AD1583/2 Correspondence, volume 2 Series
82 items (85 documents)
Manuscript
8 Jul 1786-28 Dec 1787
AD1583/2/1 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
Poldice mine, Gwennap Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Jul 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt July 8 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chasewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m July 8th 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
On Thursday morning I sent off by coach
drawings for Hallamanin Beam & for those of Poldice No 4 & 5. some
observations on which shall send on Tuesday not having been able to
make them out yet it having been Quarter day & Mr Wilkinson &
several people here.
Mr B[oulton]. received a letter from Mr Vivian,
yesterday informing him that he Mr. Gwatkin & Mr Willyams had held a
council on the state of Poldice, from which it appeared that there
was little likelyhood of the mines repaying the present new Engines
& consequent Expences & that unless the Lords Bounders & ourselves
w[oul]d relinquish the whole of our dues until the mine repaid that
expence they would stop it, & requiring our answer by the 12th,
which from the date of the reception of the letter was impossible,
Mr B. was obliged to out of town to day on an appointment, but
promised to come in time to send some kind of answer, which he has
not done. I can therefore say nothing except from myself, & which
can only be to you for some kind of government till further advice -
The proposition made seems to me utterly inadmissable, as the giving
way to it must eventually be more prejudicial to us than the stoping
of both Poldice & Wheal Virgin for the latter though not in so bad a
condition would naturaly insist on the same terms as w[oul]d every
mine which wanted repairs so that in the course of a year or two we
sh[oul]d have no income at all. If the mine is not otherwise worth
working our premium will not make it so, nor will we give up our
profits to enrich the merchants. The great & sole query is & which
we beg your opinion on immediately is whether the mine realy has
such prospects as authorizes the expence? if it has not it must
perish in any case.
If the mine is a rational Adventure, with good
management, adventurers may be found in this Country but they can
only be got on the management being given up to them wholly, & to
provide all materials themselves where they best can. You will
please therefore to advise us as soon as you can.
What prospects there are in the Bottoms if dry.
How much value p[e]r month the mine might be expected to turn out.
What w[oul]d be the probable costs p[e]r month.
What the value of the present materials may be.
What will be the Costs to sett the mine to work with the new
Engines.
Whether it w[oul]d not be better to stop the mine till the Engines
were erected.
What Lords & Bounders dues are paid & if any abatement to be
expected.
What share the disaffected Adventurers have.
Who w[oul]d be likely to continue, & who w[oul]d be proper people.
How much is the present loss on working the mine independent of the
costs towards the new Erections.
The materials for both the Engines are in great
forwardness & must be paid for at any rate, as there is no chance of
disposing of them otherwise.
All this sh[oul]d have been consulted upon sooner,
before they had laid out so much & made me swallow the Bitter pill
of so much anxious contrivance, which has borne very hard on my
health & hindered other business however we must bear with our
misfortune if we can find no remedy.
Mr William Wilkinson intends to sett off on monday or
tuesday on a visit to cornwall, shall be obliged to you to shew him
every attention & to give him all the information about the mines
you can, you will find him a very agreable man.
Wishing you & Mrs Wilson all good things I
remain Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt
beware you do
not receive partial information, as our agent they will naturally
point out the Black side of every thing''
AD1583/2/2 Letter, Roberts to
Wilson regarding goods for Halamanning and Poldice mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
10 Jul 1786
Endorsed:
Jno [John] Roberts 10 July 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chasewater, near Truro, Cornwall
''Mr Tho[ma]s
Wilson
Sir
We have sent this Spring to Messrs Pritchard
& Barlow Bristol. the Goods as under with particular orders for
their being immediately sent off for Cornwall -. the Nozzle for
N[o]5 Poldice is in hand, it shall be sent nest Spring if possible
with the remaining part of the order for N[o]4 Poldice which is
nearly ready - We hope they will be with you in time. Mr Murdock
will inform you about the Clocks sent last Spring. You will please
inform us if you wish to have any Barometers, Steam Gages &c.
