Volume 7

AD1583/7
Correspondence, volume 7
Series
82 items
Manuscript
1 Jan 1794-19 Dec 1794

 

AD1583/7/1
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding purchasing of ores
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
1 Jan 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Math[e]w Boulton - Jan[uar]y 1st 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall, By Bristol

                                                ''Soho January 1st 1794
Mr Thomas Wilson
Dear Sir
            Since my last I have rec[ei]vd from Mr Villers a Copy of a letter from the M[ine]s Roy[a]l Co[mpany] to him as Chairman of the Rose Copper Co in whose name all my Ores have been bought - I have also sent a Copy of it to Christoe & have desired him to settle with the W[hea]l Unity adventurers about your Ores.
I am willing to take them at the Stand[ar]d they were bought at (84) provided they will make a just allowance for the Fluccony Ores, such as is usaly made in those ores.
   I will thank you to see Christoe & advise him & me what is best to be done for if I am to allow 28 lb [pounds] in every Barrow it will be = to 90 stand[ar]d.
   I have just received a line from ye M.R.Co promising to make up what they have shipt for me, 25 Ton & if they do that in good time I shall need to Trespass on you for so much as I proposed - I hope Mr Place & Holbrook will act in concert for my Wishes & wants & I doubt not but they will haveing written to them for that purpose.
May you Mrs Wilson & all your Children see many very many happy returns of this day is the fervent wish of Dear sir Your faithfull friend.
                                                                                    M: Boulton

Your last is before Westons''

 

 

AD1583/7/2
Letter,
Pearson to Wilson regarding account of Messrs R W Fox & Co
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Jan 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Ja[me]s Pearson 7th Jan[uar]y 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

[Gives table of accounts showing Messrs R W Fox & Co, debtors to Boulton & Watt]

                                                                                    ''Soho near Birmingham Jan[uar]y 7 1794
Mr. Thomas Wilson
            Sir
            The enclosed Draft for the above Acco[un]t we beg you will get accepted, and return it to us, without bringing the same into your Acco[un]ts with us. we have already paid as above, without charging one farth[in]g of profit. - we wish you to get pay[men]t from Hewas Adv[enture]rs and from Cardrew Downs Adv[enture]rs of the Goods sent them, Our credit on Materials being only three mo[nth]s from invoice date. - we are
                                                            Sir your most obedient servant
                                                                        For Boulton & Watt
                                                                        James Pearson''

 

 

