 - 1798.
a few days ago I bought 15 Tons of tough Cake of Mr Harris at 106£ a Ton for a
Bill at 2 Mo[nths] - I wish to buy more on those terms w[hi]ch I have offerd him
through a friend
Messrs Fox's asks 111£ but that I have refusd''
AD1583/10/71 Letter, M R Boulton to Wilson regarding various
mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Aug 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 13th Au[gu]st 1798 -
Addressed to: Mr T Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho Aug[us]t 13th 1798
Mr T Wilson
Dear Sir -
We have your favor of the 7th with particulars of the Engines
erected by Trevithick at East Pell [East Pool, Illogan] for which we thank you -
The Commission we have now to trouble you with is of a more pleasant
complexion than our late ones have usually been - The inclosed letter which we
beg you to seal & forward when it has been perused, will inform you that we mean
to accede to the request of the Cook's Kitchen Adven[ture]rs & you are
accordingly authorised to settle the Arrears upon the terms mentioned to Mr
Kevil provided an agreement similar to the Wh[ea]l Susan & others is entered
upon the Mine Book - We propose also to make a similar concession to Wh[ea]l
Jewel & Gorland & have signified our intentions to Mr Tremayne requesting him at
the same time to use his influence in getting a memorandum of agreement entered
upon the books of these Mines & Wh[ea]l Unity - We wish you to write or see him
upon this subject the first convenient opportunity - These Mines have certainly
a claim upon our generosity & we think an unsolicited abatement may have some
effect in convincing them that we are not solely actuated by intent in our
conduct & will strengthen our reasons for not deviating hereafter from the
Stand[ar]d of the reduced premium - The concession would have soon been demanded
by them & it is therefore as well to have the credit of making it voluntary -
Trevithick may be informed that our demand for a 24 Inc[h] working
single will be £90 payable in one sum or payable in 3 Inst[alment]s with
Int[erest] in the same manner as for Ding Dong - We shall require also a similar
bond includ[in]g both the am[oun]t of the new premium & arrears due from the
former adven[ture]rs - If our terms for the new Engine are assented to, you need
not be very rigid in your statement of the time with regard to the old one - We
shall agree to his acc[oun]t of the time provided it is not notoriously
erroneous - The terms for the 24 in[ch] shall be communicated when the agreement
for the other is concluded, it would be useless to enter into calculations upon
the second of our present proposal is not accepted - It is also needless to
encumber the Bond with provisos in case of the Engine being double; when such
alteration takes place, it will be more simple to have a seperate Bond made for
the additional sum - You will please also to bear in mind that the bond should
be simply an engagement for the money on the part of Trevithick & not expressive
of any covenant on ours -
The Wherry award cannot possibly be binding on us or influence the
decision of the Westminster Courts & we most sincerely trust it will never be
our lot to have the merits of our claims determined by a Cornish Arbitration or
Jury - We have before observed that if Hornblower can succeed in substantiating
his rights to a premium we think such a precedent will rather strengthen than
invalidate our claims -
In short our opinion is, that in so far as the reputation of our
Engine is concerned you need not be under any apprehension from the award were
it even to be dictated by Moyle himself -
We remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your obed[ien]t humb[le]
Ser[van]ts
For Boulton & Watt
M:
Rob[inso]n Boulton
P.S. Somebody upon whose report you can rely, should be sent to inspect the
Engine at Ding Dong & ascertain whether it continue to be worked single -''
AD1583/10/72 Letter, M R Boulton to Wilson enclosing copy of
letter to the Rev. Henry Hawkins Tremayne
Item
1 large folio
Manuscript
14 Aug 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 14th Au[gu]st 1798
Addressed to: Mr T Wilson, Truro, Cornwall, Single
''Soho
Aug[us]t 14th 1798
Mr T Wilson
Dear Sir
We wrote to you yesterday to which we refer. The original of the
annexed copy was sent to Mr Tremayne by the same post but we had not time to
transmit you the copy - You will see more fully from it our sentiments in regard
to the urgency of getting an entry upon Wh[ea]l Unity Books. It appears to us a
point of considerable moment & we are certainly disposed to press it by every
means in our power consistent with our respect to Mr Tremayne - . We request
your early to the business, our procrastination in the affair of Wh[ea]l Abraham
was a primary cause of it's miscarriage & we shall never be more likely to
succeed in our wishes with regard to the other Mines than while the impression
of our concession is fresh upon their Minds - We remain
Sir Your obed[ien]t humb[le]
Ser[van]ts
For
B[oulton]&W[att] M Rob[inso]n Boulton
COPY
Soho August 13th 1798
Rev[eren]d Henry Hawkins Tremayne
Dear Sir
We cannot reflect upon the time
elapsed since the date of your favour of June 27 without accusing ourselves of
some degree of remissness in not sooner answering it; though from the frequent
abcences of our Mr Boulton in attending the privy council in town and my own
inability to Transact business from a long confinement caused by a wounded
tendon the delay has been in some measure unavoidable and we hope that your
goodness will not impute it to any want of consideration for your kind offices.