We are Sir
Your
Most Obed[ien]t Serv[an]ts
For
Boulton & Watt
Jno
Roberts''
[next page gives
table of goods dispatched to Cornwall for Halamanning mine]
AD1583/2/3 Letter, Watt to Wilson
introducing William Wilkins Item
2 folios
Manuscript
10 Jul 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt July 10 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro
''Birm[ingha]m
July 10th 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir /
This serves to introduce Mr Will[ia]m
Wilkins who comes partly on a journey of amusement & partly to
inspect into the State of the mines his Brother is concerned in, and
perhaps with some view of seeing whether it may be proper to engage
farther. We shall be obliged to you to give him all the information
you can on these subjects & to introduce him at the accounts &c.
We propose writing by post to morrow, mean while
I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/4 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding
dispute with Poldice mine, Gwennap Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Jul 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt July 11 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m July 11th 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
J[ames]. W[att]. wrote you last post
informing you of the proposition made by Mr Vivian & others that
unless the Lords of Poldice & ourselves would agree to give up
entirely all manner of dues & premiums arising from that mine, until
it should have repaid £7000, which they say the new engines will
cost, they would vote for stopping the mine entirely. As they did
not seem disposed to make the same demand in regard to the merchants
profits we look upon the proposal as partial & unjust. And even
setting this consideration aside we cannot agree to this proposal
without receiving a far greater injury than the Stopping of the mine
can do us, by setting a precedent for demands which must end in the
annihilation of our income; & therefore as we must make a stand
somewhere it is best that it be understood by every body that we
will upon no occasion agree to pay for or contribute towards Engines
or their repairs or costs of mines. But in this present case as
Poldice mine has not been profitable nor is soon likely to be so,
from the current expences of working the mine independant of any new
erections, we will make them an abatement of part of our dues untill
the mine shall have repaid the losses she has made from the 1st of
May Last. We therefore empower you to make the following proposition
to the Adventurers.
1. Although they have 3 Engines at work & a 4th erecting, besides
the exchange of a single engine for a double one, we shall take
payment only for 2 of the 63s at the rate of £55 each per month, or
£110 p[e]r month for both, until the mine shall have repaid all
losses which have been or shall be incurred after the 1st day of
May 1786 and is again a profitable mine.
2. Whenever the mine shall become profitable & shall have repaid
the Losses, or costs incurred after the aforesaid date, then we
shall Claim the full of our present payment of £166. 13sh[illings]
4d [pence] p[e]r month without making any charge for the extra
quantity of power, or for more Engines if more shall be needed to
work the mine within the present sett.
3. The said reduction to £110 p[e]r month to commence from the
first of May, unless you shall judge it prudent to go further back.
4. These Abatements only to take place on our part upon the
conditions that the Lords & Bounders abate their dues in the like
proportion.
You will see that supposing the new Engines to be
finished the abatement we propose is very considerable, for
The 3 present Engines - per month - £166. 13. 4
The new double 24 - [£]16. -
[Total]
£182. 13. 4
secondly when One 63 is exchanged for a double 58 then the Account
will stand as on other side -
2. 63s single - £110. 8
sh[illings]. 10d [pence]
One d[ou]ble 58 - [£]93. 8.
4
One d[ou]ble 24 - [£]16. - .
-
[Total]
£219. 17. 2
So that what we ask is only half that sum until the mine is
reinstated & a perpetual abatement of £628 p[e]r annum whether the
mine is profitable or not, but if the Engines are to be paid for by
tin tables the abatements must appear to be very far beyond what has
been stated. It does not appear by Mr Vivians letter that the Lords
had consented or would consent to his proposal, & we should not
chuse to be made a weapon of against them farther than was
reasonable.
NB, if these proposals are not accepted & the mine should be stopt
in consequence we Claim our full dues to the end of its working.
You will also take care to Stipulate that the Adventurers are to
take upon themselves and bear us free from all rates levies and
Taxes imposed on account of the premiums.
We have just received your letter of the 5th, and shall
as soon as possible send you instructions on that subject, in the
mean time you will please consult Mr Cha[rle]s Rashleigh who we
understand is willing to act for us in that matter, except against
the parish of Redruth. As to Dr Pryces House all thoughts of it must
be given up until these tax matters are settled, As Mr Lemons House
and Enys are both furnished they do not stand in the same
predicament, besides are not in any of the noxious Parishes.