AD1583/7/3
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding the collation of information on recusant engines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Jan 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Ja[me]s Watt Jan[ua]ry 9th 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                                        ''Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 9th 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir
                        We have none of yours lately in reply to your question, we believe you will not be wanted in London on acc[oun]t of the Lawsuit with Bull, but believe we must see you on the affair of the recusant Engines, on which points we intreat you will collect all the information which you think can possibly be wanted.
            In respect to the Consols, we agree that you should settle it in the way you ment[ione]d in yours of Dec[embe]r 10th, say at £70 monthly, provided only the two Engines are continued to be wrought.
            Endeavour also to get Cardrew Downs ag[reemen]t Concluded, we have not yet had the opinion of our Counsel on the recusants.
                                                            I remain
                                                                        D[ea]r Sir
                                                                                    Yours sincerely
                                                                                                James Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/4
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding the collation of information on recusant engines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Jan 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Ja[me]s Watt Jan[uar]y 9th 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                                        ''Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 9th 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir
             I wrote to you today since which have letter from Mr Weston, he thinks it may be proper to attack all the recusants together, & wants particular states of all their cases, - United Mines - Crenver - Wheal Gons - Sterland - Wheal Treasure - Godolphin - we want names of Ad[venture]rs & a short History of each case with the sums in arrear to  the end of the year - what abatements are conditional & what not in the former case we shall sue for the whole - You will please in first place to make out this accounts & send Mr Edwards to demand payment of the utmost we can have any pretence to ask, & if meetings cannot be attended leave copy at the Count houses & at the houses of the Managers. I have told Mr Weston that we have desired you to do so if you do not hear from him in course of post from Saturday next which please wait, as to sending the warning or rather demands, in which you need use no other threat than that must use such means as the Law directs to recover our property, On this Account both of you & as may be wanted in London before term begins but we shall give all the warning we can.
Jan[uar]y 10th perhaps any intimation threats of a provecation are unnecessary, Mr Edwards must Judge, but the demands should be formally made if Mr Weston does not advise other ways - I have not seen Mr Boulton to day & have nothing farther to add except that I remain
                                                            Dear Sir
                                                                        Your's sincerely
                                                                                    James Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/5
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding papers relating to the recusant engines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Jan 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Ja[me]s Watt Jan[uar]y 14th 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                            ''Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 14th 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir /
                        I have yours of the 8th - I am so vext & perplexed with various matters that I never write except when necessity compels, I am moreover much plagued with Stupefying headaches -
            I wrote you the other day to look out all papers relating to the recusant Engines, Say all R.A. Daniels letters concerning United Mines, J Mitchels D[itt]o - Harris's D[itt]o - Goldophin D[itt]o - Richards relating Wheal Treasury - Wheal Gons letter Herland D[itt]o - whether relating to claim of abatements a bargain for premiums, in short every scrap of paper that can throw any light on these transactions & write on the back of each what it contains.
            In respect to Tin I cannot advise you to send any we have 8 blocks unsold & I believe the demand is very small - I am now looking over all your letters for 10 years back which is a heavy business but I hope will pay - I remain
                                                Yours &c
                                                            James Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/6
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding Bull's attorneys visiting Mr Weston
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
15 Jan 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Ja[me]s Watt Jan[uar]y 15th 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                            ''Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 15th 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir
                        I have yours of ye 12th. I thought I had acknowledged the rec[eip]t of Bulls previous advertisement which I sent to Mr Weston who was much enraged at it, And said that it contained sev[era]l Lies thus B[ull]. did not call on him or he w[oul]d have turned him out, however he found since that he staid at the door, while the Att[orne]ys were with Mr W[esto]n - to day Mr Weston writes, that after all their insolence they have not got their special case ready & probably may by that means attempt to put off the term.
            I am getting well on in the perusal of your letters & would get faster did they not renew old grievances they however rub up my memory.
            I shall as soon as I know any own time, I shall write you off to London but be well prepared, Mr Weston has no objection to you making formal demands from the Adventurers & I think you sh[oul]d write Mr Kevill a friendly letter as he stands a principal.
                                            I remain     D[ea]r Sir
                                                                        Your's &c
                                                                                    James Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/7
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding the collation of information regarding recusant adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Jan 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Ja[me]s Watt Jan[uar]y 16th 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson,Truro, Cornwall

                                                            ''Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 16th 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir
                        I have yours of 13th - Mr Weston was only to write to you in case he disapproved of giving note to the Adv[enture]rs by a regular demand, & approving did not write, I am well pleased with the Statement you sent & have this day forwarded it to Mr Weston; but I want the names places of abode & designations of the Adv[enture]rs to be prosecuted more correctly, say without one letter being mispelt. It is probable we shall attach them in Chancery, but of that nothing must be let abroad, perhaps not to Mr Ed[war]ds.
            You have no adequate idea of the delays of Law & the necessity of being well advised before we take any steps, besides the difficulty of making out a clear case, which is what I am now labouring at though very unequal to the Task and not over hopeful of success yet I must do my duty to partner family & self.
                                    I remain                        yours &c            J Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/8
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding the collation of information regarding recusant adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Jan 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Ja[me]s Watt Jan[uar]y 19th 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                            ''Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 17th 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir
                        I wrote to you yesterday, to day have yours of the 14th have wrote to know if Mr B[?]ls cannot be made to produce the deed in question but in the mean time you should learn what proof there is that he has it & that it is ex[cute]d.
            What I wrote about is the names and designations & abode of the principal adv[enture]rs in these mines yesterday Correctly written at length. How many names will be wanted I do not know, but shall in a few days - I think with you that Herland may be omitted at present, we have enough on our hands.
                        My headache is better today & I remain
                                    Dear Sir
                                                Yours sincerely
                                                            James Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/9
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding missing United Mines deed
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Jan 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Ja[me]s Watt 18 Jan[uar]y 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                            ''Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 18th 1794
Mr Wilson
            Dear Sir
                        I have totally forgot what was done with the United Mines Deed, which was amissing & found with you. I think you brought to London, but what was done with it I know not - It is not in our Strong Box here.
            Nothing new since my letter of yesterday, I remain
                                                D[ea]r Sir
                                                            Yours &c
                                                                        J Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/10
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding Bull's attorneys' refusal to send copy of Special Case
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Jan 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Watt 20 Jan[uar]y 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                                        ''Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 20th 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir /
                        I have yours of 16th. Mr Weston says that ''Bulls attornies refuse to communicate Copy of their Special Case, which will serve to shew the court their total want of Candour. Mrs Wilsons intention to come to town I suppose continues. I want the names of some of the Adv[enture]rs in each mine, except Herland, in order to commence the process ag[ains]t them''.
            As I transmitted him what you sent before I suppose he wants the particulars I mentioned to you, which when procured correctly, I think I may venture to desire you to set out for London where I propose to meet you & shall set out on wednesday or thursday, but if you arrive first please go to Mr Weston & make appointment when you shall meet him to give the desired Information. Please keep up your Spirits, I do not despair, though I do not hope too much.
            I remain     Dear Sir
                                                Yours sincerely
                                                            James Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/11
Letter,
Pearson to Wilson regarding receipt of bill
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
1 Feb 1794