Permit us now to assure you that we are fully sensible of your friendly
interposition and support in the various difficulties which have occurred in the
mines in which you are concerned and our recent obligations to your countenance
in the transactions with Wheal Unity will always be gratefully acknowledged.
It has lately been our lot to trouble you with correspondence upon unpleasant
topics but we hope that what we shall now propose will prove more agreeable.
Having lately in several instances modified our premium to 2/3 of the former sum
we think it equitable that those mines which have uniformly manifested a
friendly disposition should reap the benefit of this alteration we propose
therefore in such instances to make an unsolicited concession of one third of
our premium. Wheal Jewel & Gerland in which we believe you are interested are in
this predicament and we shall accordingly instruct Mr. Wilson to settle our
future demands upon these mines upon this modified premium as soon as an
agreement analogous to those adopted in similar cases is entered in the mine
books for which purpose we shall desire him to consult with you and we beg the
favour of you in communicating our intentions to the adventurers to obtain their
concurrence to a resolution expressive of such an agreement. We hope likewise
your influence with the wheal Unity adventurers will prevail upon them to enter
a similar record on their books - When we relinquish such a portion of our
claims it appears to us but just that the modicum of premium should be protected
by some security against the cavills of the litigious and we have therefore made
an Entry recording the terms of our agreement a preliminary to our licensing
Engines on the reduced Premium - We have upon several occasions found to our
cost that our claims were only to be inforced by the strong hand of the Law and
were our rights to be unprotected they would soon be annulled - Among other
instances the conduct of Wheal Abraham Adventurers fully confirms this opinion
In consideration of our regard to the late Mr Kevill we consented to license
their engine upon the reduced premium with which the adventurers expressed
themselves perfectly satisfied and the engine was suffered by us to work upon
the faith of their verbal assent, The entry upon the mine books being delayed
from various causes. A short time previous to Mr K[evill]s death payment of the
arrears of premium was demanded to which they demurred and immediately after his
decease protested against our claims which they set at defiance intending to
abandon the mine and obliging us to seek redress by law. - You see from hence
that the same liberality of spirit with which you are actuated does not regulate
the actions of others nor supercede the necessity of some precaution to guard
against the recurrence of such conduct. Your candour will ensure us from a
misinterpretation of the motives of our wish in requesting an entry to be made
upon the mine books of Wheal Unity. We are apprehensive that by deviating even
in a single instance from a regulation which we deem essential to the security
of our rights we may furnish our opponents with a pretext for rejecting it
others In this point of view we presume to hope for your sanction to the
measures and your influence in procuring the concurrence of the other
adventurers -
We should exceed the limits of a letter were we to enter into a vindication
of the steps we have been obliged to pursue in counteracting the designs of Mr.
Daniel which have been more extensive than you are probably apprized of. His
opposition to the payment of our claims upon Consols & united mines is only part
of the plan he had formed to effect his hostile intentions towards us - He has
colleagued with persons totally unconnected with Cornish afairs but who having
pirated our invention were instigated by expectations of support from him to
accomplish our ruin by every artifice which malignity could suggest. However we
might be disposed to overlook such proceedings we certainly should not be
inclined to sacrifice the very great disbursements they have caused by acceding
to terms which were proposed and Haughtily rejected by him before they were
incurred. We have no doubt of obtaining an indemnity for them by the sum we
shall ultimately recover in this case and you must allow it would hold out
encouragement for renewed attacks upon us and afford just reason of complaint
from our friends were we to concede to Mr. Daniel more favourable terms than
they enjoy. The want of candour and good faith displayed by Mr. D[aniel]. in the
negociations which have taken place in the course of our dispute will certainly
preclude any farther overtures from us and we shall expect as a pledge of his
conciliatory disposition that he empowers some other person to treat with us. No
one would be more agreeable to us than yourself but we must take the liberty of
premesing that we could not consent to admit as the basis of a treaty the
proposal of £70 per month or any other sum which would be a deviation from the
standard of premium we have adopted in other mines -
We beg our respectful compliments may be accepted by yourself and Mrs.
Tremayne & remain with great esteem &c -''
[this copy of letter being written in the hand of Gregory Watt]
AD1583/10/73 Letter, J Gundry to Wilson regarding fire engine
at Treskowe
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Aug 1798
Endorsed: Gundry Jno [John] 14th Au[gu]st 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro
''Sir.