We beg you may represent our sentiments so to Poldice adventurers as
to take away all odium, we write Mr Vivian that we have impowered
you to make proposals so that you need not show this l[e]ttre.
[marginal]
We have inclosed
copy of the letter to Mr Vivian, & have desired Mr E[dwar]d Fox to
give Mr C: Rashleigh £5. 5 [shillings] for a retaining fee which
please repay him -
J[ames] W[att] intended to have written in explanation of the
drawings, but this & other similar matters have prevented him - We
are D[ea]r Sir Your's &c Boulton and Watt''
[the handwriting
is that of James Watt]
AD1583/2/5 Letters, Watt to Wilson regarding
dispute with Poldice adventurers Item
1 large folio and 1 large sheet
Manuscript
21 Jul 1786- 22 Jul 1786
AD1583/2/5/1 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
dispute with Poldice adventurers Piece
1 large sheet
Manuscript
22 Jul 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt July 22 1786
Addressed to: Mr Wilson, Confidential Letter
''Birm[ingha]m July 22[n]d 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
The letter with this contains our sentiments
on the subject of Poldice to which we have nothing to add except to
give you a discretionary power in Case of absolute necessity,
to consent or rather to give hopes that we will consent to extend
the term of 16 months we have limited our giving up the premiums on
Poldice, to the full time the mine shall be in repaying the £8000,
say that we shall not Claim our premiums on that mine until it has
repaid the above sum.
We have deferred giving an answer to the demand of
making no charge for the new Engine at the united mines, until we
know the fate of the present negociation as in case of both Poldice
& Wheal Virgin being stopt the U[nite]d M[ine]s will be able to pay
us our full dues & we shall not be so able to make deductions. - I
do not wish to make such complaint about the trouble I have had with
these new inventions for Poldice, because it may be alledged that I
have already been very well paid, but I can assure you that I have
suffered very much in my health by the application & attention I
have given to them particularly as I was obliged to attend to them
in the midst of their business which the expectation of what has now
happened, did not render prudent to delay or turn aside, and also
the whole came upon me at a time when weaker health than usual
rendered it doubly severe. Of what use is it to get wealth if one
loses the ability of enjoying it!
We must desire that you do not make any proposal from us
to the Meeting until a consolidation or some feasible plan for
carrying on the mines is agreed upon, as we should not wish to give
a bad example of concessions without their answering any end. If you
are much urged & they seem disposed to split on that point you may
say in general that if other matters are ajusted that you have
proposals to make which you expect will be acceptable.
We desire our Comp[limen]ts to Mr Wilkinson & shall be
glad to hear from him, and think it will be proper that you consult
with him on the subject of these letters, two heads are better than
one.
I am
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt
While this
business is pending please direct your letters on it Via London to
Mr Matthews care, or direct to us at his house''
AD1583/2/5/2 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
dispute with Poldice adventurers Piece
1 large folio
Manuscript
21 Jul 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt July 21 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m July 21st 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We are favoured with yours of the 12th &
13th, and must think that the adv[enture]rs in Poldice shew very
little delicacy in pressing us to so sudden a conclusion in a matter
of so much importance and involved in so many attendant
circumstances, were Poldice mine alone the subject of our
consideration we should certainly think no farther on the subject
but adhere to what we have already written to you, as it does not
appear to us from the Captains Statement that there is a rational
prospect of proffits either to the Adventurers or to us: therefore
the giving up our premium in the manner demanded would be setting an
injurious example without advantage to the adventurers. It may be
urged that the giving up our premium is taking nothing out of our
pocket, but the fact is otherwise, these last Engines have taken up
a portion of our time and attention, that would otherwise have been
applied to other subjects, which would have afforded us very
considerable profits & more permanent ones than those we receive
from the mines, besides that the annual expence of the establishment
of our business is very great & every thing which takes up our
attention, in the way of our business ought to be burthened with its
proportion of the general Expence. The use that has been made of
every concession we have made in the county by turning it into
precedent has tended to stifle our generosity & to harden our hearts
against all demands of that kind. The principal reasons that should
determine us to make any concessions in respect to Poldice, they and
what we have already impowered you to make, are the saving of the
other Gwennap mines, Which, we are convinced, were we to agree
without reserve to the present proposal, instead of looking on it as
any favour done them, would certainly construe it into a precedent
in their favour & think themselves ill used if similar favours were
not granted to them as soon as they came to need new Engines. If it
be true that the water of Wheel virgin & Poldice communicates, the
whole should be looked upon as one common concern so far as that
article extends & therefore whatever we now give up to Poldice
should be looked upon as given up to Wheal Virgin & Poldice and in
that light only can we go any further.