Endorsed:        Ja[me]s Pearson Feb[ruar]y 1 1794
Addressed to:   Mr. Thomas Wilson.

                                                            ''Soho 1st Feb[ruar]y 1794
Mr. Thomas Wilson
            Sir
                        Your favour to Ja[me]s Pearson of 31st Ult[im]o covers a Bill value One Hundred and Eighty Four Pounds eighteen Shillings & four pence which we have placed to your credit; and Observe what you say respecting the Draft we sent to you on Messrs RW: Fox & Co[mpany].                  We are
                                    Sir
                                          Your Ob[edient] hum[ble] Ser[van]ts
                                                For Boulton & Watt
                                                  James Pearson''

 

 

AD1583/7/12
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding Bull's employment of a Clerk in Chancery
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Feb 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Watt 17 Feb[ruar]y 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                                        ''London Feb[ruar]y 17th 1794
Dear Sir

            An Application to the Judge to know when he w[oul]d see Counsel on the Case, he s[ai]d he w[oul]d not see any on the subject but desired to have it with their alterations & our objections & he w[oul]d settle it himself. He has had it & there it lies.
            Bull has employed no Attorney here but a clerk in Chancery to answer the bill which they say they will do to morrow & that their ans[we]r shall be as long as our bill, they say we shall not have an injunction for want of an answer. So much the better as if we get it then it will be absolute.
            The Chancery clerks talks very big, & I suppose Bull by the the advise of his Cornish Counsellors will swear through thick & thin, but if we can catch him woe be unto him - Mr B[oulton]. is well. I have no other news, but with Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
                                                            I remain
                                                                        Yours &c            J Watt

I will be obliged to you to write to me as soon as may be, whether there is any probability of my son being accepted as an active partner in y[ou]r Iron Works''

 

 

AD1583/7/13
Letter, Watt Junior to
Wilson regarding purchase of copper cake, and Bull's Special Case
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Feb 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Watt Jun[io]r 22 Feb[ruar]y 1794
Addressed to:   Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

''Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson
            Truro
                                                                                    London 22 Feb[ruar]y 1794
Dear Sir /
            I am ordered by Messrs Boulton & Watt to reply to your two favours of the 17th & 19th Ins[tan]t the hurry of business preventing them from doing it themselves. -
            First, in answer to you letter to Mr. Boulton; he is satisfied with the terms upon which you have settled the purchase of the 20 Tons of tough Cake Copper from Messrs Fox & observes that if it can be made convenient to those Gent[leme]n he would prefer having it all at once, on account of the advantage he would enjoy of shipping it in the same boat on the Canal; but if this arrangement should them to any material inconvenience, it may be forwarded in the way you point out, one half this & the other half next spring.
            Mr. Bull does not intend answering our case, but to put in a Plea, that is to agree the question by Counsel, which is to take place on the 23rd March. The Judge has examined the Special Case & struck out several of their observations & made other alterations rather in our favour than otherwise; so that the questions to be argued are reduced simply to these,
1st         Are the Patent and Act of Parliament valid in Law?
2nd        Is the Specification sufficient in law to support the Patent?
My father returns home tonight and Mr. B[oulton] proposes leaving town on Wednesday next. -
                        Dear Sir /            Yours very sincerely
                                                        James Watt Jun[io]r''

