Great Wheal Fortune, Wheal Vor Mine and Trevarno House
Wheal Trewavas and Wheal Prosper
Wendron mines and sites
Marriott's Shaft, West Basset & Wheal Basset
Bickford's Fuseworks
Camborne town
Dolcoath Mine
East Pool & Agar (EPAL)
Great Flat Lode
King Edward Mine
Portreath Harbour
Redruth town
South Crofty Mine
Wheal Peevor
Carnon Valley
Clifford Amalgamated
Devoran
Gwennap Pit
Kennall Vale & Perran Foundry
St Day
Wheal Busy
Cliffscapes at Cligga Head
St Agnes
Trevaunance to Trevellas
Tywarnhayle Mine
Wheal Coates
Gonamena Valley & Caradon Hill
Phoenix United Mine
Wheal Jenkin & Marke Valley
Devon Great Consols
Morwellham Quay
Tavistock
UK comparison
International comparison
Non-ferrous mining sites
GIS Mapping
Volume 2
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 if meant to be attended to at all must not be
delayed.
I do not like the aspect of the
C[ornish].M[etal].Co[mpany] so great a dead stock must hang like a
Millstone about their necks without they take some effectual means
to get quit of it & whether that can be done at the price they have
set I much doubt.
I sent off this week Tho[ma]s Baker who is an active
young man & I expect with directions will be able to put an Engine
together very well, also another man who though lame is strong &
willing & promises to be a good fitter. I have ordered a Coal brook
dale man to be taken on trial this week & if he proves good for any
thing shall engage him & send him, we are upon the out look for
others, to send down, having none of our old ones disengaged, nor
likely to be soon.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & to Mr B[oulton] if
still with you I remain Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/17 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
various matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Oct 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Oct[obe]r 20 1786
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase water near, Truro,
Cornwall
''Birmingham Oct[obe]r 20th 1786
Dear Sir
I have the pleasure to tell you that I arivd at home
yesterday afternoon in good health without the least accident to our
selves & Horses.
I have consulted with Mr Watt respecting the purchasing of Mr Reeds
1/8 Share in Chase Water mine, & have now to inform you that we
agree to take the said one Eighth upon the terms proposed to me in
Cornwall.
Viz: To pay to Mr Reed what he hath layd out upon that Mine,
deducting what he hath receivd from it: or in other words to pay him
the Ballance of Cost.
And likewise to allow the Ballance of interest, on both sides of the
Acc[oun]t (after the rate of 5 p[e]r Cent p[e]r Annum) from the
respective days of Mr Reeds payments becoming Money untill the day
our paym[en]t to Mr Reed shall also become Money. We therefore beg
you will acquaint Mr Reed & let us know if he agrees & when, where,
& to whom he would have the Money paid.
We therefore beg to receive his final answer in a post or two.
In regard to Mr Georges proposition Mr Watt is precisely
of the same sentiments with my self & which I expressd to you before
my departure.
We do not choose to be held up to Auction or be put in competition
with any other Engineers. You may inform those Gent[leme]n what our
usual terms are either by the Tables or by the Year & you can also
inform them what a 20 In[ch] d[ou]bl[e] Engine will cost w[hi]ch may
be worked single till the depth of the Mine requires it double &
when got to the extent of that power it may be still further
extended.
As to erecting Engines at our own Expence Mr Watt & self are
desireous of avoiding & also of bring the little Engine Co[mpany] to
a dissolution as soon as it can be conveniently done.
We are ready to erect an Engine for the Baldew
Adv[enture]rs upon as low terms as for any other Mines & we cannot
acceed to any other.
I shall be happy to hear that Mrs. Wilson & every branch of your
family are well & beg youl present my best respects & thanks for all
her good care of me & my Son.
I am dear Sir
Your Obliged friend & Ob[edien]t
Serv[an]t
Matthew
Boulton.
respects to
Lawson''
AD1583/2/18 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
engines, also Baldhu mine Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Oct 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Oct[obe]r 22 1786
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water near, Truro,
Cornwall, Via London
''Soho 22[n]d Oct[obe]r 1786
Dear Sir
I wrote to you from Mr Watts, on Fryday last to tell you
that We agree to take all Mr Reeds Shares by w[hi]ch he will be
enabled to carry on Baldew. As to yours I had rather lend you a sum
equal to its Value than you should be disinterested in that Mine. I
have not rec[ei]vd any answer from Mr Wilkinson nor heard of him
since my return.
Mr Watt approved of my Plan for working such Engines, as
Prince George, or even larger, with Rotative motions, & he means to
work the Engines upon that Plan w[hi]ch are intended to be erected
at Marli where we are both of us decidedly going in about 10 Days or
a fortnight but I request you would not mention either the one or
the other in Cornwall.
If Mr George and Mr Dagg was out of ye question I should
not grieve at a contest with the Trumpeters [Hornblowers] but its
irksome to enter into Lawsuits with Gent[leme]n for whom one has
conceivd some esteem.
When you talk of Cost of ye Cost of aa 20 In[ch]
Cylind[e]r you may say it will cost L S D untill it is loaded to
near 20lb [pound] but to make it go to 30lb it will be necessary to
add a further expence of 100£ but that need not be layd out untill
wanted.
I intended writing more but am
prevented - permit me to send.
My Love to Mrs. Wilson
adieu
Yours sincerely
M Boulton''
AD1583/2/19 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
Hornblower's engine, also various mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
31 Oct 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Oct[obe]r 31 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Oct[obe]r 31st 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 24th. You have acted
very properly in regard to the Horn[blow]ers. To be sure if the
water is only 120 gallons p[e]r minute it may be drawn by a 7 inch
box 6 feet stroke 12 strokes p[e]r minute and thus would require one
of our Engines 25 inch dia[mete]r beam to work to 50 fathoms, but
whether it would be prudent to put up an Engine which was obliged to
work 12 strokes p[e]r minute is another question. I think it is 10
to one that these Gent[leme]n will lead themselves & their employers
into some bad scrape. And at any rate can they be so short sighted
as not to see that if they can set our patent aside that
theirs will not fall to the ground in consequence In my opinion
theirs is so badly guarded that if we were disposed to use
what they call their Engine the Law would not hinder us, & if our
rights became those of the publick any body might do it. By the By
when Adventurers want Engines lett them tell how many Gallons p[e]r
minute they want to draw at most, & then do you proportion the
Engine to that & not to the amount of pumps, In relation to E[dwar]d
Rogers keeping share in ye part of wheal unity you mention I have
not been able to see Mr Boulton since I got yours, but would advise
his keeping it at least till you hear from us again which I expect
will be next post, by which time we hope to have account of your
having settled with Mr R[eed]. about Chacewater. I cannot conceive
the reason of his selling out of that mine in the state you
represent it to be, & yet wishing to fool his money away in other
places merely in opposition to us who never injured him. I am Glad
to hear you are likely to be able to pay Mr R[eed]. up for his share
as our friends here who have agreed to take part have not the Cash
ready & are promised to asist him till Lady day, so that it will lie
almost wholly upon us. I shall write immediately to Bersham about
the working Barrels & tell them they must either send them by the
severn immediately or give up the order, I fear there is two piston
Rods in the same predicament as they had not arrived the day this
vessel left Chester & know not if came in time to overtake her.
Mr Boulton desires you will ask united Mines if they
have perused the draught of Agreement he left with them & that you
would get it engrossed & executed - The Western Engines agreements
should also be completed if they are not already done - I fancy
before you can send an answer to this both Mr B[oulton] & myself
will be gone from home on a long Journey, therefore you may direct
any thing particular to Mr Matthews care, & the current business may
be written here under the usual directions, & Mrs Watt will direct
answers to be sent you. I shall leave directions for a plan for
applying a rotative motion to one of the Double Engines.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson I remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/20 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
showing various engines to Mr Hope of Holland Item
1 folio
Manuscript
31 Oct 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Oct[obe]r 31 1786
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, near Truro
''Birmingham Oct[obe]r 31 – 1786
D[ea]r Sir
I must request you particular attention to Mr Hope from
Holland in shewing him the Mines & contributeing all in your power
to the pleasure of his (& his friends) journey in Cornwall. -
Pray shew Mr Hope the Briggan Engine, & that little one at W[hea]l
Maid, as well as Chase Water Mine, & every thing he is desireous of
seeing - I also wish Mr Hope to see Polgooth with its Engines.
I am D[ea]r S[i]r
Yours sincerely
M: Boulton''
AD1583/2/21 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company and
other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 Nov 1786
Addressed to:
Mr. Thom[a]s Wilson, Chasewater near, Truro, Cornwall, Via Bristol
''Soho Nov[embe]r 2 – 1786
Dear Sir
I have just rec[eiv]d yours of ye 29th Oct[obe]r & have
skimd my Eye over yours to B[oulton]:[&]W[att]: the contents of
which is agreeable to me, & which Mr Watt will reply to by this
post. - As to me finding friends to advance money at 8 p[e]r Cent I
could do it, but I should be sorry to burthen the Cornish Metal
Co[mpany] with such an exhorbitant Interest. No, I can do better I
have already settled for a loan of 30 or 40 Thousand pounds, & if
they want a hundred they may have it on certain terms, & not to
exceed 5 p[e]r Cent. I have this night wrote to Mr Vivian in London
& so he is abscent I have also wrote to Mr A Daniel there being a
necessity of acquainting a principal member of ye C[ornish] M[eta]l
Co[mpany] at Truro with what I have done.
You must know that I have had the pleasure and satisfaction of Mr
Hopes company (with that of his 2 nieces & his ingenious friend) for
these 4 or 5 days past, during which time I said every thing I
thought proper & necessary respecting the Cornish Metal Co[mpany] In
consequenceof which he hath agreed to take the charge of our Copper
Magazine at Amsterdam & to allow the Metal Co to draw upon him for
20 or 30 or 40 Thousand pounds: & further says that if they want a
hundred thousand he can get it for them in Amsterdam, Upon the
supposition that he has Copper to a greater value lodged with him, &
that he hath a Commission for his trouble, which he will be moderate
in & it is also to be understood that the aforesaid loan is not to
lye at interest for a number of Years, because such a House as Mr.
Hopes can always do better than live upon the simple interest of
their Money: but they will accomodate the Cornish Comp[an]y untill
their sales come round & at all other times after when ever the
exegencies of the Comp[an]y may require it - I think it would be
very impolitick for you to mention what I have wrote untill Mr.
Hope & Mr Vivian have settled all the minutia of this business, when
Mr Hope arives at Truro, w[hi]ch will be in a day or two after you
receive this, as Mr Hope left us yesterday morn[in]g & goes by way
of Plymouth to Mr Gregors. I have given him a letter just as he was
setting out, to you solely to request that you would shew him the
Briggan Engine, W[hea]l Maid & the Mines, also Chase s
[the alchemical symbol for water] mine and ye Wom[?]r breaking ore &
when they are out, if you could give him & the Ladies (who are great
favourites of mine) a dish of Chocolate, or a Cold Chicken, or Cold
Tongue, (by way of enabling them to fast 'till night when they
Commonly dine) you will much oblige me. Mr Hope is a most sensible &
worthy Man & merits every attention & civility which the Cornish
Gent[leme]n can, & I hope will, shew him. -
I think the forming of this Connection with Mr Hopes house a most
fortunate event for the Cornish Metal Co[mpany] as I can see many
other advantages that will be derived from it, besides the
accommodation of Money, if made a proper use of.
As there is rather more Copper brought to Market than
there is a Consumption for, I hope the Lords & adventurers will not
open another Copper Mine in Cornwall. I also advise them to take
care of the Quality, to accommodate the consumers of Copper better
(for many of them Complain for want of haveing access to
assortments,) & not to depend too much upon the power of Monopoly,
but follow Anglesey example, who are now pushing Sales even at an
under price with as much zeal as if Cornwall was their great rival &
above all I hope the Cornish Gent[leme]n will not promote the
unwatering of the Swedish, Prusian, Russian Hungarian & Spanish
Mines. If they do not, we will not, although we have lately had 2
applications.
As to the raising of s
to play innocent fountains at Versaills we have no objection to, or
to preserve the dutch from drowning, but as to mines we will never
go near them so long as we are fairly treated in Cornwall, which
will every day stand more & more in need of improvements & inventive
energy: & indeed we have some in store, but it will not be necessary
to give them birth at present.
I suppose when the Trumpeters [Hornblowers] talk of the
size of their Cylinder, they speak only of one & mean two, & also
endeavour to prove that 2 will cost less money than one & consume
less steam although Nature decrees the wast to be proportiond to ye
exposed surface. -
Bevan I beg you will see & write to that Gent[lema]n & tell him that
I have settled with Mr Wilkinson & therefore I expect he will not be
worse than promise but give you an order to receive the amount of
Wilkinsons bill (with Interest from decem[be]r 3[r]d) on the first
ores sold to ye C[ornish]:M[etal]:Co[mpany].
Mr Watt, Matt[hew] & self set out on Sunday & I suppose we shall not
leave London before Fryday after noon.
You may direct to me at Matthews & if gone he will forward it to me
as I wish to hear how matters go on in Cornwall.
Remember me kindly to Mrs. Wilson & believe me
Dear Sir
I am your sincere friend
Matt[he]w Boulton
You know my
regard for Messrs Foxes they have my Interest for Ropes & welcome
unless you can keep Reed in humour by giving him part''
AD1583/2/22 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
loan of £40,000 from Mr Hope of Amsterdam Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 Nov 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Nov[embe]r 2 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Nov[embe]r 2[n]d 1786
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Yours of the 27th I received this day and am
glad you have settled with Mr Reed though if Mr Vivian &
C[ornish].M[etal].Co[mpany] should make such call as they propose it
will disable both us & our friends from holding these shares in
Chacewater. It will certainly be opposed by a great Majority, and
must end in the breaking up the Company, besides if more vigorous
measures are not taken to command sales all must be in vain the
second subscription must soon be exhausted as soon as the first,
The Interest will bear hard, and every thing go amiss. It is unlucky
that Mr Vivian has left the county as Mr Henry Hope of Amsterdam has
lately been here & is now on his journey to Cornwall. He has been
spoke to by Mr Boulton & upon proper terms expressed himself willing
to lend the Company £40,000 & said he would procure more if wanted,
which is just the man to save the Company I suppose his terms will
be to have Copper put into his hands to the amount & to have the
consignments, this is my own supposition for I was not present when
the conversation past & I know not how far it should be imparted to
anybody as Mr B[oulton]. is not with me; but I think you may say
that you understand Mr Hope is on a visit at Mr Gregor's and that he
had been spoke to by Mr B. on the subject of the Company's finances
& seemed inclined to assist them. Without doubt he should be waited
upon by some of the Directors. And if you can be one I think it
would be right on several accounts particularly as being our agent
you may show him the Mines &c. I am afraid that if he falls into the
hands of the D[irector?]s they may show their own weakness too much;
Mr B. gave him a letter to Mr Vivian, but to whom else I know not.
I am hopefull from what you say that this storm of the
Horn[blow]er's raising is like to blow over, and that Mr D[anie]l
saw it in its proper view. But however you should be diligent in
getting the Agreements with United Mines Crenver & Hallamanin
engrossed & executed, otherwise on refusal the works should be stopt
-
I remain with best respects to Mrs Wilson &
other friends
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/23 Letter, Boulton to Wilson, and copy
of letter to Daniel Item
1 large folio
Manuscript
3 Nov 1786
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Nov[embe]r 3 1786
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chase Water, near Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol
''Soho Nov[embe]r
Dear Sir
I wrote to p[e]r last post since which I have rec[eiv]d
a letter from Mr Al[le]n Daniel on behalf of united mines, the
adventurers in which are not content with that Clause in the dr[af]t
of our agreem[en]t which gives Us power over their Engine Men & also
want us to agree not to take any additional sum in case they want
additional Engine Power. As to ye first Shall not retard the
Execution of our Agreem[en]t although I know it is their interest to
give that Power but as to the second We cannot at all events agree
to for reasons given in my answer a Copy of w[hi]ch I send you that
you may see how to act & I do beg that you will attend them every
meeting untill that Agreement is signd & Seald for I have my fears
about that Co[mpany] of advent[ure]rs & therefore dont let them rest
till done.
I beg that Hallamaning may be erected with all speed & that
particular attention be paid to make it a good Engine for the sooner
tis erected the sooner they will sell Copper to ye
C[ornish]:M[eta]l:Co[mpany] & the sooner I shall get paid what I
have accounted with J Wilkinson for & ye sooner get quit of a risk.
I find our Mr Scale hath made a remittance to Mr Edwards for the
Copper we owd him for, & therefore it will not be amiss that, about
ye begining of december, You give a Hint to Mr Edwards about
providing for ye 1000£ due ye 12th decem[be]r.
You have a ♀ [the alchemical symbol for copper] Connection that hath
already given you much uneasiness & though you are already alarmd
Yet if all be true that I heard yesterday you are not sufficiently
alarmd nor upon your guard.
At the same time I heard a deplorable acc[oun]t of several other old
Comp[anie]s & our Cornish Co[mpany] must be upon their guard or they
will burn their fingers.
If I see Vivian in London I shall tell him ye needfull.
State of ♀ Trade for 2 Y[ea]rs at Birm[in]g[ha]m - The Annual
consumption being 1500 Ton.