We still think that our former proposition is as far in
reason we ought to be asked, or in prudence we ought to go, but if
you find that it is not accepted and that Wheal Virgin ad[venture]rs
have so little respect to their own interest as to lett Poldice be
stopt, you will then as an Ultimatum make the following proposition,
which is dictated more by a wish to obtain general goodwill than by
a strict regard to our own interest.
1st You may agree in our name to give up the whole of our
premiums on Poldice Engines, for the space of Sixteen Months, unless
the profits of the mine shall repay the £8000 proposed to be laid
out on the new erections in a shorter time in which latter case our
premiums to be paid us from the time such repayment shall happen, or
from the end of 16 months whether the expenditure is repaid or not.
To commence the 16 months from the first of august next.
2[n]d To prevent any use being made of this as precedent by the
neighbouring mines we cannot agree to the above proposition unless
the Consolidated & United Mines will impower some of their
Adventurers to sign an agreement importing that they will not use
this concession as a precedent & that they shall not in future make
any demands on us for abatements either on acc[oun]t of new Engines
which may be wanted for their respective mines or on account of any
state the mines may be in at any time hereafter. or at least if
these mines shall claim any such indulgence that they shall be
allowed it from the adventurers of Poldice mine out of the sum now
to be given up to them, and that in such proportions as shall be
mutually settled among them. You will easily see that if we make a
concession in favour of Poldice it is but reasonable that mine
should guarantee us from any other prejudice happening to us on
account of such Concession. And if this cannot be done, we cannot
reasonably be expected to lay ourselves open to repetitions of such
demands.
After all if the mine is not better managed than it has
been heretofore we donot expect that any thing we can give up will
save it. As to any of us coming to Cornwall to attend this meeting,
we do not see that it could answer any good end, and it would be
very disagreable to either of us to be assailed by demands improper
for us to comply with.
We send this by way of London that you may consider what
is prudent to be done & shall write to you again to morrow by the
common post till you receive which it may be proper to make no
mention or hint of the contents of this We remain
Your's sincerely
Boulton and Watt''
AD1583/2/6 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding
dispute with Poldice adventurers Item
1 large folio
Manuscript
22 Jul 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt July 22 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, per express on Poldice
Business
''Birmin[gha]m July 22[n]d 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir /
We wrote you yesterday by way of London,
authorizing you in case of necessity, to offer to the Adventurers in
Poldice to give up our premium on all the Engines on that mine for
16 months after the first of August next, unless the profits of the
mine should have repaid the expence of erecting the new Engines
sooner, in which case, we to be reinstated in our dues from the time
these costs were cleared off, Provided always that we could be
secured from our concession being used as a precedent by Wheal
Virgin & united mines: But as neither of us was in sufficient health
or spirits to judge soundly on the propriety of what we had offered
we desired you to delay using or communicating the letter till you
heard further from us by this nights post; and even now we feel
ourselves as much perplexed as ever. By letter to day from Mr Vivian
it appears that Poldice Adventurers have in any case resolved
to give up the mine without it can be consolidated with Wheal
Virgin. Mr Vivian very much presses Mr B[oulton]. to come down by
the 27th but his health being very poorly he cannot undertake it
without risking his life, particularly considering the scene of
argumentation & vexation he must enter upon when he comes there,
besides he thinks his coming will be more opportune when the first
ferment is over. It seems very doubtful whether the Lords & the two
setts of adventurers will accord among themselves, we therefore wish
you to advise the parties to wave all considerations relative to
B[oulton]&W[att] until they have first tryed to settle the other
questions, and unless these can be settled to satisfaction it will
be needless to apply to us for abatements of what must fall of it
self. If the mines can be consolidated we will still adhere to our
yesterdays offer on the same terms, that is we will give up our
premiums of £166 p[e]r month arising from Poldice mine for 16 months
provided the profits of that mine does not repay the £8000 to be
laid out on new erections in a shorter time, but if it does, then
our premiums to take place from the time the sum is repaid.
