Great Wheal Fortune, Wheal Vor Mine and Trevarno House
Wheal Trewavas and Wheal Prosper
Wendron mines and sites
Marriott's Shaft, West Basset & Wheal Basset
Bickford's Fuseworks
Camborne town
Dolcoath Mine
East Pool & Agar (EPAL)
Great Flat Lode
King Edward Mine
Portreath Harbour
Redruth town
South Crofty Mine
Wheal Peevor
Carnon Valley
Clifford Amalgamated
Devoran
Gwennap Pit
Kennall Vale & Perran Foundry
St Day
Wheal Busy
Cliffscapes at Cligga Head
St Agnes
Trevaunance to Trevellas
Tywarnhayle Mine
Wheal Coates
Gonamena Valley & Caradon Hill
Phoenix United Mine
Wheal Jenkin & Marke Valley
Devon Great Consols
Morwellham Quay
Tavistock
UK comparison
International comparison
Non-ferrous mining sites
GIS Mapping
Volume 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
''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
''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
''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
''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
''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
''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
''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
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
''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.
We will send Mr.
Edwards a Copy of the Bill.
[marginal] We do
not intend by any Means to allow Bull to make any more
Engines, besides those in hand; - and now only upon proper Terms.''
AD1583/7/23 Letter, Weston to Wilson
regarding Injunction forwarded to Mr Edwards Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
A. Weston 4 Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Thomas Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro, Cornwall
''Dear Sir,
Mr.
Watt arrived in Town, but I have not yet seen him, and shall not, (I
doubt,) in time to communicate our joint thoughts by this Post,
though I shall endeavour to see him for the purpose as I am desirous
no Time should be lost.
The Injunction will be forwarded to Messrs Edwards
tomorrow.
I am D[ea]r Sir
Y[ou]r
most obed[ient] Serv[an]t
A
Weston.
Fenchurch Street
4. Ap[ri]l 1794. -''
AD1583/7/24 Letter, Westons to
Wilson regarding new engines built on Bull's construction Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
A. & J. Weston 5th Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Thomas Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro, Cornwall
''D[ea]r Sir,
Among the other particulars to be inquired after concerning the New
Engines on Bull's Construction, it is very desirable & will be
extremely useful to acertain as far as you are able, - the Time
when these Engines were contracted for & The progress
made therein when the Verdict against Bull was obtained in
the Court of Common Pleas - and what degree of knowledge the acting
adventurers had of that Verdict, or what information their Agents
had upon the subject: - always keeping in View, in these Inquiries,
that it is our business to shew that the parties acted wilfully,
obstinately & contumaciously, w[hi]ch we believe really was the
case.
Whatever particulars occur to you or to Mr. Edwards, we
request the fullest Communication of; - and are Sir y[ou]r most
ob[edien]t S[ervan]ts
A & J Weston.
Fenchurch Street
5 Ap[ri]l 1794.
We have written
by this post to Mr. Edwards & have by the Mail Coach sent the
Injunction. - We also have written a full Letter of Instructions to
you by this Post.
We request you will write every Post while
Mr Watt is in Town, - whether you have any thing material to say or
not; - because it will to sufficiently interesting, in the present
state of Affairs - even to learn that nothing new has occured: - And
this will be of further use to shorten Mr. Watt's Stay in
London.''
[also pencilled
annotation next to address panel] Mr W Wilson begs you to return
these letters as soon as read, that I may be able to give them to
his father immed[iate]ly on his return. -
AD1583/7/25 Letter, Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 7 Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall, Single
''Soho 24 Dec[embe]r 1793
Thomas Fenton Esq[ui]r[e] & Co[mpany]
Bought
of Boulton & Watt
A small Engine
with framing
complete
£100. - . -
Mr. Thomas
Wilson
Soho 7 April 1794
Sir
Beg leave to hand you the above Invoice. The
credit allowed on Materials is three mo[nth]s from date of the
Invoice. The Accounts you sent for Dec[embe]r 1793, Jan[uar]y &
Feb[ruar]y 1794 are all entered, except the last entry; vizt
''Fenton & Co[mpany] Copper Acc[oun]t D[ebto]r to Fenton & Co[mpany]
a[t]/C[redi]t [£]296. 3 [shillings]. 3 [pence]
Dec[embe]r 20 For ret[urnin]g 137. 15. 3 Ores a[t] 43s[hillings] 6
Mo[nths] Credit [£]296. 3 [shillings]. 3 [pence]'' which entry may
have been very proper for you to make, as you seem to keep two
acco[un]ts with Messrs Fenton & Co but which I shall not enter,
there being only one acco[un]t open for the said Gent[leme]n in
B[oulton]&W[att]'s Books at Soho, the balance of said one acco[un]t
ought to be the same as both the Accounts kept by you. I hope I have
done right, but if not; beg to hear from you further in respect to
the above entry. -
I am
Sir
Your mo[st] Ob[edient] Ser[van]t
James Pearson.''
AD1583/7/26 Letter, Westons to
Wilson regarding engine at work at Rettallack mine, and others Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
A. & J. Weston 7 Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Tho[ma]s Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro, Cornwall
''Sir,
We
have received your's of the 4th & have communicated it to Mr. Watt.
We observe that Penrose has informed you that Rettallack
Engine is at Work. We believe that the Court will consider the
Progress made since the 22[n]d of March as a real Contempt, though
perhaps it may not have some of the formal Circumstances which would
make the parties liable to be committed for their Contempt. However,
it will certainly not intitle them to much favour from the Court.
Considering the Circumstances, we doubt whether this Working of the
Engine is any thing more than a pretence: therefore we
request you will procure the fullest information you can concerning
the proceedings of the Adventurers in this Mine since they had
intelligence of the Injunction granted against Bull.
We presume that the Adventurers in Ding Dong Mine will
endeavour to get their Engine to Work as soon as they can. Therefore
we wait only for the name of some of the Adventurers in order
to file a Bill against them, which will be done the very day we
receive an account of the names. Whatever difficulty there may be in
procuring compleat Lists of the Names of the Adventurers, we
conceive there will be but little in obtaining the Names of the
Lords -Adventurers, & the Acting Adventurers.
We wrote fully to you on Saturday - & we also wrote to
Mr. Edwards, & sent by the Mail Coach, the Writ of Injunction.
Besides Ding Dong & Hallamanin, we are particularly
desirous of having the Names of some of the Adventurers in Wheal
Rose, Balcoath & Wheel Leeds.
We are, Sir, Y[ou]r most Ob[edien]t
Serv[an]ts,
A & J Weston.
Fenchurch Street
7. April 1794.
Tho[ma]s Wilson
Esq[ui]r[e]
Truro, Cornwall.''
AD1583/7/27 Letter, Westons to
Wilson regarding instructions concerning various mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
A & J Weston 8 Ap[ri]l 1794
''Tho[ma]s
Wilson Esq[ui]r[e].
Sir,
Mr. Watt is now with me, and we are considering what
instructions to give you respecting the different Mines.
We have received your letter of the 2[n]d instant, and
intirely agree with you that no offers whatever should be made by
us, at present, to Hallamanin & Ding Dong Mines - and that it will
not by any means ever be proper to agree with those Mines upon the
Terms of their paying the Money into a Banker's hands,
conditionally. Other Terms must be imposed on these Mines, and we
shall have them for some time at least, to consider about making
their advances to us. Therefore, your Caution in waiting for further
instructions as to these two Mines is much approved by Mr.
Watt.
We observe what you say concerning the Efforts using by
Hallamanin Adventurers to get their New Engine to Work before the
Injunction is served. On our part we have therefore without Loss of
a moment endeavoured to counteract them, & if their engine did not
go to Work on Thursday or yesterday, we shall be as forward as they;
for this afternoon a bill will be filed against the Adventurers to
restrain in them from finishing or using their Engine now in hand.
The Bill was drawn in less than two hours after your Letter came to
hand, and will be ingrossed & filed in about two hours more. So that
they will see that we can work expeditiously as well as themselves,
and we hope to better effect: certainly now honestly!
For want of knowing the names of all the advent[ure]rs
we have only used the names of Sir Christopher Hawkins & John
Penrose - but when your Lists of the names of the different
Adventurers arrives we shall amend this bill by inserting the Names
of the other Adventurers, - and we shall also amend it further by
inserting the whole Case of Hallamanin Mine under the Contracts &c -
which it was impossible to do in the Bill to be filed this Day -
that bill being confined merely to the new Engine which they are now
endeavouring to finish & get to Work. - You will please to furnish
us with such Materials - Dates of Transactions, Facts & Extracts of
Letters &c, as will be wanting to compleat the Statement of our Case
concerning Hallamanin Mine.
As to Ding Dong Mine, you will follow Mr. Watts
Directions - Vizt that no permission to work will be granted to them
without an agreement in the usual Form & upon the common Terms
heretofore used with other Mines.
This last instruction will apply equally to any other of
Bull's Engines not now actually working, or rather which were not
Working at the Time the injunction was granted vizt the 22[n]d of
March.
As to Crenver & Hallamanin - Herland & Wheal Treasure,
we shall make no Terms with them 'till they pay the Arrears due
under the Old Contracts. That being done, Licences may be granted to
them to go on with Bull's Engines, provided they will pay the
arrears due upon these Engines, & the growing Premiums every month
into the hands of Sir John Call & Co[mpany] or Mrs. Matthews upon
Suspence Account of the Adventurers & Boulton & Watt, subject to be
with-drawn by the Mine or by Boulton & Watt according to the
ultimate Determination of the Question of Law now depending
concerning the Patent.
If any of the Mines should be in a state to need an
abatement of the full premium, it cannot be agreed to, without they
will execute an agreement in the usual form, & upon the Common
Terms.
You must lose no time, but have a determinate answer
''yes or no'' to such offers as you make; - & the Answers as well as
your offers, must be correctly minuted, so to be sworn to by
yourself & Mr. Edwards, - as we are proceeding to prepare Bills, -
against these Mines. It is not meant that you should not allow the
adventurers a Day or two to consider of their Answers, but if they
do not give an affirmative answer within some such short Time, the
want of accepting the offers will be considered as a Refusal, & we
shall proceed accordingly, upon you giving us Information to that
Effect. Acco[un]t of this it will be necessary that you give the
Adventurers Notice by Words (not Writing) which of course we need
not recommend to be, as civil and conciliating as can be used
consistently with the Instructions in general.
We are D[ea]r Sir
Y[ou]r Most Obe[dient] Serv[an]ts,
A.& J. Weston.
Fenchurch Street
5. April 1794. -
PS - We shall
send to Mr. Edwards in a Day or two a Subpoena to be served on Sir
Christopher Hawkins & Mr. Penrose. In the mean time, you may not
improperly aquaint Sir C Hawkins, by a Letter, that a Bill has been
filed & that his name has been necessarily inserted as a Defendant -
he being one of the Lords of the Mine. -
As to Balcoath & Wheal Rose, you mistake our Intentions.
We certainly shall attack them & that among the very
first (as soon as you give us the names of the Adventurers) both to
compel them to account for the premiums during the Time they used
the Engines, & also to prevent their employing these Engines at any
other place. We shall put Balcoath & Wheal Leeds into one Bill.''
AD1583/7/28 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
narrative of the case of Halamanning mine Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 9 Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''London Ap[ri]l 9th 1794
Dear Sir
With this you will receive my narrative of the case of
Hallamanin, on which you will please make your remarks &
corrections, and if you can not get franks, send them, the remarks
on a seperate sheet & retain the originals as we have kept copies
here.
One principal Matter is the letters I wrote to you after
that unpropitious meeting with Simcocks. I presume they contained
our idea of what passed we are sent correct extracts of them.
However by their subsequent conduct they have compleatly done away
all agreement, & they and we must now stand upon our respective
rights, particularly their right to disobey the Chancellors
mandate.
I am not sorry for their obstinacy it cannot injure us,
& will serve to show what sort of men we have had to deal with.
