Volume 8
AD1583/8
Correspondence, volume 8
Series
90 items (91 documents)
Volume
2 Jan 1795-22 Dec 1795
AD1583/8/1
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding non-payment of arrears
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 Jan 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 2 Jan[uar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Tho[ma]s
Wilson
Soho, 2 January 1795
Dear Sir
In acknowledging receipt of your favour of the 27th
Ult[im]o, I have very little to say in answer. It is the firm
determination of both my father and Mr. Boulton not to recede an
atom from the terms proposed in their letter of the 16th Ult[im]o
which were the same they from the beginning meant to propose and if
it has been otherwise understood, it must have been my fault, and I
own that my letter of 23rd November might easily be understood in
that sense, although my intention was merely to say that if they
paid up the Arrears then due & engaged verbally to pay for the
remainder of the term, we would erect the Engine. This I thought I
had afterwards explained in my letter of the 29th Nov[embe]r, but am
sorry I was not more explicit, however I do not conceive the
misunderstanding has done any harm, as it at least makes our friends
believe that we have made the concession to please them, and as to
our enemies, it is of very little importance whether they consider
it as an acquiescence extorted by fear or not. I am sure they will
in any case do their worst to injure us and they can do no more. My
Journey to London has been hitherto deferred on Acc[oun]t of the
Holidays and I now hope my father will go himself. However no doubt
can remain that we shall proceed with all possible vigour against
Daniell and if this inveteracy should occasion the stoppage of
Poldice [mine, Gwennap] I hope the Gent[leme]n concerned will take
care to do him justice in the County.
Mr. Pearson is now closing his books for last year and
desires I will mention to you that a large ballance is due from Mr.
Williams for Copper.
Sincerely wishing you a happy new year and many returns
of it, I remain
Dear Sir
Your very obedient Servant
James Watt Jun[io]r.
P.S. You have not answered my query about Steam Engines in my last
letter.''
AD1583/8/2
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Poldice Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Jan 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 5 Jan[uar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Wilson
Soho, 5 January 1795
Dear Sir
My letter of the 2nd Instant contained per advance the
answer of Boulton & Watt to your favour of the same date. I believe
nothing will induce them to recede from their proposals and most
certainly the hostile steps which the Adv[enture]rs are now taking,
will only confirm them in their determination. They are however very
glad to find that what they have proposed has given satisfaction to
their friends, who they hope will now be reasonable enough not to
attribute to them any of the evils which will probably result from
the malice and ignorance of their opponents. - They beg W[illia]m
Murdock will not hake any part in the erection of the new engine;
they should be left entirely to themselves and I am much mistaken if
they have not, ere long, reason to repent their scandalous behaviour
towards us. -
We shall write a letter to Poldice Adv[enture]rs w[hic]h will be
sent through your hands in a few days, in the mean time if anything
should occur, please direct to me at Mrs Matthews, London, where I
go tomorrow.
Yours most sincerely
James Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/8/3
Letter,
Pearson to
Wilson regarding queries concerning account
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
10 Jan 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Pearson 10 Jan[uar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Thomas
Wilson
Soho near Birmingham 10 January 1795
Sir
Your favor dated (by mistake) Jan[uar]y 6. 1794 addressed to Mr
James Watt Jun[io]r brought us two Bills amounting together to Two
Hundred and forty Pounds, being 6 p[er] cent on Cornish Metal
Companys Capital. Please refer to our Letter of 19 Ult[im]o and
answer us respecting the £8. 8 [shillings]. - Varley had here on
acco[un]t 24 Dec[embe]r 1792. Did you receive this £8. 8.- of Varley
in Cornwall, and where have you accounted for it?- We are
Sir
Your most ob[edient] Ser[van]ts
For Boulton & Watt
James Pearson.''
[Includes table
of accounts]
AD1583/8/4
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson, and copy
of letter to Poldice Adventurers
Item
2 pieces
Manuscript
13 Jan 1795
AD1583/8/4/1
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
letter to the Poldice Adventurers
Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Jan 1795
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w Boulton 13 Jan[uar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall (by Bristol)''
''Mr Thomas
Wilson
Soho, Jan[uar]y 13 1795
Dear Sir
We rece[iv]d yours of the 10th this
morn[in]g previous to which Mr Watt & Self had wrote the inclosed,
which we beg you will lay before the Adventurers of Poldice Mine &
though it may arive too late for the meeting you mention, you may
shew it, or copys of it, to such of them as you may think proper to
do. We are the more anxious that the Advent[ure]rs should see it
before they receive notice of our movements in Chancery. - Let the
opineon of the Judges in Bulls case be what it may. We are persuaded
it will not affect the Poldice Case.
We have too good an opineon of W[illiam]. M[urdoc]k. to
think him capable to joining our Enemies. He, as well as all
mankind, will ultimately find that Honesty is the best policy.