''We Certainly can make no abatement to any of the recusants without giving up on our own Cause     J: Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/14
Letter,
Pearson to Wilson regarding sales of tin
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Feb 1794

Endorsed:        Ja[me]s Pearson 26 Feb[ruar]y 1794
Addressed to:   Mr. Thomas Wilson. Truro, Cornwall

             [Gives table showing Account for Sales of 10 Blocks Tin sent by Mr Thomas Wilson in May 1793]

''Mr. Thomas Wilson                                                Soho near Birm[ingha]m 26 Feb[ruar]y 1794
            Sir
                        In answer to your fav[ou]r of 9 Dec[embe]r & 17th ins[tan]t addressed to J Pearson, you have, as above, sales of Tin shipped in May last on board W[illia]m & Jane Jno [John] Cundy master, the neat proceeds whereof £144. - [shillings]. 8 [pence] is at your credit and we beg you will give us credit for what part there of belongs to us. - The part of your Letter which related to Buckles was shown to Boulton & Smiths but could obtain no satisfactory answer from them. It seems you cannot be supplied soon unless Mr. Boulton himself gives orders to execute your order before others that they have had for along while. Mr B[oulton]. is expected here in two Days. - We are
                                                                        Sir
                                                                                    Your very Ob[edient] Ser[van]ts
                                                                                    For Boulton & Watt
                                                                                    James Pearson.''

 

 

AD1583/7/15
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding Wheal Butson, Wheal Treasure and Godolphin mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Mar 1794

Endorsed:        6th March 1794. James Watt, Wheal Treasure, Godolphin, Wheal Butson

                                                                        ''Birm[ingha]m Mar[ch] 6th 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir
                        I have yours of the 3[r]d your answer to Godolphin has been very proper, the matter shall be taken up in the end of this letter. Mr Weston says in regard to Wh[ea]l Treasure, that we ought not to agree to anything less than their paying us the arrears, & either to leave off using Bulls Engine or to pay us for it, the same as if we had made it, & even this he considers as a relaxation, as it is freeing them from the damages they would be subjected to for infringing our Patent: But he adds that if the affair could be generally so compromised he would advise it, and he advises us not to stop the Chancery Suit against them on other terms. He thinks their offer insidious & calculated to purchase the right of trampling upon our patent.
            He recommends an Agreement with the purchasers of Wheal Butson in the style of the Blank now sent in which the underlined words are essential & may tend to prevent disputes. If there is any part however which you think will not go down dont offer it. The red ink clause on the last page, I do not think absolutely necessary in a cornish Mine, but would not be improper if it would go down, we put it in all since the late Bankruptcies. Mr Weston has been again with the Judge who has satisfied him, that the alterations he has made in the Special case are favourable our having a fair discussion of the Question.
            Mr Boulton is arrived but I have not seen him yet & must give you my own opinion in respect to Godolphin, which is exactly comformable to your own Vizt that they must pay the present demand, from which we cannot relax an account of precedent, nor should we be asked after being so grossly brarred & insulted, besides being put to such an enormous expence in defending our right against interested Malice.
            That demand paid in regard of their being the first to come in we shall consider them as having made peace with us & shall consider their necessities as we do than of others. We are very sorry that the Duke of Leeds & Mr Rowe should be invalued with the rest but we expect they will be Just enough not to accuse us for a conduct we have been forced into by their Agents, very much against our own inclinations, when we make abatements, we must be made sensible by accounts & not mere allegations that there is reason for them & after all we must be the absolute Judges of our own gifts.
                        With Comp[limen]ts to Mr Wilson            I remain
                                                Dear Sir
                                                            Your's affect[iona]tly
                                                                        James Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/16
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding the illness of Mr Wilson's son
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
10 Mar 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Watt 10 March 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Thomas Wilson, of Truro, post office, Chudleigh, near Exeter

                                                            ''Birm[ingha]m Mar[ch] 10th 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir
                        I have yours with the accounts, which I have delivered to Mr Pear[s]on, who seems to understand them.
            I am very much concerned to hear of your Sons illness, which is of an extremely dangerous nature, In some cases here I have known Mercury given with sucess. It was given in very large doses, salivation being difficult to excite in such Cases. The form it was given in I do not so well recollect but think both Mercurial friction & the Blue pills were given, at different periods of the disorder whether this is general practice or not I know not It was Dr Williams, who prescribed it here.
            Your Physicians will judge of the propriety of the medicine & of the mode of application all I can say is that in such desperate cases any thing which has any likely hood to succeed & ought to be tried.
The only plea which Bull has set up in Chancery was ''that I had not given in a proper specification within the time prescribed by the patent'' our Lawyers, think this will not prelude our obtaining an injunction ag[ains]t him. His counsel have got to the 18th to an[swe]r Mr Boultons affidavit which is to the purport of the Bill you saw.
            Wishing you health & spirits to support the present severe trial            I remain
                                                            Dear Sir
                                                                        Yours sincerely
                                                                                    James Watt