But as this concession is made entirely on account of
Wheal Virgin mine to save it from the water of Poldice, we will not
make any further concessions when Wheal Virgin requires new Engines,
and if this does not prove satisfactory we conceive that it will be
more for our interest that both mines should be stopt than to give
up any thing more, as in that case though we should have no income
from the mine, we should at same time be obliged to make no
exertions in providing Engines for it: nor which is of still more
consequence our remaining Customers would not be authorized to make
similar demands, whenever they found themselves obliged to lay out
money on new erections.
As this Matter is of great consequence both to the country in
general & to us the decision ought not to be hurried, time should be
taken to consider it thoroughly and to turn the matter in every
view, before any determination is made, especialy a fatal one, and
we would recommend another meeting to be held in a month from the
27th at which one of us will endeavour to attend, & give every
assistance in our power, as adventurers, - It appears to us
to be a necessary consideration whether, in case of Wheal Virgin
taking Poldice under its wing & the latters proving a bad concern,
it may not disable or render it imprudent in Wheal Virgin
Ad[venture]rs to go on with the necessary new erections on their own
mine, & consequently lose both with the heavy addition of the new
erections on Poldice. This can only be judged off by those who are
conversant in the underground state of Both mines & their probable
prospects which we do not pretend to form any determinate opinion
upon.
Suppose in order to prevent precipitation, that the two
mines were agreed at the next meeting to be considered as
consolidated for one month or more until the matter could be
properly considered & ajusted, by which means W[heal].V[irgin].
would pay its share of any losses which might happen in Poldice for
that month which would be well worth while by the opportunity it
would give of mature consideration. - If it shall appear to you that
the consolidation of the mines or the taking poldice as a part of
W[hea]l V[irgin]. would be for the good of the latter mine we
impower you to vote for it on our account & to give our dissent to
the immediate Stopping of Poldice, though we by no means wish
to prolong that mine as a losing concern, further than to give time
to settle matters with Wheal Virgin.
I should have sent you the drawings for the new Engine
at the United Mines this week, but have been so confused, perplexed
& my attention distracted by this subject of Poldice that my head
has not been clear enough to examine & correct them, besides if
Poldice should absolutely stop, perhaps they may chuse to purchase
some of the engines off that mine which makes it prudent to defer
the execution.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & all
friends, We remain
Dear Sir
Your Obed[ien]t Serv[an]ts
Boulton and Watt''
[the handwriting
is that of James Watt]
AD1583/2/7 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
dispute with Poldice adventurers Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Jul 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt July 27 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m July 27th 1785
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Y[ou]rs of 22[n]d received, our two last
letters will before now have satisfied you as to our final
determination in respect to Poldice, I fear we will have gone too
far but were willing to save Wheal Virgin at lest and are persuaded
that Poldice is in so bad a state as to require some bribe to make
them engage in it, I hope however that you have been able to confine
the giving up to the 16 months, In relation to our taking parts in
the mine, If Poldice is not Consolidated with Wheal Virgin we shall
retain the share we have in it but take no more, as after the
concession we have made it is not in our power. If the mines are
consolidated we shall take the same share in both we have in Wheal
Virgin 1/32 but no more in either. We shall readily agree to Poldice
being put under any good management, without regard to the persons -
You will please advise as soon as you can whether the Engine
Materials should be proceeded with as I believe Mr Wilkinsons part
of them is at a stand till something determinate is done - I mean to
send off U[nite]d Mines drawings to morrow & the Engine can be
proceeded on or not as Circumstances with you point out.