In reply to your Letter respecting TresKow Fire Engine - &c Our
Working begun 21st April 1798, but where not in proper order nor yet in Fork,
untill the 1 May - Our Acc[oun]ts are held once in Four Months, when the
Saveings will be Charg[e]d regularly -
I am Sir
Y[ou]r H[um]ble Serv[an]t
Jno Gundry
Aug[ust] 14 1798''
AD1583/10/74 Letter, Carne to Wilson regarding remittance
to be sent to Soho
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Aug 1798
Endorsed: Carne W[illia]m 14th August 1798
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro
''Dear
Sir
I have y[our] favour & note y[our] request. If you should have
Occasion to Write Messrs Bolton & Watt - please to Inform them that Ill Remitt
the Amount of the Small Engine in the Course of a fortnight to them at Soho -
I Remain
y[ours] Sincerely
Will[ia]m Carne
Penzance 14 August 98
PS Its
probable I may Remitt next week -''
AD1583/10/75 Letter, Watt junior to Wilson regarding engine
required by Mr Hodge junior, and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Aug 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 23rd August 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Tho[ma]s Wilson
Truro
Soho 23rd August 1798
Dear Sir
Annexed is a copy of a letter from Mr Hodge Jun[io]r of St. Erth,
enquiring our terms, for which we have referred him to you. We should have
thought that by this time they were sufficiently known in the County, to render
such applications unnecessary. We wish to be informed who & what this Gentleman
is, whether he means to purchase old Engines, or erect new ones, and what
Engineer he intends to employ, and also what founders. These circumstances being
detailed to us, we shall inform you what answer to give. -
Your favours of the 16th 18th & 20th Ins[tan]t are at hand and your
Account credited for £92. 15 [shillings]. 8 [pence] received on Account of North
Downs.
My father in his letter to Mr. Tremayne, was apparently not aware of
the circumstance you mention of Wh[ea]l Jewel & Wh[ea]l Gorland paying only
single premium whilst working double, and if that is the case, it will be highly
proper for you to explain the mistake verbally to Mr. Tremayne and beg
the favour of him to pass it over in silence. - The intention of Boulton & Watt,
will be sufficiently obvious. - Perhaps I may have occasion to investigate this
matter farther & write to you again upon it; - if not you will act as above.
In consequence of what you say about Trevithick, I have gone over Mr
B[oulton]. Junior's calculation of the Premium for a 24 single, and find that he
has undervalued, instead of overvaluing it, taking it at the same rate as
Dingdong 26 Inch, so that you & Mr T[revithick]. are certainly wrong in your
calculations & no deviation from the terms proposed is admissible. As Trevithick
has it in his power to pay at once, we shall expect that to be done. The
Interest upon the arrears is hardly worth asking & may be given up, but it may
be proper you should inspect the Coalbooks. As we have no great desire to
correspond with Trevithick, you may settle this with him upon your return. -
I do not observe any other points of your letter that require an
Answer; if there are any you will point them out -
I am in all haste
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
J Watt Jun[io]r
Copy
St Earth 8th Aug[us]t 1798
n[ea]r
Marazion
Cornwall
Messrs Boulton & Watt
Gent[leme]n
I am pretty largely concerned in some Mines where it will be
necessary to erect steam Engines shall be obliged by your informing me the
lowest sum Monthly youl except as savings, say for a Cylinder Sixty three
Inch[e]s Diam[ete]r or any other in proportion -
Your immediate reply will oblige
Gent[leme]n
Yo[u]r m[os]t obed[ien]t Ser[van]t
(Signed) Rich[ar]d Hodge
J[unio]r''
AD1583/10/76 Letter,
Trevithick to Wilson regarding savings on Wheal Leeds engine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Sep 1798
Endorsed: R[ichar]d Trevithick 4th Sept[embe]r 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro
''Camborne Sep[tember] 4 1798
Sir /
Nott receiveing any answer from Mr. Bolton and Watt respecting the
Engine Saveings on Wh[ea]l Leeds. sho[ul]d be oblig[e]d to you to send mee
notice what time wo[ul]d be most convenient to you to settle the above as I much
wish to get the Engine at Work.
I am Sir your very H[um]ble
Serv[an]t
Rich[ar]d Trevithick''
AD1583/10/77 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding the size of the cylinder at Ding Dong mine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 Sep 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 19th Sept[embe]r 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
Soho 19 Sep[tembe]r 1798
Dear Sir
This seems to be a Comedy of Errors from the beginning. - If
Dingdong instead of being 26 as we calculated it, was, as you say, 24, the
Premium would be more than we stated, instead of being less! - But it so
happens, that in setting us right, you have committed a greater mistake
yourself!!