There is Brass
sent to Birm[in]g[ha]m w[hi]ch contains
- 600 Ton
Brass made at Birm[in]g[ha]m containing
- 200
Copper used as Copper at Birm[in]g[ha]m
- 700
[Total] 1500 } Annualy
The 700 Ton will be furnished as follows
Duke of D[evonshi]r[e?] sends 300 say only -
250 Ton
Macclesfield say they will send at
least
200
English will send -
100
Freeman & all others
-
150 = 700 Ton } and in the Year 1788
perhaps
Cornwall may
furnish Birm[ingha]m
with 450 Ton of ♀
Birm[in]g[ha]m have ♀ sufficient for 9 Mo[nths]
Hence you see there is little probability of Hurd selling much in
1787.
I wish you could get for us a Copy of the Agreem[en]t which the
Metal Co[mpany] have signd I mean a Copy of the Abstract which Mr C
Rashley [Rashleigh] made for the Co[mpany] as I am not clear about
the Powers of the Committee to call for an additional Capital I am
sure J:W[ilkinso]n will refuse pray hath Trevenna sent his Model to
assist foreign Mines?
I set out in the morn[in]g shall leave London on Fryday & hope to be
at Paris on Monday - Mr Watt sets out on Monday.
My best respects to Mrs Wilson wishing you all manner of good &
remain ever
Your faithfull friend
M Boulton
[on following
page]
Birmingham Nov[embe]r 3 1786
(A
Copy
To Mr A
Daniel)
Dear Sir
I had the Pleasure of writing to you by yesterday's
Post, since Which I am favoured with yours of the 28th Ult[im]o.
As to the Clause you mention we have never availed
ourselves of it, but for the Good of the Adventurers, and if they
dont choose to let us do then all the Good we wish to do, we shall
relinquish it but (entre nous) I advise you as a Friend to let it
stand. I also think it necessary for the advantage of the
Adventurers solely, that we continue to take the Acc[oun]ts of the
Counter & the Coals consumed monthly for by that means we can tell
whether the Engines are kept in good order, or whether there is any
Mismanagement in the Coals and apprise the Adventurers of it -
Engines can be made nearly of equal goodness, but we cannot say as
much of Engine Men; for we know there is Cent p[e]r Cent fifference
in the consumption of Fuel, between one Mans management & anothers -
I beg you will advert to the circumstance of the new
double Engine now erecting, which will require Judgement &
attention, & if you should set a Bad Man or one who may have an
Interest in bad management the Adventurers cannot blame us - I
must own I have no such Apprehensions whilest you employ Dick
Mitchell, but you must give him Power or he will not be able to do
you Justice; an instance of which occurred in that Mine last Year.
As to the proposition of placing that Mine upon the same
footing with the Consolidated Mines, I have no Objection i.e. when
the United Mines agree to pay us the same Sum annually as the
Consol[idate]d to grant an exemption from any increase of savings
even if they should want still more additional Power, for if that
Mine should become so extended as to require as many Engines as the
Consolidated & in other Respects become as great a Mine, why should
it not pay as much? if it did not, You then, as a principal
Adventurer, might fairly plead the president [precedent] of the
United against the Consolidated, and ask for a reduction of the
Consols down to the United: At any Rate it will be time enough to
make that Bargain when the Mine wants more Engines -
We certainly will not take more from the United than
from others, nor in any Respect be less favourable to them, but you
must excuse us from making any Agreements that relates to future &
unknown Circumstances - I am with due regard for Partner & Self
Dear Sir
Your Obliged & Obed[ien]t
humble Servant
M[atthew]B[oulton]''
AD1583/2/24 Letter, Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts Item
1 large sheet
Manuscript
24 Nov 1786
Endorsed:
James Pearson Nov[ember] 24 1786 [also, in a contemporary hand]
Article for 5 Years 12 first 16
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro, Cornwall.
Via Bristol
''Messrs Boulton
Watt & Co[mpany] To
Boulton & Watt
1786 Oct[obe]r 17 To paid freight from Birmingham to Stourport in
Jan[uar]y last
of Goods for Rotative Engine at
Chasewater} £ - . 9 [shillings]. 7½ [pence]
'' '' To paid freight from
Birmingham to Stourport of Wheal
for W[hea]l Maid in March
last £ - . 1. 11
[Total] £ - . 11. 6½
The above exclusive of the Accounts sent to Cornwall before. -
John
Price
To Boulton & Watt
1786 Oct[obe]r 11 To Cash paid
him £7.
4. 10
Deduct expences
£2. 18. 11
'' 3 days at
home and earnest - . 9. 6
£3. 8. 5
[Total] £3. 16. 5
Soho near Birmingham
24 Nov[embe]r 1786
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
Herewith have sent sundrie Accounts.
B[oulton]&W[att] when looking over the Books before they went to
France mentioned their wish that you would get payment from Murdock
& Cornish Metal Co[mpany] of the Accounts sent you against them
p[e]r Letter of 25 August last. -
I am Sir
Your most Obed[ien]t Servant
James Pearson''
AD1583/2/25 Letter, Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts for various mines Item
1 large folio
Manuscript
12 Dec 1786
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Pearson Dec[embe]r 12 1786
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol
''John
Holt
To Boulton & Watt
1786 Nov[embe]r 24. To account
sent £9.
16 [shillings]. -
'' Dec[embe]r 2. '' Cash paid his
Mother [£]1. 2. -
[Total] £10. 18. -
Poldice
Adv[enture]rs To
Boulton & Watt
1786 Sep[tembe]r. To Freight of 2 Piston Rods from
Liverpool to Chester & Charges
At
Chester
£ - . 4. -
Hallamaning
Adv[enture]rs To Boulton &
Watt
1786 Oct[obe]r. To Land Carriage of Piston Rod from Liverpool to
Chester & from Chester to
Parkgare
where it was Shipped; & Charges
at Chester £ - . 12. -
Wheal Crenver
Adv[enture]rs To Boulton & Watt
1786 Sep[tembe]r. To Freight from Liverpool to Chester of
Piston Rod & Charges at
Chester £ - . 2. -
United Mines
Adv[enture]rs To Boulton &
Watt
1786 Oct[obe]r. To Land Carriage of Piston Rod from Liverpool
to Chester & from thence to
Parkgare
where it was shipped, & Charges
at Chester £ - . 12. 9 [pence]
Soho
near Birmingham 12 Dec[embe]r 1786
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
Above you have sundry small accounts. Since
writing you 24 Ult[im]o have received your favor of 4th instant, and
am surprised at what you say respecting Holt, for I find Mr. Roberts
wrote you 28 July 1785 that Holt had agreed to leave in your hands
5/- [shillings] p[e]r Week for the support of his Child & for the
discharge of sundry debts; and it was upon the faith of your
attending to the contents of said Letter that B[oulton]&W[att] hath
been paying out so much money on Holts account. And further there is
yet 2/- p[e]r Week to be paid out for his Child besides Clothes &
perhaps some fresh application may be made to B&W for more Debts he
owes - A Note of Hand of his hath been presented for payment p[e]r
£3. 14 [shillings]. - which if paid by B&W must go yet to his debit.
Therefore beg you will take such measures with him as to get
pay[men]t of the account here sent p[e]r £10. 18. - and likewise as
much more as will be needful for his Child or any other debts that
may be paid on his Account. - As to the 5/- 16/- & 9/-3 [pence] in
all 30/-3 which you say hath been charged to B[oulton]W[att] &
Co[mpany] twice believe the same to have been charged twice in the
Accounts sent you although only once at their debit in the Books,
for I find from Letter Book that the Accounts of Goods & charges
transmitted you amounts to 30/-3 more than is charged in Ledger.
This mistake had arisen from my not having Copy's of all the
Accounts sent you; but whether the same is paid or not paid is best
known to yourself, for your monthly Accounts dont always mention
particulars, but I'm sure it cannot be paid unless it make apart of
the £210. 12. 8 at the credit of BW & Co as allowed in Monthly
Account 26 January last. The Balance yet ag[ains]t BW & Co exclusive
of Savings &c for Nov[embe]r is £125. 7. 9½. Wish you would advise
what you make the balance of all the Accounts at the end of the
year, as I do not know whether we agree or not for along while back.
- For Boulton & Watt
I remain,
respectfully
Sir Your
most Obed[ien]t Servant
James Pearson''
AD1583/2/26 Letter, Southern to Wilson regarding
drawings and parts of engine for Wheal Virgin Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Dec 1786
Endorsed: John Sourthen Dec[embe]r 14
1786
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater
''Birmingham 14 Dec[embe]r 86
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
Herewith are sent you drawings of Wheal
Virgin double 63 Inch Cylinder Engine, which I hope will arrive safe
& be to satisfaction.
The Cylinder & Condenser Pumps are ordered, & if the
business be in haste I will order the other part of the materials
after I receive intelligence from you to this purpose - but if there
be no haste I will defer till Mr Watt's return, which at present we
do not learn, but expect it will not be long after Christmass,
though I can say nothing certain on the Subject - When they were
last heard of they were both well. I do not know where the Eduction
pipes for the Cornish engines are made, whether or not in Cornwall -
Please in your next inform me, that if they are made here directions
may be given in due time. I am Sir
Y[ou]r Obed[ien]t Servant
John Southern''
AD1583/2/27 Letter, Ann Watt to
Wilson regarding James Watt's stay in France Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Dec 1786
I
received yours of the 11th this morning with the account for
November I also received the account for Oct[obe]r I am very happy
to hear evry thing remains quiet in Cornwall - Last Saturday I
received a letter from Mr Watt tho he wishes much to be at home he
says nothing of his leaving france he says from the kind reception
they have meet with they have neither time to write nor almost to
think that they are keept constantly engaged - I hope however it
will not be long before they return when you may expect to here from
Mr Watt if you do not before. I am very happy to hear Chace water
turns out so well & I hope it will repay you & B[oulton]&W[att]. for
all your cares about her - I beg you will present my best
Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson tell her I rejoice to hear that her &
all the fine Boys are well & pray that they may Long continue so - I
was glad to hear by your former Letter Mr Lawson was better please
give my Comp[limen]ts to him Gregory & Bessy are both well - with
Comp[limen]ts to all friends I remain Dear Sir Yours sincerely
A Watt''
[Gives table of
smelting account totalling £28,188. The handwriting is that of John
Roberts]
AD1583/2/29 Questions and answers concerning Burry River
Colliery Item
1 large sheet
Manuscript
c1786
Endorsed:
Questions and Answers respecting the Colliery on Burry River
- Mr Morris Colliery
[Includes list
of queries respecting the Colliery and answers thereto, also list of
costs relating to working the Lanmorlais veins, and estimates
relating to the coal being used to power the copper works]
AD1583/2/30 Plan of coal veins at Burry River
Colliery, Penclawdd, Glamorganshire, Wales Item
1 large folio
Manuscript
c1786
Endorsed: Drawing of Veins of Coal
[Shows The North
Vien, The Fiery Vien, Frog lane Vien, The Wark Vien, The Slinking
Vien, The great Vien, The Blackstone Vien, The Big Coal Vien and
Wethian Vien, 10 fathoms to 1 inch, 55x36cms]
AD1583/2/31 Letter, Ann Watt to
Wilson regarding the high quality of French engine parts Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Jan 1787
I had the pleasure of receiving your of the
5th this morning inclosing the account for Dec[embe]r which is sent
to Mr Pearson I am very sorry to hear of the three Engines you
mention as it may be the cause of some qurraling but the Cornish
gen[tleme]n need give themselves no trouble to prevent Engines being
sent out of the Kingdom Mr watt wrote me that he saw Cylinders cast
& bored by Mr Perrier better done than any of Mr Wilkinsons & that
all the noise that was made about the tool bill was to no purpose
for he was sorry to say that many of our Artists might learn from
france more than the french now can learn of us that their late
improvements were immense. Mr W[ilkinson] may send Engines to Spain
but I can not conceive how the get them to work as they find it at
Soho very difficult To make men capable of puting an Engine to
gether I saw Mr Will[ia]m Wilkinson last Saturday who made many kind
enquiries after you & Mrs Wilson -
I expect evry post to hear that B[oulton]& Watt are arrived in
London as Mr Watt wrote me they were to set out the end of last week
or beginning of this - Mr Southern wish much to hear of the safe
arrival of the Drawings he sent you tho you dont mention them I hope
they are safe as my letter which you received went with them Wishing
you & Mrs Willson a great many happy returns of the season & that
you & your Dear boys may long enjoy health & happiness I remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
A Watt
Please give my
Comp[liment]s Mr Lawson and other Cornish friends''
AD1583/2/32 Letter, Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts for various mines Item
1 large folio
Manuscript
12 Jan 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Pearson Jan[uary] 1787
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol
''Soho near Birmingham 12 Jan[uar]y 1787
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
Since my last of 12 Ult[im]o have received
your favor of 5 ins[tan]t what you say about Holt surprises me. You
had particular directions how to do with Holt at the beginning, and
Accounts regularly sent; but w[hi]ch you seem not to have attended
to, therefore Letters and Accounts sent you seems to be of very
little if any purpose at all. If B[oulton]&W[att] lose so much as
one farthing by Holt it seems plain to be your fault only. -
I'm glad you sent a Sketch of Boulton Watt & Co[mpany]s Account from
which have been able so far to understand the matter as to send you
Acc[oun]t of such things only as they now owe, by which you see
there is a balance of £97. 17 [shillings]. 1 [penny] still to be
paid for by BW & Co and also some Savings which you never sent an
Account of, for you find in the Account credit given for £21 each
Wh[eal] Reeth & Wh[eal] Mount for Savings to 1 Aug[us]t whereas they
have only been debited for Savings to that date Wh[eal] Reeth £17.
7. 1 and Wh[eal] Mount £13. 3. 6 therefore at least the diff[eren]ce
of these sums is yet to be added to the balance of £97. 17. 1 beg
you will advise me what Savings is yet to go to their debit that the
balance may appear as it ought to do. -
No state of the balances hath come as requested, nor hath Murdock
and Cornish M[eta]l Co[mpany] been settled with; these things ought
not to have been neglected. - I am for
Boulton & Watt
Sir Your most hum[b]l[e] Ser[van]t
James Pearson''
[includes tables
of accounts for Wheal Crenver, Halamanning, United Mines,
Consolidated Mines, Poldice, Wheal Mount, Wheal Reeth and Prince
George mines]
AD1583/2/33 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
Baron Stein, and of work proposed for the King of France Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Jan 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Jan[uar]y 27 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water near, Truro,
Cornwall
''London 27 Jan[uar]y 1787
Dear Sir
I cannot in this letter enter into any of our Cornish
business & only write it to tell you that we returnd from France
about a week ago that we have had a very pleasant & satisfactory
journey, free from accidents & that we have enjoyd good health every
moment dureing our abscence.
We are to re erect the Marly Machine, & do some other
works for the King in that line. We are to give the King better Air
at Versailles & take away the Stinking Water. We dined with all the
french Ministers repeatedly & received the Kings thanks for coming
over with something else more substantial - We made a journey at the
Kings expence of 500 Miles & always travild in a Coach & Sixhorses.
We were presented with honorary Medals, were constantly pressed to
dine with most of ye Principal members of the Royal Academy &
receivd, par toute, more respect & attention than we had any right
to expect.
We were desird by the french prime minister to deliver Verbaly a
message to Mr Pitt which we have done with the whole history of our
journey - We took that opportunity of mentioning to Mr Pitt the
state of the Cornish Mines with our apprehensions of a Storm that is
gathering in N:Wales - the exportation of Brass & some other points
of great importance to Cornwall which had the desired effect &
measures will be taken accordingly.
Mr Watt is gone to Birm[in]g[ha]m but I have waited here
in hopes of seeing Mr Vivian as I heard he was expected in Town
every hour however I must set out on Monday night or Tuesday
morn[in]g homeward. Pray make my best respects to my Friends Mr R.
Phillips & also to Mr G:Fox & say I rec[eiv]d their letters but it
was in vain to write from paris. Prince George shall be taken into
consideration as soon as I get home & will write Mr Phillips to his
satisfaction.
I beg you will present my respectfull Compliments to the
Gent[leme]n of the Miners Committee & acquaint them that ye King of
Prussia hath sent over to this Country Baron Stein who is the
director of the Kings Mines in Silecia. His errand is to learn to
make the improved Fire Engines, that he may erect them upon the
Copper Mines in Silecia. this s[ai]d Baron is a rascaly Character &
quite suitable for ye dirty business he is come upon. -
He hath (with ye assistance, of one Miller, an excellent Draughtsman
& who is in ye Barons Service) made a drawing of ye small Engine we
erected at Richmond & hath bribed his way into one of the Brewhouses
in London & hath found out Cartwright one of our Men, hath given him
some Guineas & his drawings to correct but Cartwright is as great a
rascal as the Baron & hath overmatched him in his own way and got
all his drawings. I have applyd to every person about London who
hath our Engines & have effectively shut the door against the Baron.
He told Cartwright that he intended going down to Cornwall to see
all the Engines there & wanted him to go with him. I must therefore
beg of you & all the Miners Committee to exert your best endeavours
to Prevent him from going into any Engine or getting any information
in Cornwall. He speaks bad English but one of his Men speaks good.
As he will come to one of the Inns in Truro - You must insist upon
each of the Landlords, Blight & Rivers to give information to Mr
Vivian or Mr Daniel or Mr Williams & also to you when ever the Baron
arives & to cause him to be repeld from ye Engines when ever he
attempts to enter & let him be so frighted as to drive him out of ye
County.
We were applyd to in ye late King of Prussias reign to erect an
Engine but we declined it & therefore the Colledge of Mines seem
determind to obtain the means of makeing Engines for which purpose
they sent over Buckling & he haveing faild they have sent Baron
Stein.
It was very wrong that Trevena was sufferd to send a Model of our
Parralell motion & is discourageing to further improvements.
