Volume 6
AD1583/6
Boulton & Watt, Volume Six
Series
72 items (75 documents)
Manuscript
4 Jan 1793-27 Dec 1793
Letters
AD1583/6/1
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
republication of Thomas Wilson's pamphlet
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jan[uar]y 4 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall'', ''only
double''
''Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 4th 1793
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 1st came this even[in]g
to hand. I agree with Mr B[oulton]. in thinking that your pamphlett
should not be republished at present, The paper sent you contains an
abstract of the principal arguments with some fresh ones, & should
be published, on the same size page as the former, as soon as
possible, being short it will have more chance of being read than if
tacked to or moulded into the other. I have in some parts of it said
as much to the H[ornblower]s as run & as much of your motives as I
think need be said; for calling names is of no use, being an easy
weapon for any blockhead to wield. I hope you will approve of what I
have made you say, but leave you at liberty to omit any thing you
please, but wish nothing to be added as to our merits. You will
please examine the Calculations carefully & correct whatever may be
amiss Only observing that the calculations of the combined power of
the two Cylinders & their power singly are right, on the footing
stated. The thing I think principaly objectible is where it says
''that at the cheapest period of its working it shall exceed
their Engine 50 p[e]r Cent'' now they may say that their Engine at
the cheapest period of its working did exceed its present
performance 50 p[e]r cent, I would therefore say that, at the load
of 3 times the 16lb [pound] p[e]r inch of the small Cylinder it
should do more than theirs now does, & that at the Cheapest &c. If
any one asks what you mean by the cheapest you may tell them at 16lb
[pound] per inch of its own Cylinder. This I write at home, & shall
consult Mr B[oulton]. tomorrow and add what occurs.
I wish you to go on in the reform of your pamphlett
according to your own ideas, & if there is occasion for it I shall
revise & alter it, for a use you may conceive, but I shall very much
abridge it, otherwise Gentlemen would not read it. At present it
would be improper to republish it.
In respect to Mr Fox we have no terms to offer further
than we gave him in Cornwall, vizt £28 while single & 56 when
double, his present offer is an insult upon our common sense, £25
p[e]r month for any sized Engine they please to erect. We
write him per tommorrows post.
Mr Boulton thinks he can write a more persuasive letter
to E. Fox & we have agreed to send them both to you & that you may
deliver which ever you approve of, I send mine at present & if you
do not receive Mr B[oulton]s by next post you will please forward
mine. F[ox]s letter was a most impertinent one.
Mr B[oulton]. makes no objection to the alteration on
the other page, so you will do as you please but publish
immediately.
Wishing you & yours the Comp[limen]ts of the
season health & happiness I remain
Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt
Please collect
all the Sherborne mercurys that have the Horners advertisements in
them I mean the entire papers, we shall want them to show the pains
that have been taken to prejudice the county against us''
AD1583/6/2
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
intended letter to E Fox
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
6 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Boulton Jan[uar]y 6 1793''
''Soho Jan[uar]y 6 1793
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson
Dear Sir
Mr Watt wrote to you yesterday with an
intended letter to Mr E. Fox in answer to one dated 1st In[stan]t In
w[hi]ch he says he is desired by the Adv[enture]rs to offer us 25£
p[e]r Month premium for Any such size as they may fix on & to
be p[ai]d from the time ye mine is in Fork & require an answer p[e]r
return of post & that in case we refuse they are determind to erect
another Engine as they see no reason for our demanding a larger
premium from them than we have agreed to from others.
As I thought Mr Watts letter too laconick, & left no
opening for any further endeavours to agree, I have wrote another
which I inclose & leave it to your Judgment to send which you
please.
I intended makeing some offers varied in form from those we made at
Truro but upon 2[n]d thought I judged it impolitick to send them any
in writing & think it best that you try what can be done by
conversation.
I once thought of writing - We are willing to Erect you
an Eng[i]n[e] that shall have power to raise a Column of Water whose
weight is 40 Thous[an]d pounds & that we will accept of 25£ a Year
untill the load exceeds 20000 lb [pounds] & then to be paid 37£.
10s[hillings]. 0d [pence] p[e]r Month & when it exceeds 30000 lb
then to be paid 50£ a Month - (a 43 In[ch] Cyl[in]d[e]r ÷ as 8 to 6
will do it) w[hi]ch will work a 12 In[ch] pump to the depth of near
136 fath[om] or a 14 In[ch] pump to 100 f[atho]m.