By reference to Trevithick's letter to you of 16 Dec[embe]r 1797 &
to the Copy of Agreement with him, in your favour of the 8th March, I find that
Dindong is 28 Inches Diameter, which makes £80 the right sum for a 24, but how
you come to have made it so from your data, I cannot discover.
Mr. Tremayne has not yet written, and I hardly think it necessary
that you should call upon him on purpose, as you will probably see him before he
comes to any Meeting; if that is not likely, you had better get the mistake
rectified at all events.
Where in the name of goodness is Murdock. Gregory has written to him
& so have I. My stock of Patience is exhausted & we have begun to build a boring
Mill before the Season is too far advanced. We expect him as soon as he can
possibly come. -
You promised me half a year ago, to let me have a correct list of
all Bulls & Hornblower's Engines, made out in the same manner as those you
formerly sent of Boulton & Watts, which have proved very useful. - Do this your
first leisure time. -
I have not yet had time to pay much attention to your son Charles,
but he seems an active, clever lad & I think may be made something of. I am
truly glad to hear that Tom is mended. I would strongly recommend a much longer
Sea Voyage, say to Portugal or America. -
I am Dear Sir
Truly
yours
J Watt Jun[io]r
P.S. I
am quite alone here. My father is in Scotland. Mr Boulton at Cheltenham, not for
any illness, but to prevent one. Mr. M. Boulton & his Sister at Scarborough.
Gregory at present in Shropshire, Lawson in South Wales & Creighton in
Cumberland.''
AD1583/10/78 Letter,
Trevithick to Wilson regarding savings on Wheal Leeds engine
Item1
folio
Manuscript
24 Sep 1798
Endorsed: R[ichar]d Trevithick 24th Sept[embe]r 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro
''Camborne
Sep[tember] 24th 1798
Sir /
Yours of the above date just come to hand in which you propose next
Monday for settling Wh[ea]l Leeds saveings. I can not give you an immediate
a[nswer res]pecting the time that may be m[ost] agreeable to the Adv[enture]rs
but will call on them within the time proposd and send you the result I expect
that Day will be suteable to some or one of them who will be in power to settle
for the Whole consarn.
I am Sir your very
H[um]b[le] Ser[van]t
Rich[ar]d Trevithick''
AD1583/10/79 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding arrears from Ding Dong mine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Sep 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 26 Sept[embe]r 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
Soho 26 Sep[tembe]r 1798
Dear Sir
I have your favour of the 20th Inst[an]t w[hic]h is already in part
answered by mine of the 19th - If the time is right stated for Dingdong, you are
right in the Sum.
You will please to observe that it is our positive determination to
have nothing to do with the Mine, nor its resolutions. We expect to deal with
Trevithick solely & must have his bond for the arrears, unless he prefers
paying it with the principal. This was his original proposal as stated by you in
your letters of the 7th & 20th August. - We beg you will get this affair brought
to an early conclusion, as more time has been bestowed upon it already than it
deserves.
I am D[ea]r Sir
Truly Yours
J Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/10/80 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding premiums from Wheal Jewel and Wheal Gorland
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Sep 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt Sept[embe]r 30 1798-
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Thomas Wilson
Truro
Soho 30th Sep[tembe]r 1798
Dear Sir
Your favour of the 29th Inst[an]t is at hand & I am sorry to remark that
you have most compleatly misunderstood me in relation to the Wh[ea]l Jewel &
Wh[ea]l Gorland Affairs. -
In my fathers letter to Mr. Tremayne of which a Copy was sent you
purposely for your Government, is the following passage.
''having lately in several Instances modified our Prem[iu]m to 2/3
of the former Sum, we think it equitable that those Mines which have uniformly
manifested a friendly disposition should reap the benefit of this alteration. We
propose therefore in such instances, to make an unsolicited concession of 1/3 of
our Premium. - Wh[ea]l Jewel & Wh[ea]l Gorland, in which we believe you are
interested, are in this predicament, and we shall accordingly instruct Mr.
Wilson to settle our future demands upon these Mines on the modified Premium
&c.'' -
Upon this you make the following very proper remark in your favour
of the 16th August. ''Have you considered, in what you have written to Mr.
Tremayne, that the Adv[enture]rs of Wh[ea]l Gorland & Wh[ea]l Jewel have been
paying only single Premium, though working double''. -
This undoubtedly had not been taken into consideration, and as I
wrote you word on the 23rd of August, desiring you to explain my father's
mistake to Mr. Tremayne and beg the favour of him to pass it over in
silence.
