Volume 3
AD1583/3
Boulton & Watt, Volume 3
Series
108 items (117 documents)
Manuscript
1788-1789
AD1583/3/1
Letter, Southern to
Wilson
acknowledging receipt of Wilson's letter
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Jan 1788
Endorsed: Mr Southern 4 Jan[uar]y
1787
1788
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chace Water, Truro, Cornwall
''Birmingham 4th Jan[uar]y 88
Mr Wilson
Sir Your letter of 31st Ult[im]o I received
which I have transmitted to Mr Boulton, Mr Watt being still from
home - and I have this moment received a note in which it is said
''Mr B will answer your letter'' so that I only have to acknowledge
the receipt of yours. - For Messrs Boulton & Watt - I am, Sir
Your most
Obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
John Southern''
AD1583/3/2
Letter,
Pearson to
Wilson acknowledging receipt of bills
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Jan 1788
Endorsed: James Pearson 12th Jan[uar]y 1788
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chasewater, near Truro, Cornwall.
''Soho near Birmingham
12 January 1788
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
This afternoon or tomorrow morning Mr.
Boulton sets out for London. He hath directed me to advise you, that
the two last remittance you made; vizt £600. - . - and £311. 11
[shillings]. 8 [pence] are at your credit in the Books of Messrs
Boulton & Watt, for whom I am
Sir
Your
very Obed[ien]t Servant
James Pearson''
AD1583/3/3
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
the copper trade
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Jan 1788
Endorsed: Mr Boulton Jan[uar]y 17 1788
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chasewater, Truro, Cornwall.
''London 17th Jan[uar]y 1788
Dear Sir
It was not in my power to conform to the request of the
Lords of Council on the 8th, I was therefore obliged to write to
them & send a Letter of Dr Witherings to w[hi]ch they returnd a
polite answer & postpond the business untill the 15th when I
attended in better health, clearer head, & better spirits, than I
had enjoyd for some time before or since: for I am no much
indisposed haveing caught Cold.
Although I have had 3 Hours conversation w[i]th these L[or]ds, I
cannot even guess what will be ye ultimate result. They have taken
ye opineon of some dealers in Copper, Merch[an]ts & and some Brazen
ignorant Londoners who have told them that from the great
improv[e]m[en]ts now makeing in the art of Smelting & from the great
quantities of Copper that are now bringing from South America they
are of opineon it will be as low or lower than 65. -
On the other hand Mr W[illia]ms thinks it a favourable opport[uni]ty
to raise the price of Copper & though I think he is right yet there
is a medium in all things w[hi]ch ought to be observd & I have some
fears from the Parties runing into opposite extreams that the
business of Coinage will not come to a speedy conclusion However I
am very glad to find that their opineon accords w[i]th mine in the
principal points, except that of fine Rolling & makeing a fine Coin
& consequently more difficult to be counterfeited. I believe I shall
have ye execution of it whether fine or coarse because I will do it
cheaper. It is intended that no fees or emoluments shall be p[ai]d
out of it to any of the Mint officers, They are desireous of buying
the Copper & Workmanship as cheap as possible & putting a
halfpenyworth into every ½ peny & therefore, say they, if copper
should sink 20£ a Ton lower than the price we pay Then such a profit
& temptation will remain as to induce the Counterfeiters to set to
work again. Pray write me p[e]rreturn of post the opineon of the
Cornish Gent[leme]n respecting 1st the price of Cake Copper & 2[n]d
the price of Rolling or Sheet for ye Coinage. The danger is that if
Cornwall & Mr W[illia]ms ask what they think too much, they will
either put it off for the present or Coin only a small quantity -
perhaps 500 Ton & that quantity they can buy from other hands. I
have given them some very strong & well grounded reasons why they
should Coin 3000 Ton but they say they will make a begining w[i]th
1500 Ton & as soon as that quantity is Coind they will have them put
into circulation & the old ones suppressd & then they will go on
coining more 'till the publick are satisfied.
I should have continued my last letter to you but was prevented by
illness & an accumulation of letters & other business w[hi]ch
overpowerd me & which was agrivated by Mr Watts abscence; (he is yet
in Scotland) - I beg you will make some appology for me to the
Gent[leme]n of United Mines for not answering their letter which I
was prevented doing partly by illness, by Mr Watts abscence & by the
unsettled state of the Cornish Mines & Adventurers - I think if you
took upon you to allow them every 3[r]d month untill Mr Watt & I can
talk together I hope they will be satisfyd but I must beg youl make
my Compl[imen]ts & excuses to them.