I shall be happy to hear that you Mrs. Wilson & all your
family are well - present my best respects & believe me
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
M:Boulton
S[i]r F. Bassatt
[Francis Basset] saw the works of some of Mr Wilkinsons Pupils at
Paris in which they have all Wilkinsons new Machines for boreing &c
& are makeing many Engines
Alas alas''
AD1583/2/34 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
Boulton & Watt's stay in France, and other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Jan 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Jan[uar]y 28 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m
Jan[uar]y 28th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We are at last safe arrived in England,
after a journey for the most part agreable. We were kept in such a
perpetual hurry at Paris and expecting to be able to come away much
sooner than we did, that we delayed writing to you till we should
get home, I left Mr Boulton in London in Good health & spirits &
expect he will stay to meet Mr Vivian there & endeavour to settle
some plan for the Cornish M[etal]C[ompany] As I have been taken up
with Comp[an]y this forenoon I have not time to enter on any
business; indeed I have not read all your letters yet. Yesterday I
rec[eive]d yours with Bills amounting to £1116. - . - which shall be
placed to credit, but having people with me all day neglected to
write by the com[mo]n post therefore send this by London. I fancy
the Horn[blow]ers will find us too well entrenched to be driven out
of our strongholds, but more of this after.
We have had much, very much, respect paid us in France &
have every reason to hope our journey will turn out profitable as
well as honorable. The Spanish cylinders are not from Copper mines &
if they were the mines are not formidable - Best wishes to Mrs
Wilson family & friends - Yours sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/2/35 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
various matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Feb 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Feb[ruar]y 8 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Feb[ruar]y 8th 1787
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
This day brought yours of the 3[r]d & 4th
covering accounts & a bill for £1060. 6 [shillings]. 11 [pence]
which shall be placed to your credit. The accounts I have not yet
got looked over, but on going over the acc[oun]ts which came in our
absence we observe that N[orth]. Downs is not debited for savings in
Oct[obe]r Nov[embe]r & Dec[embe]r which we do not understand but
suppose an omission, As we have disposed of all Mr Reeds share in
Chacewater, to Mr Hunt & Mr Hurd & Dr Withering the acc[oun]ts of
that share will have to be kept separate & transmitted monthly to Mr
John Hurd & in future Dr Witherings share of Polgooth must have the
acc[oun]ts kept with you and copy sent him every month or quarter as
he shall chuse. In relation to Baron Stein & his Emissaries you
cannot be too much on your guard as he will bribe high & try every
means in his power - I have not seen Mr Boulton but I think we
should not agree to Mr Harris's interlarded Clause of furnishing an
Engineer at our expence as an extremely bad precedent & also because
as they have taken away from us all power over the engine men our
deputy must be a Cypher - In relation to Hallamanin they were
informed at first that no abatement w[oul]d be made on acc[oun]t of
the stroke being shorter as it must take so many more in the minute,
& from our determination we will not depart - As to indulgence to Mr
Bevan he can expect none as we shall get none from Mr Wilkinson his
trick upon whom was infamous - You must deal cautiously so as not to
free the adventurers from the debt, the order for the money should
be from them & not from him, they must be followed up close
otherwise it is to be feared the money will be lost. In relation to
Wheal Towan I think the bargain is at an end when a removal becomes
necessary I shall talk with Mr B[oulton]. on the subject of the
savings - We shall not readily accord to the N[orth]. Downs petition
at least as to abatements. Let every step be taken that can be in
our absence to oppose Kenwyn, we shall consult together & write you
- If the old Devil takes his departure perhaps the suit may drop & I
believe few if any will lament him. I am exceedingly glad to hear of
your prospects in Chacewater & Poldice both which I hope will
continue. I approve of your mode of returning Poldice tin - You say
nothing about the C[ornish].M[etal].C[ompany] I understand they are
likely to have a brulée with Williams, who is no better than he
should be, but much more attentive to his business than they have
been to theirs - With best Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & family I
remain Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt
[marginal]
We received the
two agreements yesterday''
AD1583/2/36 Letter, Roberts to
Wilson regarding goods dispatched to Cornwall Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
21 Feb 1787
Endorsed:
Jno [John] Roberts 21 Feb[ruar]y 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Willson, Chacewater, near Truro,
Cornwall
''Soho.
Birmingham 21 Feb[ruar]y 1787
Mr Willson
Sir
I have this Day sent p[e]r Canal to
Stourport & Bristol as usual, a Box as under, cont[ainin]g 6
Barometers compleat & 6 Steam Gages. . . . I shall be obliged to you
not to forget the Account of Messrs James Watt & Comp[an]y I am
Sir very Respectfully
Your Most Obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
Jno Roberts
AD1583/2/37 Letter, Southern to Wilson regarding
new engine at Wheal Virgin Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Feb 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Southern Feb[ruar]y 22 1787
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall. Via
Bristol
''Birmingham 22 Feb[ruary] 1787
Mr. Wilson
Sir,
We wish to be informed whether in Wheal
Virgin New Engine the T-bob and V-bob will be made in one, as they
were proposed to be at United mines, of which method a drawing was
sent with others for that engine; and also whether it was so
executed at United mines & Poldice 5.
It may not be amiss to mention that if they be made in
one at the new W: Virgin engine the drawing No.3, or rather the
section of the Pit-work in that drawing will not be right for this
method, as there is not room enough for the depending leg of the
T-bob & the arch will be required to be carried lower, something
like the sketch [here is given a sketch] - in which the dotted lines
represent the bottom of the arch according to No.3. [next psage]
Orders for furniture (cast iron) of 2 sets of T-bobs are
issued, and if the T- & V-bobs be united these will serve both - but
if the V-bobs be made separate there will be wanted two plumm[er]
blocks & a gudgeon for it - which are not ordered, & will not be
till your answer to these is received.
The height from the top of the boiler to the centre of
the cross pipe is 4 feet 8 inches - & the boiler steam pipe ordered
to fit that dimension.
Two each of the Cast iron pins for the inner & outer
ends of the main beam for W[heal V[irgin] are ordered, to guard
against accidents; please ask the adven[ture]rs of Poldice, whether
they would chuse a spare one for each end of their engine No. 5 - if
they do, at your ans[we]r they shall be ordered - N.B. they are cast
iron, When you give orders for the pumps please send a copy hither
that it may be known what is ordered - Y[ou]r Most Obed[ien]t,
John Southern''
AD1583/2/38 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
Watt's meeting with the King, also various mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Mar 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Mar[ch] 13 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, near Truro,
Cornwall, Via Bristol
''Soho March 13 – 1787
Dear Sir
I have but a few minutes to say that I rec[ei]vd yours
of ye 7th this day covering 2 Bills for 320£ which serves to pay the
Cornish Co[mpany]s Int[eres]t for the last half year & is placed to
ye Credit of that Acc[oun]t - I have actualy paid Mr Wilkinson in
Cash the amount of Bevans dr[af]t to him with interest for the same
from the day ye s[ai]d d[eb]t became due & as it is inconvenient to
me to be out such a sum I must beg of you to obtain paym[en]t & I
will send you the s[ai]d dr[af]t in a post or two it being in Mr
Walkers desk at new Hall.
If you should hear of ever a House in the Neighbourhood pray inform
me its size & rent &c. I have heard of one but I fear its too dear
though I know not the rent.
I shall come to Cornwall for 2 or 3 Months this Year but will in
some degree be guided by you as to ye precise time.
Mr Watt is sent for to London to shew to the King Mr Whitbreads
Engine & to explain it to him. I have by this post wrote Mr Vivian a
long letter upon the subject of ye Copper trade in Birmingham. Pray
have you got the Refiner in Wales which you wanted & are you
improved in the quality of your Best tough I am interested in ye
Question.
I beg & desire most earnestly that W[illia]m Murdock will pledge his
head & his honour to make a good job of ye new Engine
at the United Mines in spite of every thing & every body
otherwise Mischief will fall upon B[oulton]&W[att]. - It is too late
for Cap[tai]n P: to alter the Engine for W[hea]l Maid as the new one
is nearly made & will soon be sent off.
When Cap[tai]n P: can shew me that 3 Engines require fewer men,
Grease, repairs & have less stopages than one I will change my
opinion.
I observe what you say ab[ou]t ye Trumpeters pray tell me 1st
whether they press ye piston with Steam or Atmosph[e]r[e].
2 whither they condense in a separate Vessall &
3 whether they extract ye Air by an air pump
& if you can send us a drawing by Murdock it will oblige us -
The Cornish Gent[leme]n may probably mistake their interest in more
ways than one.
We have not only enabled them to get Copper but I am now very busy
in endeavouring to find a consumption for it. We are not so light
but it will make a difference whether we are put into one Scale or
the other.
I cannot speak of Chase water untill Mr Watt returns but you may be
assured we shall not be less kind to our Chasewater Bretheren & our
selves than in other similar cases, but if they expect us to be
generous, We have a right to expect them to be just & that they will
agree upon the erection of ye Poldice Engine to pay all Leveys &
taxes & not to torment us with the Machinations of envious &
illiberal Men by saddleing us with taxes that the Law will not,
cannot reach.
I am sorry you have been indisposed but hope by this time you are
perfectly recoverd pray give Mrs. Wilson a kiss & say I sent it.
remember me kindly to Murdock, to Lawson & to David.
I am Dear Sir
Yours very sincerely
M: Boulton
all the drawings
for Prince George are finished within these few days & the parts put
in hand but the spirit that appears in Cornwall is not encourageing
to ye introduction of new improvm[en]ts. Pray have they got a set of
9 Inch working barrels for Prince George or must they be orderd
here''
AD1583/2/39 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
his renting Bosvigo House, Kenwyn Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Mar 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Mar[ch] 17 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, near Truro,
Cornwall, Via London
''Soho March 17 – 1787
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson
Dear Sir
I wrote to you the 13th since w[hi]ch I am fav[oure]d
with yours of ye 12th. The House you mention is the same I aluded to
in my last (Bosvigo) but I cannot think of giving 900£ for a Lease
for Lives & pay besides 100£ per year. no I would sooner lay out the
900 in Building one but I had infinitely rather Rent than do either
for many reasons that pass in my own Mind & some of them will pass
in Yours. If I could rent Bosvigo for 50 or 60£ a year over & above
what the Land could be set for I should like it & even 60£ a Year
would be equal to the rate of above 300£ a Year for the time I
should live in it which perhaps may be 3 Months in the Year - I must
own I am sorry I have let Mr. Walkers house slip - That House you
mention at the back of beyond I should not like - What hath Mr
Vivian done with his house at Pencolenick & his house at Rosewarn -
Is he absolutely come into Walkers House? -
If Mr Gwatkin takes Bosvigo his House in Truro may be had though I
dont like it so well as Bosvigo. Could I not borrow daggs or some
other House for 3 Months & then something may occur in the course of
another Year - If envy & Malice had not shewn her grim visage in
Cornwall I should certainly have built one - I shall be glad to
receive a Sketch of Mr Edwards's discription & likewise of Davids &
Murdocks - I belive Baron Stein is set out to Cornwall remember what
I told you before he is the most dangerous of all the spies that
have come to Cornwall. He hath an excellent Miner & Engineer with
him. He must not go into our Engines particularly the Modern ones.
I hope youl keep Chase water in fork or I shall loose my Cred[i]t
with my Birm[in]g[ha]m Friends & be expeditious with ye new Engine.
Remember me kindly to Mrs. Wilson & believe me
D[ea]r Sir
Yours
sincerely
M: Boulton
should I not
take some measures to protect against Chase water paying Land tax
Mr Watt is returnd''
AD1583/2/40 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
Baron Stein of Prussia, and various other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Mar 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Mar[ch] 17 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Mar[ch] 17 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Your's of the 28th was sent to me in London
from which I returned this week & since I came home yours of the
1st. I know not what Mr B[oulton]. has written to you. I approve of
the new Engine from Poldice to C[hace]water & agree with you that
the Clause respecting poors Rates &c should be insisted upon - Had I
not hopes that Mr Murdock will mend the old Engine I should tremble
for the State of the mine circumstanced as that Engine is.
In respect to the Trumpeters [Hornblowers] I also agree that the
less that is said or done at present on our part so much the better,
& that none of us should be among you while the affair is so much
agitated, perhaps it may subside of itself - seperate Gudgeon is
ordered for Wheal Maid V. Bobb.
The Prussian Baron Stein made propositions to us to
procure us a patent in Prussia & to take 3 Engines from us for salt
works, he Glossed over his unfair attempts upon us the best way he
could & we accepted his excuses - He was to meet us here yesterday &
has not come which gives room to suspect he has gone directly for
Cornwall or some where else to get information cheaper than from us
- If he comes among you we request he may have no interruptions in
seeing the mines or any thing else besides our engines, but that all
possible care be taken that he see as little of them as may be, He
is in stature rather below or about the middle size has Black eyes,
some what pitted with the small pox & speaks a little English - You
will please communicate this passage to Mr R. Phillips with my kind
thanks for his attention in London.
If the Baron has been already with you please learn what
he has done & inform us.
Holt & Price are returned & set to work how they will
behave I know not yet.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson Mr & Mrs Murdock &
other friends D[ea]r Sir
Yours sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/41 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
various matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Mar 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton 22 March 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, at Messrs Fenton & Co[mpany]s,
Copper Works near, Swansey, S: Wales
''Soho 22[n]d March 1787
Dear Sir
I
have sent Clutterbuck the papers signd by Mr Watt & my self - As to
Bearcrofts opineon I gave it to Mr Rashley [Rashleigh] at St. Austle
the day I left the County & I will write to him to refresh his
Memory.
I have packed up the drawings for Prince George Rotative Engine &
intended sending them to you this even[in]g p[e]r Coach but as I
have just rec[ei]vd yours of the 17th in[stan]t & learn thereby that
you will not return to Cornwall before ye 10th or 12 April I shall
delay sending them untill I hear whether the P[rince]George
adventurers mean to go on.
I also had packed up Bevans, Bill, Protest & Acc[oun]t of Inerest &c
but as you are not in Cornwall I shall delay sending it 'till you
return & then must beg your exertions as I have Boni fide paid
Wilkinson the money with interest & am now in want of it.
March 25 Since writing the above I have rec[ei]vd your last letter
with one from Bevan - I will send you the Bill & protest as soon as
you return to Cornwall & must beg of you to take the money as fast
as the Mine provides it, for I suppose it will be in vain to push
for it sooner & if it can't all be got out of the first Sales it
must be out of ye 2[n]d or so fast as you see it possible. I will
write also to Bevan. I have just learnt that the Drawings for Prince
George are sent p[e]r Coach directed to you. I wish those drawings
not to be exposed as it is yet uncertain whether the adv[enture]rs
will agree to work the mine.
Pray tell me how much fine Copper one of your large reverberatory
Furnices will melt at one time & how much one of the small ones.
I want a small Reverberatory Furnice I should be obliged to you if
you would procure for me a Drawing of one & charge the
expence to me at the same time pray inform me what it & the Chimney
will cost Building & howmuch Copper it will melt at one time &
howmany meltings it is capable of makeing p[e]r day I should also be
glad if you would tell me at what expence you think I could melt
p[e]r Ton Scraps of Copper into Cake supposeing I have from ten to
20 Ton to melt - Q[ue]r[y] whether it would not be best to send a
Mason from Swansey to Build ye furnice here.
I have just rec[ei]vd a letter from Col[onel] Macormic offering me
his House & Land but I fear it is at too great a distance from you.
Q[ue]r[y] if it would not be a desireable & convenient thing to have
a powerfull Steam Rolleing Mill at or near Swansey such a one as
would Rolle a Thous[an]d Ton p[e]r Y[ea]r.
As soon as Prince George Advent[ure]rs are come to a Resolution to
go on please to set some body to build the house according to the
Plans I have sent You.
I am astonished to hear that Freemans Co[mpany] mean to resign. I
should suppose there will be no difficulty in finding successors
pray mention the cause in your next.
I shall be happy to hear that you are safe at home again as the
Weather is too boisterous to go to Sea - Wishing you health & a safe
return I remain
Dear Sir
Your faithfull
fr[ien]d & Serv[an]t
M:Boulton
Remember that if
you have one sort of Ore that contains much Iron & another that
contains much Sulpher be sure & mix those 2 sorts & not melt them
seperately - Where Iron predominates it is necessary to add Sulpher
& where Sulpher predominates add Iron
Refine high by much Fire & last of all phlogisticate well with good
Charcoal stoping the draft of air over the metal''
AD1583/2/42 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
property in Cornwall, and other matters Item
1 folio and 1 sheet
Manuscript
10 Apr 1787
AD1583/2/42/1 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
various matters Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
10 Apr 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Ap[ri]l 10 1787
''Soho April 10th 1787
Dear Sir
I hope this will find you returnd in good health to
Cornwall & that you have adjusted your business to your satisfaction
in Wales.
I will first tell you all that occurs upon the subject of Houses. I
do not think Mr Bennallacks House will answer my purpose at all for
I want a House that may be conven[ien]t for me to receive the
Visits of the Neighbouring Gent[leme]n & where can I put their
Coaches, their Horses, & their Servants. If I was in or very near
Truro (say ¼ of a Mile) these Conven[ience]s w[oul]d not be
absolutely necessary. - I like Bosvigo better than any other I know
but 1200£ sum & a further addition of 10£ a Year at Mr Bs death will
render it a dear house for 3 Mo[nths] p[e]r Year. I question if I
can do so well as to accept of Col[onel] Macormicks House & Land if
I could but let the Land. He offers the Land (w[hi]ch is 170 Acres)
at 170£ a Year & 30£ a Year for the House & would allow me the first
Years Rent to be layd out in making the Place & House agreeable &
w[oul]d ye furniture at a fair valuation or he would sell me the
whole premises & further says that should the place not be disposed
of when I go to Cornwall the House shall be at my service without
any rent provided I will take ye furniture at a fair apraism[en]t
all w[hi]ch will not amount to much.