By this mistake, I could be supposed to mean nothing else
than the one you had pointed out; viz, my father's ignorance of the fact, that
the Engines alluded to, paid only single Premium, whilst working double. Indeed,
the propriety of Mr. Tremayne's being apprized of it in time to prevent his
taking any steps to lower the Premiums of Wh[ea]l Jewel & Wh[ea]l Gorland,
appeared to me sufficiently obvious, as by complying with the letter of our
request, he would have acted very differently to what our real intentions were,
& would have done us an Injury, whilst seeking to oblige us.
In yours of the 16th Sep[tembe]r, You say you do not see any harm in
what has been written to Mr. Tremayne, for you suppose he will be as much
against entering such a resolution on the Mine books, as any of the other
Adv[enture]'rs. But you think it best not to see him until you know whether he
has written to us. -
In Answer to this, I inform you in mine of the 19th Inst[an]t that
Mr. T[remayne]. has not written, and that if it is probable you shall see him
(meaning at Truro) before any meeting takes place, you need not be at the
trouble of calling upon him on purpose but if that is not likely, (viz your
meeting with him at Truro), you had better get the mistake rectified. By
this I meant to say, that at all events you had better see him & inform him of
my father's mistake.
What is now to be done, I cannot say nor advise. There is nobody at
home to consult with, and it strikes me that this demand of double Premium, must
make us appear very inconsistent, when we are at the same time offering to Mr.
Tremayne to lower it.
I am
Yours &c
J Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/10/81 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding premiums from Wheal Jewel and Wheal Gorland
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
3 Oct 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 3rd Oct[obe]r 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
Soho 3 Oct[obe]r 1798
Dear Sir
Perhaps from our misunderstanding one another, good may result! I
certainly had not any idea of advising you to claim the 2/3rds of D[ou]'ble
Premium, but as you have done it, so be it.
I am more reconciled to it, upon considering your letter of the 16th
August, where I observe you say, that these Adv[enture]'rs have taken upon
themselves to order new Cyl[inde]rs and to increase their power, without
consulting us. These will certainly become the subject of fresh Injunctions in
due time & we shall thank you to apprize the Adv[enture]rs of the danger to
which they expose themselves.
I see now that you can easily explain the apparent inconsistency of
these proceedings to Mr. Tremayne & wish you to make a point of explaining the
whole to him before you leave the County. I am truly yours
J
Watt Jun[io]r.
[marginal] I was very much stupefied with a headach when I wrote on the 30th
Ult[im]o, or should have seen that no great harm would result from the claim you
had made''
AD1583/10/82 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding Wheal Unity, Wheal Leeds, Wheal Jewel and Wheal
Gorland
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Oct 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 14th Oct[obe]r 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
Soho 14 October 1798
Dear Sir
We duly received Yours of the 4th Ins[tan]t covering Remittance for
£91. 19 [shillings]. 1 [penny] on Acc[oun]t but as we have been in expectation
of hearing from you again upon the sundry matters therein mentioned, we have
hitherto deferred replying.
We are desirous of learning the Issue of Wh[ea]l Unity meeting &
also of your settlement for Wh[ea]l Leeds & of your having seen & explained your
late demands to Mr. Tremayne.
We are respectfully, Sir
Your ob[edien]t h[um]ble
Ser[van]ts
for Boulton & Watt
J Watt
Jun[io]r''
AD1583/10/83 Letter, T Gundry to Wilson regarding Wheal Jewel
account
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Oct 1799
Endorsed: Tho[ma]s Gundry Ju[nio]r 17. Oct[obe]r 1799
Addressed to Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro
''Mr.
Wilson
Sir /
Wheal Jewell Acc[oun]t was last Week, when the Book was indebt
upwards of £1900. - . - the Engine is sold, & the other Materials will also be
sold in the Course of a few days, as soon as the Money for the Engine is
rece[ive]d, which will be shortly being sold for ready Money; the amount of the
Savings will be paid as ch[ar]g[e]d; - it is not at present in my power to pay
you -
I am Sir
Y[ou]r mo[st]
obed[ien]t S[ervan]t
Tho[ma]s
Gundry S[enio]r.
Goldsithney
17 October 1799}''
AD1583/10/84 Letter,
Trevithick to Wilson regarding payment of savings on Wheal Leeds engine
Item
1 large sheet
Manuscript
6 Nov 1798
Endorsed: R[ichar]d Trevithick 6th Nov[embe]r 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro
''Camborne
Nov[embe]r 6th 1798
Mr. Willson
Sir /
I wo[ul]d thank you to let mee know what day will sute with you to
meet Cap[tai]n Hodge and my self at Truro to fineally settle Wh[ea]l Leeds
Engine Saveings.