I want a few very good workmen at Soho such as good Smiths & good
Turners of heavy Iron work that is turnd by my Mill pray consult Mr
Murdock & find me some steady men - There was a good Young Smith
that forged all the Iron Work for Poldice little Engine - I forget
his name. - If Dick Thomas would come to Soho & settle for Life I
should be desireous of agreeing w[i]th him - don't let these
enquiries sleep for I shall be put into a great hurry w[i]th this
Coinage haveing a great & New apparatus to provide & very little
time allowd to do it in - We also want a Smith & boiler maker at
Albion Mill.
Some friends in France write to me for Wolfram & other fossells pray
where are those Mr Lawson bought for me & w[hi]ch you charge in your
Acc[oun]t nothing should be delayd 'till tomorrow that can possibly
be done to day. Mr Lawson hath not returnd to me agreeable to my
direction the Extra Lamps from Truro or wrote a line since my
return.
The L[or]ds see & feel W[illiam]ss power in the Copper Trade & call
it a Monopoly. - I have my doubts & fears about Cornwall & Anglesey
going to Parliam[en]t it is difficult to say what turn it will take
in the House.
I shall remain in Town till the Coinage is settled one way or
another & will no & then send you a line. my best respects to Mrs
Wilson & all yours, adieu
I
am D[ea]r S[i]r your faithfull & Obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
M: Boulton
Mess[rs] Williams & Vivian are both in Town & Wilkinson will in a
few days}''
AD1583/3/4
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
plans to drive the Chasewater Adit into North Downs
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Jan 1788
Endorsed: Mr Boulton Jan[uar]y 26 1788
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall.
''London Jan[uar]y 26 – 1788
Dear Sir
I rec[ei]vd yours of ye 18th & 20th.
Mr Wilkinson is now at my elbow & urges me to write to you that he
has just heard you have given leave to the North Downs advent[ure]rs
to drive the Chase water Additt into N[orth] Downs which being
already overchargd with water will endanger the ruin of that Mine We
have no objection to lighting our neighbours Candle when it doth not
endanger the extinguishing of our own but in the present case it is
the opineon of the Wise that the risk is too great to consent to it
& I presume you will not do it without ye concurance of the
principal interested parties.
Mr Wilkinson wishes to hear from you whilest he is here.
I rec[ei]vd a letter yesterday from Mr Watt announcing his & Familys
arival at Birmingham.
My Ideas of ye price of Copper rises higher than yours. I could
contract I think for 2000 Ton at a better price but I do not rise so
high as Mr W[illia]ms.
my best Compl[imen]ts to Mrs Wilson & remain
D[ea]r S[i]r
Yours most Sincerely
M Boulton.
pray send to the
Albion Mill a good Smith that is a very honest fellow & when I
return home I will send you a larger order for such men''
AD1583/3/5
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
rumours spread in Cornwall, and Chacewater Adit
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Feb 1788
Endorsed: Mr Watt 5 Feb[ruar]y 1788
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall.
''Birm[ingha]m Feb[ruar]y 5th 1788.
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I came home with Mrs Watt & family all
well about a fortnight ago, of which I sh[oul]d have advised you
sooner, but had nothing particular to say, & a good deal to do.
I understand from Mr B[oulton]. that reports had been
spread in Cornwall that he would not let me make abatements to the
mines which I was disposed to do. The whole of which is a vile
falsehood. Neither of us can think of making abatements merely to
enable the Mines to ruin one another, which seems to be their plan.
I have a letter from Messrs Fox complaining of some of
C[hace] water adv[enture]rs opposing an agreement which was made
between them about completing the addit to N[orth]:D[owns]. what is
the truth of that affair. I cannot see how it can hurt C. water, &
if N.D means to stop until it is brought up I think they should have
some encouragement instead of obstacles.
I shall be glad to hear from you, with any news you
have & am with Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson Mr Murdoch & other
friends
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/3/6
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
the Chacewater Adit
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Feb 1788
Endorsed: Mr Watt Feb[ruar]y 7 1788.