I must therefore request ye fav[ou]r of you to go over to Penmont &
take with you some knowing Farmer (suppose Cap[tai]n Ned) & see &
estimate the annual Value of ye Land & tell me what I could let it
for to a Tennant & also look at the House & Furniture but this must
be done without delay as Col[onel] Macarmick says he shall sail for
Cape Briton the beginning of May. I think there is a tolerable Horse
Road from Penmont to Chase water.
I have rec[ei]vd a very civil letter from Mr George but when I
consider that the Land is only worth about 70£ a Year (as I am well
informd) at 25 Y[ea]rs purchase 1750£, 1000£ is enough but 1500£ is
a high price for ye House say 1500, 3250 and I am told they expect
4000£ for the premises, & I suppose it will sell for more than it is
worth & therefore I would not offend Mr Dagg (by what he might
consider a shabby offer) however you may attend the Sale & sooner
than let it go for less than 3000 Guineas or 3200£ you may venture
as it were on your own acc[oun]t to bid it.
I am afraid of laying out much Money as I am going soon to build at
Soho. but what is of more consequence if I agree w[i]th Mr Pitt
about the Coinage I shall be obliged to find a Capital of 20 or 30
Thousand £ to carry it on with. As the plan proposed is very
different from all former plans Will[ia]ms is very busy in London
about it, & his Birmingham Artist set out yesterday with a fine
patt[er]n Card of Copper & Silver Money which are intended to be
distributed to every member in the House of Commons. I am
nevertheless convinced that Cornwall will have her full share of ye
Copper contract otherwise there is no faith in Prime Ministers. I
shall not come to Cornwall untill I have made a Hog or a dog of that
business but it must be watched at present. parl[iamen]t has nothing
to do with it. The King alone has ye power.
I must have a House in Cornwall & yet I cant spare Money do think &
act for me in that business the best you can.
I shall be very sorry if Mr Edwards should engage in Horn[blowe]rs
Engine as he is the last man in Cornwall I would choose to go to Law
with, & yet We must defend ourselves: moreover I should be sorry to
see him engage in any concern that will not answer the intended
purpose & I will venture to be hangd at the beam end, if it answers
to what they boast of.
Anglesey is extending her works - is extending her Manufactures in
serious ways - at the last settleing she was 1600 Ton a head of
Cornwall in Sales & though she offers fair & talks of giving up all
the English Markets yet she continues to push her Sales with vigour
& is now selling double what Cornwall sells & when these 2 Ladies
settle their next Qu[arter]s acc[oun]t it will be found that she is
2000 a head of Cornwall & will continue to accellerate in her sales
untill she hath quite distanced Cornwall - I am sorry for ye deputy
G[overno]r he hath a greater Load to sustain than any one man can
support.
I think the Cornsh Co[mpany] should make it worth Mr Edwardss
while to live in London
there is the Field for Battle. W[illia]ms sells all, puts ye Money
in his pocket, & then extends his works & makes a stronger head
against Cornwall with the Money that ought to be in her pocket.
The English Copper Co[mpany] have lately purch[ase]d 150 Ton of
Spanish Copper at 78 & have Contracted for more. Call forth your 40
Members to oppose its landing. Cornwall is too much out of the world
to Cope with all her Enemies. - I am glad to hear Chase water is
rich in Tin ♀ [the alchemical symbol for copper] being a drug - pray
dont part with ye drawings for Prince George untill you have clearly
agreed with ye advent[ure]rs. I wrote to Mr Phillips on the Subject.
I have actualy paid Mr Wilkinson 620£. 8s[hillings]. 7d [pence] on
the 9th of Jan[uar]y for Mr Bevan I must therefore beg of you to get
Payment as fast as possible from him with In[teres]t of the 620£. 8.
7 at 5 p[e]r C[en]t from Jan[ua]ry 9th and as I shall want rather to
borrow than lend I must insist upon payment as fast as it can be
done without breaking him up.
I have wrote to him by this post & beg you will second me.
I make it a rule to say every thing that passes in my Mind
respecting the Copper trade to the Deputy Gov[erno]r for I am sure
he ought to have all possable assistance & therefore you need not be
reservd with him upon these Subjects.
Mr Rashley [Rashleigh] hath wrote me that he hath found Bearcrofts
opineon & that the business is quite settled so far as relates to
Poors Leveys.
Present my kind respects to Mrs Wilson & believe me
Dear Sir Your sincere friend
Matt[he]w Boulton
Mr Watt is
poorly - Baron Stein is in Birmingham but I have not seen him this
Week he is disapointed in seeing all he wanted to see. He goes to
Cornwall soon where I recommend that he is treated Civily but dont
shew him any Engines or Pit work.
To Mr Thomas Wilson''
AD1583/2/42/2 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
declination to purchase Killiganoon, Feock Piece
1 sheet
Manuscript
10 Apr 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton 10 Ap[ri]l 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, near Truro,
Cornwall
''Mr George
offerd to be my Commissioner in the purchasing of Killiganoon &
wrote me a very handsome letter, expressing his concern & Mr Daggs
that they could not lend me the House w[hi]ch they should have been
happy to have accomodated me w[i]th had not ye Sale intervend. I
have answerd & thanked him and declined the Purchase. I have told
him that I was in treaty w[i]th Col[onel] Macormick & that you was
in treaty with another person for a house for me. If I could set the
Farm at Killiganoon so that I should sit at about 70 or 75£ a Year
for ye House, Gardins &c I think I should be inclined to venter
provided I had no other rent to pay than ye interest of 1500 w[hi]ch
is ye out side Value of the House - They offer to leave part of the
purchase money Pray what would they leave. write to me by the
quickest means possable w[hi]ch I suppose is under Cover to Matthews
in London as it will then come to me in 4½ days.
If I could spare the time I would run down to Cornwall but I dare
not quit the Coinage.
dont mention to any body that I have offerd by you 3200£ it may give
offence. If there is a probability of its selling for any thing like
4000 I would not have you bid but if the sum I mentiond should only
be offerd I w[oul]d not let it go for 100£''
[AD1583/2/42/1
originally enclosed within this sheet, which was used as the
envelope]
AD1583/2/43 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding
letter from Mr Harris Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Apr 1787
Endorsed:
Boulton & Watt 23 April 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chace Water, near Truro,
Cornwall
''Soho
Birmingham 23 April 1787
Sir
We have received your Favor of the 5
Ins[tan]t with a Copy of a Letter from Mr Harris to you -
The remarks that naturally occur to us, are, as follows
-
1st Mr H[arri]s sais, he is out of Pocket £500 for his 1/11 Share,
whil'st we are carrying off large Sums clear of Risk -
We are very sorry for the loss of the Adventurers, &
would do every thing in our Power to assist, or prevent such Losses,
except giving them the Profits of our Trade, & they may with as much
propriety ask the Merchants, the Captains, & all other Persons, to
give up their Profits, as to ask us, to give up ours -
2nd Mr H[arris] sais, ''surely it was never the Design for
B[oulton&W[att], to be paid out of the Pockets of Gentlemen,
unless the Profits of the Mines whereon the Engines are erected, are
Sufficient for that Purpose'' -
This we must say is a New doctrine to us, & such as we
never can subscribe to - If the Adventurers purchase from Swansey 4
Bush[e]l of Coal, they must pay for the same, whether the Mine is
gaining or loosing, & if B&W save them 3 Bush[e]l surely they can
better afford to pay B&W, one, for saving 3, than pay the Coal
Merchant for the whole 4. As to how much we are Gainers it is
impossible for Mr H[arris] to judge, because if we had not applied
our Time, our Thoughts, & our Money in perfectioning Fire Engines,
we might by other applications of them perhaps have gained more
Money -
The Lords take
their dues, the Merchants take their Profits, & the Captains &
Workmen their Wages, whether the Mine gains or looses, then why
should we (who are the sole Persons that have found the means
of working the Mines cheaper than before) be deprived of our fair
Profits -
You may assure Mr H[arris], that we will on all
occasions shew ourselves as liberal towards the Mines, as any Lords,
Merchants, or Servants, belonging to them, but when we reflect that
we have been urgently press'd to give up our Profits on Account of
the poverty of some Mines, (that you know of) which were at the same
time gaining Profits; We must own, that such like Circumstances have
chill'd our Generosity, but we shall never suffer it to be
absolutely froze in Cases of real Necessity; however we reserve to
ourselves the right of being sole Judge in those Cases -
As to the Boiler at Crenver it was not varied from our
usual Methods, by our Orders; if W[illiam].M[urdoc]k placed the
Grate wrong, in order to save the old Ash Pit to the Adventurers, we
are persuaded he meant well, & if he was mistaken, it must be
rectified, for we cannot take upon us to answer for the errors of
others -
We request that you will see, that our Profits are
regularly charged, but at the same time, We do not wish to urge
unhandsomely the payment, but take that, as convenient to the
Adventurers.
Although we are neither of us in Cornwall we are not
unmindfull of the interest of Cornwall, & as soon as that, will
allow one of us to visit that County (which will be this Summer) we
shall certainly come & settle all Grievances.
In the interim We remain Dear Sir
Your
Most Obed[ien]t
& very
h[um]ble Servants
Boulton
& Watt
You are too
sanguin about Coinage but I will write a line p[e]r next post if
possable''
[The handwriting
of the postscript is that of Matthew Boulton, the rest of the letter
was penned by John Roberts]
AD1583/2/44 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
various mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 Apr 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt 24 April 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Ap[ri]l 24th 1787
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
This day rec[eive]d yours of the 20th, I am
glad to hear that the rates are quashed, so that we have one bugbear
fewer, The Land tax should be attended to & also got off if
possible. I went to Soho to day to speak to Mr B[oulton]. about the
Dolcoath request but had not an opportunity so thus it had better
remain on the very proper footing you have put it until you hear
further from us. I think with the south Captains that there is some
risk that the addit may not be large enough for the addition of
N[orth]. Downs water, & I fear your 5 Capt[ain]s may not be proper
judges, however they are more likely to be impartial than those who
examined it before - We did not answer your last about the
undertaking Wheal Maid Engine because we do not well know what they
or you call the Engine, that is to say whether you mean to include
pumps & pitwork & the wages of Idle Captains & labourers who in fact
have nothing to do at the Engine however you may form a very good
judgement of it cost from Poldice No5 encreasing the expence as the
squares of their diameters, say nearly at 34 to 40. I am like you
anxious to hear how Poldice Great Engine performs, there is too much
risqued in such an attempt & after all it is probable two Engines
would have been as cheap, and if Wheal Maid costs no more than 2,
63s it will not be too dear & that is the short argument, with these
illiberal Captains. I am glad you have got the lid mended & have
sent to stop the new one - am Glad to hear that Hallamanin is in
cash & hope you will get the money, no time should be lost as I fear
the weak administration of the C[ornish].M[etal].Co[mpany] will soon
bring matters to some sort of stop there, however I hope it will be
got over & produce good effects, by forcing some effective measures
to be taken for sales. You ought to have no dependance on the
Coinage it is uncertain when it will take place, & will not probably
be above 300 tons a year of which Williams will take care to have
his share if he has not the whole, but do not mention this as from
me, being only my private opinion which however I think well
founded.
Mr Wilkinson was here last week he says he will be at
Greenfield about May 1st of which he has probably informed you - We
are sadly at a loss for hands to erect the rotative Engines we have
under taken & wish you could return us Tom. Baker, as your hurry
must be now nearly over, we could do twice the Business if we had
twice the number of men, at present I fear we shall be afronted for
by mischance it always happens that several want to go on at the
same time & cannot or will not wait their turn.
I have been a bad correspondent to you lately having
been in bad health & bad spirits, which I hope summer will mend, I
have felt the late east winds very severely.
I remain with Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt
You should
endeavour to keep acc[oun]ts as short as you can least there should
be any stoppage of cash to the mines; but do not be alarmed by what
I say I know nothing more than you do in that matter''
AD1583/2/45 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
Poldice, Chacewater and Wheal Hawke mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Apr 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt 28 Ap[ri]l 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m
Ap[ri]l 28th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We have your's of 23[r]d covering bills
value £793. 13sh[illings]. 4d [pence] which shall be placed to your
Credit. I am very happy to hear of the good setting out of Poldice 5
which hope will continue to do well.
I have always thought there was some secret passage by
which the water returned from Poldice addit to the mine, I hope this
is it which you have now discovered & that it may be a means of
freeing that mine of part of its water, the Cap[tain]s are very
blameable in not having sought better after it. I would have you to
search Chacewater mine better lest you have something of the sort.
In last months account of Engines I find what I apprehend to be an
error in Wheal Hawke Cons[umption] O[ld]E[ngine] 3827 N[ew]E[ngine]
3006 The consump[tio]n of new Engine is monstrous but the stating of
Old Engine is an error, which please correct. There seems also to be
an error in Chacewater Engines which however I have not examined &
it is not unlikely there are others as I am not well enough to look
into it minutely. Please attend to my caution about getting in all
our accounts you can for the reasons given in my last - With best
comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/46 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
Vivian Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 May 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton May 5 1788
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Himself only, Chase Water,
Truro, Cornwall
''Soho 5 May 87
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
I w[ri]t[e] in a great hurry w[hi]ch excuse.
I perceive by your letter of the 25 April that Vivian is cutting me
up & that prejudices are spreading against me although I have taken
more pains, put my self to more expence & done more in fav[ou]r of
Cornwall than all the County in ye matter of Coinage.
As I make it a rule never to give up my informant I have wrote you
an Ostensible letter A & youl see be ye whole I have kept you out of
sight. I have now to request of you that you will keep to your self
every thing w[hi]ch I communicate to you in Confidence for I know
that all trifles are spread by means of Committees & Cornish
Acc[oun]ts through out the whole mining district.
In order that you may see what has passed between me & Vivian I have
sent you copys of most of my letters to him wh[ic]h relate to Copper
but you must not shew one of them or bring me into a quarral w[i]th
him on any acc[oun]t.
I am desireous of these things coming before the Committee on
Thursday morn[in]g which induces me to send them by Express but you
need not mention the Express if its not otherwise known.
Dont deliver these things to the Deputy Gov[erno]r till Thursday
morn[in]g (before the Committee meet) & write me the result. I have
also sent for your perusal a Copy of my Letter to Mr Vivian of this
day but you must send me that back again p[e]r Post as I have no
other Copies But dont let them be seen by any person.
I know Vivian hath no other plan to save the Cornish Co[mpany] than
nacking as many of the Mines as possable (witness Poldice) more
Copper might have been sold but the Cornish Gent[leme]n have
depended too much upon the power of their Monopoly, They have not
like Anglesey Manufacturd for them selves, nor can they, nor have
they shewn a disposition to support those who can or would.
I am building a Copper Melting furnice & a Slag furnice at Soho for
Cornwall will not supply me w[i]th tough Copper. Vivian hath offerd
to Mr Pitt to supply Gov[ernmen]t with Bits ready Cut out at 11d
[pence] & yet he asks me & Garbett 11d for the Sheets rough Rolld.
Vivian hath got a piece of my Metal fine Rolld, pray learn
silently what he hath done with it. I offerd to find a new
market for such metal for Cornwall & to Rolle it as fine & stand the
del Credere for those I sold it to (at 11£) besides takeing other
trouble provided they would support me against Williamss opposition
but they declined it & tho' I afterwards told Mr Vivian that his
propos[i]t[io]n for me to instruct Mr Morris would be acceptable yet
upon 2[n]d thought, as I must have furnices I will prepare my mixt
metals at home as being less expensive than going sometimes to
Swansey there are many things which occur to me that ought to be
done by C[ornish]:M[eta]l:Co[mpany] but 'tis in vain for me to
propose - I shall want about 30 or 40 Ton of tough Cake for my own
Rolling which will be advertised by ye E[ast]I[ndia]Co[mpany] for
tenders - Q[ue]r[y] if the Cornish Co[mpany] will sell it.
The E:I:Co could give the Cornish Co[mpany] agood lift, but pray
write to me every Post or at least every Committee day as I am full
of fears.
be silent, collect our money, even if you take Bills of 2 or 3
Mo[nths] where it can't otherwise be done but care to give no
alarms.
When ever You or the Com[mit]tee wish me to come I will but I wish
to keep out of scrapes.
I beg an exact acc[oun]t may kept of W[hea]l Maid Engine separate
from the Pit work & the House.
I dont believe it will cost more than the Square of 63 - write to me
at Matthews's you thereby save a day.
It's a dangerous thing to speak Truth in Cornwall take care of
Bevans Money for I suppose the Western mines will give up first.
Remember me kindly to Mrs. Wilson and believe me
Dear Sir Yours
sincerely
M
Boulton''
AD1583/2/47 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
coinage Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 May 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton 6 May 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, at Chase Water near, Truro in,
Cornwall
''Soho May 6 - 1787
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson
D[ea]r Sir
The situation of the Cornish Metal Comp[an]y gives me
great uneasiness & I am so sensible of the importance it is of, to
obtain a speedy consumption of a large quantity of their
Copper that I have anxiously promoted it in many shapes in which I
have not been cordialy seconded. - I & my friends moved the Towns in
this Neighbourhood to petition parliament for a Coinage, & I took
measures to secure for Cornwall not only their proportionable share
of it, but laid the foundation for its proving a Mode for Cornwall
to recover the start Mr Williams has got them in Sales. I repeatedly
informd Mr Vivian that we had taken such broad & firm ground that
all the Combined powers of ye P:M:Co[mpany] could not rival us in
the Coinage, but I observd that Lord Uxbridges interest might render
it political in Cornwall to avail her self of Lord Falmouths & other
interest to secure the supply of her share of ye Copper for ye
Coinage.