Your
very Humble Serv[an]t
Rich[ar]d
Trevithick
NB I am
under an engagements next Friday Saturday, and wednesday in next week please to
give two or three Days notice that Cap[tai]n Hodge may make it conveeent
[convenient] also''
AD1583/10/85 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding argument in the King's Bench, and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Nov 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt Nov[embe]r 17 - 1798-
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr.
Wilson
Truro
London 17th Nov[embe]r 1798
Dear
Sir
The Argument came on yesterday in the Kings Bench, and the court
ordered that a second should take place in Hilary term which commences the end
of January. The decision of these Judges cannot till then be known, nor can
their opinions be come at from any thing which passed yesterday. They are
evidently feeling their way & have not yet got over the old stumbling blocks
which embarassed the Judges of the Common Pleas in the outset of the Cause. A
second Argument will probably enlighten their understandings.
Perhaps however, it may be the wish of the Judges, that a cause of
such importance to patentees, should be decided by the supreme tribunal of the
Kingdom, the House of Lords, and in that case a decision pro formā will
be given against us. I only mention this as possible, for I should hope they
will save us that expence.
In any event, the Injunctions will be continued until the expiration
of the term, or the final decision of the Case, which may not be for a couple of
Years to come if we are sent to the House of Lords. We shall there be certainly
freed from all the embarassments of legal quibbles, & judged by the rules of
common sense & common equity and are confident that the issue will be
equally favourable with that of the Commons in 1792.
I have thought it necessary to say thus much to put you & our
friends on your guard against misrepresentation, which we have no doubt will be
as much resorted to on this, as on former occasions, and must ever be the resort
of a bad cause and of bad men. - One thing very favourable occurred at the
Conclusion of the Argument Yesterday, Lord Kenyon said, that the length of time,
which this patent had been acquiesced in, operated very strongly in our favour,
& that alone seemed to weigh much with him.
I am not sure whether you may have been written to respecting the
cases of Wh[ea]l Jewell & Wh[ea]l Gorland. I believe the sentiments of all
parties at Soho & here to be, that Wh[ea]l Jewel should continue to pay as
heretofore for their present Engine, but that whenever they erect a new one, it
should be put upon the footing of 2/3rds.
The same with respect to Wh[ea]l Gorland. - It cannot be expected
that we are to show any particular favour to Engines erected without our
concurrence and where we do not think ourselves over handsomely treated.
We shall leave town in the course of next week. Your Annual account
will be acceptable at Soho, whenever it suits your convenience & I am
respectfully
D[ea]r
Sir
Your obed[ien]t h[um]ble Serv[an]t
J Watt Jun[io]r.
P.S.
Please to write to Mr Weston all that has lately occured at the United Mines.
Send him a Copy of the Notice fixed up by Daniell & others and let him have a
list of the Adventurers. -''
AD1583/10/86 Letter,
Watt junior to Wilson regarding terms of payment for engines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Nov 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt 18th Nov[embe]r 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
London 18 Nov[embe]r 1798
D[ea]r Sir
In reply to your favour of the 16th Inst[an]t there can be no
objection to putting Trescaw, or any other Engines upon the same footing as
Wh[ea]l Leeds: We had indeed much rather they were put upon that footing, but we
will never agree to any farther abatement whatever upon the favourable
terms that have already been allowed them for the monthly payments, which in
future you will please to demand monthly, or as often as their Accounts are
held. -
You will inform Trevithick that if the affair of Wh[ea]l Leeds is
not settled this week, we shall immediately apply for an Attachment and if you
possibly can, you will please to send us up affidavits of his working the
Engine.
I am in haste, intending soon to return to Soho,
D[ea]r Sir
Yours
truly
J Watt Jun[io]r.
Do not
delay giving all the information you can about the United Mines, I am waiting
here solely to receive it & push that matter on. - You will please also to state
all the particulars that have passed between yourself & Trevithick relative to
Wh[ea]l Leeds, in case the Ag[reemen]t is not immediately concluded & the Money
paid. -''
AD1583/10/87 Letter, E Fox to Wilson enclosing draft from
the Polgooth Adventurers
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
24 Nov 1798
Endorsed: Edw[ar]d Fox Nov[embe]r 1798 -
Addressed to: Thomas Wilson, Truro
''Thomas Wilson Wadebridge
Nov[embe]r 24th 1798 -
Resp[ecte]d Friend
Enclosed is my
d[ra]ft on Robarts & Co[mpany] value £210 in full for the Sum demanded by
Boulton & Watts from Polgo[oth] Adv[enture]rs & which I consider to be £84 more
than they are justly entitled to - this Sum is not likely to be much felt by
those who have improperly paid it - nor do I think it will add much to the real
comfort of our Birmingham friends - when they cooly reflect on the impropriety
of their Claim - be pleased to acknowledge the receipt in course of post to
Thy
Ass[ure]d Friend
Edw[ar]d Fox
NB Is
there no probability of geting the Roundwood Accounts closed -''
AD1583/10/88 Letter,
Trevithick to Wilson regarding forthcoming meeting in Truro
Item
1 small folio
Manuscript
25 Nov 1798
Endorsed: R[ichar]d Trevithick 25th Nov[embe]r 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro
''Camborne
Nov[embe]r 25. 1798
Mr. Willson
Sir /
I rec[eive]d yours last night and will call on Cap[tai]n Hodge to fix an
early day for Meeting you at Truro.