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, via
Bristol.
''Birmingham February 7th 1788.
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I wrote to you the other day, mentioning
that I had received a letter from Mr G. Fox concerning the driving
C[hace].water addit forward to N[orth].D[owns]. At that time I had
not considered the state of the general Addit nor all the
inconveniences which might accrue to Cwater & the other mines from
the introduction of so much more water. But by letter from Mr
Boulton yesterday I am informed that the Captains who viewed the
addit were of opinion that it would be dangerous for all the Mines
to send more water down it. In this view unless the Addit were first
sufficiently enlarged it appears to me that all the mines have a
right to oppose it & chacewater in particular as being first in
danger. I am not however prejudiced on any side & shall willingly
hear what has offered on the other side. In the mean time I beg that
I have said in my former letter may stand for nothing & I am sorry
you have in any ways pledged yourself without consulting all
concerned. I have nothing new since I wrote & remain Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt
I beg my best Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson}''
AD1583/3/7
Letter, Watt to
Wilson
requesting particulars of Mr Gullet's mine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Feb 1788
Endorsed: Mr Watt Feb[ruar]y 11 1788
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Feb[ruar]y 11th 1788.
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I am favoured with yours of 6th covering 4
bills value £429. 3 [shillings]. 8 [pence] at your credit. I am much
obliged to you for your information, but am not able to answer you
to day being much indisposed with a cold.
Shall be obliged to you to inform me what you can learn
of the probable monthly profits & other particulars of Mr Gullets
mine; for a friend who is some how concerned.
Shall take care of Mr Morris affair, neglected through
my absence.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
Dear Sir
Your's Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/3/8
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
compensations proposed for mines stopping production
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Feb 1788
Endorsed: Mr Watt 12 Feb[ruar]y 1788
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol.
''Birm[ingha]m Feb[ruar]y 12th 1788.
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I wrote to you yesterday and immediately
after received your letter of ye 9th. I am obliged to you for the
General state of the Mines, which however will not come up to the
flagrant accounts which have been given to ministry of 30 000 people
employed & perhaps may be improper to be produced. I am not
qualified to enter into the consideration of the affair of
N[orth].D[owns]. addit at present, but you know my sentiments are
favourable to such undertakings where the damage they may occasion
to others can be guarded against. I do not however think the
agreement properly drawn up & shall consider it with Mr Boulton when
he comes home. If you had informed him of the matters in time he
would not perhaps have had the same opinion which he has formed from
an adverse state of the case.
In relation to the tin in my own opinion Mr Foxs offer
should be closed with, as far as B[oulton]&W[att] are concerned and
I think I can answer for Dr Withering. There is not time to consult
Mr B[oulton]. & indeed I am scarcely fit to write being still
indisposed with the cold. In relation to selling the Tin Bills I can
say nothing till I see Mr B.
If Mr B. is anyhow a partner with W[ilso?]n & W[illia]ms I know
nothing about it & we never were at variance, but Mr W[illia]ms & Mr
B. were very lately until it was made up by Mr Wn. The Devil of Lies
is certainly very busy in Cornwall.
I do not rightly understand the proposition for a
compensation to the stopping mines, Do you mean that they are to
have 10/ [shillings] off every ton of fine copper produced for every
1000 tons they used to produce & that N[orth]:D[owns] wants £1500 a
year for stopping & Dolcoath in proportion or more, & do you mean
that Mr Beauchamp is to consent to the stopping of any mines of his
or to the paying of others - As Dolcoath is as much under a
necessity of stopping as N:D I think they should receive no greater
a compensation in proportion to their common produce, Pray did they
ever apply the condenser to the Common Engine at Dolcoath & what did
it do?
I can say nothing about the abatements until I meet Mr
B. but approve of your conduct in respect of United Mines, whose
conduct has never deserved favour from us.
Mr M[urdock?].s improvement is a great one if he
substitutes nothing else as expensive or troublesome in place of
what he takes away.
I remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your's Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/3/9
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
tin required by a man from abroad
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Feb 1788
Endorsed: Mr Watt Feb[ruar]y 13 1788
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Mr Wilson.
Birm[ingha]m Feb[ruar]y 13th 1788.