Bills are in readiness for all upon the Delinquent list,
& if they do not make up matters with you in time will be proceeded
upon without Mercy & whoever does come in must not be credited
without they immediately sign a memorandum of agreement to the
purport of what is agreed on with them - Hallamanin bill is filed
but wants amendment by the addition of the narrative now sent & the
names of more ad[venture]rs in doing which no time should be lost.
I
remain Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
James Watt''
[also written
next to the address panel in the hand of Mr Weston] The narrative
sent herewith & under these other Covers is to be corrected by Mr.
Wilson & then returned
AD1583/7/29 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
the case against Halamanning mine Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 12th Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''London Ap[ri]l 12th 1794
Dear Sir
I rec[eive]d yours, with the statement of Hallam[ani]n
which seems correct - Whitmon, who formerly waited on us with Simcox,
confirms our opinion of the offer we made them, vizt, that when paid
in full for Engines on Hall[amani]n & Retallack, if they
sh[oul]d want more power we sh[oul]d make no add[itiona]l charge of
premium. However we consider all that passed on that Score & the
Engrossed agreement to be interely done away by their refusing to
execute or implement it by paying the growing premium, and you will
therefore make out their account charging them £50 per month for the
time they have wrought that Engine & make a demand there for from
their agent, assigning the above reason, and you will inform them
that we have filed a Bill in Chancery ag[ains]t them on that account
as well as for erecting Bulls Engine & completing the same not
withstanding notice of the Injunction ag[ains]t Bull, which may not
turn out quite so inefficacious a measure as they think. On the
letter head you have no proposals to make them except what I before
intimated of their compleating Agreement as usual for Both Engines.
Mr Weston has written to Mr Edwards respecting Bulls contumacy & we
beg you will assist him in procuring evidence there of, say
affidavit as to the facts, viz of Bulls having notice of the
Injunction having been ordered & if his having not withstanding by
himself or others proceeded to complete the Engine.
These affidavits must be in the cause B[oulton]&W[att]
versus Bull, and also seperately in the cause B&W versus Sir
Christo[phe]r Hawkins & Hallamanin Adv[enture]rs. If knowledge of
the Injunction & after proceeding can be proved by affidavits, B[ull]
will probably be brought to London in custody of a Kings Messenger &
committed for contumacy & the Engine stopt by Injunction. It would
be well also that you could prove the circumstance of the circular
letters you mention especialy if it could be made appear that
W[att]s wrote them he might get a few words of advice in regard to
his future conduct - We want the names & places of above of Herland
Adv[enture]rs we have the former but not the latter, our case
ag[ains]t Hallamanin is now pretty clearly made out & looks well. As
to the desision in C[ommon]. P[leas]. they build so much upon, we
give ourselves little anxiety, as we hope it will be for us & in
case it is not it cannot end there nor can it be definitive next
term in any event without they give it up. I hope you will speedily
recover from your illness, & pluck up your spirits. We have no cause
to despair.
Your's sincerely
James
Watt
[marginal]
please write in answer to Mr Weston''
AD1583/7/30 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
terms for United Mines, Gwennap Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Apr 1794
''London April 14th 1794
Dear Sir,
I have yours of the 11th - Mr Edwards list of
Adv[enture]rs &c are also arrived -
The lowest terms for United Mines, are 1st to execute an Agreement
for the pay[men]t of £1600 p[e]r annum, with clause for Levies rates
&c. D[itt]o giving us power over the workmen formerly, which
is indispensible,
2[n]d to pay Arrears in 1791-
£550. -
. -
D[itt]o 23 months at £5. 11 [shillings]. 1
[pence] [£]127. 14. 11
D[itt]o 4 months at [£]88. 17. 9
[£]325. 11. -
3[r]d to pay for interest on money kept back.
& expenses we have been put
to [£]100. - . -
The 2[n]d article admits of no modification but in regard to the
last you may do as you please.
If they do not immediately on the spot sign a memorandum
of agreement to the whole of the above purport, you cannot after
what has past confide in their resolutions or promises, but must
write to Mr Weston to proceed with the bill. You had therefore best
take Mr Edwards with you, & stamp paper to draw the memorandum. As
to the agreement it must be in general still like the Blanks sent
you & the draft sent to Mr Weston to lay before Counsel if he shall
think proper. We shall play no longer fast & loose.
On these terms we shall consent to a temporary abatement
while the circumstances of the Mine seem to us to require it.
You see I am becoming by dint of drubbing very
arbitrary, but we feel so much the consequences of levity &
Confidence that we must assume a different line of conduct.
In respect to Godolphin we shall leave you to settle the
best terms you can, provided they have not jointly or severaly
subscribed to Bulls attack upon us. I propose going home on Thursday
evening, after which you must correspond both with Weston & me, and
it will be too late to stop the Bills - If called to meet any
Ad[venture]rs on any of these subjects take Mr Edwards with you &
let him previously prepare Draft of memorandum of agreement that no
omission my be much by [part here is removed] upon the spot. I have
nothing further to say at present, but remain with Comp[limen]ts to
Mrs Wilson
Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt
If United Mines
refuse terms, send to Mr Weston account of the number & sizes of
Engines they now have in use & the dates of their erection''
AD1583/7/31 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
Rettallack, Halamanning and Wheal Gons mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
15 Apr 1794
''London Ap[ri]l 15th 1794
Dear Sir
I have yours of Mar[ch] 12th this day but have not yet
rec[eive]d the narrative as all letters are sent to Mr Will[ia]ms
house first before they come to the office. I wish I had known of Mr
Hunts being concerned in Hallamanin as I saw him yesterday. However
it may be as well that we know nobody in that affair but proceed
straight forward wit the Bill, it being too late for negotiation. Mr
Kevill should be waited upon as if he has been unsuccessful in his
recommendation to Wh[ea]l Gons Adv[enture]rs they must stand or fall
with the rest, but we sh[oul]d know immediately - I shall not get
away before Friday as we are to have a general consultation on
Thursday in C[ommon].P[leas]. at the approaching term should the
opinion of the Court be ag[ains]t us, we shall go for a special
Verdict & appeal to the Lords, meanwhile we must pursue our
injunction & actions upon agreements if rendered necessary by
obstinacy. I am impatient to hear whether any affidavits can be
obtained as to Bulls finishing Rettallack after the injunction was
known to him - I remain
D[ea]r
Sir
Yours sincerely
James Watt
I have
rec[eive]d the case all safe''
AD1583/7/32 Letter, Weston to Wilson
regarding the date of the erection of Halamanning engine Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Apr 1794
Endorsed: A. & J. Weston 17 Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Tho[ma]s Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro, Cornwall
''Sir,
We
have received your letter of 14th instant, and have communicated it
to Mr. Watt by sending it to him, but from particular circumstances,
have been prevented from seeing him in time to give you an answer to
some parts of your letter by this post but tomorrow you may be
assured we shall write fully.
As to the affidavits desired concerning Hallamanin
Engine, we conceive there can not be any difficulty in ascertaining
by affidavits, or an affidavit, that the Engine at Hallamanin, or
Rettallick was set to work after the 22[n]d of March, Viz
on the first of April; not stating that the parties had knowledge of
the injunction granted. We expected you would not be able to
ascertain the latter fact, and only wished it to be proved, if it
could be done.
Be pleased to communicate this to Mr Edwards.
We wish, if possible it may be ascertained by the
affidavits that Bull or his Servants, or Agents now concerned in
setting the Engine to work, or in finishing it, after the 22nd
March, & to shew his Agency in the affairs up to the first
of April, if the Facts warrant it.
We conceive that from this explanation Mr Edwards will fully
comprehend our Views - and that you will under his Direction be able
in some Manner to procure the True Circumstances to be sworn to -
either positively - or at least by hearsay & belief - but we
doubt whether the latter will do.
We are sir,
Y[ou]r most
obed[ien]t Ser[van]ts
A & J
Weston.
Fenchurch Street
17 April 1794.
The United Mines
& Crenver are by no means overlooked. We are preparing further''
AD1583/7/33 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
notice of the Injunction against Halamanning mine Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Apr 1794
''London Ap[ri]l 17th 1794
Dear Sir
In answer to yours of 14th - I believe we shall be able
to satisfy the court that Bull knew of the injunction, by the acts
of his own agents here, you certainly can make affidavit that you
gave notice to Penrose of the injunction which I expect will do
ag[ains]t Hallamanin if not ag[ains]t Bull. It remains then to get
an affidavit to the simple fact that the Engine was not set to work
before Ap[ri]l 1st which I should think possible - Affidavits will
also be wanted of the demands made on the several mines & their
answers before the Bills come to a hearing of which Mr Weston will
inform you.
I am not over sorry that the mines come to publish
resolutions to oppose us, these will be easier combated than their
dark ways of assassination & will only serve to hurt their own
cause. As to any decision ag[ains]t us taking place next term it is
morally impossible & if it did will weigh little in Chancery,
without we acquiesce in it, which there is no great chance of - You
are mistaken in thinking that we have forgot our good friends of the
United Mines & Crenver, very sharp weapons are prepared for them,
which will be soon employed, but as Hallamanin has rendered itself
obnoxious by acting in contempt, we give them the honour of
preference -
As I shall, at least intend, to set out for home
tomorrow night, you will continue the Correspondence with Mr Weston
& furnish him with all such facts as occur, from time to time, which
may useful in carrying on these suits.
With Compliments to Mrs Wilson I remain
D[ea]r Sir
Yours sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/7/34 Letter, Weston to Wilson
regarding terms with various mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Apr 1794
Endorsed: A. & J. Weston 18th Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Thomas Wilson Esq[uire] Truro, Cornwall. Custom J.B
''Sir,
We
are now to reply further to your letter of 14th and to acknowledge
the receipt of your's of the 15th.
It is not proper that you sho[ul]d enter into any terms
with the Adventurers in the several Mines for suspending our
proceedings with a View to their having a General Meeting. From the
conduct of the individual Mines, we have no reason to expect any
Good from their meeting together. You have made the offers which
Messrs B[oulton]&W[att] think fit to make, and nothing remains but
for the Adv[enture]rs to determine whether they will accede to them.
If these Terms are not agreed to, very different ones will probably,
in many Cases, be made hereafter. It is necessary that you should
firmly maintain your Ground, without apprehension: we have no fear
whatever of the Patent being invalidated.
We observe from your Letter of the 15th that the
adventurers in Consolidated Mines have acted a worse part than any
of the others - their Conduct being secret & insidious.
If this Mine & Poldice will not pay their abat[e]d
Premiums, you ought to demand the full premiums, and as Poldice
account is not 'till June it seems proper that you should call upon
the managers before that time to know what their Intentions are.
Concerning Hallamanin or Rettallack Engines, & Bull's
Contumacy, we refer to our Letter of yesterday.
We remain Sir y[ou]r most
Ob[edien]t Ser[van]ts
A & J
Weston.
Fenchurch Street
18 Ap[ri]l 1794.''
AD1583/7/35 Letter, Pearson to
Wilson regarding receipt of bill Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
James Pearson 18th Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho 18 April 1794
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
I have received your favor of 15th instant
enclosing a Bill value One Hundred Pounds ten Shillings & five
pence, which is placed to your credit in the Books of Messrs Boulton
& Watt. Shall make no Entries, till the Accounts come, respecting
the transactions made mention of in your Letter; as the Accounts
will be a good explanation. Mr Watt is not yet returned, but is
expected in a day or two. - Mr. Boulton shall see your Letter as
soon as I can get an Opportunity, which I hope will be this day; but
at present he is particularly engaged with some Gentlemen.
- I am Sir
Your mo[st] Ob[edient] hum[ble] Ser[van]t
James
Pearson.''