Or suppose one was to offer to furnish all the Metal Materials ready
fitted for Erection & one was to ask them a round sum for the Engine
& premium say 3000£ & one half to be p[ai]d in 3 Mo[nths] after set
to work & the other half to be p[ai]d in a Bond leaving 5 p[e]r Cent
w[hi]ch w[oul]d be 75 p[e]r Year instead of 600 w[hi]ch latter 1500
I consider in lieu of premium for now our term grows shorter it will
be better to take Slump sums instead of Annuities - out of w[hi]ch
you must be p[ai]d poundage.
I wish your letter was pub[lish]d p[e]r se & beg you will not delay
it as I think it will tend to shorten our disputes & open the Eyes
of Candid men & send us a proof sheet p[e]r post.
I have got a most painfull Lombago but hope to be able to go w[i]th
Mr Watt in less than a week to Town however continue to direct here
at present.
Adieu
Y[ou]rs sincerely
M Boulton
I w[oul]d not
boggle about a limitted Forking''
AD1583/6/3
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Thomas Wilson's pamphlet
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Boulton Jan[uar]y 8 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall, by Bristol''
''Soho Jan[uar]y 8 – 1793
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson
Dear Sir
I rec[ei]vd a letter from you 2 days ago but
its not before me.
I send this to tell you that Mr Watt & self set out tomorrow
morn[in]g to London where I beg you will send us a proof sheet if
not sent before this reach you. - As that paper may fall into the
hands of persons who have not read any of your or our papers I think
there should be one line in it intimating that every miner in
Cornwall doth know & must allow that Tin Croft [Tincroft mine,
Illogan] is an infringement upon B&W patent and is certainly
constructed upon their principles although by the variation it is 50
p[e]r C[en]t worse.
Mr Fox in speaking of our working cheaper for others I suppose
alluded to Hallamaning [Halamanning mine, St Hilary] - You should
tell him he is mistaken for Hal[lamanin]g agrees to pay us 600£ a
Year for a Cylinder limited to 60 In[ches] whereas Fox offers only
300 for an unlimited Cylinder neither have B&W signed any
agreem[en]t to increase the power for nothing.
Adieu
Y[ou]rs sincerely
M: Boulton''
AD1583/6/4
Letter, Forman to
Wilson regarding
parts for engines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''W[illia]m Forman 9 Jan[uar]y 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho 9th Jan[uar]y 1793
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
I am desired by Messrs Boulton & Watt, who
set off for London this morning, to desire you to let me know as
soon as you can at What price you could undertake to get up Working
Gear, Parallel Motions, and other Engine Work, in your plan. if the
prices are such as meet their approbation, they can give you a
considerable quantity to do. The Drawings will be sent to you and
they would have you not only to forge but file & fit them as far as
you could. The small Brasses for the parallel Motions you could
easily get cast & fitted & the larger Gudgeons which are to be
fitted into Plummer Blocks you could turn to the dimensions given &
we could furnish the Brasses for them & fit them here. However at
the same time that you give us the prices fitted you might also give
us the prices only forged. as we may find some little difficulty in
having them fitted up at such a Distance in case of any alteration
taking place. Mr Watt objects to having them done at the Perren
Works. but would have no objection to their being done at Redruth or
any other place that you think they would be well done at. I do not
expect that Messrs Boulton & Watt will return from London in less
than 10 Days or a fortnight, and as it is very material that I
should be informed of what I now write about as soon as possible, I
hope you will be so good as write us soon as you can.