Dear Sir
Since I wrote you yesterday a friend called
upon me said a correspondent of his abroad; who deals largely in Tin
wanted to be served on the best terms & wanted to know the price of
Tin in blocks & in barrs delivered at Bristol or at london as shall
be cheapest, or both, The opportunities you have of sending how
often, & when they occur. You will please send me a note of this
p[e]r return, and also he wants by way of trial a 3 Cwt
[hundredweight] (say a bl[oc]k) of Tin in barrs to be sent to
London, to be there before the 22[n]d inst[ant] if possible if not
so to be there on or before the 22[n]d march. To be delivered to Mr
Tho[ma]s Cockshut at Brewers quay on acc[oun]t of Russels & Smith.
The tin must be charged at wholesale price in expectation of larger
orders.
My cold gets rather better & I remain
Dear Sir
Your's Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/3/10
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Feb 1788
Endorsed: Mr Boulton 18 Feb[ruar]y 1788
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chase Water, Truro, Cornwall
''London 18 Feb[ruar]y 1788.
Dear Sir
Your fav[o]rs of ye 10th & 13th are before me & I believe
there is one more w[hi]ch is not answ[er]d. I should have wrote to
you oftner but writing much is death to me & I have very much to
write.
It is true I had only heard one side of the question
when I wrote to Mr Watt about the additt & even now I have my doubts
about the Consequences of holeing N[orth]D[owns]: into
C[hase]W[ate]r. I can only say that if a Jury of Candid sensible
Capt[ai]ns give it their decided opineon that such a communciation
cannot endanger the Mine I shall not say a word against it nor
should I be in any degree tenacious if I did not consider my self as
a trustee & guardian of the property of such of my friends as have
from their good opineon of me taken shares in that undertakeing:
moreover as I said before I wish to talk over the matter w[i]th Mr
Watt.
As to a bond of 1000£ I do not think it adequate to the
importance of the risk & had rather that no sum was specifyd but
that if any agreem[en]t is made that the parties shall covenant to
put the Addit into a proper state so as to prevent all damages
arising therefrom both to Chase water & the Consols, Poldice &c for
I know not but it may be possible to terminate the working of those
mines & consequently our annuities arising therefrom.
You say you think the Law will give them a right to
proceed upon driving I know not what Cornish Laws may allow but I am
sure the Laws of the Realm will not suffer any set of advent[ure]rs
to invade or inpire the property of another However as to that
matter I shall prove my self the better Quaker in for if I am smote
on the right Cheeck I shall turn the Left also. But it is
unnecessary to dwell upon the subject as you say that Messrs J: & N:
&c have given notice to take out their ores with intent to sell them
in opposition to the C[ornish]:M[etal]:Co[mpany] Nothing could be
more dishonourable or fatal to the interest of Cornwall. If those
Gent[leme]n persevere I am determind (so far as my interest & power
goes) to Stop the Mine for 'tis better to amputate one Limb than to
suffer the whole body to perish. If the Cornish Gent[leme]n would
keep their agreem[en]ts sacrid & restrain to moderate quantities
their get of Ore the Copper Trade would soon get into a flowerishing
state & the standard would rise in proportion as the dead stock
toward Gov[ernmen]t will certainly take 1500 but they offer only 75
whereas if it had not been for Londoneers I think we might have got
80 & I dont despair of it yet.
I suspect the Coinage will fall to my Lot because I have offerd to
do it cheaper than I can afford but the Tryal of Hastings deranges
all publick business.
Your Cornish Smithwork is done cheap enough but your Smiths
overvalue themselves, The com[mo]n wages in London for good Smiths
is 1 guinea p[e]r Week.
I presume Mr Wyatt wrote to you upon the subject of Flower & Smiths
- The price of Flower in London continues the same & will be put on
board at ye foll[owin]g prices
Firsts 37/6,
2[n]d 34/6,
3 31/6} When Capt[ai]n Hicks arives we will
put on board 100 Sacks of each on Eq[uitab]l[e?] acc[oun]t.
If you have any worthy honest men that are very good Workmen who can
forge, File, turn & fit work mathematicaly true send them to me upon
the lowest terms you can agree for 3 years & if they deserve more
they shall not complain of me.
I had rather have Blocks of Tin than Tin Bills in future.
The post man waits adieu.