AD1583/7/36 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
Bull's setting out for London Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Apr 1794
''Birm[ingha]m Ap[ri]l 21st 1794
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have your of the 17th - I got home on
Saturday having left Mr Weston instructions for the Bills & to go on
with them as your correspondence & other circumstances should
direct. As it happens we can file no bills before the end of this
month so they have that time to turn themselves in. It would be
better if they would settle without law, but if they will not we
shall go as far as it will go with us. I find by yours to Mr
B[oulton]. that Bull is set out for London where if it please the
Lord he shall himself bear evidence as to his contumacy, as to
other favour we trust he has little to expect, Query whether he has
taken any pocket lawyers with him. I shall write you about the Bog
agreement in a day or two, at present have no more matter ready for
you - Mr B[oulton]. says he has ans[were]d you about the Copper
- I remain
D[ea]r Sir Yours&c
James Watt''
AD1583/7/37 Letter, Weston to Wilson
regarding Injunction served on Edward Bull Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
A. & J. Weston 22 Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Sir,
We
understand by a letter which we received this day from Mr. Watt,
that Bull has been served with the Injunction, and has set off for
London. We hope to receive from Mr. Edwards in a few Days an
Affidavit of Service of the Injunction, and an Affidavit or
Affidavits of the Facts concerning the Engine at Rettallack. Please
to let the Statement of the Facts be as full & explicit as possible
upon the points & particularly as to the Acting of Bull, his
Servants, or agents after the 22[n]d of March, in regard to
compleating the Engine & Setting it to Work.
We need not caution you to guard against receiving any
erroneous information, and on the other hand we think it equally
unnecessary to excite your attention to this matter about which Mr.
Watt is very earnest, and you will clearly for that Nothing will
tend more to upon the Eyes of the Adventurers than to see the Lord
Chancellor proceed to support the Rights of Messrs B[oulton]&W[att],
& support his own authority, by committing Mr Bull to prison for his
Contumacy. Indeed this would be a kind of side-wind Decision of the
Question of Law reserved for the Opinion of the Court, and in the
Course of the Discussion upon this subject we may perhaps draw from
the Chancellor a public declaration of this opinion on the Patent,
which may be very useful to us, as we have reason to think his
opinion is in our favour, & if it should be declared to be so, it
may influence the opinion of some or all of the Judges.
It is in this point of View only, or chiefly, that Mr.
Watt wishes to punish Bull by an Attachment, for however just it may
be that his actions should bring down some Chastisement upon him,
Mr. Watt has no Desire to be the instrument of inflicting it upon
him.
We remain, Sir,
Y[ou]r most
obed[ien]t & most h[um]ble S[ervan]ts
A. &
J. Weston.
Fenchurch Street
22 Ap[ri]l 1794.
Mr. Thomas
Wilson, Truro, Cornwall.''
AD1583/7/38 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
engines at Halamanning and Rettallick mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 23rd Ap[ri]l 1794
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m Ap[ri]l 23[r]d 1794
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Yours of 21st rec[eive]d. We certainly never
empowered you nor any one else, to offer to take a single price for
a double Engine on Hallamanin much less half single price, but we
said that if an Engine of equal size were erected at Rettallack &
both paid for on our usual terms that we should not ask any
more premiums on other Engines which might be wanted to work these
two mines & in respect to Hallamanin Engine we agreed in imitation
of the lords to take half premium untill costs were up, but no
mention of double.
We do not believe that you ever promised any more than
our letters authorised - & we believe that those who assert
otherwise do not speak the truth. However had they wanted to have
had grounds for establishing such an agreement they ought to have
offeredtendered you payment, on the terms they said
they had agreed upon, their refusal to pay at all untill
there was a signed agreement, showed that they did not consider
themselves as bound & did away all that had passed.
In respect to Consols & Poldice if they continue to
refuse payment demand must made of the whole sums payable to us,
since last settlement, say in Consols, since they stopped some of
the Engines & in Poldice since any period you think decisive after
we resumed our payments.
In respect to Wheel peever the premiums must be Charged
in full, & we abate to N[orth].D[owns]. their share of it, either in
that shape or any other may be thought proper - We have two men
either of whom we think will do at N. Downs, one is J. Price who
behaves very well here, but as you did not like him, I propose to
send Benj[ami]n Freeth also who though not so expert as an Engineer
is a strong working man & will do very well with directions, being a
good workman, we shall write you about Varley soon, discontented
people never do any good. having been occupied these two days I
cannot yet write you about the Bog.
I remain Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt
Nothing but
submission shall stop our going on with the Bill against Hallamanin
& as to Wheal Gons Mr K. will not desire us to wait the desision
with Bull that may be a 12 month distant''
AD1583/7/39 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
the performance of the Bog engine, and other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Apr 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 26th May April 1794
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Birmingham Ap[ri]l 26th 1794
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Yesterday rec[eive]d letter from Mr Weston
with copy of what he had wrote to you, of the 22[n]d to which
knowing your desire to do all that is possible for our interest, I
have little to add. If Pearson or some other of our under officers
could by going over & getting into company with some of the miners
find out who could give proof of the Engines being set to work & by
whom perhaps an affidavit could be procured. If something cannot be
done in this way we must apply to Chancery to get powers to make the
necessary examinations but we should first know who to examine. He
mentions that he had Just received the advertisement on which he
makes no comments, I have wrote him of my sentiments of the use
which may be made of it, & he will probably write to you on that
head.
As to the Bog Engine, I think the best way will be to
make a calculation on the supposition of the savings being 2/3 of
the fuel, by the tables what it should come to by the 1000 Strokes &
put a counter on the beam to be taken monthly Or you may make a
calculation of savings by its common average performance & reduce
that to so much p[e]r 1000 or 10,000 Strokes This seems to be fairer
than being deducted when under 6 strokes & no advance when above it
Please therefore to get it settled & draw the agreement according to
the last corrections sent you by Mr Weston.
Benjamin Frith has hurt his toe & cannot set out for a
week or so but shall come as soon as he is able - I remain
Dear Sir
Yours
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/7/40 Letter, T Pearson to
Boulton & Watt regarding completion of engine at Neath Abbey
Ironworks Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
29 Apr 1794
''Messrs Bolton
& Watts /
Gent[lemen]
I
have finish'd the Engine at Neath Abby Iron Works & hope to the
satisfaction of the Comp[an]y, and your Credit, The Comp[an]y wishes
to Engage with me for five years or long if agreable to me -
I thought proper to inform you before I enter'd into any
Engagem[en]t with them. Your Answer as soon as Convenient will
greatly oblige
Gent[lemen] /
Your most H[um]ble Serv[an]t
Tho[ma]s Pearson.
Engineer.
Neath Abby Iron Works
29th April 1794 -
Their terms are 24/-s[hillings] p[er] Week, House Rent, Firing and
the Keep of a Cow -''
AD1583/7/41 Letter, Weston to Wilson
regarding payments for premium on Wheal Treasure Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
3 May 1794
Endorsed:
A. Weston 3rd May 1794
''D[ea]r Sir,
I
think it is likely you will have application made to you to pay the
premium for Wheal Treasure upon Suspence account. I have apprized
Messrs Boulton & Watt of this and you may expect to hear from them:
therefore you will please not to determine any thing finally 'till
you get their Letter.
I am,
D[ea]r Sir, y[ou]r most obed[ien]t S[ervan]t
A Weston.
Fenchurch Street
3. May 1794.
Mr Tho[ma]s
Wilson,
Truro Cornwall''
AD1583/7/42 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
premium for engine at Wheal Treasure Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 May 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 5th May 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m May 5th
1794
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Mr Weston has wrote you what passed with
W[heal]. Treasure sollicitor. He desired you to wait for our
instructions, these are, that you make no motion in the matter
unless they apply to you and then you may hear their proposals
and consent as we before authorized you. It would be more
satisfactory to us that the money were paid to a London Banker & we
fixed upon Sir J. Call & Co[mpany] as persons not objectible. The
sollicitor says that the Cornish Bank will allow 3 per cent interest
& we think it not improbable that the other might do so too upon a
proper application & insuring the money to lye some fixed
time to which we should not object, and Mr B[oulton]. who sets out
for London to day will apply to him, if necessary. One reason & of
some weight for preferring Sir John as trustee is that he is a
person we could have full confidence in as a referree in case of any
dispute which may not unlikely arise - If after all you should think
it our interest to agree to its being lodged in Cornwall, We shall
certainly give the preference to Mr Jenkins's Bank, were he sole or
principal we should not seek for any other, but he cannot be
perfectly a free agent in this matter.
On the whole if this proposal had not been made by Mr W.
we should rather have preferred taking the chancellors sentiments,
so if they don't come to you & to their proposal don't go to them.
There is as I think a substantial reason why the money cannot be
lodged in either of the Cornish banks, which is that the other could
have a right to complain - Yours of 2[n]d rec[eive]d you will please
push the United Mines you know the term - If Mr Weston has no
thing to object, we shall agree to accept of the terms offered
by the consenting adv[enture]rs of Wheal Gons, in so far as regards
themselves, & shall leave them and of the bill except as
consentient. In respect to Mr Daniel he will not easily convince
either Mr B. or me that our agreement with them is not valid in any
case Mr B. agrees to take the 10 Tons Copper from Mr Fox & that that
ours be sold to Mr Williams, or Smith -
Mr Weston observes that he is sorry to find you are in
circumstances, which require so much caution from the fear of being
pointed at as an enemy of the County & he supposes Mr Edwards to be
also under the same impression, He wishes that application had been
made to the recurant meeting for a copy of their resolves, not that
he expected to obtain it, but that the refusal might have been
stated in an affidavit. We cannot urge either of you to do any thing
which might expose you too much to malice, but without proof we can
come on but badly & some means must be devised to obtain them. I
shall write to know whether whats mention of Mr Ds information about
the subscription of any use - On Saturday we received the inclosed &
cannot help considering it as very improper in Mr Wood to propose
terms to our servant sent to assist them, if so treated by every
body we should soon be brought to a stand without law would give us
redress as we believe it would - We leave this matter entirely to
your discretion, not having answered Mr Woods letter (though
pretended to be signed by Pearson)
Much perplexed & vexed by various matters as I am, I
shall remain Dear Sir
Your's Sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/7/43 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
arrears due on engines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 May 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt. 12th May 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m
May 12th 1794
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have your's of the 9th. In respect to the
arrears due on our own Engines, we advised before to which letter I
now refer, that unless these arrears were paid unconditionaly
we should not receive the others conditionaly but should go on with
the Bills, In Hallamanin Case especialy this must be attended as
well as their executing an agreement, I understand the Bills are all
filed & we must move in them or get out of favour with the court. It
was not from any doubt of the credit of the Cornish bank that we
hesitated but for the reasons given in my last. An agreement must
positively be entered into by the Bank to pay to the nine of us
accordingly as we make our plea good, when Mr Edwards has prepared a
draft we wish to see it and it should be done without loss of time.
If any of the others come in who have only Bulls Engine you may
conclude with them, on the terms stated and immediately advise Mr
Weston, but as soon as they agree a minute of agreement should be
signed Signed by them and you for us. We can give no Credit to
promises of any other kind and shall otherwise proceed as fast as
the Court will let us - I hope you continue to correspond with Mr
Weston direct, as it saves time and I am not fully informed what is
done in Court especialy since Mr B[oulton]. went to town, who is a
neglegent correspondent - We could not wish you to use William
Jenkins ill on any account, but I think Mr Johns's name may be used,
so that he may be called upon in proof of a combination ag[ains]t
us.
I leave you to settle with Mr Wood about Pearsons but he
has done the mischief by offering him more than we can give him and
he will naturally think it hard to be prevented getting it.
Dr Withering is arrived at Falmouth please make
immediate Enquiry after him, and say that I have received his
letter, which would have answered had I been certain where to direct
to him - Jessy continues in a very weak state and not free from the
disorder upon her Lungs, Mrs W[att]. and her are to set out for
Lymington as soon as she can be got strong enough to travel, and
will need the D[octo]r either there or at Southampton - I remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/7/44 Letter, Weston to Wilson
regarding terms for Wheal Treasure and other mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 May 1794
Endorsed: A. Weston 13th May 1794
Addressed to: Thomas Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro, Cornwall
''Sir,
We
have received your favour of the 10th instant; The instructions
contained our Letter of the 5th ult[im]o are to be your Guide in
setting terms with Wheal Treasure and the other Mines, to which
therefore we refer, but in order to assist your memory in case this
letter should reach you at any place from home, we transcribe at
foot the most essential passage in Relation to Wheal Treasure &c -
The present negotiation arose from a Conversation
between me and the Solicitor for Wheal Treasure, whom I referred to
you and recommended to make application to you, as having received
written instructions how to act: At that time I presumed you had, or
that Mr Edwards had, actually made the offers pointed out in our
letter above referred to.