I find from Mr Southern that the Mercury was exhibited in both the forms, I have mentioned, at the same time, & that in that disease it not only does not excite salivation, but does not affect the breath -''

 

 

AD1583/7/17
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Edwards Junior regarding premium for Wheal Gons
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Mar 1794

Endorsed:         “Mr Watt to Mr Edwards Mar[ch] 13 1794'', also ''13th March 1794 Boulton & Watt About the offer of Mr Kevill on behalf of Wheal Gons Adv[enture]rs''
Addressed to:   Mr John Edwards Jun[io]r, Attorney at Law, Truro, Cornwall

                                                                        ''Birm[ingha]m March 13th 1794
Mr Jno [John] Edwards Jun[io]r /
            Dear Sir
                        By letter from Mr Wilson We are sorry to find that he has been called to Chudleigh to a attend a Son dangerously ill there & his return consequently uncertain.
            In his letter he mentions his having met our good Friend Mr Kevill, who proposed ''that Wheal Gons should pay us our premium in full to end of Dec[embe]r provided we would agree to abate ½ in future till an alteration for the better took place'' It gives us much pain that the conduct of the managers of that mine, should make us even hesitate at complying with any of Mr Kevills requests; But as we are now situated, it would look like a composition of our right, which we came into from a doubt of it. You know that we have absolutely refused similar proposals on the part of Wheal Treasure & Godolphin, the former because they have one of Bulls Engines erected in Contempt of us & the latter because, they have wrote us letters of defiance, have employed Bull to attend their engine, and turned off our man Pearson who was more capable of our business, lastly employed Mr Wallis to confirm their defiance. We are very Glad for the sake of some of our friends that Wheal Gons has not gone such lengths, & that in fact they are the least guilty of all the recusants, never the less they have been greatly to blame & ought to have considered that the agreement would not be set aside by Bulls gaining his cause.
            You know of our sentiments of respect & esteem for Mr Kevill & that we are disposed to do whatever he can as an impartial person desire us to do & but the only thing we think we can with due attention to ourselves do in this case, is to propose that they should pay Mr Wilson, our premium to the end of 1793 upon account, & trust to us for our remaining demand, when we may be more at liberty to follow our inclinations, The mine will thus have made its peace with us & we think the risque or our behaving harshly towards it, in regard to future premiums, is not great.
            It would however be remarked, that except in a very few desperate cases, we have never abated more than one third. When Mr Wilson returns he will converse with Mr K[evill]. on this subject, at present we thought it our duty, to note the reception of his obliging proposition of interference, and hope nothing will happen to render it in vain.
            We expect Mr Wilson has communicated to you the purport of some of our late letters, therefore shall not repeat them. Bulls plea in Chancery does not seem a Strong one vizt, thus I had not given in a proper specification in due time. Our Counsel thinks that will not avail him, there will be other hearing upon 18th - B[ull]. has lost one of his Counsel who is made a Judge, which we think more against him than for him, as Etiquette forbids him to act where he has been counsel, & though employed against us it does not follow that he is so [this part missing] his own opinion.
            We beg that our respectful comp[limen]ts may be presented to your father, to Mr Kevil to Mrs Wilson & other friends & remain
                                                D[ea]r Sir
                                                            Your Obed[ien]t h[um]ble serv[ant]s
                                                                        Boulton & Watt''

[the handwriting is that of James Watt]

 

 

AD1583/7/18
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding the death of Mr Wilson's son
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Mar 1794