My anxiety for Cornwall hath caused me to neglect my own business &
my own interest. It hath induced me to put my self to considerable
expence in makeing new Machines & Experiments to perfection the Art
of Coining &c And when I had secured all the important points then
Cornwall comes forward (as if jealous of me) with a precipitate
proposal to furnish the pieces ready for Coining at 11d [pence]
p[e]r pound or to furnish 3000 Ton of Coin in 20 Months which is
next to impossible when it is considerd that the whole of ye
apparatus is yet to make.
The consequences of this step will probably not only delay my
decission, but may induce some of my Cornish friends to imagine I
have not been hearty in promoteing their interest & therefore I
think it expedient to say to you, and desire you to say for me, if
there should be occasion, that I have always heartily had in view to
promote the most speedy consumption & greatest quantity of Cornish
Copper possible.
I use in my own manufacture at this time about 4 Ton of Copper p[e]r
Week, a part which is furnishd by my Customers & a part I buy of Mr
Hurd, although I am put to the expence of remelting it in order to
toughen it, because the Cornish Co[mpany] will not sell me tough
Cake. [a small hand with fore finger pointing to this previous line
is drawn here]
With respect to the Coinage I fear there is no probability of
obtaining leave to Coin halfpence & farthings at any other place
than the Tower. Many material objections present, & amongst the
rest, it hath been refused to Scotland where there is a Mint
Establishment of Officers, Presses &c &c and therefore my Friend
Garbett reported that he thought with Exertion & some more Presses
that 500 Ton might be annually Coind in the Tower. I had not then
communicated to him some improvments I have made in ye art of
Coining (for indeed they were not then compleated) When Mr Vivian
wrote to me to know the greatest quant[it]y that could be coind
p[e]r Week I hastily answ[er]d 2 Ton p[e]r Day, or even 4 Ton if
Gov[ernmen]t would agree for the Year round - But then it would take
many Months to make & erect such an apparatus & would cost some
Thousands of Pounds; which I would have been at the expence of,
provided Gov[ernmen]t would have contracted for two Years.
Anxious as I am to exert all my powers in every shape to serve
Cornwall yet it would be extream folly in me to countenance the
proposal that have been made to Mr Pitt & which is utterly out of
the power of Mr Williams to perform.
I have thought it necessary to say thus much to you least it should
be supposed that I could possibly flinch from any thing that would
be of the least importance to the Cornish Metal Co[mpany] except
forfeiting my Character as a Manufacturer & an honest Man.
I am
D[ea]r Sir
Your most Obed[ien]t humbl[e]
Serv[an]t
Matt[he]w Boulton
You ask me what
I think will be the Expence of W[hea]l Maid Engine. You should
define what parts of it or whether you include the Shaft & the pit
work w[hi]ch is common to all Engines. I think I did send Mr A:
Daniel my opineon that it would cost about half ye sum you mention
say between 4 & 5 Mill.
You may be
sensible that ye paper of Facts is such as ought not to be Copyed or
left with any Publick Co[mpany] & therefore when you have read it to
the Committee or they have read it, pray bring it away & return it
to me again.
I think you should deliver Mr Vivians letter to him & shew him the
paper of Facts before the Committee are assembled.
I have been much hurt by being told by sundry persons that we shall
have Copper cheap very soon as the Cornish Co[mpany] are going to
break up.
I am perswaded that Financeering will not save them so effectually
as selling Copper which will never be done by the Power of Monopoly
- I could have added more but I fear I have said too much already''
AD1583/2/48 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
Matthew Boulton's quest to find copper Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 May 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt May 8 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m May 8th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Not having any letters from you this post I
should not have written to you except for the following
circumstance. Yesterday Mr Boulton received an order which required
about 9 ton of tile or shot copper to fullfill it (NB he has found
the way to make dry cake tough enough for Rolling as he has for some
time been able to get no tough cake). His order required the goods
to be delivered in london by the 28th, expedition was therefore
necessary, having got his tools in order, he sent to the
C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany] warehouse for the Copper but received for
ans[we]r, Mr Hurd was in London & that there was neither Tile, cake,
nor shot copper in the warehouse, indeed nothing but sheet copper,
nor did Mr Hurds Brother know of any coming. Not believing the
answer he went himself & was convinced it was true.
He came to my house much out of humour at the disapointment of being
deprived of executing his orders, by the Anglesea warehouse being
shut up, at the desire of the C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany] and their
having no Stock of Copper in their own warehouse.
As members of the CMCo we felt ourselves much mortified
when we thought of the difficulty the Company are under to find
sales & yet keeping their warehouse here empty of the most saleable
sorts of Copper, a continuation of such conduct must injure them
much.
Judge also how it must appear for Mr Boulton to be
obliged to send to the Dukes or Macclesfield warehouse for copper, &
whether he was supplied there I know not. Any comments are needless
I hope the fact will speak for itself & that this warehouse will be
kept better supplied in future.
I am glad to observe by your last to Mr B[oulton]. that
Poldice No5 continues to answer so well & hope it will soon clear
that mine of water.
I am anxious for a letter from you on the subject of my
last - Mr Wilkinson is gone to his place in Lancashire & says he
could have settled your dispute if you had come into wales, but I
think your reasons for not coming were sufficient ones.
I remain Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/2/49 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company, and
other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 May 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt May 17 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m May 17th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Today we rec[eive]d yours of the 12th - We
would not wish to remove any men who are usefull in Cornwall because
though we have at present several Engines on hand it may not be so
continuedly & we would on no account hinder the cornish business.
If Kuckey can be spared and will come under an agreement for 5 years
at the wages we give to other young men, which are 10 or 11/
[shillings] the first year, to increase 1/ p[e]r week each year & 2½
a mile when they travel, you will please make agreement with him &
send him, but please to observe rather to agree for less than more,
as we can always increase it if He merits it, but if he is not sober
and diligent do not send him - We shall immediately order cast Iron
work for the new beam for Chacewater in the framed way and get ready
drawings for paralel motion &c it will be nearly such a one as
Hallamanin.
Wheal Maid castings are all ready, some of ours are gone from hence
& the rest will be ready in about a fortnight or 3 weeks. J. M.
judges very badly in irritating Mr Wilkinson, at the long run I
expect the C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] must have need of his
assistance.
You acted exceedingly proper in regard to the
H[ornblower]s. It will be proper however to let Mr Nankivel know
that we should be glad to serve the mine, that in general our Terms
to them would be the same as to the rest of the County. The quantity
of water & depth are very small, the water only 5 cubic feet p[e]r
minute which is at 16 strokes will require a 3¾ say 4 inch pump 4
feet Stroke & supposing them to go 20 fath[o]m deeper = 34 fath[o]ms
would at 8lbs [pounds] an inch require a 13 inch Cyl[inde]r single
which is smaller than any you have, and on the whole I should
conceive it to be the interest of the adv[enture]rs to work on a
little longer with Horses. If they wish to have any farther
explanations you may say that you cannot give them while they remain
in any shape in Terms with the H[ornblower]s & therefore you can say
nothing to them as to any bargain for drawing their water by the
month.
I am very uneasy about N[orth]. Downs I fear that the
Adv[enture]rs are laying out more money than it can repay especialy
considering the precarious state of the whole trade, I do not
however pretend to advise the Stopping, but believe it must come to
it & be one of the first, I agree with you that while wrought it
should be kept in course.
I am sorry to find symptoms of backwardness in sale of
tin, you should immediately have positive answer from the
merch[an]ts & in case of refusal set ours aside & we shall endeavour
to dispose of it here or abroad - I wish you c[oul]d be off with
Prince George & sett that Engine to Chacewater to stamp, the things
are stopt going on & I have advised you that the drawings are still
here.
Mr B[oulton]. will write you that he had a conversation with Mr
W[illia]ms & that he seemed very well inclined to receive any
proposal of the kind from the C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany] & though
there are many disagreable points in such a mode of disposing of the
Copper, yet from any thing yet seen it seems almost the only
certainty of the Companys being able to exist another year.
Notwithstanding I dislike W[illiam]s behaviour in many points yet it
must be acknowledged at all hands that he is a clever determinate
man of business & that he may be better tyed in this way than in any
other, be the scheme good or bad I must confess that I was the first
starter of it to Mr Wilk[inso]n who immediately seized the idea &
has proceeded on it to sound W[illiam]s as you know - I mean to go
to London next week & Mr B[oulton]. will probably go too & if we can
any way there promote the India sale or other disposal of copper you
may be sure we will do it, but if no adequate sales can be made nor
a likely hood of their continuance I think there sh[oul]d be no
hesitation in opening a treaty with Mr W[illia]ms we are sure that
we can scarcely make matters worse by doing so - The Dukes copper
turns out much tougher than any Mr B[oulton]. has ever had from the
C[ornish]M[etal].C[ompany], this sh[oul]d be attended to & no tile
or very little sent here but what is tough, no other is fit for
Birm[ingha]m general uses. It gives great satisfaction to hear of
Poldice No5 behaving so well, but as you observe all that will not
do, & at any rate it is casting pearls before -----
With best Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson &
friends
I remain Dear Sir Your's sincerely
James Watt
[marginal]
My health is
much better but I fear I have got a habitual asthma''
AD1583/2/50 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
trading with Anglesey, also various engines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 May 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton May 19 1787
''Soho
May 19 – 1787
Dear Sir
I rec[ei]vd yours of ye 10th with its contents by
w[hi]ch I am glad to perceive I am not engaged in any quarrell.
By way of shortening what I have to say to you I send you inclosed a
Copy of a Letter I wrote this day to the deputy Gov[erno]r in
London. I have reason to believe means will be taken to force ye
E[ast]:I[ndia]:Co[mpany] to export more ♀ [the alchemical symbol for
copper] & that a Coinage will take place. If to which you will take
obvious means to push Sales you may stand on your own Legs otherwise
you had better try to agree w[i]th Anglesey But you must consider
well all the future consequences as well as ye present. It is a
great & deep stake. Anglesey hath ye advantage of Cornwall, inasmuch
that A[nglesey] knows all that is said and done in Cornw[al]l
whereas C[ornwall] knows little of what Ang[lesey] is doing &
intends doing you will see in my letter to ye d[epu]ty Gov[erno]r
that I advise 3 things & without they are attended to you had better
sell to Anglesey all your Copper which will undoubtedly for ever
estable the Trade in the hands of ye A[nglesey]:Co[mpany].
You may mention my sentiments to whom you please, but perhaps Mr
V[ivia]n may be offended if he knows I have sent you a Copy of my
letter to him. Mr Watt goes to London next Fryday and I propose to
follow him about 3 or 4 Days after.
I think you acted properly in regard to the proposed Engine at St
Anns. - Q[ue]r[y] how deep do they propose to go & what addition of
Water will they have to draw - If Prince George doth not want that
Double 20 In[ch] you may offer to erect that Engine for them & to
guarantee that it will make 12 or 13 Strokes p[e]r M[inu]t[e] under
a load of 9700 pounds or 31lb [pounds] p[e]r Sq[ua]r[e] Inch. To do
the same thing upon the pirated plan of Horn[blower?] C[ylinde]r
they must use 4 Cylinder of 20 In[ch] Diam[ete]r - When it can be
made appear that 4 Cylinders will cost less money than one, that a
light beam will cost more than a heavy one, & that it is better to
Act dishonorably than honorably & better to Act unlawfully than
Lawfully - Then & not 'till then would it be advisable for them to
erect one of H[ornblower]s Engines -
I think it might be as well if you was to let them erect that 20
Inch Engine at their own expence & to pay ye Premium as other
d[ou]bl[e] Engines do. I think it will come to 133£ a Year.
The rotative adition will cost about 100£ & I think the Engine
without ye pumps will cost ab[ou]t 400 but you know best as you have
ye acc[oun]t.
I leave this to your own Judgm[en]t & discression.
Tell Mr Nankevill that if he will not believe in Poldice neither
will he in Moses.
133£ a Year is soon spent in nonsense & Exp[erimen]ts - Pray take
care of Chase water & remember me to Capt[ai]n Ned.
Present my kindest Compliments to Mrs. Wilson wish[in]g you all
health happiness & prosperity I remain
Dear Sir
Yours most sincerely
M:Boulton
Send me the
inclosed Copy back again''
AD1583/2/51 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
copper production at mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 May 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt May 22 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m May 22[n]d 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir, we are fav[oure]d with your's of 18 covering
Mr Bevans indorsation for £300 which is put to his credit. I think
it high time the County saw their danger which is very great &
scarcely to be averted at least not by such means as they propose,
were the Lords & us to agree to what they ask it could only serve to
make matters worse, because any thing which could enable them to get
more copper w[oul]d certainly decrease the value of what is already
got & on hand without they could procure sales for it, at present
the best thing which can happen the county is half of the mines
stopping till better times, and as neither we nor any body else have
a right to dictate who shall stop the weakest must go to the wall.
We should be enemies to the County were we by a mistaken generosity
to consent to abatements at present. Instead of solliciting the
Lords and us every man of any abilities sh[oul]d exert himself in
endeavouring to procure sales. In relation to N[orth]D[owns]. it
appears to me that laying out more money there is, at present,
throwing it away & that it ought to be one of the first to stop,
however a week or two may be taken to consider on it, until the
event of our negociations at London are known, some daylight may
appear through the Cloud - For Wheal Towan it w[oul]d be well &
proper it sh[oul]d stop, as being neither profitable to the
adventurers nor us. I think if you give them the loan of the Engine
they sh[oul]d at least pay our savings; but I cannot see that in
case of a removal that you are at all bound as they might with equal
propriety insist on your removing it to another mine on same terms,
at any rate by letting them get the Engine into disrepair & bad
assistance to them you c[oul]d soon make them tired. As to Mr
Nankevill we have no objection to serving him on his buying the
Engine & paying a proper premium, Drawings & directions for
Chacewater new Beam were sent off to Mr Murdock by Mr Southern last
week & the castings are ordered. Mr Lawson cannot at present do
better than practise at Chacewater, it is at least one more trade in
his hands - I wrote in my last that I go to London this week & Mr
B[oulton] comes up in the begginning of the next week, I write also
to Mr Wilkinson to night perhaps he may be tempted to come to town,
though I am not sure - We shall be glad to see you in London & we
may all have the comfort that we can scarcely make things worse,
though I fear we cannot make them better - With best wishes to you &
Mrs Wilson I remain Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/52 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
the giving of assistance to Vivian Item
1 folio
Manuscript
29 May 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt May 29 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall
''London May 29th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
To day I rec[eive]d yours of the 25th
covering 3 Bills value £577. 9 [shillings]. 3d [pence] & observe the
Contents of your letter, Mr B[oulton]. is not yet come up, but I
expect will be here to morrow or Thursday. You may sure we will do
all in our power to assist Mr Vivian, & should be glad to see you
here if Circumstances make it necessary, I have no news since my
last, but that my health is better.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson, I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/2/53 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding Cornish Metal Company meeting Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Jun 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt June 5 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall
''London June 5th 1787
Dear Sir /
I have yours covering Bills £860. 13 [shillings]. 6
[pence] & also yours of the 1st, being out of town could not
ans[we]r the 1st sooner, There was a meeting of the L[or]ds &
adv[enture]rs at the C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] chambers yesterday,
when it was resolved to recommend to a General meeting to lower the
Standard so as to diminish the qu[antit]y of Copper raised, & to
make agreement with Mr Williams to diminish his in same proportion.
There seems no other remedy - being in haste cannot add more but
shall write more fully 1st opportunity.
Mean while with Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
Dear Sir, your's sincerely
James Watt
Tell Mr Lawson I
have his & will write him when I get home''
AD1583/2/54 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
copper production at mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Jun 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt June 12 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m June 12th 1787
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
I returned home on Saturday night. Mr
B[oulton]. is still at London. I have written to Mr Wilkinson on his
charge to Wheal Virgin & used all the arguments I thought most
likely to succeed with him. I understand that W[illia]ms refuses to
come into any terms of raising fewer ores or making less copper, so
that there seems no way left but for the Cornish mines to stop
raising so many ores & that can only be done by a fall in the price,
which must be a great one. and then every body left to their
discretion those must stop who cannot afford to go on. The price of
copper must I fear be lower than it now is, & then new markets will
open many mines in other countries that now live will shut up & the
Spanish copper will be stopt coming home or come to a very bad
market. We shall be obliged to you to advise as often as possible
what passes in the County & what mines you think must give up & what
go on at low prices (NB the low price will of itself increase the
consumption) In my opinion with more judgement & Occonomy several of
the mines may bear reductions of prices of ore; but the management
must be better than it has been hitherto. On our part we shall
surely give our vote for the stopping Wheal Towan & other small
mines we are concerned in & if our friends the Messrs Foxes could be
prevailed on to stop N[orth]D[owns] I think it would be right;
though perhaps it may be a proper question for the County at large
whether it should be N[orth] D[owns] or W[heal] V[irgin] & P[oldi]ce
which should stop for I fear these latter mines will be no longer
profitable under their present expence, but luckily it is not put on
us to decide this matter. As to Chacewater the principal dependance
being on Tin & that article still saleable (as it is said the
Malacca Tin has failed and some been sent from London to the East
indies) it is probable it may fight through if well managed & the
Tin holds good - Mr Daubuz of Falmouth told me in London that you
had refused to erect an engine for him at Wheal Ramoth at under £300
p[e]r month profit which they thought unreasonable the best way will
be to sell them the Engine & put them on savings by the monthly
rate, which you may find from our letters on that subject.