The L[or]d Chancellor was absent, & the Conversation was
only between me & Mr. Sandys; the Chanc[ello]r did not at all
recommend the Measure.
If the Adventurers in Wheal Treasure should agree to the
Terms you are instructed to make with them (which I think they will
not) we will then prepare a proper form of an agreement to be
executed.
I am, sir,
Your most obed[ien]t
& h[um]ble S[ervan]t
A
Weston.
Fenchurch Street
13. May 1794.
Extract from A & J Weston's Letter to Mr. Wilson
5. Ap[ri]l 1794.
''As to Crenver & Hallamanin Herland & Wheal Treasure we shall make
no terms with them 'till they pay the arrears due under the old
Contracts. That being done Licences may be granted to them to go on
with Bulls Engine provided they will pay the arrears due upon those
Engines and the growing Premiums every Month into the hands of Sir
John Call & Co[mpany] or Mrs. Matthews upon suspence account of the
Adventurers & Bolton & Watt, subject to be withdrawn by the Mine or
by Bolton & Watt according to the ultimate determinat[io]n of the
Question of Law now depending concerning the Patent.''''
AD1583/7/45 Note penned by Thomas Wilson Item
1 small sheet
Manuscript
c1794
''I
did not expect any terms to be offerd to us thro the medium of Mr W
and am sorry to find them so dissonant from the proposal made by Mr
Weston to Mr Ch[arle]s Harris, but you may give Mr W for answer that
I have given directions to Mr H to treat with Mr Weston, in
consequence of Mr Ch[arle]s Harris to us.''
[includes
various financial calculations on the reverse]
AD1583/7/46
Edwards to Wilson, with extract of letter from Rowe to Edwards Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
21 May 1794
Endorsed:
Extract of a Letter from Mr John to Edwards 21st May 1794
Addressed to: Mr Wilson
''Trelill 19th May 1794
Dear Sir -
Your letter seems to prescribe Terms, instead of a mode
for settling and composing disputes: indeed they are such as I can
by no means accede to, as it appears Messrs Boulton & Watt are
willing to shew no other favour than that I am to be the last to
feel the rod of their vengeance. Dear Sir &c
J Rowe.
Mr Edwards
presents his compliments to Mr. Wilson & above sends an extract of
Mr Rowe's letter, so far as relates to Messrs Boulton & Watt.
Respect[in]g Godolphin, the proposal was to pay the full arrears to
Christmas, and rely on Messrs B[oulton]&W[att], in consid[eratio]n
of the state of the Mine, doing what would be fair and right
in future - and with respect to Carzise Wood & Wheal Leeds, to lodge
the Money in the hands of a Banker to wait the determination of the
Action brought against Bull.
Truro 21st May 1794.''
AD1583/7/47 Letter, Southern to Wilson regarding
the Messrs Foxs' proposition for paying shares Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 May 1794
Endorsed:
Jno [John] Southern 24th May 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho 24 May 1794.
Mr Wilson.
Sir
Mr Watt desires me to say that being
indisposed from the illness of his daughter he is not qualified to
consider your favour of 21st minutely, but that he sees no objection
to the proposition of Messrs Foxes & party to pay their shares in
the mines wherein they are not governors, & has written to desire Mr
Weston will send you directions as to that point which you will
please to follow. - The hearing did not come on on monday nor even
on thursday as was expected, on account of Mr Hasting's trial. It is
but too much to be feared that it may even procrastinate the hearing
to another term. Mr Watt thanks you for the information, which he
will pay attention to when his mind is more at leisure, & desires
his comp[liment]s with those of – Sir
Your very obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
John Southern''
AD1583/7/48 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
case at the Court of Common Pleas Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 May 1794
Endorsed:
Mat[the]w Boulton 26 May 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Dear Sir
I attended a Consultation last night of all our Council
who agreed that our Brief was as well drawn as possible & that they
had the fullest hope of Success.
This morn[in]g We all attended the court of Common Pleas, in
conformity to the Judges appointment, where I sat till one oClock
hearing a very disinteresting Cause. When it was finished the Judge
said the next was B[oulton]&W[att] versus Bull but that would take
too long, as they were obliged to attend the House of Lords - Thus
ended this day & now Wednesday is talked of, but not fixt. Be
assured that the moment it is over I will write to you & in ye
intrim remain with great regard
D[ea]r Sir
Yours sincerely
M
Boulton
Mr T: Wilson
London May 26th -
1794''
AD1583/7/49 Letter, Westons to
Wilson regarding the Messrs Foxs' proposition for paying shares Item
1 folio
Manuscript
29 May 1794
Endorsed:
A. & J. Weston 29th May 1794
Addressed to: Thomas Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro, Cornwall
''Sir,
Mr.
Watt has referred to us a Question you have put to him whether the
Fox's, Adventurers in Wheal Ann, may be allowed to pay their Shares
of Premiums, for the purpose of being released from the Cause in
Chancery in which they are made Def[endan]ts.
We think it right to listen to this proposal, but we
conceive that the most beneficial plan for B[oulton]&W[att] is that
these Def[endan]ts should put in their answer, & thereby admit the
sum which they think is the proportion payable by themselves - and
that they are and have been ready to pay it. My answer may be taken
without oath, or affirmation - and upon paying the Proportion of
Premiums, Messrs Fox's Costs may be allowed & deducted therefrom.
After which these Def[endan]ts must be continued as parties in the
Cause, pro formâ, but they need not incur any further Expence, or
have any further Trouble.
If this Plan is approved of, and if the parties desire
to have the least Trouble possible, Messrs B&W's Counsel may
draw such an answer as will satisfy us, and Messrs Fox will only
have the Trouble of reading & Signing the answer, & returning
it to us.
We should have been glad to have informed you that the
Special Case had been argued; - but this has not yet taken place,
owing chiefly to the interruptions of business by means of
Hastings's Trial. If the Question is not argued next Saturday, it
will hardly be this Term.
We are Sir y[ou]r most obed[ien]t Serv[an]ts
A & J Weston.
Fenchurch Street
29 May 1794.''
''I can't tell
whether 20.14.0.26 or 20 is right Holbrook advises the 1st in 2 or 3
Days I shall have his regular Monthly Acc[oun]ts & will advise. -''
[this last
sentence being a memorandum written in the hand of Thomas Wilson]
AD1583/7/50 Letter, Westons to
Wilson regarding the Messrs Foxs' continuing to be parties in the
Cause Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Jun 1794
Endorsed:
A. & J. Weston 7th June 1794
Addressed to: Thomas Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro, Cornwall
''Sir
The manner in which Messrs Fox's proposal was expressed
in the Letter we rece[ive]d from Mr. Watt led us to suppose they
were to pay unconditonally, and not upon Suspence Account. We
observe now however, that you had offered the latter, and
this in Relation to Poldice Consolidated Mines & Herland also: We
did not know that they were Adventurers in any of the last mentioned
Mines.
If you take the Trouble of reading again our Letter of
the 29th ult[im]o we conceive that you will find it there clearly
stated that Messrs Fox must continue Parties in the
Cause, & must put in their Answers; - consequently, they
cannot, upon paying their Shares of the Premiums, be
considered the same as if no Dispute had existed, which is the
inquiry you make at present. But they need not have much Trouble.
In our Letter above referred to, we pointed out the plan
which we conceived wo[ul]d occasion least inconvenience to Messrs
Fox's. We shall bear in Mind that these parties are friendly, &
shall constantly give them as little Trouble as possible.
Whatever is done, at present must be confined to
Wheal Ann.
Consolidated Mines & Poldice have not been much
considered, & no Plan is fixed concerning them.
Messrs Fox's not being known to us to be adventurers in
Herland, they are not at present made Parties in that Suit:
therefore, nothing need be done by Messrs Fox's in that business, at
present. You will observe this is one of the mines in arrear
for our Engine. Those arrears we require paym[en]t of
unconditionally before we make any Terms respecting the use of
Bull's Engine, or the further use of our Engine. Please to see our
Letter 5 April which having been drawn up under the immediate
Direction of Mr. Watt, must be your constant Guide, as far as it
goes, in this business.
We are, Sir,
Your most obed[ien]t
Serv[an]ts
A & J
Weston.
Fenchurch Street
7. June 1794.
Tho[ma]s Wilson
Esq[ui]r[e]
Truro, Cornwall''
AD1583/7/51 Letter, Weston to Wilson
regarding Herland mine Item
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Jun 1794
Endorsed:
A. Weston 12 June 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Sir,
We
have received your favour of the 9th instant. You appear still to
misapprehend Mr. Watt's intention in regard to those Mines which
have used his Engine under contract, & Bull's Engine also. However,
it is not of much consequence - as the Adventurers do not seem
inclined to agree to any Terms whatever. If those should be
occasion, we again refer you to our Letter of the 5th of April last.
As to Wheal Ann, it must be put upon the same Footing as Crenver
Hallamanin & Wheal Treasure. You now say Herland is not in arrear;
be it so - then what is said in the Letter referred to about arrears
due on B[oulton]&Watt's Engines is not applicable to that Mine.
The Bill ag[ains]t the adventurers in Herland Mine has
been filed a considerable Time, but the S[ub]p[oen]as not sued out.
We have never had from you a correct List of the Adventurers in
Herland Mine: We therefore request you will send us such a List.
Considering the friendly disposition of Messrs Fox's we will not
(for the present) sue out subpoenas against them. - If any of the
adventurers in Herland or any other of the Mines are Members of
Parliament, please to mention them as such. We think Mr. James
Buller one of the Adventurers in Herland Mine is in Parliament.
The Special Case will certainly be argued next Term; and
our Counsel are fully confident of good Success on our part. I hope
you will not regard what you hear from the adverse parties. I think
they do not understand the true merits of the Case.
I am Dear Sir
y[ou]r most obed[ien]t Ser[van]t
A
Weston.
Fenchurch Street
12 June 1794.
Mr. Thomas
Wilson
Merchant, Truro, Cornwall''
AD1583/7/52 Letter, Watt junior to
Wilson regarding the death of Jessy Watt, and other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Jun 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 14th June 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall -
''Mr. Wilson,
Truro. -
Soho 14 June 1794
Dear Sir
Mr. Boulton having strained one of the Tendons of his
right hand which will prevent his using it for a few days, I am
requested by him to answer your favour of the 9th Ins[tan]t.
Your fear respecting poor Jessy's illness are but too
well founded, she expired on Friday Morning the 6th Inst[an]t in the
arms of her father & mother, of the rupture of a bloodvessel in the
Lungs. The state of extenuation to which she was reduced had before
left us but with very little hopes, and without this accident, she
could only have lingered a few days longer, until a gradual
extinction of life had taken place. It is a consolation to us, that
she was insensible of her situation to the last and experienced but
little pain and no violent efforts in her last end. My father & Mrs.
Watt are very much depressed and afflicted by this accident, which I
fear they will long feel severely; though change of place will take
off the edge of their grief, the cure must be left to time the only
assuager of our bitterest misfortunes. I hope my father & Mrs. Watt
will be prevailed upon to leave home for some time and take a turn
to London & the Bathing places upon the East & South Coasts. -
Although Mr. Boulton attended in town constantly and
every effort was used to bring the cause against Bull to a hearing,
it was postponed by the Court until next term.
Mr. Boulton does not comprehend how the removing and
making double, one of Poldice Engines, can cost any thing near the
sum of £6000, even including all the consequent expences. - He has
been informed of Mr. Daniell's conduct at which he is as much
surprized, as any thing from that quarter can surprize him. Mr.