I am Sir your very H[um]ble Ser[van]t
Rich[ar]d Trevithick''
AD1583/10/89 Letter,
Trevithick to Wilson regarding him and Captain Hodge meeting with Wilson next
morning
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
26 Nov 1798
Endorsed: R[ichar]d Trevithick 26th Nov[embe]r 1798
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro
''Marazion
Nov[embe]r 26. 1798
Mr. Wilson.
Sir /
Cap[tai]n Hodge and my self will call on you in the Morning
Respecting Wh[ea]l Leeds.
I am Sir your
H[um]ble Ser[van]t
Rich[ar]d Trevithick''
AD1583/10/90 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding disputes
with Edward Fox and with Richard Trevithick
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Nov 1798
''Soho
Nov[embe]r 30th 1798
Mr T Wilson
Dear Sir
Your favors of the 26th & 27th Ins[tan]t, the former covering Bills
value £363. 15 [shillings]. 10 [pence] are at hand & the am[oun]t at your credit
-
If Mr Fox had disproved the justice or propriety of our claim we
should have thought his letter entitled to our serious consideration, but as he
has chosen to reply to argument by invective we think it unnecessary to enter
into any further vindication of our demand. Our comfort will not be disturbed by
any reflexions upon our own conduct in this transaction, nor shall we ever feel
any compunction from enforcing our just claims, more especially where former
indulgencies are requested by such letters as Mr Foxe's.
The purport of your answer to it appears to us very proper &
whenever we should think ourselves called upon to vindicate our demand we shall
not dispair of doing it to our mutual satisfaction -
We think you have shewn rather too much levity to Trevithick & his
colleague Hodge - Our negotiation was understood to be with Trevithick & by no
means with the Adv[entur]ers of Wh[ea]l Leeds or their representative Hodge -
Trevitick was acquainted with our terms before the Engine was or ought to have
been erected & he had therefore sufficient grounds for his agreem[en]t with the
Adven[ture]rs. From the many repeated instances of his duplicity we are rather
incredulous to his pretences for a modification on the arrears - We are rather
inclined to think that the positive assurance of an attachment being the
consequence of his transgressions would have induced him to comply with the
original terms - The difference in a pecuniary point of view, between their &
your settlement is not of any moment but we particularly wish you at this
conjuncture to withold any consessions which can be construed by our opponents
as implying weakness - We are not surprised at the industry of Maberley in
spreading prejudicial rumours or the avidity with which they are recieved by our
cornish opponents, - but you are sufficiently acquainted with the course of
legal proceedings to know that if the issue of the business in the Kings bench
was to be such as they pretend to expect, we should carry it to the Lords - Here
legal quirk upon which they solely rest their hopes would be of little avail &
the merits of our case since the trial at Com[mo]n Pleas cannot be
disputed. -
We shall thank you to furnish us with your Acc[oun]t with[ou]t
waiting for the settlement of the business with Cooks Kitchen &c.
We are
D[ea]r Sir Your obed[ien]t
humb[le] Serv[an]ts
Boulton
& Watt''
[the
handwriting is that of Matthew Robinson Boulton]
AD1583/10/91 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding his own
financial situation
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Dec 1798
Endorsed: M[atthe]w Boulton Dec[embe]r 5th 1798
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr
Tho[ma]s Wilson London Decem[be]r
5 - 1798
Dear
Sir
I have rec[ei]vd in due Course your fav[ou]rs of ye 18, 19 & 30th
In[stan]t which I intended answering sooner but I never can get half an hour to
myself except at Midnight when I find my self too much fateagued to write,
moreover it would add to the disorder I have contracted of lying awake all night
& I must leave London in a day or too or I shall be seriously ill. -
The letter I wrote to you last summer upon the subject of Bill
Acc[oun]t containd my real sentiments & it would be unnecessary for me to
make repeatitions of my opineon: at the same time I must repeat one sentiment
which I believe I then expressd which is that although Mrs. Matt[e]ws & self
object to a continued & growing Bill acc[oun]t as a thing that is injurious to
Cred[i]t here, & has a ruinous tendency to the authors of it, Yet I shall have
no objection to afford you any temporary accomodation in cases of need for the
sum you mention or if I could conveniently spare the sum I had rather lend it
you but the great losses I have lately rec[ei]vd in america, Amsterdam, & this
country, added to the sum I have just advanced for George Wynde in the purchase
of the Albion Mill Coal trade & to two other Relations (who must otherwise have
perished) as well as a few more Thousands I am engaged to lend a friend you know
before Lady day in consequence of a promise made by B[oulton]:&W[att]: some time
since. But Mr W[att]: has wisely secured his money by laying it out in Terra
firma & the greatest part will fall on me. I say in consequence of these & other
such Circumstances my wings are Cropt or I would fly to your perminant
assistance.