Counsellor Bearcroft is decidedly of opinion that our
premiums are not subject to the poors rate in no shape shall send
you copy of his opinion - I remain D[ea]r Sir Yours &c
James Watt''
AD1583/2/8 Letters, Boulton to Wilson, and copy
of Boulton to Vivian Item
1 folio and 1 sheet
Manuscript
11 Jul 1786-1 Aug 1786
AD1583/2/8/1 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding
concession made to Poldice mine, Gwennap Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
1 Aug 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Aug[u]st 1 1786
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water near, Truro,
Cornwall, via London
''Birm[in]g[ha]m Aug[us]t 1st 1786
Dear Sir
We rec[ei]vd yours of ye 27th by Express with one from
Mr Vivian. After deliberate consideration we have wrote to him the
inclosed answer which you may read or Copy.
As to our takeing any more shares in Poldice (We say to
You) we wish to decline it, as We have lately enterd into such
engagements as will require all our spare money.
We beg you will fully incense Mr Daniel & W[hea]l Virgin
advent[ure]rs that the Concession We have made to Poldice is more on
their acc[oun]t than from any hopes of profit from Poldice, &
therefore it will be in vain to talk to us about the president
[precedent], or about similar or further indulgences.
Please to take notice that in adjusting your acc[oun]ts with Poldice
that We consider the effects of our new proposition is to commence
from this day 'till which time we expect (as the Lords &c do) our
premium to be paid.
With respectfull Compl[imen]ts & best wishes to Mrs.
Wilson We remain
Dear Sir
Your faithfull
friends & Serv[an]ts
Boulton
and Watt
Our
M[atthew]B[oulton]: will be with you soon''
[the handwriting
is that of Matthew Boulton]
AD1583/2/8/2 Copy of letter from Boulton to Vivian regarding
proposals for Poldice mine, Gwennap Piece
1 sheet
Manuscript
11 Jul 1786
Endorsed: Mr Boulton Copy of a Letter to Mr Vivian July 11
1786
''Dear Sir /
Soho,
July 11th 1786
I received your
favour of the 30 Ult[i]mo which I should have answered last post,
but was from home. - I observe that you, with Mr. Gwatkin & Mr.
Williams, have determined for yourselves, & those you act for, not
to consent to the proposed additional Engines at Poldice, unless we
relinquish our savings, & the Lords & bounders their dues, untill
the sum so expended shall be reimbursed. - It certainly would have
been more fair if you had included an abatement of all the Merchants
profits as well as the Lords and Engineers, as I see no reason why
the one party should be sacrificed, more than the other; moreover we
wish to avoid being used as Engines against the Lords, no
proposition having come from them. - By this Post, we have received
an account of a demand being made upon us for Land Tax at
4s[hillings] in the Pound, & poors Levies at 14s[hillings] in the
Pound, upon our Engine Profits for one Mine, which, if paid, would
undoubtedly be claimed for every other: to which add your claim of
20/s[hillings] in the Pound, will leave us in an unpleasant
situation if complyed with. We shall defend ourselves from the first
as well as we can, and we cannot comply with the other, although we
are desirous of encouraging the Mines & doing every thing in our
Power to support them, as any persons in Cornwall. - We made a
liberal offer last Year to W[hea]l Virgin in consideration of her
profits being small & her expences great; the president was soon
adopted at the United Mines, who in consequence thereof, claimed a
similar indulgence although that Mine is richer than ever. - The
Phisician hath a right to take his fees from all his patients, but,
if he is wise & benevolent, he will take them from the Rich that he
may thereby be better inabled to be kind to the Poor -
We cannot agree to your proposal without receiving a far greater
injury than the stopping of the Mine can do us, by setting a
president for demands, which must end in the annihilation of our
profits; & therefore, we beg it may be understood by every body,
that we will not agree to pay for the Erection of Engines, which,
when erected, are to be the property of other persons. - However in
the present case, as Poldice Mine has not been profitable, nor is
soon likely to be so, from the current expences of working it
running so high, independent of any new erections, We will make an
abatement of a large part of our Dues untill the Mine shall have
repaid her losses from the 1st of May last. We have therefore
empowered Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson to make such propositions to you & the
Adventurers as we hope will be acceptable, upon conditions that the
Lords & bounders abate in their dues & the Merch[an]ts take a
dis[coun]t from the profits of their Bills in the like proportion.
Signed M. B.''