Daniell never called upon him in London.
Mr. Boulton would wish to show every indulgence to
Messrs Fox's, which should not affect B[oulton]&W[att]'s cause with
the other Adventurers, for he is as much pleased with the candid &
fair conduct of those Gentlemen as he disatisfied with that of
others; but upon this subject you must adhere to Westons advice. -
I am happy to inform you that your apprehensions with
respect to myself are unfounded; I do not know who the Gentleman is
whom you mentioned to be confined in the Castle of Edinburgh, but I
can assure you it is not me, and that neither my hopes or wishes
aspire so high as to desire to be provided with Lodgings at his
Majesty's expence.
I remain with respect & esteem
Dear Sir
Yours
sincerely
Ja[me]s
Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/7/53 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
Watt's inability to answer Wilson's previous letter Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Jun 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 16 June 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m June 16 1794
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 13th is received but I cannot enter
upon the business it contains, I only write to tell you that Mrs
W[att]. & myself bear our misfortune as well as possible for those
who feel as we do, & that our health is in its usual state -
We both beg to be kindly remembered, to Mrs Wilson and
family & remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/7/54 Letter, Watt junior to
Wilson regarding agreement for terms with Hallamanin Company Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Jun 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 20th June 1794
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Tho[ma]s
Wilson
Truro
Soho 20th June 1794
Dear Sir
Mr. Simcox of the Hallamanin Co[mpany] having been
served with a Subpœna to appear in Chancery versus Boulton & Watt,
he wrote to request a Meeting with Mr. Boulton which took place
yesterday in the presence of Mr. M. Boulton Jun[io]r & myself. After
some explanation had taken place, Mr. Simcox testified a desire to
compromise the matter amicably, in so far as related to the Engine
erected by us upon Hallamanin and to leave the rest to the decision
of the law, meaning the dispute about Bull's Engine. Mr. Boulton
agreed to accept of Payments upon the terms first entered into say
£300 p[e]r Annum and it was settled that he should send in their
Account, which they would send to Penrose and after receiving his
Answer, would finally determine what should be paid. - To save
trouble and as you are in Possession of the particulars, we request
you will deliver in the Hallamanin Account to Penrose and desire him
to forward it to Mr. Simcox & will also send us a Copy, together
with every information you are able to collect respecting the
forking of the Mine which they want some allowance for and your
opinion of what is reasonable. If your letter is written in such a
Way that we can shew it to Simcox, it will best answer our purpose.
-
We wish to know at what price per pound you could
execute the Parallel motion for a double 54 Inch Engine, in
Cornwall. -
Requesting your early answer, I remain sincerely
for Boulton & Watt
James Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/7/55 Letter, Westons to
Wilson regarding terms for Wheal Ann and Consolidated Mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Jun 1794
Endorsed:
A & J Weston 21st June 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Sir
Wheal Ann
We
perceive that the Instructions already given you do not apply
perfectly to the Case of this Mine, which never used B[oulton] and
W[att]s Engine, and was in Possession of one of Bulls, and working
it, before the Injunction of the 22nd March was obtained: - Whenever
the Adventurers in this Mine are disposed to make Terms we shall be
ready to treat with them; in the mean time, they shewing no
disposition to accommodate, it is not worth while to speculate
about the Terms which we could agree to.
Consolidated Mines
The
Adventurers in this Mine have given us to understand that they are
ready to appear to a Bill:
We have not hitherto thought of filing a Bill against them, and are
unacquainted with our Case. It is not safe to receive the
proportions of the Def[endan]ts who may be disposed to be amicable,
unless it be upon the Terms of an Answer being previously filed, -
such as our Counsel shall approve of.
We are, Sir,
Your
most obed[ien]t Serv[an]ts
A & J Weston.
Fenchurch Street
21st June 1794''
AD1583/7/56 Letter, Weston to
Wilsons regarding case in the Court of Common Pleas Item
1 folio
Manuscript
29 Jun 1794
Endorsed:
A: Weston 29 June 1794
''Dear Sir
The Special Case was argued in the Court of Common Pleas
on Friday and yesterday - and is to be further argued, but
not 'till Michaelmas Term, Vizt in November next. No inference as to
the final Result can be drawn from anything that has passed yet :
The Chief Justice's doubts remain as before, and it is probable that
Bull & his Adherents will represent them as confirmed, and perhaps
may go so far as to say that he has declared his opinion to be
against us, but I assure you they have no Reason to say so; his
opinion being intirely undecided at present. It is true he intimated
that we had considerable difficulties in our way, and this is the
most that can be collected from what he said yesterday. On the other
hand our Counsel entertain no doubt that we shall finally be
successful. Therefore I hope you will not allow yourself to be
discouraged by any misrepresentations from the opposite Quarter. I
was obliged to go out of Town immediately after the business was
over yesterday in the Common Pleas and therefore could not write to
you by the post yest[erda]y Evening.
I am
D[ea]r Sir y[ou]rs Sincerely
A Weston.
Fenchurch Street
29 June 1794''
AD1583/7/57 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
case in the Court of Common Pleas Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Jul 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 21 June 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m July 4th 1794.
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
You will have heard that our cause was
argued last Friday & Saturday, but no decision - Two Judges were
silent, Justice Heath started some special pleading on the
mis recital in the act of parl[iamen]t & the C[hief].J[ustice]. went
over his old ground again, with some additional special pleading &
ended by referring it to a second argument in next term - From what
I can make out he seems ag[ains]t us in his opinion & for us in his
heart - We have no remedy but patience & to pursue the injunctions
in Chancery in the mean time.
We should have wrote you sooner, but had not received
sufficient information, how it stood till yesterday, though we knew
it was delayed.
Mrs W[att]. & myself intend setting out on a journey
next week, we mean to go into N[orth]. Wales, as a place where we
have never been - I remain D[ea]r Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt
Mr B[oulton]. is
at Stafford & will be home to night or to morrow -''
AD1583/7/58 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
case in the Court of Common Pleas Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Jul 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt July 8th 1794
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m July 8th 1794
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 5th. I am sorry you were
kept in so much uneasy suspence we were in a similar state, as Mr
Weston thought he mentioned the arguments being held, said nothing
about its being put off until he sent us the copy of what the Judges
said, of which Borlase made no very unfair representation -
If the Chancellor refused to hear it is more than we
know off but we did not bring it on, because the L[or]d Chanc[ello]r
himself was not sitting from ill health - were the cause decided
ag[ains]t us by C[ommon].P[leas]. it will not end there so that the
Chan[cello]r would not have used that argument. I can say nothing
else consolatory except that our healths are tolerable considering.
With Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson I remain
D[ea]r
Sir
Yours sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/7/59 Letter, Weston to Wilson
regarding Injunction against Wheal Treasure and Wheal Leeds Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Jul 1794
Endorsed:
A Weston 9 July 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''D[ea]r Sir
The Court has this day granted us an Injunction
ag[ains]t Wheal Treasure Mine's using Bull's Engine, & the like
against Wheal Leeds.
This seems likely to bring the parties to agree to a
suspence account, which the Chanc[ello]r has strongly recommended.
I am, D[ea]r Sir,
Your
most obed[ien]t Serv[an]t,
A Weston.
Fenchurch Street
9 July 1794.
Tho[ma]s Wilson
Esq[ui]r[e]''
AD1583/7/60 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
Injunction against Wheal Treasure and Wheal Leeds Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Jul 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 11th July 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m July 11th 1794
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
The Chancellor has granted injunction to
stop Wheal Treasure and Wheal Leeds, though Mr Mansfield their
counsel had assured them that the Chan[cello]r would not grant it.
They talked of disregarding the injunction, & their counsel, even
advised them to do so. - However soon after Messrs Sandys & Wallis
their agents came to Mr Weston & offered, ''that it should be
referred to a master in Chancery to appoint a Receiver of the
premiums, & the monies to be paid into Chancery in trust subject to
further order'', Mr Wallis made the same proposal for Hallamanin &
Wheal Ann.
They objected, say Wallis, furiously to you as receiver
but would agree to Mr Edwards sen[io]r or Mr Edwards Jun[io]r.
However Mr Weston was to propose you to the Master - I have said to
him (Weston) that in the present state of their minds it would not
be very desireable for you to be receiver, but that you & you only
could make out the accounts & therefore you must have access to the
books &c as well as be on good terms with the receiver.
I have informed him that for many years we have agreed
for no premiums in Cornwall except by fixt monthly sums proportioned
to the areas of the cylinders, & that it would be an endless work to
have recourse to 1/3 of the actual earnings - That the bygone
premiums should be accounted for as well as the growing ones, & that
we are in terms of agr[eemen]t with the B. M. Co[mpany] for the
premiums on our Engine at Hallamanin.
The only good which it appears to me can result from
these injunctions is, that Consols United Mines & others may chuse
to pay rather than be laid under an interdict, and that your
illnatured neighbours will feel they are not all powerful in their
unjust proceeding - They showed much bad temper in court. I wish
they would vent it on the real Authors of it. - With Comp[limen]ts
to Mrs Wilson I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/7/61 Letter, Weston to Wilson
regarding Poldice and Consolidated Mines Item
1 small folio
Manuscript
17 Jul 1794
Endorsed:
A. Weston 17 July 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall
''Sir,
I rece[ive]d your favour of the 11th instant concerning
Poldice & Consolidated Mines, & referring me to Mr. Tremayne &c &c.
I think Mr. Tremayne's Offer extremely fair & honourable but I do
not think it proper for me to call upon him at present. I have
written fully to Messrs B[oulton]&W[att] upon this subject.
I am D[ea]r Sir
Y[ou]rs truly A Weston.
Fenchurch Street
17 July 1794''
AD1583/7/62 Letter, Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Consolidated Mines, and other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Jul 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 22nd July 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
Soho 22
July 1794. -
Dear Sir
We are favoured with your esteemed letters of the 14th &
17th Instant, to the former of which we have not replied sooner for
want of something material to say and also on Acc[oun]t of my
fathers absence, he having set out upon his long projected Jaunt to
North Wales on Saturday the 18th Inst[an]t -
We have given Messrs Weston a discretional power to act
as to them shall seem best respecting Consols, for though we do not
wish to involve ourselves deeper in the law than what may be
absolutely necessary, yet we are determined not to prejudice our
Cause by premature & perhaps ill-judged timidity. It would not be
amiss if you have an opportunity of hinting to Mr. Daniell, that the
case of Consols is materially different from that of the other
Mines, for the Double Engine which as you know is more than ¾ths of
the power employed upon that Mine, stands upon a different ground
from the others, viz upon an Organized Patent, which cannot
be affected by any decision of the present case.
We have informed Messrs Weston of what Carne has said &
unless they advise to the contrary Mr. Boulton's opinion is, that
you should tell Carne when next you see him, that Boulton & Watt
have given such frequent proofs of their willingness to assist Mines
in distress, that a doubt of their again doing the same, can only
proceed from a consciousness on the part of the Adv[enture]'rs (or
of Carne) that they have not deserved any favour at their hands.
However Mr. B[oulton]. would still incline to the side of leniency
and if they are inclined to make any proposals which shall appear
reasonable, you may say as from yourself, that you will transmit
them to us & give hopes of their being accepted. This opinion
however as I before said is subject to any legal difficulties which
it may occur to Messrs Weston to start & which I have desired them
to transmit to you. -
Mr. Boulton is very busy & therefore cannot write to
you, but desires his Compliments, and requests you will suffer Mr.
Holbrooke to prepare a few Hundred Weights of Cake Copper from Two
to Two & half Inches thick according to the directions which Mr.
Boulton will give him. -
We have with the advice of Weston agreed to give Mr.