I know not where we can ex port the engines to without
very great loss as all manufacturers want every thing new & compleat
& we have little business in the small mine way hereabouts however
any opportunity that occurs shall be embraced. Mr Lawson will do
well to qualify himself for putting engines together & understanding
them thoroughly & we may have it in our power to get him into some
place at home or abroad. at the same time he sh[oul]d not neglect
his former business as Cornwall will not be entirely ruined though
it may be hurt & we shall not desert those who stick by us, we have
found too little of that disposition in the world to abandon it
where it exists - I have no doubt but you will mind the article of
cash as the sources will soon dry up, particularly make sure of
Bevan.
My health is much recovered & I have got Clear of the
asthma for this season Mrs Watt has been much indisposed & our
little girl but both get better though slowly.
Wishing you & Mrs Wilson & family health &
happiness I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/2/55 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
John Wilkinson's opinion on Wheal Virgin materials Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 Jun 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt 19 June 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m
June 19th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have seen none of yours since I left
London except that with the accounts. I wrote to Mr Wilkinson about
Wheal Virgin materials. He says he has patience under ill usage to a
certain degree & when that is exhausted he has resolution to do what
is proper. He adds, that he has considered the consequences of his
resolves on that Business & is content as to the event, complains of
the usage he has had from W[hea]l Virgin since the begginning &
repeats that whatever may be the consequence he is determined
& content. He says that they lay the blame of the unequal division
on W[illiam].M[urdock]. & that he referred them on proving that to
resort to us for damages, for his price he would have. He says that
seeing the more he stirs in the C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany] business
the worse it is, he will do nothing in it either as to advice or
assistance. Complains of Harriss not paying for Crenver materials, &
in my opinion Mr H[arris]. may trust that some day or other he will
be up with him.
These being his resolutions I despair of being able to
have the least effect on making him alter them & believe if they
must have the materials they must pay him his demand. I am vext they
sh[oul]d lay the blame on W[illiam].M[urdock]. who I am convinced
had no hand in the division of the order - Now I think it becomes a
serious consideration with the adventurers whether their prospects
in the mine are such as to induce them to go on, at the low prices
that the C[ornish].M[etal].Co[mpany] can afford to give for ores,
for though Copper has fallen it is not at its lowest yet. It has
been sold here last week, according to my information, at 76 & I
expect no other than that it will fall to 70 & indeed that it must
to insure forreign sales. The Spanish Copper in Europe is all
disposed of & at higher prices than that sent to England, the price
of which 15 dollars, I believe I misinformed you as to the price in
a former letter. Mr Boulton is not yet returned but I expect will
about the end of the week nor has he informed me of what is going on
in London.
Mrs Watt Joins in Comp[limen]ts to you Mrs Wilson &
friends and I remain Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/2/56 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Jun 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt 21 June 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birmingham June 21st
Mr Wilson
D[ea]r Sir
I have y[ou]rs of 16th inclosed is Letter to
Mess[rs] Daniells Which please seal & send them. I desire it may be
understood in General that in the present circumstances I
will not answer to any abatements let Mr B[oulton] speak for
himself it seems to me madness - Whenever the mines break off from
C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany] they ruin all, Can they think that
W[illia]ms will not instantly seize the opportunity to lower the
copper to 70 or even 65 & that the C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany] will
follow them & then what the devil can them & their old companies do
against men who have such stocks & are desperate. If such measures
are adopted try to sell our shares in the mines so adopting to some
of these said old comp[anie]s. Pray has any shares been sold in
C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany] lately & at what - Please apply to Mr
Daubuz about the Engine for Wheal Ramoth shall write to Mr Kevil
soon or you for him. I wish you joy of your ore at C[hace]water
which is I am afraid come too late.
Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
Adieu
J Watt''
AD1583/2/57 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company,
and other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Jun 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton June 23 1787.
Addressed to:
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, Truro, Cornwall
''London June 23[r]d – 1787
Dear Sir
I have only a minute to acknowledge the reception of
your fav[ou]rs of ye 15th & 18th In[stan]t.
Although I have long been discontent with certain things relative to
the C[ornis]hM[eta]l.Co[mpany]. yet I am perswaded the matter will
not be mended by falling into a fright & hastily adopting the plans
you intimate. -
I think the Cornish Mines are in a precarious situation but I verily
believe the first Tickiting or breach of the agreem[en]t between the
Lords, Miners & C[ornish]:M[eta]l:Co[mpany] will be a death blow to
the Mines. It would take so much time to give you all my reasons
that I should loose the post.
I rec[ei]vd by this post a letter from Mr Watt full of fright &
beging I would sell out our shares & Dr Witherings directly - the
attempt w[oul]d be folly in ye extream.
I suppose Mr Watt hath told you that Mr W[illia]ms hath lately been
at Birm[in]g[ha]m hath establish'd a new Agent in his Office, is
selling ♀ [the alchemical symbol for copper] below 80£, hath
Contracted with 2 Rolling Mills to Rolle Metal for Gilt Button
makers, he being determind to have all that trade, & consequently I
have built a Mill in vain: in short he seems determind upon the
destruction of Cornwall & its friends. - He hath engaged the only
Excellent die graver in the Kingdom who was taken by me a poor Boy
at 13 fed Clothed & Educated till he was 21 y[ea]rs old. but finding
I had another resource abroad he sent over his 2 Sons to engage him
by way of pineoning me, & when that did not succeed, He or his
agents published a paper against me in the News papers viz St Jamess
Chronicle - & and The World about 11th or 12th In[stan]t - However I
shall nevertheless persevere untill I get Mr Pitts answer or the
Coinage. - but the present tumults in Holland engrosse at Present
all his attention - I live in Parliam[en]t Street in order to be
near him, & he hath promised to do nothing without first consulting
me, & to send for me the first leasure moment. The Copper trade is
too much unsettled for any Birm[in]g[ha]m Gent[leme]n to go into it.
Gilt Butt[o]n Metal was lowerd last week from 10½d [pence] to 10d &
this Week to 9½d & is expected to go below 9d p[e]r lb [pound] so
that is in Vain to attempt forming a Comp[an]y in this Moment of
Convulsion - I calld this Morn[in]g on Mr Townend but he was gone to
Westminster Hall. I left my Card, & shall call again as I find he
will stay another week.
Before I conclude I do most heartily recommend it to my Cornish
Friends to avoid takeing any hasty steps in a panick, but wait the
event of the Coinage & the East India Sale & then they
will no longer see through a Glass darkly -
I calld on Mr Daniel this morn[in]g but he & Mrs D[anie]l were set
out homeward a few Min[u]t[e]s before w[hi]ch vexed me - I think Mr
Wilkinson shews ye Tyrant too much in insisting upon 35£ p[e]r Ton &
is what he w[oul]d not have venterd to have done, had he not thought
ye Cornish Mines near an end - The Advent[ure]rs have layd ye fault
on Murdock divideing the order for W[hea]l Maid. Pray tell me how
far Murdock is in fault that I may justify my self to Wilkinson who
advises W[hea]l Virgin Adven[ture]rs to have recourse to B[oulton]&W[at]t
for 5£ p[e]r Ton on acc[oun]t of their Agent Murdock dividing the
order - I shall stay in Town till the end of the approaching week &
shall be glad to hear from you by ye return of post.
Remember me kindly to Mrs. Wilson & believe me
Yours sincerely
M Boulton
If I stir from
here till the Coinage is settled its lost to Cornwall''
AD1583/2/58 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
the state of the copper trade, and other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Jun 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt June 26 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m June 26th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 20th & thank you for Mr
Milles's opinion which is very full & satisfactory indeed. We shall
attend to the Land tax in time this year. I am very sorry that Mr
W[ilkinso]n & Consol[idate]d mines have managed this business so
among them, I do not believe we shall oppose their going to
C[oalbrook] Dale Comp[an]y but I scarcely expect any more Engines
will be wanted in Cornwall in our time.
You have my sentiments pretty fully on the Copper trade
in my late letters from w[hi]ch It will appear I can not be for
stocking of ores with such prospects before us. Some of the out
companies from Ignorance or Malice may buy some ores
at advanced prices, but if they do it must be to their own great
Loss & the subversion of the C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] must prove
the ruin of the County & the stoppage for a time of all the mines.
Anglesea mine is said to be in a better state than ever & there is
no immediate prospect of W[illia]ms death. It appears also that
above 70 or 75 Copper cannot be sold on the continent, from the late
advanced price it seems that the Russian Swedish & German mines have
gathered new strength besides the formidable quantity of copper
which they say can be got from peru. All seems black & dismal in the
Copper trade & we do not seem sufficiently informed of the state of
the forreign markets & mines, our own Consumption is evidently
unavailing for the quantities raised in Britain. We have not wrote
to Harris about the agreement & it may not now stand till Mr
B[oulton]. comes among you, If his mine is likely to give up the
affair is not worth contesting; nor at any rate be worth dealing
with another yime unless first bound hand & foot. Bevan must be
close followed up both for materials & premiums. You must also
struggle to get our savings duely charged every where.
In relation to Dolcoath you will urge the arguments you
have in my letter to Messrs D[aniel]. & to yourself against our
granting any abatement, which in other circumstances we should
perhaps been disposed to grant to that mine. In relation to the
application of the condenser to the old Engine I see danger in the
precedent however if Mr B[oulton] is not of another opinion I shall
agree to let it be done free of any Claim from us until their
present lease is out, or for one year, but after the
expiration of the year to be p[ai]d for it if it makes any savings.
I hope this will prove satisfactory and that Mr Kevill will see that
granting it unconditionaly would subject us to inconveniences, for
as to the thing itself in so far as regards that mine during the
life of the present old engine. I do not look on it as of any
consequence to us, but rather an advantage if it can keep them
working.
I foresee times will go hard with us all in Cornwall but
as we are now in some condition to bear losses I have I hope made up
my mind & if we stand firm against abatements some thing may be
still left us in Cornwall if not we must turn our views some where
else. I shall be obliged to you to lett me know at what standard you
think the C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] are buying ores.
I expected some news from Mr B[oulton]. but have had
none - with Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
I remain &c
Your's
James Watt''
AD1583/2/59 Letter, Watt to Wilson
introducing Mr Cavendish and Dr Blagdon Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Jun 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt 28 June 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, near Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m June 28th 1787
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson /
Dear Sir
The Hon[oura]ble Mr Cavendish & Dr Blagdon
who deliver this, are our particular friends. We shall be obliged to
you to shew them every civility which you can, & to send Mr Lawson
or some intelligent person with them to the mines in your
neighbourhood, & to facilitate their enquiries at other mines.
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/60 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company, and
Dolcoath Mine, Camborne Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Jun 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt 30 June 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m June 30th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I am favoured with your's of the 25th. I
agree with you that the Case of Dolcoath is perfectly different & in
other circumstances I would make them an abatement of 1/3 but I do
not see how we can do it at this unlucky conjuncture without
authorizing others who deserve nothing no way that appears safe
occurs to me at present, I shall speak to Mr B[oulton]. however when
he comes - In relation to the condenser I can only give my own
consent but doubt not of his. I should not have restricted the term
to one year but for fear of precedent, but fancy that will serve
their end. I conceived the history of the pipe order to be nearly as
you have stated it, it was natural for W[illiam]M[urdock] to wish to
to have the suctions all cast at one place, however I should not
have quarrelled with my bread & butter as Mr W[ilkinson]. has done -
I am more anxious for our friends than ourselves in the case of the
C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] & Dr Withering wants to sell his shares if
can be done without much loss if you hear of any one who would
purchase please advise, or what you think they w[oul]d sell for. I
wrote a letter to G. Fox stating my opinions about the
C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] the fate of the mines & the sales & prices
of but gave no hint of your information in it, I wish it may have a
good effect - I cannot see what they can hope from selling to other
companies unless they know of some sales for their copper that we
know not of - Nor can I see what V[ivia]n means by offering ores to
your company, unless it be for want of cash to pay the ores or metal
& to cheat the Devil.
Your beam materials are at Bersham & suppose ready I
have written them to send them with Wheal Virgin goods & if they
cannot go that way by the severn to Bristol.
I hear nothing new of sales of copper except that people
here expect it will fall 6£ p[e]r ton more & are holding off buying
on that account.
I am glad you have got Bevans debt, I had my fears about it. - I am
glad of your appearances at Chacewater & expect you will be able to
stand through there.
I remain Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/61 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company, and
other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Jul 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt July 7 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m July 7th 1787
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
I am this day fav[oure]d with yours of ye
4th covering accounts & 4 Bills value £467. 9 [shillings]. 9
[pence]. I think if you give Godolphin 3 mo[nth]s savings it will be
sufficient. As to Hallamanin do as you said ie begin when forked for
the reason you give. As to Wheal Ramoth I had no notion of offering
any abatement in terms only in price of Engine materials, to get
quit of them, being no way moved thereto by the fears of the
Horn[blow]ers - If you can sell the small Engine to N[orth].D[owns].
we shall claim no premium there - I shall keep your secret, but I am
sure you will get nobody here to join in the copper trade they see
too far into it. - I am not able to judge how far this new method of
Mr V[ivian]s may be right now. I believe it would have been
the best at first, but now I fear it would be raising more opponents
to the sale of C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany]s stocks, which should if
possible be sold off first, on the whole it is only prolonging the
evil to have a greater Crash at once, without prices rise or sales
increase from some cause unknown to me.
I hear W[illia]ms is in the way of making 4000 tons of
copper per Year - Mr Martyn has made up the matter with Mr Wilkinson
& the Goods are shipt & sailed as many as the vessel could take &
another loading remains - Mr Wilkinson says he has not sent your
beam materials for want of room, whether w[oul]d you wait the next
vessel or have them sent via Bristol which may be as long and very
expensive. He says he has convinced M[urdock]. of the unfair
division of the order & that they parted good friends. He still
adheres to it that the only way for the C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany]
was to sell all their copper to W[illia]ms who he says otherwise
will ruin them & indeed I believe it to be true, perhaps in any
case. Please attend to what I said about selling Dr W[itherin]gs
share if you can & I shall very willingly part with mine (£1000)
also at some loss having every day a worse & worse opinion of the
concern.
Mr B[oulton]. is expected home on sunday or monday. I
have nothing else new but remain
Dear Sir
Yours &c
James Watt''
AD1583/2/62 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
supplies of tin and copper Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Jul 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt July 16 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m July 16th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir /
I have yours of 13th covering Bill £320. 8
[shillings]. 7 [pence] being Mr Bevans Ballance. I know not whether
interest is included but Mr B[oulton]. says he must have it, having
paid it to Mr Wilkinson since the date - I had not yet opportunity
of consulting with him yet about premium on Wheal Ramoth but shall
in a few days. Once we know how much Tin is coming to us we shall
send orders where to send it, but the merchants should know that if
they refuse our Tin now we must consider ourselves at liberty
another quarter, or when Tin is scarcer -
Mr Wilkinson reported Last week that all the angelsea
Copper at Hanley works is sold & all at Ravenhead and that he had
just learnt upwards of 900 Tons which were at Swansea are sold -
Query what has our Co[mpany] been about - A certain person said that
the angelsea Co[mpany] were as much burthened with metal as the
C[ornish M[etal]C[ompany] this appears not to be the fact, they have
sold all & it is added that they cannot get it made fast enough If
other measures are not taken to be sure stock may come as low as Mr
Edwards represents but I cannot conceive matters to be quite
so bad at present. With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
Your's sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/63 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Jul 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton July 21 1787
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, ChaceWater, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[in]g[ha]m July 21 1787
Dear Sir
The reports that are circulated in this part of the
Country are so unfavourable to the Cornish Metal Co[mpany] & the
subteranious convulsions that are yet felt in the price of Copper
have spread such alarms amongst some of the Members of the Metal
Co[mpany] that puts us in a disagreeable situation. You are
therefore desired to send answers by the first post to the following
Q[ue]r[ie]s.
Q[ue]r[y]
1st whether Transfers made previous to the annual
Meeting will not entitle Proxies to Vote.
2[n]d When is the annual meeting fixed.
3[r]d Whether any day is fixed for a previous meeting to take
into consideration the general state of ye Met[a]l Comp[an]y.
4 Whether it is possable to obtain a Copy of all the
agreements which have been enterd into 1st between the Cornish
M[eta]l Co[mpany] & the Anglesey Co[mpany] - 2[n]d between the
C[ornish]M[eta]lCo[mpany] & the Smelters - 3[r]d between the Members
themselves & the Miners - 4th or any other regulations that may
affect the right of Voteing.
Mr Rashley [Rashleigh] of St Austle can probably furnish you with
Copies.
Send the form of a Proxy & whether it should be upon Stamps or send
any other information which you may think necessary upon that head.
-
5th what is the latest time that proxey may be
signd to make them effecatious.
6 And if you see no impediment to the effect of Proxeys
please to send 40 Transfers by the return of the Coach.
7 Is it in the power of the Committee to refuse entering
the Transfers as soon as sent.
Mr Wilkinson is now present & bids me say that he had rather his Tin
was sold in the Country but if you have already sent it he says he
must make the best of it.
I have just heard that the Macclesfield Co[mpany] are selling Rolld
Metal for Gilt Butt[o]ns at 82 but hope its not true.
The dutch War occupies the Minds of Ministers so much that there is
no probability of their coming to any determination about the
Coinage.