Endorsed:        Mr Watt March 20 1794
Addressed to:   Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                            ''Birm[ingha]m Mar[ch] 20th 1794
Mr Wilson
            Dear Sir
                        I was much concerned to hear the event of your sons illness, but not surprized, as the disease is generally fatal, I hope your good sense, will enable you to bear & support Mrs Wilson under this affliction, & that his loss may be made up to you by your other children.
            Yesterday we rec[eive]d advice that there had been a hearing before the Chancellor, who though he has not yet absolutely pronounced his order for the injunction Contra Bull has intimated his opinion in our favour in the strongest terms. B[ull]. has made a most impudent & lying affidavid he says among oy[e]r [other] things that at Whitehall you told him that we did not proceed ag[ains]t the Horn[blow]ers because we know our patent to be bad in law, he also accuses E. Rogers of saying that by the time B. had had 2 or 3 Journeys to London he w[oul]d be obliged to drop the business. Mrs W[att]. Joins me in best wishes to you & Mrs Wilson & I remain
                                                            in haste
                                                                        Y[ou]rs
                                                                                    J. W.''

 

 

AD1583/7/19
Letter,
Westons to Wilson regarding granting of Injunction against Bull
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Mar 1794

Endorsed:        A. & J. Weston 22nd March 1794
Addressed to:   Thomas Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro, Cornwall

''D[ea]r Sir

            We have great pleasure in informing you that the L[or]d Chancellor has this Day granted an Injunction to restrain Mr. Bull from erecting any more Engines upon Mr. Watt's Plan - and from compleating those he had in hand; but the Engines now at Work are not at present to be restrained from going on. We shall, however, proceed to put them under some Terms, that will ultimately secure our friends from Damage. You may give it out that we do not want to deprive the Miners of Work, but only to make their Employers do us Justice. Please to take Care that this is understood, especially as our Notice of moving for the Injunction must necessarily in point of form be to restrain the Engines from working: But it is our intention to consent to some reasonable Modification of this, if the Adventurers shall desire it. Bull had pleaded that the Specification was not good; but the Chancellor has over-ruled that plea, and ordered him to answer the Bill. Please to communicate this Information to Messrs Edwards with our Compliments - ; not having time to write to them. If you want to have a Copy of your Bill against Bull, in order to enable you to proceed in your Stannary Court upon the agreement you shewed me, you shall have it.
                                    We are D[ea]r Sir y[ou]r most obe[dien]t S[ervan]ts

                                                                        A & J Weston.

Fenchurch Street
22 March 1794.

PS. You will of course conceal as much as you can, the appearance of being elated by the Victory we have obtained. - The less we say the better, eccept to the Effect about mentioned. -''

 

 

AD1583/7/20
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding the case against Bull
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Mar 1794

Endorsed:        Ja[me]s Watt Mar[ch] 22, 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                                        ''Birm[ingha]m Mar[ch] 22[n]d 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir
                        Your's of the 19th only to day received. In respect to the Copper Smith wrote to Mr B[oulton]. a few days ago, saying that if he had some copper soon he could get tough from 98 to 100 money in 3 mo[nth]s. Mr B. referred him to you. Mr B. says that for 10 tun tough to be delivered immediately he will give £95 at 6 mo[nth]s & will write you his mind more fully to day or to morrow. You will consider this & do as you please, as well as in the bargain you make with W[illia]ms In which I agreed with you that it will be better to sell at the 6th months price - In respect to recusants  we hope the Chancellor from the Opinion he gave so Strongly in our favour will soon bring them to their senses!! Bull in his affidavit saith, that he was an able Engineer before he knew us - was a good Mathematician, Arith[meticke]r Algebraist & Mechanick, & that he did not acquire his knowledge of Mech[anic]ks from us nor in our service - that his Engines are more Simple less expensive & better than ours, & quite diff[eren]t - that in the special case it is only said I had given in to Chancery a Specification &c & does not say a par[ticula]r description - that any Spec[ificatio]n is not a par[ticula]r description of my inv[entio]n & that if an engine were made by it it would be of little or no effect - that he hath been at all times anxous to have s[ai]d cause bro[ugh]t to issue, but that our counsel have hindered it (he might have added his own also) and that if it goes against him he hath no intention to appeal - that we have enjoyed the patent 25 y[ea]rs & have got from Co[unty] of Cornwall alone above £90,000 & that some of the deep Mines, had lost £100,000 by working as he verily believes - that we were induced to prosecute him from the idea that he was not able to withstand us & that E. Rogers one of our known Agents had s[ai]d that by the time he has erected two Engines & had been hurried a few times to London his money w[oul]d be done - that he had no assurance of support from any person whatsoever (his own impudence excepted) & that he is now accountable & answerable for all the expenses of the s[ai]d cause - that he believes we are consious that our specification is not a good one & that you had told him in y[ou]r counting house at Whitehall, that the reason why we did not prosecute Horn[blow]ers was that we were afraid that our patent was not good (If you said so you could not have done it upon our authority & we do not believe him) - Saith that if we do not obtain an injunction we will soon terminate the suit, but if we obtain it we may fight out the whole term of the patent to his great loss - that if an injunction passes it will deprive may hundred Miners of their bread, & would ruin Hallamanin - that he hath no concern whatever with any of the contracts which we have made with the Cornish Miners & that he never stated that he had completely defeated us & that he had spoken to the effect before stated vizt that our patent was bad, & that he believed it was bad in law, good for nothing - that he hath no influence in any of the Mines in Cornwall nor ever had, that he is a stranger & that the adv[enture]rs are men of respect & property & capable of judging for themselves & that we had set forth only a small part of his advertisement which was penned only in self defence''
            You will please make & communicate your observations on this curious performance of which I have only sent you abstract, it being 3 sheets. If he could be convicted of perjury it would be [text missing]. I am sure he merits it at least I verily believe so.
            With best Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & family I remain    Dear Sir
                                                            Yours sincerely
                                                                        James Watt