Tremayne an Indemnity bond, which will be transmitted to him through
your hands. I remain Dear Sir
Your
obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/7/63 Letter, Weston to Wilson
regarding arrears at Wheal Treasure and Wheal Leeds Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 Jul 1794
Endorsed:
A. & J. Weston 24 July 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Tho[ma]s
Wilson - Truro - Cornwall -
Fenchurch Street
24 July 1794.
D[ea]r Sir,
Boulton v Harris. - (Wheal Treasure.)
The order for the adventurers paying to a Receiver is not, in point
of form, yet drawn up - by the Register, & it may yet be
perhaps a Week before it is compleated - : To prevent mistakes
therein, I think it best to ask you what the Adventurers
ought to pay for the arrears (now due) and for the future
monthly payments. I think they owe us £18 p[e]r month from 30 April
1793 upon Bull's Engine, they having used his Engine from that Time,
and discontinued the use of our's. I presume the £18 p[e]r
month will be a proper sum for the adventurers to pay.
Boulton v Reed - (Wheal Leeds).
Be pleased to inform me what our Demands for arrears ought to be
against this Engine - removed from Balcoath, & what they ought now
to pay monthly.
A speedy answer is requested.
I am &c D[ea]r Sir A Weston''
AD1583/7/64 Letter, Watt junior to
Wilson regarding various mines Item
1 folio
Manuscript
25 Jul 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 25 July 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr Wilson,
Truro
Soho 25th July 1794
Dear Sir
I wrote to you on the 22nd Instant respecting Consols &
Herland, since which I have received Mr. Weston's opinion upon those
Cases. He thinks that in consequence of the Injunctions granted
against Wheal Treasury & Wh[ea]l Leeds, the Adv[enture]rs in the
other Mines will agree to have receivers appointed upon a Suspence
Account, as from the disposition shewn by the Chancellor in those
two Instances, it is evident what he would do in others. Mr. Weston
therefore thinks it will be prudent not to apply for Injunctions
against other Mines at present, as he supposes that terms may now be
made with all the recusants, to pay their premiums on the like plan
as the two abovementioned, without the expence & trouble of making
application by Motions to the Court.
He thinks that a Compromise with Herland, cannot produce any
other disadvantage to our proceedings in Chancery, than that of
encouraging other Mines to apply for similar indulgences and perhaps
without having the same need of indulgence, which may lead to some
embarassment in the Master's office with respect to the premiums to
be collected from Wh[ea]l Leeds & Wheal Treasure under the Lord
Chancellor's order Mr. Weston is however upon the whole of opinion,
that this probable inconvenience is not of sufficient force to
hinder us from doing what is really and substantially right and
reasonable in respect to Herland and Hallamanin, more especially as
the required abatements have had an hundred precedents from the
moderation & equity which have constantly governed all our
proceedings in regard to the Cornish Mines. It would therefore, he
thinks, be improper to refuse acting now consistently with all our
former conduct and he advises to comply with the demands of Herland
& Hallamanin provided they are reasonable notwithstanding the
possible inconveniencies which may result. -
You will perceive that this opinion exactly coincides
with ours, as given in my last, and you will of course take the
necessary steps to bring this affair to as speedy a conclusion as
possible. -
Your favour of the 22nd Inst[an]t lies now before me,
from which I learn the result of the Poldice Meeting; when these
Gentlemen treat one another in such a way, we cannot wonder at their
conduct towards us, but the absurd conduct of the Miners and the
ruinous state of the Mines, confirm us in our opinion that we ought
to get our money from them upon almost any terms which do not
prejudice our cause.
As we have now agreed to receive Mr. Tremayne's money
upon his own terms, his objection will of course fall to the ground
and we presume he will adhere to his original offer. Upon this
subject we suppose you have already heard from Mr. Weston and adhere
to his directions. -
In your letter of the 26th June you mention that our
Engine upon Hallamanin had stopped on the 4th Sep[tembe]r 1793. Pray
has it been set to work since and when? -
I have this morning a letter from my father from Bala in
Merionethshire, from which I am glad to learn that he enjoys his
health pretty well and is gratifying his curiosity in viewing the
Country. He will be at Anglesea in a few days, but I conclude it is
best to trouble him as little as possible with business and not
disturb his pleasure. -
I remain sincerely
Dear Sir
Your obed[ien]t
Servant
Ja[me]s
Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/7/65 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
terms suggested by Messrs Smith and Morris Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Jul 1794
Endorsed:
Mat[the]w Boulton 27 July 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall, by Gloscester
''Mr Wilson,
Truro
Soho July 27 – 1794
Dear Sir
I
forgot to mention in our yesterdays letter what has lately passd
between us & Messrs Smith of Drapers Hall & Morris of Clesemont.
I believe you know that Smith has been in treaty with us at
different times for 12 Y[ea]rs past & after troubling us with sundry
letters & questions & Calculations the treaty hath always provd
abortive. - When I was in London in Jan[uar]y Mr Weston told me that
Smith had been with him two or 3 times to know when & how he thought
our Law question would be determind. - Mr Weston told him it was in
vain for him to wait for that as we had three other resources even
if the L[or]d Chief should decide against us - and when I was last
in London in May both Smith & Morris came to me & told me they had
agreed together to jointly draw the Water from both their Works &
had determind to Erect one of Double Engines about 60 Inches
Diam[ete]r when they asked several questions which I answerd. They
then said they were come to a decided resolution to Erect one &
obliged me to promise that all the Metal Materials should be
deliverd at Swansey by Xmass next & promised to send me their final
determination of the size of the Pump which was at length settled to
be 21¼ In[ches] Diam[ete]r. We (after I returnd home from London)
sent them our terms deduced from a Calculation rateing the Coals at
2d [pence] p[e]r Bush[e]l & working 12 Hours p[e]r day at which our
third of the saveings comes to 200 Guineas p[e]r Year but to that
letter & proposal of terms we receivd no Answer untill 4 days ago
when they said they should not work more than 7 or 8 Hours p[e]r Day
& offerd us 150£ a Year At the same time they expressd a wish to
have the Engine & the Pump a little larger to which we replyd that
we agreed to accept of 150£ a Year upon Condition that it appeard by
a Counter fixt upon the beam they did not work more than 7 or 8
Hours at 12 Strokes p[e]r Min[u]te = 5760 Strokes or in proportion
for any greater number of Strokes. It seemed a contradiction in
terms to express their fear of wanting a larger Engine & Pump & at
the same time to say they should not work more than 7 or 8 Hours
p[e]r day whereas the Engine proposed is capable of drawing double
the quantity they state & even treple.
But the thing I thought the most unreasonable & dishonorable of all
others was their insisting upon a Clause for us to repay back all
the money we may from time to time receive of them with Interest for
the same at 5 p[e]r C[en]t when ever any question at Law shall be
decided against our Patent in the course of the term it has to run
which proviso I totaly rejected & put a stop to all drawings & other
preparations & assured them that we should continue to make Engines
when our Patent was out & at very little lower terms than those we
asked them w[hi]ch I think was only 600 instead of an annuity & that
sum is a trifle in comparison to the important point of their
haveing a perfect Engine - I asked what right they had to call upon
us to give them our time, our Experience, our Guarantee that they
had a good Engine, our drawings &c without any other recompense than
the prospect of a Lawsuit. -
In their letter in which they made us this offer, they asserted
that Messrs Fox's Engine at Swansea was a very bad one and burnt
much Coals and urged this as an Argument of our Engines being very
liable to be out of repair and consequently that we ought to ask
less Premiums. We wish you to inform us in reply whether this be
really the case and if so whence it proceeds. -
Since our above mentioned letter to Messrs Smith &
Morris, we have received no answer; but as we understand it to be
their intention to apply to William Murdock for information
respecting their Engine house, &c, we request that you will desire
him not to give them any instructions or advice whatsoever until he
has our Orders for so doing he may say he is in our employ & can
only act as we may desire him.
Nothing farther occuring at present we remain sincerely
Dear Sir
Your ob[edien]t
Servants
Matt[he]w
Boulton
I will write to
Murdock in a day or two on this head''
AD1583/7/66 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
James Watt's tour through Wales Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Aug 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt Aug[ust] 9th 1794
Addressed to: Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Birm[ingha]m Aug[us]t 9th 1794
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I came home last night & found your letter
of the 4th covering bill on J. Wilkinson value £255. 8 [shillings].
3 [pence] to your credit -
Mr Boulton not being returned from Stafford, I cannot answer the
other parts of your letter.
We had but indifferent weather to our Journey but staid
out our proposed time, we went through Montgomery & Merioneth to
Dollygelly & Barmouth returned to Bala & by Llanrwst to Anglesea,
saw paris Mountain, which does not seem to encrease in riches, but
the quantities of Ores at grass are immense - in our return we went
to Carnarvon then by Hollywell to Chester & Bersham, by Newcastle to
Stafford & home. I cannot say that any of our health was super
excellent on the Journey & my feet & legs fail me so much that
walking is a grievance of some magnitude, with Comp[limen]ts to Mrs
Wilson & family I remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/7/67 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
meetings with Weston and Townend Item
1 folio
Manuscript
15 Aug 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 15th Aug[us]t 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, No 6 Green Lettice Lane, London
''Birm[ingha]m
Aug[us]t 15th 1794
Mr Wilson
London}
Dear Sir
We have yours of 13th - You will see Mr
Weston & communicate as many facts as you can to him, so that he may
fully understand the nature of the business, nothing immediately
occurs on which we wish you to speak to him. - As we wish to see you
& are neither of us well able to get from home (Mr B[oulton].
absolutely cannot travel from a hurt in his knee) we wish you would
appoint to meet Mr Townend here, which will save trouble to all
parties & will be little round for you.
We shall write again on Monday if any thing occurs, mean
while can only say that the contents of your letter are rather more
satisfactory than usual - I remain De[a]r Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/7/68 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
supplies of copper Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Sep 1794
Endorsed:
Mat[the]w Boulton 4 Sep[tembe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, at Morris town Copper Works,
near Swansey, S Wales
''Cheltenham 4th Sep[tembe]r – 1794
Dear Sir
I thank you for your fav[ou]r of the 2[n]d In[stan]t
which contains important intelligence, such as I did not expect;
particularly as the mode of offering a price to the Copper
Co[mpanie]s seems to be new.
I am very glad you have not yet made any offer to the Messrs Foxs
for 60 Ton as I cannot charge the Copper to the
E[ast]:I[ndia]:Co[mpany]: at a higher price than what they buy it of
others. This fall from 102 will be a considerable loss to me as it
will oblige me to loose 360£ by the 60 Ton now nearly Coind
However if Mr Foxs will sell me any number of Tons at the same price
& with the same Cred[i]t which the E:I:Co: have offerd, & w[hi]ch
you say the Copper Co[mpanie]s have accepted, I will take it.
otherwise I shall request the E:I:Co: to supply me & send me an
order to receive it of you or some other Co[mpany] as a part of
their quoto but dont mention it to Will[ia]ms least he should want
to rolle it, which is the most profitable part of the business. - I
fear this fall of price will affect the Mines & yet the late
Standard will do for the Smelters (viz 91) the Rose Co[mpany] have
offerd to supply a Brass Co[mpany] at the average Standard of each 3
Mo[nths], plus 5 p[e]r Cent upon such Stand[ar]d price &
consequently 91 + 4£. 11 [shillings] will be 95£. 11s[hillings]. 0d
[pence] but the Brass Co[mpany] have refusd & say they can do
better.
I wish you to inform me of Messrs Foxs sentiments as soon as
possible as I am almost at a stand for Copper & if you have
any of their Copper ready to ship I wish you would send me 5 or 10
Ton & I will submit the price to you after settleing.
The mom[en]t I get home I will trouble you again upon the subject as
by that time I shall see my way Clearer - The mines Royal owe me
about 14 Ton which they say they have orderd Mr Place to send me &
if you should see him pray tell him of my Wants.
I had no doubt from what passd when you was in Town but the E:I:Co:
would have given you 102 & I fear this mode of bargining will have
bad effects on future Sales.