- My best resp[ec]ts to Mrs. Wilson
I am D[ea[r S[i]r
Yours sinc[er]ely
M Boulton''
AD1583/3/11
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Feb 1788
Endorsed: Mr Watt 22 Feb[ruar]y 1788
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m
Feb[ruar]y 22[n]d 1788.
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
I have yours of 15th 16th & 18th. The only
thing more wanted concerning the Tin is the credit, say the credit
we give to the Messrs Foxes, & the credit they give to customers say
merchants at Coinage price. If the Tin is not sent off need not be
sent as I have advised my friend to get that small parcel at London.
I am glad Mr Gullet is so well pleased but shall be
obliged to you if you can learn what are likely to be the monthly
profits at his mine in a reasonable way of working, what produce in
Ores & their value for Lead Copper & Silver!
I cannot send you observations on the accounts as my
health still continues very bad.
We have no employment here at present for the men you
mention, but probably shall soon I know nothing of young Ms
abilities, can he put a rotative Engine to gether well & is he to be
depended upon, what wages has he, & is he under agreement for time,
other wise I know the consequence.
As Mr Morris has at last accepted of our terms his
drawings go off to day & his castings immediately. One of the Men
will probably be wanted there. as that engine should be extremely
well done to tempt some body else.
I expect Mr Boulton home soon now & shall with him
discuss all your late letters & send you answers to such points as I
could not decide upon.
I remain with comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson, Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/3/12
Letter,
Walker to Wilson
regarding monies owed for guns by Captain Paul
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Mar 1788
Endorsed: Mr Walker 4 Mar[ch] 1788
Addressed to: To Mr. Thomas Wilson, at Chasewater, near Truro,
Cornwall. Post paid /-6d
''Birmingham 4th March 1788 ~
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson
Dear Sir
I use the freedom of troubling you in behalf
of my friends - Messrs Rob[er]t Wheeler & Son, Gunmakers at this
place, who have a claim upon Cap[tai]n Paul of your neighbourhood,
that they cannot get settled. When Cap[tai]n Paul was at Birmingham,
He ordered Messrs Rob[er]t Wheeler & Son to send him a Gun, half
Stocked, Brass Mounted, which They forwarded (as He instructed Them)
by the Coach from hence Via Bristol &c directed to Him to be left in
the Red Lion in Truro, Cornwall, this was done the 15th June 1784,
and regular advice sent Cap[tai]n Paul p[e]r Post, a little while
afterwards Cap[tai]n Paul answered Messrs R[ober]t Wheeler & Son
that he had not rec[eive]d the Gun; & desired them to send him
another, with Tutenague Mounting; on receipt of this L[ett]ré Messrs
Wheeler & Son examined at the Coach Office & found the first Gun
regularly forwarded, and were assured at the Coach Office that it
must be delivered properly. However They concluded to send Cap[tai]n
Paul a second Gun, which was done, in like manner as the former, on
the 21st October 1784, And advised him thereof by the Post; but
since that date Messrs Wheeler & Son could never hear one Syllable
from Cap[tai]n Paul, not withstanding they have wrote to him a great
many times on the subject.
The sum that Cap[tai]n Paul owes to Messrs Rob[er]t
Wheeler & Son is £5. 19 [shillings]. 6 [pence] as p[er] Particulars
at foot hereof; And if not agreeable, I wish You to speak to
Cap[tai]n Paul on the Subject, and learn whether or not He intends
to pay Messrs Rob[er]t Wheeler & Son, or what his intentions are in
this matter; as They are tired of waiting for their Money, and tired
of writing Him without receiving any reply: Please to favour me with
Your reply, and flattering myself You will excuse this trouble, I
shall gladly retaliate in the manner of any power of
Sir Your
very Obed[ien]t & h’[um]ble Serv[an]t
Zac[cheu]s
Walker.
at Matt[he]w Boulton’s
in Birmingham.
1784 /
June 15th: one Gun half Stocked, Brass Mounting £2. 12. 6
Packing
case - . 12. -
October 21st, one Gun, d[itt]o Tutenague Mounting £3. 3. -
Packing
Case - . 2. -
[total] £5. 19. 6''
AD1583/3/13
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
coinage, and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
10 Mar 1788
Endorsed: Mr Boulton Mar[ch] 10th
1789
1788
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chase Water, near Truro,
Cornwall, by Bristol
''Soho
March 10th 1788
Dear Sir
I am indebted to you an acknowledgement of your fav[o]r
of Feb[ruary] 8th.