We all go for Stafford on tuesday & will be absent some days''

 

 

AD1583/7/21
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding Injunction against Wheal Treasure
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Mar 1794

Endorsed:        Ja[me]s Watt 23 Mar[ch] 1794
Addressed to:   Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall

                                                                        ''Heathfield Mar[ch] 23[r]d 1794
Mr Wilson /
            Dear Sir
                        This post brought us the account of an Injunction being granted ag[ains]t Bull of which Mr Weston has informed you, & that the D[e]f[endan]ts party seemed strangly depressed & affected as they well might, I say nothing about serving the injunction as that is Mr Edwards business, but I beg you will keep yourself out of harms way, & say to every body that we have no intention of distressing any body any farther that we must for our own security. In pursuance of which I shall tomorrow take my affidavit on the Bill against Wheal Treasure, Injunction on which will probably follow, as they can now set up no valid plea ag[ains]t it & the Chancellor being fully impressed with the justice of our cause & seems not to comprehend the meaning of the Question of Law, which he desired their counsel to explain & they declined. We shall wait anxiously your report of the effect of the injunction & trust you will use all decent means of conciliation to the well meaning part of the sufferers, at the same time they should know that sooner or later if we are successful as we must have reason to hope they must pay us for the use of Bulls Engines. they have no right to expect any other. We shall propose you to the Chancellor as agent in the business, if he orders the premium to be paid on account during the suit & you will remember that there can then be no abatements. You see that we at least have no reason to complain of the slowness of the proceedings of the Court of Chancery. It will be proper that you send to Mr Weston & to us the premium which Bulls Wheal Treasure ought to pay by the month, as well as What you think it would amount to by the tables. We are unluckily both going to Stafford assizes & how long we may be kept I know not but I shall return home as soon as I find myself at liberty. Mar[ch] 24th I have nothing material to add, but least the court should not chuse to appoint you receiver please to send us the names of such Bankers as you think would be proper, With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson
                                                I remain
                                                            D[ea]r Sir
                                                                  Yours sincerely
                                                                        James Watt''

 

 

AD1583/7/22
Letter,
Westons to Wilson regarding rejection of Bull's application to complete engines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
29 Mar 1794

Endorsed:        A. & J. Weston 29th March 1794
Addressed to:   Thomas Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro, Cornwall

''D[ear] Sir,
            I have rec[eive]d your favour of 26th instant.
            I have now the pleasure to inform you that Mr. Bull has met with a further Dis-appointment. He moved the Court this Day that he might be allowed to finish the Engines preparing for Ding Dong & Hallamanin Mines: - but the Court rejected the Application intirely - & would not hear of it, - referring him totally to B[oulton] & W[att] - to make Terms with them - We gave the Court to understand that we were ready to listen to reasonable Terms, - and that we do not mean to deprive the Miners of Employment.
            We thank you for your approbation of our Conduct, and are, D[ea]r Sir y[ou]r most ob[edian]t S[ervan]ts
                                                                                    A & J Weston.
Fenchurch Street
  29 March 1794.