If Murdock should have arived by the time this reaches you pray tell
him I wish he would get into the Mail Coach & meet me at Gloscester
any time before this day seven night which is the day I have fixt
for leaving this place but if he should not arive time enough I then
wish him to correct the Engine & come on to Birm[in]g[ha]m for 2 or
3 days as I must see him before he returns to Cornwall.
I am sorry to find that your Copper produces are likely to run
short, but hope you will ultimately find the quantity, as you have
not been accustomed to fall short, & I know not why you should do so
now. When you have closed pray inform of ye result.
With respectfull Compl[imen]ts to Mr Townend wishing you health
happiness & a favourable Ballance I remain
Dear Sir
Your faithfull &
Obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
Matt[he]w Boulton
I am glad to
find ye 10C [hundredweight] of thick Cake is on the road & am
content about price.
I think I am the better for my Cheltenham Visit & flatter my self
that another week will confirm my Expectations''
AD1583/7/69 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
copper from the East India Company Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Sep 1794
Endorsed:
Mat[the]w Boulton 7 Sep[tembe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, at Morristown Copper Works near,
Swansey
''Mr
Wilson
Cheltenham Sep[tembe]r 7 – 1794
I have just rec[ei]vd a letter from the
E[ast].I[ndia].Co[mpany]: saying they have provided 70 Tons of
Copper for me & beg to know where I w[oul]d have it deliv[er]d &
they will give orders accordingly.
Hence it will be unnecessary to enter into any treaty w[i]th Messrs
Foxs or any body else but as I had rather have Fenton & Co[mpany]
Copper in preference to any other, I wish to know if you are to send
your part of the Contract direct to the E. I. Co Comp[an]y or to Mr
Williams. If the former I could obtain an order upon your Co[mpany]
- Your advice upon that head will much oblige
Dear Sir
Your faithfull & Ob[e]d[ien]t
Serv[an]t
Matt[he]w Boulton
When your
Ball[an]c[e] is struck pray fav[ou]r me with the result.
If you should happen to see Mr Place at Neith pray urge him to be
expeditious in sending me the Copper which he has already directions
about''
AD1583/7/70 Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding
supplies of copper, and other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Sep 1794
Endorsed:
Mat[the]w Boulton 9 Sep[tembe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, at Birch Grove near, Swansea, S
Wales
''Cheltenham Sep[tember] 9 – 1794
Dear Sir
I have just rec[ei]vd yours of ye 7th & observe you have
wrote to Mr Foxs about 60 Ton of Copper but since my last I have
rec[ei]vd advice from the E[ast]:I[ndia]:Co[mpany]: that they have
provided 70 Ton for me which will render it unnecessary for me to
purchase any particularly as the E.I.Co. have given you so low a
price as to leave no chance of buying any to profit.
I hope to hear from you by the next post respecting Murdock.
This morn[in]g J Hurd arrived here about 6 oClock he calld on me
about noon & Stayd an hour & said he w[oul]d call again this
even[in]g but I have not seen him since. He hath given no
information about the particulars of his agreem[en]t w[i]th Edwards
Except intimating that 7000£ must be p[ai]d some day in this month &
wants to know what share of the Copper I will take & pay for but
this is a Matter I cannot answer without knowing what money I have
in his hands or what is the General State of our Acc[oun]ts which he
has deprived me of doing & I will have one settling for all.
Things look blank in Cornwall & ores will rise when the Mines you
mention Stop.
Your loss of 34 Ton is to me uninteligable particularly as you have
the same Works same Workmen, same Assayers, same refiners & the same
Managers.
The rise of Labour cannot affect the quantity, although it may the
profits.
I hope you will yet find some Errors in weight or figures, but if
non Q[ue]r[y] w[oul]d you advise me to accept of Hurds proposal
w[hi]ch you mentiond to me, Viz: to exchange Rose ♀ [the alchemical
symbol for copper] Shares for Swansey Shares.
I dont think these Waters have been of any use to me & I shall quit
this place on Saturday next.
Wishing you Health & a good Journey
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours most Sincerely
M: Boulton''
[endorsement
adjacent to address panel, in Matthew Boulton's handwriting, reads
''if gone send it after him but send no ♀'']
AD1583/7/71 Letter, Watt junior to Wilson regarding
Mr Fox's concern in the Neath Abbey Works Item
1 folio
Manuscript
15 Sep 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 15 Sep[tembe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Wilson
Soho 15
Sep[temb]re 1794
Dear Sir
My father has received your favour of 13th Inst[an]t to
which he has nothing particular to answer, but in relation to what
you say concerning Neath Abbey Works, desires I will inform you that
Mr. Edward Fox of Wadebridge has written to Boulton & Watt offering
2/100ths of that concern, being as he says induced by the death of
his brother to contract his business. How far this may be the case,
or wheth[e]r this be a confirmation of Mr. Ewarts opinion, I leave
to your better judgement to determine. My father however has
declined entering into the concern & I believe Mr. Boulton will do
the same. This information we send merely for your private
government and beg you will not on any account compromise us in the
affair.
I expect to hear from you as soon as you have leisure to
send me the information I requested concerning the Cornish Engines &
am sincerely
Dear Sir
Your assured friend
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/7/72 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
the intentions of Mr Daniel Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Oct 1794
''Birm[ingha]m Oct[obe]r 9th 1794
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 4th, & have transmitted
the Contents to Mr Weston. I can have no doubts of D. & H. doing
their utmost to ruin us, but luckily the Law is not in their hands.
And whatever reason we may have to complain of its hardships It can
scarcely be thought, that so glaring an injustice would be committed
under colour of it as to deprive us of the reward of our labour
ingenuity & money expended in the service of Cornwall. We shall
however do our best to guard against the worst, In the mean time you
may leave Daniels alone, but he shall not be forgotten in proper
time.
We approve of what you have done in respect to the sales
of copper - My Son is now arrived & thanks you for the details you
have sent him, will write when he has studied them, with
Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson I remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/7/73 Letter, Watt junior to
Wilson with copies of letters to Mr Simcox Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Oct 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 16th Oct[obe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Wilson
Soho 16th October 1794. -
Sir
Annexed we send you a Copy of our correspondence with
Mr. Simcox for your Government. You will see from thence that they
have acted very unfairly in their charge of the time spent in
forking, but as you know our sentiments respecting the whole of the
Conduct of this Company, it is needless for us to enlarge upon that
head. The only question is now, how to settle our dispute with the
least loss and we think that under the present circumstances, it
will be better to settle with them upon the terms you mention, than
to keep the matter any longer in suspence. You will therefore please
to use your own discretion in accomodating it in the best manner you
can. -
My father has been troubled with a headach for these two
days which prevents his writing to you, but I believe he has nothing
very material to communicate, as the other parts of your letter do
not require any immediate answer.
I am extremely obliged to you for your history of the
Cornish Engines which is very compleat & satisfactory. Perhaps I may
at some future period trouble you for some particulars concerning
the Mines & the old Engines prior to B[oulton]&W[att]'s coming to
Cornwall, but I do not yet know precisely my wants. I remain
Sir
very sincerely
for B&W
J Watt Jun[io]r''
[next page]
''Copy
Mr. Simcox Birmingham
Soho 2 August 1794. -
Sir,
Our agent Mr. Wilson has transmitted us Mr. Penroses
statement of the time our Engine has worked upon Hallamanin, from
whence it appears that it was set agoing the 8th Oct[obe]r 1792 and
that though it continued regularly working, the bottoms were not
cleared before the 28th May 1793, w[hic]h is 7 Months & 20 Days. The
Engine was stopped on the 4th Sep[tembe]r 1793, so that it worked
only 3 Mo[nth]s and 7 days after the bottoms were cleared. It
remained inactive until the 1st of April last, since when it has
regularly worked, say 4 Mo[nth]'s unto the 1st Instant. -
The only point in dispute between us seems to be the 7
Mo[nth]s & 20 days, which Mr. Penrose stops for forking, but which
Mr. Wilson observes is a most unusual allowance, as the time
generally granted does not exceed a Month or 1½ Month; however as
we sincerely wish to see this affair brought to an amicable
conclusion, we are willing to give up one half of the above time
deducted for forking, & if this proposal meets your approbation, we
request you will please appoint an early day for the final
settlement of the Account. We remain respectfully
&c &c
B[oulton]&W[att]
P.S. If our
proposal meet your approbation, the Account will stand as on the
other side. -''
[Here gives
account for The Adventurers in Hallamanin Mine, debtors, to Boulton
& Watt, with balance due to 1st of August of £285, 19 shillings and
6 pence]
[next page]
''Copy
Mr. Simcox. -
Soho
25 August 1794. -
Sir, when we conceded to you our Premium for one half of the time
employed in forking upon Hallamanin Mine, we wished thereby to give
you a proof of our desire of settling the dispute between us
amicably and we hoped that so considerable a sacrifice upon our part
would have induced you to do us justice. This concession granted in
consideration of the distressed state of the Mine, we will not allow
to be urged as a right, and we shall certainly repel every endeavour
on the part of the adv[enture]rs to construe that into a Claim,
w[hic]h is merely a matter of favour. - It is not a fact as asserted
by Mr. Penrose ''that the time of forking was always remitted to all
Mines and never paid''. We can mention instances in which no
allowance at all has been made for forking and whenever it has
been done, it was considered as an indulgence. Whether the Conduct
of the Adv[enture]rs in this mine towards us intitles them to any
favour, we shall leave to your own judgement. - As to the
Interest we have charged, nothing can be more evident, than that if
the Premium was due at the time specified, the Interest from that
day until the present time, is due to us also. -
In short Sir, we can say nothing in addition to our
former offer. We are agreed respecting the time the Engine was
worked and the rate of our Premium which constitutes our legal
demand; upon this we have offered you an abatement of £95. 16
[shillings] & 8 [pence] with the Interest thereon, which is more
than we ever granted, except in the single Case of Herland, when
particular circumstances induced us to make a previous agreement to
that purpose. It is still at your option to accept our former offer,
but we beg it may be at an early period, for if the Adv[enture]rs
persist in with holding our just rights, we shall be laid under the
disagreable necessity of pursuing the Measures we have commenced. We
beg you will please communicate these sentiments to the Gent[leme]n
of the Committee & remain respectfully
&c &c
B&W. -''
AD1583/7/74 Letter, Watt junior to
Wilson regarding proposed action against Consolidated Mines, Gwennap Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Oct 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 4 20 Oct[obe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall. -
''Mr. Wilson
Soho 20
October 1794
Dear Sir
I wrote to you on the 16th Inst[an]t respecting
Hallamanin. We are since favoured with your esteemed of the same
date with details of the state of Consols & Poldice. We have
likewise received a very agreable letter from Mr. Weston, who having
now perused our Agreement with Consolidated Mines has the most
favourable opinion possible of our Cause, and is convinced that if
we bring an Action, we can compel them to pay the whole
Premium. You will therefore please to turn your thoughts towards
that subject & prepare yourself as much as possible for the evidence
you will be called upon to give. As both our Judges & Counsel are so
much engaged with the Trials for High Treason, we doubt whether our
Argument will come to a hearing this term, but of this you will of
course take no notice among your neighbours. - I remain
Dear Sir
Very sincerely
for Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/7/75 Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding
various matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Oct 1794
''Birm[ingha]m Oct[obe]r 30th 1794
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Yesterday rec[eive]d yours of 27th covering
two Bills value £187. 6 [shillings] to account - I have understood
it to be Mr Westons opinion that we might safely receive from
individuals, but have again put the question to him - We have Mr
Tremayne's request under consideration - we agree with Mr Fox that
it will be time enough to mention the agreement to Poldice when they
order the Engine If Jonathans new schemes are like his old ones
they will not gain him much Credit, our luck being at the wall at
present we must be very quiet & let them contrive away - We are yet
uncertain whether we shall be called up to town next term, but think
the argument cannot come on, from the treason affair occupying the
C[hief].J[ustice's]. time and attention, we Shall keep you advised
of our motions - I wish you & Mrs Wilson health & happiness in your
new house, which I hope you will find every way suitable.