Pray tell me when you think I should come down to Cornwall - I shall
only bring one man Serv[an]t. I think we could Lodge at Michaels
House if you could victle us. I fear the Cornish mines will not pay
for my takeing Gwatkins House & therefore I have declined it.
Remember me kindly to Mrs. Wilson & believe me Dear Sir I am
Yours most sincerely
M Boulton''
AD1583/2/64 Letter, Watt to Wilson Wheal
Ramoth and North Downs mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Jun 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt July 26 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m July 26th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We have yours of the 20th, Mr Boulton has
paid Interest for Bevans money from the day it was due till it was
paid having given his Bill bearing interest to Mr Wilkinson.
In relation to the Tin 20 bl[oc]ks may be sent here and
10 bl[oc]ks to Mr Matthews, the other 10 we mean to try the french
market with, if you can forward them directly by the Tin Ships to
Messrs Achard, freres & Comp[a]nie at Rouen with advice & bill of
Lading to us. I am afraid on the whole it will turn to bad account,
as both this market & London is over glutted.
In relation to Wheal Ramoth premium I believe it is a 20
inch Cyl[inde]r which is about 1/10 of a 63 & the stroke up & down
makes an 8 feet stroke and as it will make 12 strokes p[e]r minute
as easily as the large Engines do six it should be double 1/10 of 63
which at £55 p[e]r month would be £11. Mr B[oulton]. promised to be
in to day to consult upon this & upon your copper scheme but has not
yet come, when I know his mind shall advise you - Rolled metal is
now sold here at 82/ [shillings] fine rolled for buttons for which
purpose it must be previously melted and mixed, this is under Mr
W[illia]ms price & he blames Mr B[oulton] for it who is innocent
having no copper of his own. The lowest price I have heard of for
melting & rolling is 9/ and that is a beggaring bargain & cannot be
continued long. In short this market is so much overdone that I
should have no hopes of selling any here, what chance there is in
other places I know not, but this you know that this immense stock
of C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] must be got rid of some how, & will
hang like a stone over all your heads until it is got quit of.
In relation to N[orth].Downs, I think there can be no
doubt that the average depth of the shafts was meant the Engines
have nothing to do with the depth of the mines if the depth of the
mines was more than that of the shafts. I dare say they would not be
for taking an average. If the mine stops it will end that dispute
for the present - I think the C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] will
establish a bad precedent if they pay any mine for stopping, the
stock holders will have a good action against them for mispending
their money.
Wishing Mrs Wilson a happy time & soon well again
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours &c
James Watt
Mr B[oulton].
sends Mr Bevans acc[oun]t inclosed & must be paid the interest''
AD1583/2/65 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
fall in the price of copper, and other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Jul 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton 20 30 [amendment made in pencil] July 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho July 1787
Dear Sir
I rec[ei]vd your fav[ou]rs of ye 20th & 24th In[stan]t &
should have answerd your enquiries sooner could I have settled my
own opineons which I have been prevented from doing by the continual
convulsions in the Copper Trade. I have not been able to sell any
Rolld Metal since Mr Will[ia]ms fell the price whilest I was in
London to 9½d [pence] & at my return I offerd it at the same price
but I was told that the price was 9d & a commission allowd out of
that price for selling. On Thursday last a Birm[in]g[ha]m Merch[an]t
assured me he bought the Gilt Metal ready rolld for the same price
as Copper viz 80 & yesterday I saw a letter which Mr Wilkinson had
just receivd from Mr Crawshaw of London saying the Cur[ren]t price
of Copper now in London is 73 & that it was expected to be lower -
No person here will buy quantities of Copper as they expect it lower
& consequently there is no probability of any one engageing in
Copper Works.
I fear Mr Vivians late Contracts with Smelting Co[mpanie]s have come
to Williams knowledge & will prove fatal to the
C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany] & ye Mines. I wish that business had not
taken place untill after the India Sale as I now fear W[illia]ms is
determind to take the whole of that sale & prevent Cornwall from
selling an ounce. If there had been any certainty of Copper
remaining at 80 I think I could have taken your 200 Ton a Year at
the price you mention but now I dare not touch it at any price. My
Rolld metal trade is at a total stand insomuch that I have not sold
an ounce since I returnd from London.
I have this mom[en]t rec[ei]vd a letter from Mr Vivian but its
impossable to answer it, by this post therefore please to
communicate any part of this you think proper & assure him I will
write by tomorrows post.
Wishing Mrs Wilson a fortunate mom[en]t & a speedy recovery I
remain in hast
dear Sir
Yours sincerely
M:
Boulton''
AD1583/2/66 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
unnamed person's attempt to purchase copper Item
1 folio
Manuscript
1 Aug 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Aug[us]t 1 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Aug[us]t 1st 1787
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
In a letter from our friend Mr J. Wyatt
rec[eive]d yesterday he says ''I cannot help telling you that a
friend of mine applied to the C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany]s office and
also at the agents house in order to inquire the price of Copper &
to treat for £1500s worth, to go to Ostend, when he found he had no
notice taken of him, he called at the Anglesea Co[mpany]s office &
though he found nobody but a boy in an hour afterwards he was waited
upon & Contracted for the Copper; this is a very late transaction &
I mentioned it last week to Mr Wedgwood as he talked to me on the
subject.''
The above is verbatim from a person who has no other
concern in the affair than friendship for us.
I remain with best wishes for Mrs Wilson
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/2/67 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Aug 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Aug[u]st 7 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Aug[us]t 7th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir /
Yesterday we had a meeting with Doctor
Withering Mr Wedgwood & Mr Wilkinson on the subject of the
C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] & I was desired to ask you the following
questions in addition to those before sent - How many £500 shares
are there & who are the holders? can one person hold an unlimited
number of proxies by the agreement?
Please also to inform me what is said in the County
about the Company & whether the members of it are generaly desirous
of disolving it & what plans are proposed for getting rid of the
stock of Copper - How much is that stock & in what forms. A state of
the Comp[any]s affairs nearly is much desired by us all, & I do not
see there can be any hurt in even Mr W[illia]ms knowing it as he is
well informed & speedily too of all the transactions, he knows every
thing about the sales to the smelting comp[an]y & complains greatly
of it, he says the C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] have now broke through
every agreement & I understand he will oppose them at the
E[ast]I[ndia]Co[mpany] sales which come on soon. All our friends
here are very uneasy except Mr Wil[kinso]n who sees his way. For our
parts we see no possibility of supporting the Comp[an]y & seeing it
in that light must think that the sooner it is terminated the less
will be the loss to the stockholders. On a strict inquiry it has
appeared that nobody here has sold rolled metal under 9½d [pence]
except ½ a ton sold by W[illia]ms on a supposition that others have
done so but several factors have offered to deliver it at that price
but we cannot make out whose copper they sell suspicion lies upon
the smelting Comp[an]ys who have bought from the
C[ornish]M[etal]C[ompany] - Our friends here have laid down no fixt
plan but resolve to act as circumstances may demand but I believe
will immediately split their shares, if that can make them act with
more force at the General Meeting.
It is said that Mr Raby has bought above 2/3 of the
slags in England & that he has already made 50 tons of copper out of
them, & gets 25 p[e]r Cent & more from some them, In short more
copper than was originaly got from the ores. He says the slags alone
will furnish copper enough for the sales of Europe for this 100
years to come. if true it would seem that all hell is broke loose
against the Copper trade or rather against the Cornish mines - On
the other side it is said that the anglesea ores grow poorer &
poorer but still there is enough & rich enough to ruin Cornwall.
With best wishes to Mrs Wilson I remain
Dear Sir
Yours
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/2/68 Letter, Roberts to
Wilson regarding accounts Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Aug 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Roberts 8 Aug 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, ChaceWater, near Truro, Cornwall.
''Soho. Birmingham 8 Aug[us]t 1787
Mr Tho[ma]s Willson
Sir
I have sent this Spring the Cylinder Plates
for Wheal Maid as under. Pritchard and Barlow as usual - upon
examin[in]g your Acc[oun]t of Copy Machines. it appears to be right.
therefore have given you Cred[i]t for the one sent to Mr John
Williams - I have also by Mr Watt's Order given you Cred[i]t for the
last 2oz [ounces] Ink Powders - So that you are now d[ebto]r for £7.
14 [shillings]. - as on the other side - I am Sir
Your most Obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
Jno [John] Roberts''
[includes tables
of accounts for Thomas Wilson in account with James Watt & Company,
and of goods for Wheal Maid]
AD1583/2/69 Letter, Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts for Dolcoath and Consolidated Mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Aug 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Pearson 9 Aug[u]st 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chasewater, near Truro, Cornwall
''Soho
near Birmingham
9 August 1787
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
Herewith have sent sundry accounts, which
you have not had before; and with which beg you will do the needful.
-
Your favor of 20 June with state of John Holts account with you is
before me. The £6. 12 [shillings]. 6 [pence] the 26 January 1786 and
£2. 14. 5 the 3[r]d May which you make mention of was regularly
placed to his credit in B[oulton]&W[att] Books at Soho. Since you
sent the Account have not seen Holt, but mean to shew it him on his
return. - The 3[r]d May you credit B&W £205. 3. 5 from Dolcoath
which you call Savings to end March, but which do not agree with
their Books. Dolcoath Adv[enture]rs are debited for Jan[uar]y
Savings £74. 16. 3 Feb[ruar]y Savings £65. 7. 2 and March Savings
£92. 8. 11 being in all for these 3 Mon[ths] £232. 12. 4 and only
£205. 3. 5 at their Credit makes a diff[eren]ce of £27. 8. 11
against said Adv[enture]rs to end of March but if any mistake in the
Savings charged you will easily see where the mistake is, for the
Savings are charg'd agreeable to Monthly Acco[un]ts. The 25 June
you credit B&W 42/- [shillings] for Barometer & Steam Gage to
Consolidated Mines Adv[enture]rs but can find only one Steam Gage
10/-[shillings]6 [pence] at their debit and no Barometer. The next
Monthly Account you send please to say how these two accounts are to
be put to rights. - If you have sent off the Account for last Month
I have not yet seen it nor heard of it; therefore as yet can make no
remarks upon it. - I am
Sir
Your obed[ien]t hum[b]l[e] Ser[van]t
James Pearson''
AD1583/2/70 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
the price of tin and of copper Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Aug 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Aug[us]t 11 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m
Aug[us]t 11th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 7th covering acc[oun]ts
& two Bills value £550. - . - to your credit, Am glad you are like
to be able to dispose of the Tin as it is a drug here & risk of Loss
by sending to London, I am informed to day that Mr Lolt actualy
sells rolled metal for 9d [pence], but it may be a lie like some
former accounts, he used to sell for the Hayle Comp[an]y. W[illia]ms
though he will sell as low as any body pretends to be very angry at
the lowering of prices, he may thank himself for forcing such
measures. I am of your opinion that it will require good management
to sell any copper to the india sales, particularly, as the new
bargains with Smelting Comp[an]ys have put Copper into their hands
by which means they undersell the Company. I suppose the price will
be from 70 to 73 as there will be so many offerers. Mr Wilkinson is
gone from hence but I write to night to Bersham the substance of
what you mention. I heard nothing from Mr W[ilkinson]. of this new
embarrassment, but understood from him that it was settled as you
state it.
The sooner N[orth].Downs is stopped so much the better
for all concerned in my opinion, I remain, Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt
If the Co[mpany].
mean to sell at the India sale they must offer at 72 at highest, in
my opinion''
AD1583/2/71 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
abatement of North Downs mine, Redruth Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Aug 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Aug[u]st 21 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Aug[us]t 21s[t] 1787.
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Inclosed is answer to the request of
abatement of N[orth]D[owns] adv[enture]rs - In addition to what we
have said it may be proper to remind them of the great losses they
have incurred by mismanagement of the mine at a time when profits
might have been gained & which it is unreasonable we should in any
shape pay for, other than as adv[enture]rs and also that it has been
contrary to our opinion that the mine has been so long continued.
That our only motives for granting abatements has been in cases
where by continuing the mine there was prospects of repayment, that
in this case there was nor is no such prospect therefore our giving
up our profits is no more reasonable than it w[oul]d be for the
merchants to give up theirs or the Captains their salaries.
After the issue of the india sales & the heavy stock on
C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany]s hands it would be madness if they did not
immediately fall the Standard & the consequence must be that none
(mines) can live except such as have tin for principle produce - It
is said Mr V[ivia]n is to be here this week & I hope Mr Wilkinson
will meet him & give him 20/ [shillings] worth of advice.
Mr W[illia]ms avoided coming through Birm[ingha]m to
meet Mr Wilk[inso]n at which the latter is not over pleased. I have
done all I can to rouse him to assist the M C & I hope he will at
last come to the meeting.
The 950 Tons sold by Thoyts is I suppose the 900 odd
tons which lay at Swansey some time ago & was said to be sold nobody
knew to whom.
I know not what to say on ye Comp[any]s affairs but am
of opinion it should stop & dissolve without delay loading it with
more ores would be madness unless certain sales are found for them.
Please attend to our affairs get all the pay[men]ts you
can, which I fear will not be many -
You say nothing of Mrs Wilson, how is she, with best
regards to her I remain
Dear Sir
Your's
sincerley
James Watt''
AD1583/2/72 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Aug 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt 27 Aug[u]st 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Aug[us]t 27th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We have none of yours for some posts. To day
rec[eive]d a request from Hall[amani]n for abatement which we have
refused on same account as the others. by letter to day to Mr Bevan.
You may say further that as we have refused to mines where we were
deeply interested as ad[venture]rs they cannot hope that we should
yield to others.
Yesterday had meeting with Messrs W[illiam]s &
Wilk[inso]n. The former defended his conduct the best way he could
complained much of the Metal Co[mpany]s selling to Smelting
Comp[an]ys told us that Mr V[ivia]n had appointed a meeting on
monday next at Bristol of all the Copper Companies to offer them
C[ornish]M[etal]Co[mpany]s stock at a reasonable price & to lay open
the trade. Mr W[illiam]s first said he would dismiss 500 of his
miners, but would keep his customers if possible, then said that he
could & would sell at 60/ [shillings] in case of opposition but did
not like to do so; but that if trade were laid open by a sale to the
Companies he w[oul]d sell cheaper than them let them sell as they
w[oul]d. We then desired him to consider whether he had not best buy
the stock himself & a certain annual quantity & keep the trade in
his own hands he said he w[oul]d consider of it - If from the fear
of him or otherwise the Companies should not take off the stock; as
far as I see yet the best way would be to sell in Lotts by auction
at regular periods, Speculators w[oul]d be found to buy provided it
was properly advertized on the Continent & he could not by any
manœuvres hinder the sales though he might affect the price, and he
would soon tire of throwing away his profits, especialy if the
produce in Cornwall was lessened. It is said there is sale enough
for all the Copper at some price between 70 & 80 so that the
Comp[an]y should not sell too cheap.
He says that Thoyts has not above 300 tons of Copper in
his possession but trusts to buying of him or some body else - says
also he is a decoy duck of the E[ast]I[ndia]C[ompany] & that
probably he may be excused delivery if he cannot buy - says the
C[ornish]M[etal].C[ompany] employed Monkland to offer 2500 at
71/[shillings]10 [pence] & the C[ompan]ys offerd with him at 74/
[shillings] - Mr V[ivia]n comes here on Thursday & Mr B[oulton].
goes to the meeting at Bristol - I set out for London to night -
Your's sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/2/73 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
Boulton, Vivian and Wilkinson's going to Anglesey Item
1 folio
Manuscript
1 Sep 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Sep[tembe]r 1 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson
''Birm[in]g[ha]m Sep[tembe]r 1st 1787
Dear Sir
Your letter of ye 29 Ult[i]mo containing G & C Foxes
acceptance for 309£. 2s[hillings]. 4d [pence] is rec[ei]vd as well
as one by the preceeding post w[i]th a Bill therein w[hi]ch I
suppose is acknowledged.
I intended accompanying Mr Vivian to Bristol but finding my self
rather unwell & haveing much unsettled business before me I have
determind to wave my journey to Bristol & to meet Mr Vivian at
Brosely on Tuesday night from thence, with Mr Wilkinson, we shall
proceed on Wednesday morn[in]g in quest of Will[ia]ms at Anglesey
Holywell. We being determind to bring him to reason, or to a
decission by Arbitration or to an Open rupture.
Yesterday Mr Wilkinson rec[ei]vd a letter from Williams a Copy of
w[hi]ch I send to you inclosed that you may shew it to your Cornish
friends - You need not shew it at Bristol to any one. When I return
from Anglesey w[i]th Mr Vivian I shall accompany him to London & see
Mr Pitt once more upon the subject of the Coinage & shall not look
at any other business but proceed w[i]th Mr V[ivian]: to Cornwall.
time will not allow me to enter into ye subject of the Copper Trade
& therefore I will wave it 'till I see you when I hope we shall be
able to see our road more Clearly.
This mom[en]t L[or]d Uxbridge hath sent a Serv[an]t with the
inclosed letter from Mr Harrison & to my surprise I find Mr Vivian
is set out which lays me under the necessity of sending this by post
& beg youl deliver it to him the mom[en]t it comes to your hand.
I congratulate you upon the Birth of your Daughter & sincerely wish
she may be a Comfort to Mrs Wilson & your self in your old Age
remaining ever
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
M: Boulton
The answer Mr
Watt wrote to N[orth] Downs gave us both pain but we could not do
otherwise at this Crisis - We have no objection to promising them
that when ever N Downs is set on again We will not take any thing
untill the Mine is forkd & restated''
AD1583/2/74 Letter, Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Oct 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Pearson 6 Oct[obe]r 1787
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro, Cornwall,
Via Bristol
''Soho near Birmingham
6th October 1787
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
Mr. Watt begs you will send as speedily as
possible, an Account of such Savings due to Messrs B[oulton]&W[att]
by Adventurers in Cornwall as hath not appeared in any Monthly
Accounts; and to forward last Months Account if not already done.