I am
Sir
Your most obed[ien]t h[um]ble Serv[an]t
W[illia]m Forman''
AD1583/6/5
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
gathering of information to be used in Court
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jan[uar]y 12 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
London Jan[uar]y 12 1793
Dear Sir
We came here yesterday. Mr Westons desires that you
would collect all the information you can of the pains that have
been taken to prejudice the County against us. 1st by the
advertisements in the Sherborne [Mercury] and other papers 2[n]d by
the parts spread to our discredit 3[r]d by Combinations said to be
formed to support H[ornblowe]r & Bull. These must be such as can be
proved by affidavits, that such advertisements were circulated about
the County in the news papers or other wise, & that reports were
circulated that we obtained more money from the County than we had a
right to, that our Patent was a grievance & should be contested that
our Opponents should be supported & that a malicious disposition was
testified against us without cause - But the principal thing will be
to prove, that Bull has said that he would be supported against us,
& if possible to prove that he actualy is so. If you can get any
body to say that they heard him say so, Particularly that Crenver
[mine, Crowan] had guaranteed him against us, or any others had done
so it will be in point, & where positive evidence cannot be
obtained, circumstantial must be taken, & affidavit made to it. I
think R. Mitchel told us that he had been offered a guarantee if he
would erect one of our Engines - Once you have got a clue you must
get Mr Edwards to make out the affidavits & send them to us or Mr
Weston as soon as possible, & as you can get them. Your own may be
made out & taken immediately with E Rogers W[illia]m Murdocks, but
please to observe all possible secrecy. The use of these affidavits
is to establish the Trial in Middlesex, by showing that improper
means have been used to prejudice mens minds against us in Cornwall.
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours Sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/6/6
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Thomas Wilson's pamphlet
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jan[uar]y 14 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London Jan[uar]y 14th 1793
Dear Sir
We have your letter of the 9th covering Bill value £409.
7 [shillings] We agree to all your alterations except the paragraph
in praise of ourselves which we request may not be published, It can
do no good and may do harm, therefore we desire you to omit it
totally - Instead of saying the first propogators of this
wonderful &c say ''the first users in this county of this
pretended improvement'' and you may say ''The failure of the late
trial at Tin Croft to work with one of the two Cylinders only
proves, the operators ignorance of the Steam Engine in general, &
that B&Ws assertion of the Construction in so far as it deviated
from their Engines being a deterioration instead of an
improvement''
We wrote you the other day for affidavits of the
prejudices of the County against us, to which we beg a speedy
answer, & I remain
Dear
Sir Your's sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/6/7
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
return of Thomas Wilson's corrected proof for pamphlet
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
15 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jan[uar]y 15 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall'', ''double
only''
''London Jan[uar]y 15 1793
Dear Sir
We wrote you last night as to your proposed additions &
now send the proof corrected for some typographical errors,
principaly pointing which obscure the sense. I hope it will come in
time before any are printed off. I have not marked all the faulty
types that being the printers business but there is much to complain
of on that head.
I
remain Your's &c
J W''
AD1583/6/8
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
Thomas Wilson's pamphlet etc
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''Messrs Boulton & Watt Jan[uar]y 18th 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall'', ''only
double''
''London 18 Jan[uar]y 1793
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson
Dear Sir
Yours of 12th In[stan]t w[i]th ye proof
sheet We rec[ei]vd in due course which sheet is corrected & herewith
returnd - The butter and flum[me]ry we have thrown out of the Dish.
As you & other friends will not be wanted 'till the
middle of Feb[ruar]y we think you had better seize the present
opertunity of going to Wales where we will write you if any thing
Material occur.
We presume Mr Foreman can do without the assistance of
any of ye Cornish Smiths but We wish you to send him all the prises
of Engine Smiths Work both the Master Smiths selling price & the
Journeymans working price as we are going to make some regulations
amongst our Journeymen. Before you set out for Wales pray send one
or two Copys of your printed letter to each of the principal
Adventurers and to such Capt[ai]ns & Engineers as you may think can
understand it - And if you will send us some we will deliver them (p[e]r
peny post) to S[i]r Francis to S[i]r Christopher to Rashley [Rashleigh]
& such others as you think are in Town & this should be done before
you go to wales & when you do go pray take a Cargoe of them to
Bristol, to Swansey & send some to the Birm[in]g[ha]m Mineing
Co[mpany] at Birm[in]g[ha]m. But pray don't forget to obtain & send
to us the affidavits which Mr Watt wrote to you about.
Sanctifyd david has wrote to us that he is now Engaged with another
Gent[lema]n in the Engine Line but with whom we have not yet been
able to learn - oh Honor & Gratitude where are ye fled.
The new Metal Co[mpany] are now formd with a Capital of
100,000£ - M[atthew]: B[oulton]: is a member, or his Son, which ever
may suit best.
Wishing you & yours Health we remain
D[ea]r S[i]r
Yours sincerely
Boulton
& Watt''
[the handwriting
is that of Matthew Boulton]
AD1583/6/9
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Thomas Wilson's pamphlet etc
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w Boulton Esq[uire] Jan[uar]y 23 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London Jan[uar]y 23
1793
Dear Sir
Your fav[ou]rs of ye 19th & 20th are before us we beg
you send us a doz[e]n of the pamphets by the first Coach directed to
us at Birm[in]g[ha]m as we shall leave Town in 2 Days.