I have again resumed my spirits & my operations respecting the
Coinage & hope nothing now will interupt the Carrying it into
Execution.
Mr Droz is to go next week to Model the K[in]g from the life & if
there is any Coinage at all its not possible that any body can rival
me in execution or in expedition.
M:Boulton & Metal Co[mpany] have lent the Anglesey & Cornish
Co[mpanie]s 10,000£ & have got upwards of 200 Ton of Copper & Brass
as a security & I have B[ough]t all Williams presses & all his
Coining apparatus which is not worth to me more than so much old
Iron but I thought it prudent to Clip his Wings & to disarm him.
The object of this letter is to tell you that Boulton &
Watt propose to divide the money they have in Matthews's hands about
the begining of next Month & Mr Pierson hath just told me that you
can remit us about 1500£ Now as we shall make another Dividend of a
Year and as it would be conv[enien]t to me to make this as large a
dividend as possible I wish you would take ye most effectual &
expeditious means in your power to remit B[oulton]&W[att] as much of
their Arrears as you can.
As to W[hea]l Virgin we will not be fettord with any
promises but you may continue so long as the mine is loosing to
forgive them every third month provided they pay the arrears
directly & likewise pay the other 2 Mo[nths] in the course of ever
Q[uarte]r.
I hear there is a great change for the better in Chase
Water Mine but if you are not clearly of opineon that it can be
worked without loss it seems the opineon of our friends that it
should be abandond untill the price of Copper Ore & Tin, mend.
I think you were to have sent me some drawings &
directions respecting the Casting of Bar Tin but they are not yet
come.
When the Coinage is over I will come & pay my respects
to Cornwall but I should now injure Cornwall if I were to desert the
Coinage.
My love to Mrs. Wilson & best wishes attend all your Family.
I am with great regard
Dear Sir
Your faithfull
friend
M:
Boulton
When ever you
think ye Dep[ut]y Gov[eno]r is in good plight, do give me hint; for
I wish not to call untill he can answer''
AD1583/3/14
Letter,
Pearson to
Wilson acknowledging receipt of bills
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Mar 1788
Endorsed: Mr Pearson 12 Mar[ch] 1788
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Chasewater near Truro, Cornwall
''Soho
near Birmingham
12
March 1788
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
By desire of Mr. Watt have to acknowledge
receipt of your favor of 8th instant, enclosing two Notes value
together £160. - say one Hundred and Sixty Pounds, being for one
half years Interest of Stock in Cornish Metal Co[mpany]. Mr. Watt
would have wrote you himself but is not able. -
Beg you will do the needful with the small account at foot, and
remain Sir
Your very Obed[ien]t Servants
For Boulton & Watt
James Pearson.
Wheal Virgin
Adventurers D[ebto]r to Boulton & Watt
For Freight from Workington to Liverpool & Charges
at Liverpool of Piston rod in
1787} £ - . 14 [shillings]. 4
[pence]''
AD1583/3/15
Letter,
Wyatt to Wilson
regarding flour from Albion Mill sent to Cornwall
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
29 Mar 1788
Endorsed: Sam[ue]l Wyatt Mar[ch] 29. 1788
''Mr Wilson /
I received your favor, and am very glad that our
inferior flours are so well liked in your neighboorhood. We have now
great plenty of 2nds 3rds & fourths - which we can send you - and
will mark them in the way you proposed, we shall be much obliged to
you for your Intrest at Swansey -
I think we should not exceed 24s[hillings] p[e]r Week
for a very first rate Smith, and I should let him the making of a
New Boiler, and I should wish to have one that could make one of
Copper how many Hours p[e]r Day will he work for his 4s[hillings]? -
I am for A[lbion] Mill C[ompany]
Sir
your
most hum[ble] Serv[an]t
Sam Wyatt
Albion Mill -
Mar[ch] - 29th 1788''
AD1583/3/16
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Doctor Withering's selling his tin bills
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Mar 1788
Endorsed: Mr Watt Mar[ch] 30 1788
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr Wilson
Harpers hill March 30 1788
Dear Sir
Doctor Withering received your letter of the 24, has
ever since been out of town, he returned yesterday & intended to
have wrote you to day, but is call'd out of town again, He sent me
the following note & desired me to write to you.