The reason of this is that the Books are wanted to be settled for a
year preceeding the first instant, and which cannot be done as they
ought to be without the above mentioned Accounts being sent by you.
- I am
Sir
Your most Obed[ien]t Servant
James Pearson''
AD1583/2/75 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
possibility of revolt at the Cornish mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Oct 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton 11 Oct[obe]r 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, at the Chase Water Copper Works,
near Swansey in, S Wales
''Dear Sir
I have the pleasure to tell you that Mrs. Wilson & all
your family are well and 'though all is quiet among the Rioters yet
nevertheless I wish you to come home as soon as your business will
allow as I am perswaded that the Mines in Cornwall are upon the Eve
of a Revolution. The difficulties of going on with the Mines or
Metal Co[mpany] is much greater than you have any idea of - My
opineon is that both will stop.
Present my most respectfull Comp[limen]ts to Mr. Fenton & Mr Townend.
I am Dear Sir
Yours very sincerely
M: Boulton
Truro 8 oClock
on Thursday morn[in]g 11 Oct[ober] 87
We held a Council last night 'till 12 but the difficulties were so
great that we could not find a Road of them''
AD1583/2/76 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Oct 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton 13 Oct[obe]r 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, at Mr Holbrooks, Morriston,
Swansey
''Chasewater Saturday 13th Oct[obe]r 1787
Dear Sir
I have been at Truro almost ever since the Riot & am
just come to see Mrs Wilson. I am to dine tomorrow at Mr Thomas's at
Chiverton, return to Truro on Thursday, & set out on Thursday or
Fryday morn[in]g next to London.
Our business on Thursday was conducted intirely by the little great
Man, who on a former occasion made a motion to deprive another great
man of his 50 Votes & now hath made other motions which will I have
no doubt, deprive him of his 50 five hundred £ shares. The little
man hath just found out that he is engaged in a Tradeing Co[mpany]
under ye firm of the C[ornish]:M[etal]:C[ompany] & that his great
property is liable to ye paym[en]t of all deficiencies & therefore
let what will be the consequence he seems determ[ine]d to annihilate
the Co[mpany].
He hath also discov[ere]d that the Interest &c of the
M[etal]:Co[mpany] Capital & debts is so great as to lay a heavy load
upon the Mines & therefore it is thought wise just, honorable, &
reasonable, that the C.M.Co shall loose all their Money & shall not
sell more of their 7000 Ton of Copper than 1300 Ton p[e]r Year.
It is also thought right to break the last & all those bargins made
with Williams, & in future to sell the Cornish Ores to the Ex
Comp[anie]s either by the old mode of ticketing or any other that
can be agreed upon. It is also thought right that all responsibility
from the Cornish Miners to the M[eta]l Co[mpany] shall be done
away;& thus by selling the Ores to Co[mpanie]s who are not loaded
with Stocks of Copper or debts but on the Contrary have large sums
unemployd there is no doubt they can give a better stand[ar]d than
ye M[eta]l Co[mpany] can do, & therby Dolcoath & other poor mines
can work.
In order to accomplish these salutary points a Conferance was held
between the M[eta]l Co[mpany] Com[mit]tee & the Miners Committee &
it was proposed that the miners should pay to the M[eta]l Co[mpany]
(if the Miners find they can afford it & are in the humour to pay
it) Fifteen Thous[an]d p[e]r Year although the Metal Co[mpany] now
are saddled with In[teres]t Sal[a]r[ie]s &c to the amount of more
than twice that sum & that ye M[eta]l Co[mpany] shall not sell more
than 1300 Ton a Y[ea]r & consequently are deprivd of lessening their
debts. A Committee * [see below] was appointed to go to London to
lay our selves at the feet of the Old Ex Co[mpanie]s & prevail upon
them to support the Miners against Anglesey.
As to my Self I declared at the Gen[era]l meeting, that I did not
regard the loss of my own Capital but as to my abscent friends who
are large subscribers I must in justice to them protest against the
proceedings but S[i]r F[rancis] B[asset] thought all abscent Members
were bound by the Acts of the 2 Committees although they tended to
take away their property.
The Cornish Met[a]l Co[mpany] have 6654 Tons of Copper which hath
cost them - 76''. 10s[hillings]. 0d [pence] p[e]r Ton on an average.
If W[illia]ms declares War ye price will 60. 0. 0 or perhaps 50.
Loss per Ton £16. 0. 0.
6654 Ton at 16£. 10s. 0d Loss will am[oun]t to 109791£.
The Metal Co[mpany] annual Expences for In[teres]t Rents Salaries &c
One Year 30623[£]. [Total] 140411 [should be 140414£].
to sell off ye s[ai]d 6654 whereas it will not be sold in 5 Years
according to the plan of Thursday. Hence the Whole Capital of the
CMCo will probably be all sunk.
It appeard by ye dibates on Thursday that the mines subsist without
the Standard was raisd & it also appeard that ye M[eta]l Co[mpany]
could not susist without the Stand[ar]d was falln & therefore it was
thought better the M[eta]l:C[ompany]: should be destroyd than the
Miners.
I proposed that Gov[ernmen]t should take 3000 Tons of Copper (& I am
perswaded I could accomplish that point) w[hi]ch at 72 would lessen
our debt 216000£ that the Int[eres]t should be reduced to 5 p[e]r
C[en]t & ye Capital being only 50000£ the Metal Co[mpany] might then
conduct ye business cheaper than 11 old Co[mpanies] & consequently
give as high or a higher Standard than the Old Co[mpanie]s because
we might for some time avoid a war w[i]th Anglesey which will now
certainly take place.
N[orth] D[owns], Doclath [Dolcoath] & all ye great Mines are
deter[mine]d to go on & tis dangerous for me to use an argument
against it for what I s[ai]d at N[orth]:D[owns]: was taken from the
Count house to the N[orth]:D[owns]: Miners.
Pray be cautious what use you make of theis
Letter adieu
I am Dear Sir Yours Sincerely M. Boulton
The 20 Ton of ♀
[the alchemical symbol for copper] you make for me must be tough or
will not do, & cast in the best way. If you get a sett of Iron
Moulds I could take them off your hands when ye 20 Ton is finished.
[marginal]
* Sir
F[rancis]:B[asset]: Jno [John] Vivian, Daniel Jun[io]r, Rob[ert]
Fox, M Boulton but Jno Edwards also goes''
AD1583/2/77 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
Mr Williams' plan for the copper trade Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Nov 1787
''London Nov[embe]r 6 – 1787
Dear Sir
Your 2 fav[ou]rs of ye 2[n]d In[stan]t are rec[ei]vd &
that of ye 3[r]d is just come to hand which latter for the present
moment swells my breast with indignation & contempt for the
propagaters of a report that is as false as it is diabolical. The
sentiments of my heart are so oposite a nature that although it is
impossible I can remember every idle or jokeing expression I may
have let fall (5 years ago) I will venter to say I never did on any
occasion express my self so opposite to my own nature.
This is a poor reward for all the pains I have taken to serve the
Mines & the Anxieties I have felt & shewn for the preservation of
the Mines & Miners. What hath brought me to London? & what keeps me
here to the great injury of my own business? nothing but my Anxiety
to bring about a reconciliation between Cornwall & Anglesey for let
Capt[ai]n George or Capt[ai]n any body deceive themselves by false
reasoning or Erronious statement of Facts Yet the fact is I have
done more towards bringing about unanimity between the contending
parties than all the Lords & adventurers in Cornwall & without that
unanimity the Cornish Copper Mines in 6 Months from this date would
not have had the breath of Life within them.
I have been endeavouring to find work for some of the Miners in
Shropshire & Staffordshire if any should be out of employ, & have
mentiond my intentions to S[i]r Francis Bassett & other Cornish
Gent[leme]n but I shall now decline entangleing my self with such
dangerous people.
The people in my own Country who know me much better than Capt[ai]n
George know that I have always been remarkable for being the friend
of Workmen - I have a thousand under my own roofs who I have the
satisfaction to say love me as much as these propagators of false
reports hate me.
I thank God I am safe out of the County. I will now take care of my
self & leave them to take care of themselves & to their own
reflections.
Pray present my best thanks to Mrs Wilson for her good care of me
wishing you & she every good thing & remain ever
Your faithfull
friend
M: Boulton
Mr Wilkinson Mr
Wedgwood & Mr Williams are come to town, the former is half mad & in
his fury, hath draged the latter into a scheme, that bids fair to
save the ship from sinking. We are all to dine together tomorrow
when Mr Williams hath promised to deliver his plan & proposal which
I expect will be to take from Cornwall 3000 Ton of Copper p[e]r
Y[ea]r provided she will limit her self to the raising of that
quantity & will also take 1300 Ton (=4300 Ton) p[e]r Year of our old
Stock & to fix one certain regular Standard for ye 5 Years (suppose
60) The acc[oun]ts of his Sales to be examind & settled every 6
Months & what ever is the average price of the Copper sold he will
pay to the Cornish Met[a]l Co[mpany] all the profits first deducting
2 p[e]r C[en]t for his Commis[sio]n & 2 p[e]r Cent for Expences &
standing the del crederi, equal to 4 p[e]r Cent or 4£ p[e]r Ton I
know not which. this will yield a profit of 7 or 8£ a Ton to ye
M[eta]l Co[mpany] or more if well managed. Mr W[illia]ms will find
all necessary Money & by this plan the M[eta]l Co[mpany] Capital
with In[teres]t at 5 p[e]r Cent will be saved & all overplus to
revert to the Miners at the end of 5 Years agreeable to the spirit
of the original agreem[en]t which is a far better thing than the
stoping of the Mines & the Bankr[uptc]y of the M[eta]l Co[mpany] -
It is also mutualy agreed to make firm & Legalise all agreem[en]ts
between Angles[e]y & Cornwall by an Act of Parl[iamen]t. But I shall
be able to give you more solid informat[io]n on Thursday even[in]g''
AD1583/2/78 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Nov 1787
''Dear Sir,
Mr Watt & self are just getting into ye Balloon Coach to
go home & therefore We cannot write you by this post various things
I wish to tell you.
I most particularly request you will attend ye meeting on thursday &
be attentive to what ye Gov[erno]r & dep[uty] G[overno]r say for
they are gone home both out of humour from different Causes. I am
persw[ade]d that if Copper had been convertible into Guineas or that
the M[eta]l Co[mpany]s Cred[i]t had been unlimitted at the Bank or
amongst Bankers the Company would inevitably have been ruind by a
Bold dashing -
But from the various Bills that have been returnd from 3 Bankers
noted & protested the Cred[i]t of the M[etal] C[ompany] is
annihilated.
The dep[uty] Gov[erno]r never let us into his secrets or distresses
& if he had I should have thought it madness to have put our names
to any of their Bills in the present distressd situation of the
Company.
On Fryday morn[in]g the dep[ut]y intimated to Mr W[at]t & Self that
no body came forward to assist him in Money matters. I observd that
it was not to be wonderd at as nobody (at least we did not)
understand or see the depth of their distresses or resourses.
The propositions arangd w[i]th Will[ia]ms extend to the takeing from
Cornwall 3000 Ton of Copper p[e]r Year at ye Stand[ar]d of 60 &
likewise to the takeing part of the dead stock say sell ton for ton,
to the selling of it at the highest price it can be sold for, to
giveing all the profits for the purposes of paying off the Miners
debts to ye M[eta]l Co[mpany] & all the overplus to return to the
Miners.
You will hear the propositions read on Thursday but I will send you
a Copy as soon as I can.
The principal objection that I expect will be made is the 2 p[e]r
Cent to W[illia]ms for Commission of Selling, Clarks wages, post
letters & sundry other expences. The Cornish Gen[tleme]n say it is
too much for W[illia]ms to get by them without reflecting what they
get by him or what those expences have cost themselves for 2 Years
past.
Pray hear every one & be so good as to write us the outlines of the
business & particularly what the Gov[ernor] & dep[u]ty Gover[nor] &
the Foxes say of it as well as ye general sentiments.
A letter is sent approving of the Plan which is signd by Mr
Wilkinson Mr Call, Mr Wedgwood &c. We think the Plan may admit of a
few Modifications but We think it ought not to be rejected in toto
by no means - Pray dont mention anything we write You & we will
endeavour to send you another letter by Thursday.
Adieu
Y[ou]rs sincerely
M B
Nov[ember] 9 – 87
London''
AD1583/2/79 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding Cornish Metal Company meeting Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Nov 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Watt Nov[embe]r 14 1787
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Nov[embe]r 14th 1787
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir,
I should have advised sooner of the Receipt
of yours, covering Bill value £841. 18 [shillings]. 9 [pence] but as
it came to hand just as we were setting out from London when I was
much indisposed & Mr B[oulton]. was writing to you I deferred it
till I got home, & have been hurried since. Before you get this the
meeting will have decided upon the propositions settled with Mr
W[illia]ms, which I hope they have accepted, as I see no other
salvation for them & think the propositions fair, though perhaps not
so advantageous as might have been obtained, had the matter been
left entirely to Mr Wilkinson to arrange with him, as the
interference of another person evidently was hurtful (but this
between ourselves at present) - However the propositions may be
received I am sure the numbers of the Metal Company present did
their best for the interest of the Co[mpany]. - If the propositions
are accepted proper persons should be appointed to settle the
minutiæ with Mr Williams & to see that the Bargain be duely
confirmed by a binding deed & also by act of Parliament if that can
be obtained -
If rejected or difficulties thrown in the way, I fear
all will soon be over with the Mines, & the Company must either sell
their stock at the expence of their whole Capital or be brought into
the utmost distress for money to pay the demands upon them, Indeed
for the safety of the partners I fear that a statute must be taken
against the Comp[an]y, but that w[oul]d be an ugly step.
I doubt not you will send us the earliest advices of
what has been done, & what is proposed by the several mines in
Consequence, until we know which I cannot add to what we have
formerly said on the subject.
Mr B[oulton]. stood the Journey down very well, & I am
better at present than when in London, The close & late attendance
at meetings there proved too much for most of us & could not have
been continued much longer.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
I remain Dear Sir
Yours
sincerely
James Watt
As the Engine
proposed for Mr Morris is too powerful for the one pit we have wrote
to him to know if he chuses to draw at two at once - Pray have you
said any thing to him about premium -''
AD1583/2/80 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding the Cornish Metal Company Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 Nov 1787
Endorsed:
Mr Boulton Nov[embe]r 19 1787
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol
''Soho Nov[embe]r 15th 1787
Dear Sir
Your fav[ou]r of the 10th is rec[ei]vd. -
Before this reaches you, you will have heard Mr Williams
propositions read over at the Gen[era]l meeting at Truro in w[hi]ch
youl observe no mention is made of 60 or any other standard. I only
ment[ione]d 60 because it was a price that had been repeatedly
quoted in our London debates.
As you seem to think the mines cannot live at 60 I should be obliged
to you if you would inform me 1st what you think is the lowest
standard they could live at. and then 2[n]d shew me by a calculation
of the interest to 1 M[eta]l Co[mpany] to 2 Smelting Co[mpany] to 3
freight & 4 insurance, to 5 del Credere, to 6 Commision for selling
2 p[e]r Cent - allowances for 7 promp pay, with 8 the Salaries &
general expences of conducting the business. I say when you have
added all these things to the Stan[dar]d price pray shew me what
must be the selling price of Copper to prevent the Metal
Co[mpany]s Capital from being annihilated & the Co[mpany] it self
from being bankrupts. -
If you say the M[eta]l Co[mpany] must loose their whole Capital I
fear there are other Members of ye M[eta]l Co[mpany] who will say
they will not submit to that Loss so long as this Country is governd
by Laws, or so long as the Lords and Adventurers of Cornish Mines
are capable to pay their debts & fullfill their Contracts. -
Suppose Cornwall to sell 3 or 4 Thousand Ton of Copper in the year
1788 I fear (even if peace is preservd w[i]th Anglesey) that the
neat average price will not am[oun]t to more than about 71 because
all the contracts that are already made are at a much lower price.
Example - Le Camus's contract which is unlimited as to quantum of
Manufactured Copper & possitive 360 Ton at 66. -
Birmingham Brass Co[mpany] contract for 400 Ton at 73 Shot = 71 Cake
less for 6 Mo[nths] Cred[i]t 2[£]. 16 [shillings] & extra
Car[ria]g[e] Casks &c 1£. 4s[hillings] = 4£ = 67[£] nett - What
other Contracts are made at I know not, but believe there are others
as low.
I remember Mr Rob[er]t Fox in London often expressd his fears least
Mr W[illia]ms should put the selling price of Copper too high &
contended that it ought not to be sold higher than 72. Now let us
see at that price what could be given to the Miner.
Commission 2 p[e]r Cent = 1£. 10s[hillings].
od [pence]
Allowance for promp pay - 3. 0. 0
Freight & insurance - 2. 0. 0
Smelter 8 p[e]r C[en]t for 1 Y[ea]r - 4. 16. 0
Suppose 3000 Ton of ♀ [the alchemical symbol for copper] to be raisd
p[e]r Year & to pay the M[eta]l Co[mpany] In[teres]t as p[e]r
Agreem[en]t 17000 p[e]r Year =
6. 0. 0
[sub-total] 17. 16. 0
to be deducted from ye Standard.
[total]