AD1583/2/9 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
concessions made to Poldice mine, Gwennap Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 Aug 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Aug[us]t 2 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, by
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Aug[us]t 2nd 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Inclosed I send you a letter to Mr R. A,
Daniel which please read and deliver, you will please also to
explain to the Adven[ture]rs how our savings on these Engines would
ammount to £2000 a year reckoning by W[hea]l Virgin Engines.
Please inform Mr Wilkinson that I have received his
letter for which I return him many thanks but it would, perhaps have
been of more service if it had come some days sooner.
In my opinion we have acted extremely wrong in making
the concessions we have done to Poldice but Mr B[oulton]. thought
otherwise & I could not bring him over to my opinion though I held
out as long as respect to him would permit me & am now
unconvinced that so great an Abatement was necessary in any state of
the case. I have a very bad opinion of the management of that mine
worse than I have of the mine itself, and after the manner we have
been treated, I cannot bring myself to continue longer an
adv[enture]r there, and therefore will be obliged to you to sell my
share, which is 1/3 of that held by B[oulton]&W[att]. on such terms
as the other ad[venture]rs who decline get for theirs - Had they
been content with the giving up for the 16 months I should not have
been half so vexed as I am but the insisting on the whole shewed a
tyranny of disposition that could not come from those who are
friendly to us, and in my opinion we have suffered ourselves basely
to be trampled upon. I care not though it should be known that this
matter has been given up contrary to my sentiments & that if there
be any merit in it it does not belong to me now that the matter is
past remedy as to Poldice. I beg you may be at pains to lett it be
fully understood, that we will do nothing of the sort for W[heal]l.
V[irgin]. as if we had a proper motive in what we have done
it was to save the latter mine.
I have no doubt but what Mr W[ilkinso]n suggests is true
that it was a plan or part of a plan to lessen the quantities of
copper ore but if so it was executed bunglingly & in a mean manner.
I forsee that some mines must stop & therefore wisht to have got all
we could fairly in the mean time.
I dispatched the drawings for the United Mines on Monday
morning by coach & hope they have come safe to hand.
With Comp[liment]s to Mrs Wilson
I remain
Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt
Please destroy
this letter -''
AD1583/2/10 Letter, Roberts to
Wilson regarding engine parts dispatched for Poldice mine, Gwennap Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Aug 1786
Endorsed:
Jno [John] Roberts Aug[ust] 8 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chasewater, near Truro, Cornwall
''Soho Birmingham 8 Aug[us]t 1786
Sir
We have sent the Goods as on the other side
for N[o]5 & N[o]4 Poldice. We hope they will be with you in time as
we have given particular Orders to Stourport & to Bristol for their
being immediately forwarded to you. . . We are Sir
Your Most
Obed[ien]t Serv[an]ts
for Boulton & Watt
Jno Roberts''
[the rest of
this page and the next page includes table of goods for Poldice
mine]
AD1583/2/11 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
construction of a steam carriage Item
1 large sheet
Manuscript
15 Aug 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Aug[u]st 15 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Aug[u]st 15th 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have y[our]s of the 9th but being not well
& just setting out on journey to London cannot fully answer it.
In relation to the loss which we agreed to give up
premium till paid it was understood to be circumscribed not in any
case to exceed £8000 but if less money performs the erections &c
then we understand that as soon as the specific loss is paid up by
the mine, our premium shall recommence. These Gen[tleme]n seem
disposed to stretch the string too far, in which case it will break.
I am far from being sure that the disatisfied Ad[venture]rs giving
up the mine w[oul]d have been so hurtful to us as what we have done
therefore hope we will be urged no farther on the subject.
I have begun to make a steam carriage on a large scale
but have no hopes of its being useful.