For want of an opportunity of consulting Mr Watt I cannot speak
possitivly about Mr Fox's proposal but if any absolute objection
arise we will inform you or otherwise the Materials shall be put in
hand directly.
We think you may take some of your letters to Bristol & Wales &
distribute them & send us a few.
I hope youl finaly settle Selehole & never more fall into such a
hole.
Alass poor Lewis is no more.
adieu
Yours sincerely
M.
I approve''
AD1583/6/10
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Wheal Virgin and Hewas mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jan[uar]y 24th 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London Jan[uar]y 24th 1793
Dear Sir
We have yours of the 21st - you should keep the letter
to Pearson it may be of use.
I think he will be the proper man to be stationed at Wheal Virgin &c
if you can get him the office, & I think his wages should be raised.
In order to repay H[orblowe]r and Bull if they have any good hands
they should be bribed away & sent to us, if they will engage for
time say 5 years, but this had best not be done at present, lest it
be an argument against us while at law.
Though entirely against my opinion & Convictions I have
consented to the Hewas [St Ewe] proposal, but please to observe that
until the argument is executed & sent us I shall do nothing in
ordering the Engine, you will please inform them of this in the
gentlest manner you can & give for reason the treatment we have
received in other cases, The agreement must be the same as we have
used to make with other Engines, and absolute, for I will sign no
agreement lying as to make such abatement to them as some cursed
necessity may force us to do to others X [see below] - I look
upon what is consented to in point of premium as a thing which may
prove highly detrimental to us in future & such as if we suceed in
our Suit shall not avail any body as precedent.
At present I am crushed with difficulties &
sollicitations until I can resist no longer!
I remain Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt
you have never
advised whether the agreement for the Welsh Engine was approved of,
that ought to have been done before now, they will serve us some
dirty trick.
X
unless they will agree to be raised to the same premium we may
obtain from all mines''
AD1583/6/11
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Wheal Jewel, Herland and Wheal Virgin mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
c1793
Endorsed: ''Mat[the]w Boulton Esq[uire]''
''B&W wish to
have W[hea]l Jewel [Gwennap] tryd without drawing Water in order see
what the friction & Visinertia of the Engine - the Flat Rods & the
friction of the pumps amount to in Coals - Take off the Clack Doors.
-
Cover the
Boilers
Herland [Gwinear]
- burns too much Coals - raise the Chymney 6 feet - bore a Hole of ½
Inch diam[ete]r into the Chymney above the take up 3 or 6 feet & try
if it burns a dry Stick & in that case its plain too much fire goes
up the Chymney - The Working Geer is Noisey Boiler wants Covering -
Stop the Steam leaks about the Top Valve - see that a free Currant
of Air go to the Grate which may be directed by doors according to
the point the wind is in.
W[hea]l Virgin
Engines must absolutely be put in better order Even if we pay a
workman to do it.
[in pencil] B&W
will endeavour to send a good Workman''
[back page
features a sketch diagram of section through engine part, and some
arithmetical workings]
AD1583/6/12
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
engine for Hewas mine, St Ewe, and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
31 Jan 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jan[uar]y 31 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Mr Holbrookes, Morris Town,
Swansea, S. Wales''
''Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 31st 1793
Mr Wilson
Swansea}
Dear
Sir
we have yours of the 27th advising its
covering 3 Bills for £800, now it contained as follows
Miners
Bank -
£500. - . -
C[ornish]
M[etal]. Co[mpany - [£]150 . - .
-
D[itt]o
-
[£]50 . - . -
[Total]
£700 . - . -
we have wrote to
Mr Weston what you said about the venue, but believe there are other
ways of making that matter sq[ua]r[e], otherwise there is no Justice
in Engl[an]d.