''I would sell the tin in bills [this previous word being
underlined twice] at present, & reserve a further determination to a
future time, thus keeping clear of any proposition from Messrs
Foxes. The Donneur to the Captains shall be thought of when I have
realized the £500 (first cost) and its Intrest which Polgooth is
indebted to me, except £190 which I have received; please to add,
that I wish Mr Wilson would send me Separate accounts of
Polgooth & Chacewater -''
You will please to observe that the D[octo]rs meaning is
to sell his tin for tin Bills at present but not to come to under
any obligation to do so in future. If you cannot Dispose of it on
these terms, you will please coin it with the rest. You will also
cause my share of Tin to be Coined with Mr Boultons & Mr Wilkinsons.
as I have no doubt we will be able to find a market if refused in
Cornwall. Mr Boulton will write you a general answer to all your
letters in a few days. I am glad to hear that William Murdock is so
much better, & as soon as I hear from him if able will write to him
concerning his Engine -
It gave me pleasure to hear that the new Engine at Wheal Maid
performs so well. Tho I am much better I still am not able to write,
having a pain in my breast & at present a blister upon it, I hope
the fine weather which seems to be set in will soon reestablish me.
Mrs Watt, who I at present employ, Joins in best wishes
to you & Mrs Wilson, & we hope to hear that she has entirely
recovered all her complaints, & that all the children are in good
health, I remain Dear Sir
Your Sincerely
James Watt''
[the handwriting
is that of Ann Watt]
AD1583/3/17
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
cessation of production at North Downs mine etc
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Apr 1788
Endorsed: Mr Boulton April 8 1788
Addressed to: Mr Thom[a]s Wilson, Chase Water, Truro, Cornwall,
via Bristol
''Birm[in]g[ha]m 8 April 1788
Dear Sir
I will first acknowledge the reception of your last
letter of ye 5th In[stan]t with two Bills Value 693£. 4 [shillings].
2 [pence] I am glad to hear that you are likely to be at peace &
that N[orth]:D[owns]: hath concluded to stop w[hi]ch is what it
ought to have done long ago as great sums have been expended in the
County to destroy each other. We are sincerely sorry for the
distresses of the Working Mines but time & patience will lessen the
Met[a]l Co[mpany']s Debt & mend the Standard. We know of no
particular cause at this In[stan]t for raising the price of Copper
but I must own I can see no objection to ye raising of it in
England, as there is not ye least probability of any quantity being
imported, & who is there in England that can furnish 300 Ton at less
than 80 none, no, not one, then why should it not be raisd to a
price our Manufacturers can afford to pay.
As to the Foreign Market that's quite another thing our
price in those markets must be regulated by foreign Mines & sundry
circumstances.
Our ministers say they are so wedged in with various
business that they cannot find time at present to consider or
determine about ye coinage & therefore we must have patience for a
couple of Months.
In relation N[orth]:D[owns]: saveings. You will I have
no doubt recollect what I said at the N:D: meeting & what hath been
uniformly our opineons viz: That we ought not to encourage the
continuence of a Mine that so ruinous to the County &
disadvantageous to the adventurers & that we should reserve our
giveings for the better purposes of setting that mine to work again
at such times & under such circumstances as may appear to us more
for the interest of the County. Therefore you may be assured we are
not disposed to comply with their requisitions, Moreover you know we
have never taken any thing for W[hea]l Chance Engine, & that 'though
they deducted for Wh[eal] Hawke when stoped, yet nothing was ever
P[ai]d for Wh[ea]l Chance w[hi]ch ought to have been, at least in
that case.
As to the several Men you mention to be nearly out of
employ, I have answer that we think it our duty & our interest to
find employment for such men as david Watson, who hath behaved well
& in whom we can place sufficient confidence both in his discression
as well as his integrity & When ever David & his Wife are disposed
to come into this Country I think we can settle them to their
satisfaction at Soho.
But as to Pierson We know not what use to make of a Man that is idle
& Drunken, he would only bring disgrace upon us if we were to send
him out to erect Engines & therefore I recommend that he get a place
in London or Cornwall. In respect to James Murdock We are willing to
agree with him for 5 years, if you think he is sober & industrious
Man, provided we can agree upon terms & in that case we shall
endeavour to make him as usefull to himself & us as possible.