I remain
Dear Sir Yours &c
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/12 Tables of accounts, John Holt, William Murdock and Boulton, Watt
& Company Item
2 small sheets
Manuscript
25 Aug 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Pearson Aug[u]st 25 1786
''Soho
near Birmingham 25 August 1786
Mr Thomas Wilson
Sir
Herewith you receive sundry
Accounts, which you have not had before; and with which beg you will
be pleased to do the needful. - We are
Sir Your
most humble servants
For Boulton & Watt
James
Pearson''
[includes tables
of accounts for various items for John Holt, William Murdock, and
Boulton, Watt & Company, all in account with Boulton & Watt]
AD1583/2/13 Letter, Ann Watt to
Wilson regarding various matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
31 August 1786
Endorsed:
Mrs Watt Aug[u]st 31 1786
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chasewater Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol
''Dear Sir
I
received this day yours of the 24 Aug[us]t inclosing Bills to the
amount of £564. 18 [shillings]. 4d [pence] which I shall send to Mr
Watt London to morrow with your Letter. I was rather surprized at
receiving your Letter to day as Mr Wilkinson told me you was to be
at London last Friday & woud be here on your way to Yorkshire Mr
Wilkinson set off for Castlehead on monday Last by this time you
have Mr B[oulton] with you give my Comp[limen]ts to him tell him I
saw Miss Boulton at Mrs Turners yesterday in perfect health tell him
I am very sorry he had the trouble of going to London for no purpose
Mr Morcom must have a very high opinion of himself to make such a
demand tell him Mr Guyott Leaves this place to Night Please to give
my best Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson who I hope is well & all her
fine boys remember me to Mr Matthews &c Mr & Mrs Murdock & Mr Lawson
I remain
Dear Sir Yours
A Watt
Birmingham
Aug[u]st 31 1786
Vivian will not
by any means take any of the Poldice goods he must be a Cornish
Mule''
AD1583/2/14 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding Cornish Metal Company, also
various mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Sep 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Sept[embe]r 14 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m
Sep[tembe]r 14th 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I am favoured with yours of the 8th covering
two Bills value £400. - . which are at your credit. I foresaw the
C[ornish] M[etal]. Co[mpany] difficulties, but do not see so well
how to get them out of them, I much fear some bad catastrophe - In
consequence of Mr Boultons l[e]ttre I have also written to H Jones
about forwarding the poldice & united mines goods & have also
desired him if Crenver materials did not go by Vivian to send them
in same ship without they had other orders. I also desired if the
vessel was not loaded out to send 10000 fire bricks to fill up.
My absence in London, where I never can have my head
clear enough to write & Mr B[oulton]s being just setting out for
Cornwall prevented my writing in answer to your former letters, &
though I wish you had not pointed me out as the adversary of
JW[illia]ms yet you know me well enough to know I never take umbrage
at what is well meant.
My objection did not lie against W[illia]ms in
particular but against the management of the mine in general beside
I was & am not a little hurt by the manner in wh[i]ch they have
behaved to us.
Wishing Mrs Wilson better health than I hear they have
had lately - I remain Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/2/15 Letter, Roberts to
Wilson regarding goods for various mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Oct 1786
Endorsed:
Tho[ma]s Roberts Oct[obe]r 6 1786
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Willson, Chasewater, near Truro,
Cornwall
''Soho Birmingham 6 Oct[obe]r 1786
Mr Tho[ma]s Willson
Sir
You receive Invoice of sundry Goods as on
the other side - the Cylinder Plates sent 20th Sept[embe]r I had no
Account of from the Foundery untill this day, nor did I know that
any were ordered. The Nozzles &c for the United Mines & the Cylinder
Plates for Poldice N[o]5 are sent to Stourport a&c as usual with
orders for their being immediately sent forward -
Mr Watt has given orders about some Men & proposes sending two for
Cornwall immediately, 'tho' they can be ill spared -
I am Sir Very respectfully
for
Messrs Boulton & Watt
Your
Obed[ien]t h[um]ble Serv[an]ts
Jno
[John] Roberts''
[Then gives
table of goods for United Mines and Poldice, Gwennap, and Wheal
Crenver, Crowan]
AD1583/2/16 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company, also
small engines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Oct 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Oct[obe]r 14 1786
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Oct[obe]r 14th 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have y[ou]rs of the 7th & Mr B[oulton]s of
the 6th I am exceedingly vexed at the accounts of small Engines but
am by no means able from any thing I have yet heard to say what is
the matter with them, there seems to be more faults than one, I
shall consult with Mr B[oulton]. on them when he comes which I hope
will be soon, as he is much wanted on the affair I wrote to him
about, & which