Hewas Engine will not be begun untill the agreement is
settled, & if they do not do it soon the best way is to tell them
the truth, we cannot in common prudence expose ourselves to any more
such treatment as we have met with disoblige whom we will, and for
my part I would rather they had not the Engine on the terms. I think
you will not be wanted in London till the end of the month if then,
wishing you a pleasant Journey & safe return I remain
D[ea]r Sir
Yours
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/6/13
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
pending legal action against Hornblower and Bull
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Feb 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr. Watt Feb[ruar]y 9th 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, at Mr Ja[me]s Holbrooks, Morris
Town, Swansea, S. Wales''
''Birm[ingha]m
Feb[ruar]y 9th 1793
Mr Wilson /
Swansea /
Dear Sir
We have yours from Newport, you may be
assured that Hornblowers advertisement was in the Bristol papers,
for we ourselves read it in one of them at Pipers Inn - The affair
of the venue would be decided yesterday, we know not the result yet
but expect it will be retained in Middlesex. Mr Weston however says
that it is now certain that the cause cannot come on this term, but
will the next that is in May. The reason is that from the shortness
of the term Bull has not had the legal days of notice, so that it
depends upon him its being tryed & no doubts he will avail himself
of all possible delays. We wish however to see you here without any
urgent cause carries you elsewhere, lest this miss you we write also
to you at the Bush tavern.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mr Holbrook I remain
D[ea]r Sir Your's
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/6/14
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
engine for Hewas mine, St Ewe
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
15 Mar 1793
Endorsed:
''Messrs Boulton & Watt, Mar[ch] 15th 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho March 15th – 1793
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson
Dear Sir
We rec[ei]vd in due course your fav[ou]rs of
the 7th, 8th & 11th In[stan]t - From your last it appears that we
are agreed in all points with the adventurers in Hewas except what
relates to the disposal of the Engine when the time comes that they
have no further use for it. We have never shewn a disposition to be
letigious in any instance, nor to throw difficulties in the way of
our Friends selling their Engines to the best advantage & all that
we want to secure is our own right in it for though a person may
sell his Land he cannot sell the parsons Tythe: However, to close
this business We agree to take the Engine at a fair valuation when
ever they cease to use it, and have a direct offer for it, to which
we refuse our consent. - N:B: let it be understood that what we mean
by takeing the Engine is to take all such parts of the Engine as
remain in a servicable state & not the Pumps or Pump Rods.
We yesterday sent our Carpenter to examine a large fall
of Timber in this neighbourhood but he could not find one Tree that
will answer for the Beam of the blowing Engine however we will
continue our enquiries & doubt not but we shall find one.
We will endeavour to see Mr Simcox & settle w[i]th him
in a few days.
We beg you will not fail to present our most respectfull compliments
of Condolence to Mr Daniel & Family.
We also desire our Compl[imen]ts to Mr Martin & acquaint him we have
this day packed up his Candlesticks which will go to Pritchard
& Barlow p[e]r Wagon w[i]th orders to forward them to Truro as you
or Mr Martin may direct & we beg his acceptance thereof.
We beg you will provide one or two of the Exeter papers, in w[hi]ch
the advertisment you mentiond is published, as we may make a use of
it upon the Trial, & if you can find out the Author so much the
better.
Poor Scale died yesterday.
With kind resp[ec]ts to Mrs Wilson
We remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
Boulton & Watt
Whitmore & Co
have offerd to buy or build Smelting Works & to undertake all
Charges from the Cornish Mine to the delivery of the Copper on board
a Ship at Swansey for 33 s[hillings] or 34 s[hillings] p[e]r Ton
Smelting Charges.
M[atthew] B[oulton]: hath related to Mr Hurd your paragraph
respecting the sending of the Extracts from his & Mr Edwards'
Letters''
[the handwriting
is that of Matthew Boulton]
AD1583/6/15
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
Joseph Hately
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Mar 1793
Endorsed:
''Messrs Boulton & Watt Mar[ch] 27th 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Birm[ingha]m Mar[ch] 27th 1793
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir /
The letter handed us by yours of 23[r]d
ought to have been signed Joseph Hately. Who is in urgent want of
£500 - You may if you please, to show your disinterestedness &
affection for the county, lay it before the first publick meeting,
and let them if they please appoint a committee of correspondence,
you taking care not to be one; but in that case you answer the
letter by saying you have laid the matter before the County, having
no desire of engaging in any thing of that kind yourself, nor of
having any more to do with it. At any rate please not to take the
least notice who is the author, leave him & them to work one
another, he is a match for them & I think has no invention that can
do us any harm.