I think you made an Agreem[en]t with Knuckey & therefore
beg youl send him with the first who come but if there is no
Agreem[en]t executed it will be proper we send one for him to
execute before he sets out - I wrote to you from London for a Smith
that can also make Boilers for Albion Mill but the wages you
mentiond w[oul]d not do. If you know of anyone that can be well
recommended & who will come for 18s[hillings] p[e]r Week or if a
very good hand say one Guinea p[e]r Week he may be sent to Mr Wyatt
at Alb[io]n Mill.
We acquiessed in the proposition of relinquishing every
third Month at W[hea]l Virgin untill the times mended & we beg youl
settle with that Mine upon that ground which we cannot alter.
I shall see Mr Wilkinson I expect on Thursday & will learn if he is
the Culprit that hath reduced the price of Tin & let you know - The
Smelters ought not to Smelt Tin for any man who sells under price &
hope they will adhere to that resolution. -
Its near 3 Weeks since I returnd from London have had my
House full of Comp[an]y. Mr Watt hath been incapable of transacting
any business but he is now getting better -, I am prepareing
Buildings & tools for the Coinage, I will look over your letters &
write again soon & in the intrem I remain with best wishes for you
Mrs Wilson & Family D[ea]r S[i]r Yours most
Sincerely
Matt[he]w Boulton.
[marginal] Pray
tell us if our indulgence to poldice is not expired & the acc[oun]t
now in such a State as to assert our Claim''
AD1583/3/18
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
the miner's uprising
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Apr 1788
Endorsed: Mr Watt Ap[ril] 17. 1788
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birm[ingha]m Ap[ri]l 17th
1788
Dear Sir
I am just now fav[oure]d with y[ou]rs of 14th and am
very much alarmed at this fresh rising of the Miners, who certainly
are instigated by some enemy to the County & to you. I hope you will
avoid going in their way again & to prevent surprizes that you will
pack up your books & papers & send them to Truro, or at least have
them in a Chest ready to put on a horses back. Indeed I wish you
would remove yourself & family there until matters are quieted.
I hope no improper concessions will be made to them &
that some body of Authority will interpose in time, soldiers should
be quartered at Truro & at Redruth.
My Health Grows daily better but I cannot go much out
yet, partly on acc[oun]t on the Coldness of the weather.
Wishing you health & safety I am with Comp[liment]s to Mrs
Wilson
Dear Sir
Yours
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/3/19
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
miner's riots, and the lucrativeness of lead mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Apr 1788
Endorsed: Boulton & Watt April 18 1788
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, Via
Bristol
''Birmingham 18 April 1788
Dear Sir
Our Mr Watt acknowledged yesterday the rec[eip]t of your
letter of the 14th In[stan]t the Contents of which gives us great
concern & the writer of this enters most sensibly into all your &
Mrs. Wilsons feelings on the late appearance of Riot.
We have not the least idea of the cause of the Tinners being
violently prejudiced against you & in your next pray tell us the
grounds of it. We are certain of one thing which is that they do not
distinguish between those who are their real friends & those who are
not.
As to our selves, if we could avert or mitigate the Miseries with
which they are threatend We would do it with all hearts & Souls & we
conceive the most effectual means is to extend & promote the
consumption & Sales of Copper, to raise the price, & to lessen the
dead Stock all which we are silently doing to the best of our power.
As the quantity of Copper & Tin lately raisd in Cornwall is much too
great for all the markets to take off, it is proper the Miners & the
Adventurers should turn their Eyes to Lead as the price of that
Metal is almost double what it was some Years ago it being now from
21 to 23£ a Ton and We have no doubt from what we have heard that
there are Lead Mines in several parts of Cornwall that will at this
time pay much better than most of the Copper & Tin mines now
working.
The Mine at Combmartin [Combe Martin, Devon] & some others in
devonshire have always been talked of as rational undertakings and
as a principal part of their Riches arises from the Silver extracted
from ye Lead, there is no danger of overstocking the Country with
that Commodity - pray learn all you can about the Mines at Penrose
near Hellston [Helston] as well as those at Wade Bridge [Wadebridge].
Seting aside the Lead Mines in Cornwall & devonshire it is certain
that all the Lea | 