Mr B[oulton]. is pretty well & my health is better than
it was though far from well.
I remain Yours sincerely James Watt''
AD1583/7/76 Letter, Watt junior to
Wilson regarding premium for Halamanning engine, and other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
1 Nov 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt 1 Sep[tembe]r Nov[ember] 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Wilson
Soho 1 Nov[embe]r 1794. -
Dear Sir
My father replied to your favour to me of the 25th
Ult[im]o and we are since favoured with yours of the 27th Ult[im]o
covering two Bills value £187. 6s[hillings] for 16/21 of the Premium
of Hallamanin Engine to end of July last after deducting 5 months
for forking. - We likewise, are not certain whether we have
done right in accepting a Part, as you will see by the following
extract from Mr. Weston's last letter.
''The Point determined upon in respect to receiving
proportionate payment from some of the Adventurers was that such
Payment might be received under a Special Agreement such as that
prepared for Mr. Tremayne & others. This must be attended to, lest
by releasing some, you should release all the Adventurers.''
-
You will see that this extract is not sufficiently clear
to enable us to decide whether we have actually sinned beyond
redemption. My father will write for more explicit instructions &
will inform you of the result. Perhaps the Committee here may not
object to entering into such an Agreement with us as that w[hic]h
Mr. Weston requires and at any rate, I cannot think we have done
wrong in saving so much from the Jaws of the Devil. -
When you send the promised information about Poldice we
shall transmit our sentiments on that head & in the mean time I
remain
very truly yours
for B&W
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r.
T[urn].O[ver. -
[marginal] P.S.
I shall make the Enquiries you wish about Porter Brewers. -
P.S. You have a
Copying Machine in your hands belonging to James Watt & Co[mpany] I
wish you would endeavour to dispose of it, although it should be
with some loss and if you cannot, it had better be sent here. -''
AD1583/7/77 Letter, Watt junior to
Wilson regarding 'Form of General Receipt', and other matters Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Nov 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 23rd Nov[embe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Thomas
Wilson, Truro. -
Soho 23 November 1794
Dear Sir
Your letters of the 9th & 13th Inst[an]t have not been
answered sooner on Account of our waiting for Mr Weston's final
answer respecting the general receipts. We now inclose you a Copy of
the form which we have adopted and which if Mr. Edwards sees no
objection to it, you will please to carry into effect with the
Parties who are disposed to settle with us. The transaction is to be
between us & the Purser of the Mine and as soon as you have obtained
the consent of the Parties, you will please to fill up the blanks of
their Names & of the sums to be paid, when we will get the whole
drawn out upon a Six Shilling receipt and send it you signed by us,
that you may receive the Money. -
With respect to the 66 Inch double ordered for Poldice,
you will please to mention to the Gentlemen who are friendly to us,
that certainly we would willingly give our Consent and Assistance to
the erection of it and without requiring any farther Premium, if the
whole of the Adventurers would only fulfil their existing Agreement
with us, by paying up what is now due and engaging to do so for the
remainder of our term. But that circumstanced as we now are, they
must see the evident impropriety of our conferring any additional
favour upon men who have shewn themselves lost to every sense of
gratitude & justice in their transactions with us and who would
gladly ruin us if it were in their power. We hope the evident
injustice which is done to us and the readiness we shew to oblige
them, will induce them to exert themselves to make their Partners do
what is right, and as soon as that is done they may depend upon our
exerting all our energy to serve them. -
As to William Murdock's plan, we wish it had not so soon
been brought forward, as we do not think these Gent[leme]n ought to
derive benefits from, or know any thing of his Inventions until we
see what probability there is of our settling with them. My father
has been so very unwell lately that he has not been able to take
William's plan into consideration & nothing has yet been decided as
to the Merits of it. It has certainly a considerable advantage in
the saving of expence, but there are strong, although perhaps not
insuperable objections to it.
I remain Dear Sir
for B&W
Yours very respectfully
James Watt Jun[io]r.
P.S. Mr Boulton
will write upon some other points tomorrow. -
Form of
general Receipt
Received of A B,
C D, E F & G H by the payment of Z Y their Agent, the sum of [blank]
being their Proportions of the Premiums due to us upon the [blank]
day of [blank] by Agreement with the Adventurers in [blank] Mine,
for the use of the Steam Engines erected for the use of the said
Mine, hereby reserving to ourselves the right of joining the said A
B, C D, E F & G H with those of the other Adventurers in that Mine
in any Action or Actions for the Purpose of recovering the residue
of the Money due to us for Premiums as aforesaid, or which may
hereafter become due to us, but expressly agreeing to indemnify the
said A B, C D, E F & G H against the cost of such action or actions
and not to execute any process of execution against the said A B, C
D, E F & G H or their Estates real or personal upon any judgement
which may be obtained against them in such Action or Actions for
monies due to us for Premiums as aforesaid upon the said [blank] day
of [blank] provided that they do not give any opposition to our
recovering such judgement, but do permit such judgement to go by
default against them in any action or actions to be brought for such
purpose as aforesaid and no other. As witness our hands this [blank]
day of [blank]''
AD1583/7/78 Letter, Watt junior to
Wilson regarding confusion arising from his previous letter Item
1 folio
Manuscript
29 Nov 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 29 Nov[embe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Wilson
Soho
29 Nov[embe]r 1794
Dear Sir
Upon referring to my last letter to you, I cannot
conceive how you could understand it in the sense you do. There is
not a word in it about any new Agreement, but merely that the
Adventurers should fulfill the old: If you read it in that sense,
you perhaps will not find so much difficulty in getting our wishes
carried into execution. I shall write by this post to Mr. Weston to
take his opinion upon the point of Law and as soon as I receive it,
I shall write to you and probably to Messrs Fox's, more at large
upon this subject. -
Mr. Boulton has been prevented writing to you by the
multiplicity of his avocations and my father is still very unwell.
- I remain Dear Sir
Yours
very sincerely
James Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/7/79 Letter, Pearson to
Wilson regarding accounts Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Dec 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Pearson 4 Dec[embe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho Dec[embe]r 4 1794
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
Annexed you have Sales of the 3 Blocks Tin,
& a small account against Mr Murdock. - Our Books are now at a stand
for settling at 30 Sep[tembe]r last waiting for your Accounts up to
that time, which Accounts please to forward immediately, as we
cannot think of the Books being in their present situation any
longer. Wish to know if you take the management of Messrs R W Fox &
Co[mpany]'s Account of Premium. J Watt & Co[mpany] desire the
Copying Machine in your hands may either be returned or accounted
for immediately, as one of the Partners of that Comp[an]y is gone
out, and every thing must now be settled. - We wait your answer, &
remain, respectfully; Sir
Your mo[st]
ob[edient] Ser[van]t
For Boulton & Watt
James Pearson.
Please observe
we shall debit you for Freight &c of the 3 Blocks Tin, when known''
[here gives
'Account Sales of 3 Blocks Tin sold by Boulton and Watt, on Account
of Mr Thomas Wilson', and for 'Mr William Murdock D[ebto]r To
Boulton and Watt']
AD1583/7/80 Letter, Watt junior to
Wilson regarding delay to the erection of engine at Poldice Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Dec 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 4 13 Dec[embe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Tho[ma]s
Wilson Truro
Soho 13th Dec[embe]r 1794
Dear Sir
I have received your two favours of the 2nd & 10th
Inst[an]t, the latter covering a Statement of Accounts and your
D[ra]ft on Mr. Wilkinson for £250. 16 [shillings]. 11 [pence] which
will be duly passed to your Credit. I am excessively sorry for the
predicament in which you are left with respect to Poldice
Adv[enture]'rs, but I cannot say any thing in addition to what I
wrote before. Westons have been shamefully negligent in not replying
to my repeated letters. We have every inclination to befriend the
Adv[enture]'rs provided it can be done without legal disadvantage to
our claims, we beg you will state this fully and clearly to Messrs
Fox's and our other friends and let them understand whence the delay
has arisen. - It is certainly our sincere desire to erect the double
Engine, both for the sake of serving our friends and of
counteracting the malignant efforts of others (Messrs Daniel &
Co[mpany]) and you need not be affraid of publicly declaring that
such is our intention provided it can be done without disparagement
to our cause. I hope to be able to write to you again tomorrow and
in the interim remain very sincerely
Yours
J Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/7/81 Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding
double engine wanted at Poldice Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Dec 1794
Endorsed:
Boulton & Watt 16 Dec[embe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Mr. Wilson
Soho 16 December 1794
Dear Sir
We are favoured with your two letters of the 11th and
13th Inst[an]t the former containing an account of the meeting at
Poldice, where the order for a double Engine was confirmed and also
of the refusal of Messrs Fox's and Tremayne to pay upon the receipt
proposed by us. This refusal renders it impossible for us to receive
the money without giving up our claims upon the Mine and we should
think it unjust by taking our friends money to excuse our enemies.
We have written to Mr. Weston to know whether no other legal mode of
receiving it can be proposed; that subject must therefore remain in
suspense for the present. -
Whilst so many Adv[enture]'rs in these Mines refuse to
pay us their Arrears, we should materially injure our cause by
consenting to the erection of the Engine. What we desire is that the
Account may be settled & the arrears paid up, when we shall readily
without any new Agreement undertake the Engine and execute it
to the best of our ability being persuaded that it is greatly for
the interest of the Mine to have a Double Engine in preference to
two single ones.
By yours of the 13th we learn that the Consolidated
Mines have declared war, this of course will produce hostilities
upon our part and J. Watt Jun[io]r will go to London the beginning
of next week to settle with Messrs Weston the plan of the ensuing
campaign. -
As to the delay in the decision of the Courts, the
gent[lema]n in question had better enquire the causes of the Lord
Chief Justice, - we have no reason to hurry him. -
we remain
D[ea]r Sir
Yours
sincerely
Boulton
& Watt''
[the handwriting
is that of James Watt junior]
AD1583/7/82 Letters, Pearson and Watt
junior to Wilson regarding accounts, and blocks of tin Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 Dec 1794
Endorsed:
Ja[me]s Pearson 19 Dec[embe]r 1794
Addressed to: Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall
''Soho Dec[embe]r 19. 1794
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Sir
When Jos[eph] Varley return'd from Cornwall
he told us he had of you £5. 5 [shillings]. - (suppose at setting
out) and that he had paid £8. 8 [shillings]. - to you or accounted
for said £8. 8. - to you, which sum he had here 24 Dec[embe]r 1792
on Account, before he went to Cornwall. In the Account lately sent
you charge £12. 11. - paid Varley & Shakespear ''for time lost &
Cash to send him home''. Suppose the £5. 5. - may be included in
your said charge of £12. 11. - but if Varley paid or accounted to
you for the £8. 8. - we cannot from your Account see where it is
accounted for by you. When you have occasion to write be pleased to
explain the above, for we cannot well do without an explanation.
We are Sir
Your
very ob[edient] Ser[van]ts
For
Boulton & Watt
James Pearson''
[next page]
''Mr. Wilson
Soho 20th Dec[embe]r 1794
Dear Sir
Mr. Pearson having given me the annexed to transmit to
you, I shall just add a few words in reply to some parts of your
former letters which in the hurry of business I have overlooked. -
You mention that a friend of yours has some Tin to
dispose of upon Commission and wishes to know what quantity can be
sold in three months, as he has 40 to 60 Blocks per quarter. It is
not in my power to give a direct answer to this, but if he will send
us a dozen or half a dozen blocks we will try the Market. -
Please to inform W[illia]m Murdock that the Six Guineas
charged to his Account by Mr. Pearson was a mistake, as it
certainly was not the intention of B[oulton]&W[att] to put him to
any expence in coming hither. The error has been rectified in our
books. -
Please when you write next to mention whether in Case of
Bankruptcy, Steam Engines are considered as fixtures or not. -
I have made enquiries about a Porter brewer for you, but
have not yet heard of any one likely to answer. I remain
Dear Sir
Yours very sincerely
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