If you do not approve of the above, you may answer the
letter by saying that it would not suit you to enter into any
undertaking of that kind, but that if he pleases to apply to Mr
Jonathan Hornblower of Penryn or Mr Edward Bull of [blank] who are
Schemers in Engines & seem in lack of some better invention than
they now profess, perhaps they might deal with him, or Winwood of
Bristol as proper a Cully as he could find.
We are extremely sorry that W. M. [William Murdock] is
so tormented but he must keep a good heart & hope for a day of
retribution; We can safely answer to God, that we never had any
profits whatever on Wilkinsons goods but much trouble, vexation, &
loss: therefore if he will not be at pains to procure customers for
himself we shall order the Goods from the Dale [Dale Company,
Coalbrookdale, Shropshire] for such as please to employ us & desire
them to be got there. His behaviour to us is worse than that of
Hornblower or Bull.
Your indisposition gives us much concern we hope you
will have proper advice and take care of yourself. The riding out
will probably be of service to you, but I think the Bath waters
would be of more, they might force out the Gout which plagues you -
wishing you health & with comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
We remain Dear Sir Your
affect[iona]t[e]ly
Boulton & Watt
The present
Commercial failures are very alarming & seem to spread, this
confounded Banking has been the principal cause. We have had no
great losses hitherto, only one small one''
[the handwriting
is that of James Watt]
AD1583/6/16
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
Bull's charges for casting etc
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Apr 1793
Endorsed:
''Messrs Boulton & Watt Ap[ri]l 5th 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Birm[ingha]m Ap[ri]l 5th 1793
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We are very uneasy at not hearing from you,
especialy as you were in bad health when you wrote last & beg you
would cause William write us how you are if you cannot write
yourself which I hope is not the case. We have nothing particular to
advise, have not yet got a tree for Neath beam but are in search of
one.
We wish as soon as you can an answer to Mr Southerns
letter about, the prices Bull has been charged for castings - We
hear the Dale Co[mpany] weigh after boring but that there is no
other difference in price - We had a dreadfull Storm of snow from
Sunday night 10 oclock to 7 oclock on tuesday night, which as has
continued thaw has mostly gone off - Hopeing to hear good news of
you & praying for your health, we remain with Compl[imen]ts to Mrs
Wilson and family, Yours
Sincerely
Boulton & Watt
If you find
yourself still in that languid un[com]fortable way you should try
the Bath waters''
AD1583/6/17
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson proposing
purchase of Wilson's works at Swansea
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
10 Apr 1793
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w Boulton Esq[uire] Ap[ri]l 10th 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London
York Hotel Bridge Street 10th April 1793
Dear Sir
I arivd here yesterday with Mr Villers, in
order to settle some agreement for Copper or for Smelting.
We have seen Mr Morris this morning, who says he has
agreed to set his Works to the Brass wire Comp[an]y & is now
Building a new sett upon a smaller scale for his own use. - He seems
unwilling to Smelt for the hire at any price, & is so doubtfull and
undecided about the Copper-trade that we give up all thoughts of
attempting to make any agreem[en]t with him. -
We are obliged to be at Birm[in]g[ha]m on Tuesday night
next and as the Committee days of the 2 Charterd Co[mpanie]s are on
Tuesdays & Wednesdays We shall not have an opportunity of meeting
them.
Before we left Birm[in]g[ha]m Whitmore (who it appears is worth
15,000£) deliverd in his proposals to build Works at his own expence
& smelt our ores (including Car[ria]g[e] fr[eigh]t Insurance &c) at
34 s[hillings] p[e]r Ton & to agree for 7, 14, or 21 Years. These
are tempting offers: Yet nevertheless I must own that I had rather
establish our Comp[an]y upon Your foundation, both for your sake &
our own. -
T[urn].O[ver].
Suppose then We
were to purchase Your works at Swansey, & keep the same Managers,
Refiners, & Workmen. - Suppose you were to have ten Shares in our
Comp[an]y. -
Suppose you were to undertake to do the same business for our
Co[mpany] as you now do for the Yorkshire Co[mpany] - Or in lieu of
that plan. Suppose We were to buy the Ores & you were to Smelt them
at 4 s[hillings] p[e]r Ton more than Whitmores price. -
I shall prevent any decided steps from being taken or
any Letter or proposals being made to Mr Townend untill I know what
your sentiments are, or what will be most agreeable to your self, &
then we will in writing make specifick propositions to Mr Townend
similar to ye afores[ai]d. -
After all if none of ye above plans are agreeable to you
& your Co[mpany] The new Birm[in]g[ha]m Comp[an]y must proceed to
erect works either by themselves or Whitmore. - But if your have any
idea of going out of the business, I think this is the most
favourable oppertunity that is likely to occur -
Please to observe that I write from my self only except my traviling
Companion know & perfectly agrees with me in sentim[en]ts.