Moreover the Copper Coinage I am now engaged in requires a very large sum for no
longer than I can command ready money no longer shall I be able to procure a
supply of Copper nor even with money can I obtain a full supply: the
consequences of which I fear will ultimately be injurious to Cornwall for if
Gov[ernmen]t can't procure Copper at such a price as to execute the Coinage
without great loss by one means they must & will adopt some other.
As to the plan of buying ores I approve it provided I could get them Smelted on
reasonable terms to the extent of 400 Ton of Copper or 5 p[e]r Year.
Mrs Matthews has offerd to advance half but I fear from what you write that
there is little chance of Roe & Co[mpany] contracting with me - Messrs Foxs have
Copper to sell but they ask such a price as I cannot give without loss - I am
willing to give them 108 in Wales & pay them ready money which is 5£.
14s[hillings]. 6d [pence] above the price they sold to the E[ast] In[dia]
Co[mpany] & a certainty of the time of Cred[i]t commencing & time of payment.
Experience has convinced me of my error in agreeing to pay a p[e]r Centage above
the Stand[ar]d price it being equally political to send 3 or 4 bidders to buy
the same thing at an auction. If you think it practicable to agree w[i]th Roe I
wish you would endeavour to accomplish it & calculate how much money it would
require to carry it on to ye extent of 100 Ton of fine Copper p[e]r Quarter or
if there is any other mode which occurs to you of procuring Copper without
advancing the price I should be glad to embrace it.
I propose to set out homeward on Saturday morn[in]g & to return again in
Jan[uar]y for I will never abandon our patent right untill it dies a natural
death, being determind to fight it through Commons & Lords, if it should be
found necessary.
with kind respects to Mrs. Wilson I remain
Dear Sir with great regard
Your faithfull & Obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
Matt[he]w Boulton.
difference in terms to E[ast] I[ndia] Co[mpany] & those offerd by me
1
Mo[nth] longer going up [£]0. 10 [shillings].
0 [pence]
p[ai]d to Williams & Sons 1. 0. 0
3 Mo[nths] longer Cred[i]t 1. 10. 0
Brokerage to dist E[ast] Ind[ia] Bills 0. 10. 0
Swansey to Branscomb & London 2. 4. 6
[Total] £5. 14.
6
besides
lying in London a Mo[nth] or two before it is rece[i]vd or Cred[i]t Commences''
AD1583/10/92 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding matters of
a financial nature
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Dec 1798
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt Dec[embe]r 11th 1798
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho
Dec[embe]r 11th 1798
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I immediately upon receipt of your letter transmitted it to Mr
Boulton from whom I have yet had no answer upon the subject. I therefore now
only write you to show I have not neglected the business, I feel myself much
concerned that your difficulties have again prompted you to a step which must
displease, but shall at present say no more on that head being persuaded your
own feelings must point it out to you sufficiently.
Mr Boulton is detained in London partly by his own business & partly
by our chancery suit ag[ains]t the united mines who have put in an answer to our
bill full of falsehoods as usual, to which we have put in a reply which we
expect will prove satisfactory & confirm the injunction, in spite of the hopes
they have formed from the late proceedings in Kings bench.
You ask my advice in your own affairs, I am realy at a loss how to
give it. The only thing which occurs to me is the lessening your concerns by
disposing of your works at Penryn unless your partners will take some measures
to put in their shares of money or otherwise procure it. At present I believe
loans of money are very difficult to be procured even upon the best securities,
for beside the extraordinary interest in the stocks bargains are to be had of
Land & other property which are more tempting than mere interest, and the taxes
now proposed will oblige every body to make the best use of their money.
Your son Charles keeps his health very well & his behaviour gives
satisfaction but is not yet of so much use as we could wish from his being so
much behind in his education, but I hope that by diligence he will be able to
make it up. It gives me pleasure to hear such good accounts of Tom who I hope
will continue to gain strength, otherwise I would recommend another voyage.
I remain with Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & family
Dear Sir
Your's Sincerely
James
Watt
Your
letter with the accounts is just rec[eive]d''