Let me hear from you as soon as possible for 'till I do we shall not
meet our Comp[an]y or make our report.
I also wish to know something of your health.
I remain D[ea]r Sir
Yours sincerely
M Boulton
Youl be aware
that we must call a Meeting in a few days after our return''
AD1583/6/18
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
engine house for Hewas mine, St Ewe
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Apr 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Ap[ri]l 11 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Ap[ri]l 11th 1793
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I am glad to hear that you are in the land of the
living, Take care of yourself use moderate exercise, & do not live
too low.
Our trial will come on sometime between the 13th & 20th
May - Your presence will be wanted, as well as the other witnesses -
Mr Weston expects Bull will make another attempt to
change the venue, can you procure proof that he said, that if the
cause were tried in Cornwall he should win but not if in
Westminster, or any similar expressions, The exeter paragraph too
must not be forgot.
The house for Hewas may be built same as United Mines [Gwennap]
45, as it will be like it 8 feet Stroke inside & 6 outside,
Wilkinson has one of this size now nearly ready, all castings except
Cyl[inde]r & Air pump may be done at Perran [Perranzabuloe] -
Wishing you better health, Yours
Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/6/19
Letter, Southern and Watt to
Wilson regarding
engine parts for Hewas mine, St Ewe
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Apr 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt 16 Ap[ri]l 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho 16th
April 1793
Dear Sir
The goods ordered at Bersham [Denbighshire, Wales] for
Huyas Mine [Hewas] are The Cylinder, its bottoms top & piston - and
the air pump, its bott[om]s top & bucket. The former are cast and
considerably forward. The nozzles will be done here, and all the
rest we suppose you will get done in Cornwall. We shall copy United
mines engine, house &cc - except the air pump (which is to be
larger) and a small alteration in the nozzles will likewise be made;
but we will shortly send you draw[in]gs of the engine, which will
exhibit the difference so far as relates to your part of the work.
The piston has a hole a little different from united mines viz. the
diam[ete]r of the hole at the top 4 1/8 inches, & widening
down[war]ds to gage 1 in 5.
I hope this will find you better than your last letter
brought account of, and remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your
obed[ien]t Servant
John Southern
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson''
''16th April 1793
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir, I have y[ou]rs of 12th, Mr B[oulton]. is at
London and expected home on to morrow - We have entered the 20 inch
order, but would wish to know if you would chuse 4 or 5 feet Stroke,
we think thelatter will burn least coals in proportion to work - I
think you may sell our Copper at the £110 or more if you can get it.
What we want for own use is not much, & the state should be common
tile with as much tough cake as possible. At present you may send us
from 10 to 15 Cwt [hundredweight] all tough cake, say 6 Cwt in cakes
1¼ inches thick & 18 inches square, of the very best quality for
forging valves out of, & 4 Cwt in cakes of the same size & ¾ thick
for rolling into sheets for pipes. All the rest may be sold as at
present trade is very dull here & the members of the Brass Company
are selling their proportions of Brass 30 p[e]r Cent under Cost to
get cash. I have heard nothing of the new Co[mpany] being split, &
do not believe it.
We are glad to hear of the fair behaviour of our
Hallamanin neighbours & think it is in consequence of a conversation
we had with Mr Simcock, please send us the draught of the agreement
or the agreement itself if ingrossed, if not only the draught & we
shall endeavour to settle with them on the Hewas terms - I think the
present dead trade & rain of credit must affect the price of copper,
therefore sell if you can! Please return our thanks to Mr Jno [John]
Williams for his recommendation - It gives me much pleasure to hear
of your recovery which I hope will be progressive Mr B[oulton]
Jun[io]r is now almost well but has had a narrow escape, with
Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson Yours sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/6/20
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
the length of the stroke at Cardrew Downs mine, Redruth
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 Apr 1793
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt 24 Ap[ri]l 1793''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Birm[ingham] Ap[ri]l 24th 1793
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We have two of yours unanswered, we have
sent one to Mr Weston to show | 