I have waited months for a leasure hour to write to you
on Sundrys, but I have not yet found one, however my good Wishes
always attend you & every branch of your Family & sincerely hope you
& all of you will see many happy & prosperous returns of this
Season.
I am, Dear Sir, Your faithfull friend & Serv[an]t
Matthew Boulton
Mr Watt Jun[io]r is in London & you may write to him & Weston on Law
points.''
AD1583/8/4/2
Copy of letter from Boulton & Watt to the Poldice Adventurers
Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Jan 1795
Endorsed:
''Copy of Messrs B&Ws Letter to the Poldice Adv[enture]rs 13
Jan[uar]y 1795''
''To the
Adventurers in Poldice Mine
Soho
Jan[ua]ry 13th 1795
Gentlemen
Your Application to us through Mr Wilson to
erect one of our double Engines with a Cylinder of 66 In[che]s
diam[e]ter upon Poldice Mine was transmitted to us; & we have from
time to time enabled Mr Wilson to inform you of our sentiments.
We are fully convinced that the Erection of a double
Engine, instead of two Single ones, would be productive of very
great Savings to the Mine both in the first Cost, & in the
Annual Expenses. and haveing heretofore manifested our
liberality towards the Mine by Sacrifices to the Amount of £11000
between the year 1786 & 1792 & by the farther relinquishment of one
third of our premium ever since, we are desireous of still affording
you another proof of our friendly disposition, by giving our consent
to your Erecting & using the proposed double Engine, & by assisting
in the Erection thereof, without requiring any increased premium on
that Account; provided that you shew your adherence to the agreement
by paying up the arrears claimed by Mr Wilson on our behalf. This
consent on our part & payment on yours in no way to effect the
existing agreement.
If this candid offer be rejected we shall be fully
warranted in protesting that the evil consequences which may in any
Manner follow, cannot justly be attributed to us, who have the
honour to remain respectfully
Gentlemen
Your Most Obed[ien]t humble Serv[an]ts
Boulton & Watt.''
(Copy)
[endorsed on
page 1 of folio ''Truro 15th January 1795, At a meeting of Poldice
Adventurers held...'']
AD1583/8/5
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Consols & Poldice law suits
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Jan 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 16 Jan[uar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Wilson
London 16 January 1795
Dear Sir
I have received your favour of the 9th
Inst[an]t but have only time to write you a few words in answer. Our
Argument upon the Special Case will certainly come on about the
beginning of term, say the 4th or 5th of Feb[ruar]y and as the time
till then is so very short, we shall be so engaged in preparing for
it, that Consols & Poldice must stand over for the present. I shall
like to hear from you what impression our letter to Poldice has
made: I am sure they can never get over it. -
As to our success in Common Pleas, it is what I would
not undertake to ensure, but what I nevertheless do not cease to
hope. At any rate, you will do well to hold out beforehand that you
suppose our losing it there, will be of very little consequence, as
we then go to the opinion of the 12 Judges, which we have reason to
apprehend will be more favourable and in case of failure there to
the house of Lords; and if in the mean time, we gain our suits
against Consols & Poldice they will be obliged to pay up.
I remain, Dear Sir
Yours in haste
Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/8/6
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Poldice law suits
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Jan 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 20th Jan[uar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Wilson
Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 20th 1795
Dear Sir
we have yours with copy of Poldice
resolutions, which are much such as might be expected only they have
rather overleaped common sense by Employing Bull, as they can hardly
be ignorant enough not to know, that the opinion of the
C[ommon].P[leas]. cannot be decisive unless the parties choose to
submit to it, & that Bulls hands will continue to be tied up.
However I think you had better not mention this at present. Let them
have their swing.
We shall apply to Chancery to stay the V[ice].W[arden]s.
[of the Stannaries] proceedings if ag[ain]st us, but in the mean
time the state of the case should be urged to him, which I should
suppose would do. Mr. Edwards must inform you whether you can
withold your own & J. W[?]s. costs I doubt you cannot.
In respect to Mr Murdock we are very much pleased with
this fresh proof of his attachment, but in my opinion, for our
interest, he should not withdraw himself from the mine as yet, they
may come about & we do not wish to distress them unnecessarily, he
will also have the better opportunity of shewing his superiority
over Bull, who I expect will one day be driven out of cornwall with
more disgrace than we have been.
Term begins on Friday & our argument will probably soon
come on, the result we do not pretend to foretell, but all our
lawyers are unanimous that no refunding can be obtained in
any case. - I remain, D[ea]r Sir
Yours Sincerely
J. Watt''
AD1583/8/7
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
availability of funds
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
21 Jan 1795
Endorsed:
''Boulton & Watt 29 21 Jan[uar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall, by Bristol''
''Mr Wilson
Birm[ingha]m Jan[uar]y 21st 1795
Dear Sir
In ans[we]r to yours of the 17th, We shall
consider as to going on in Poldice, at present it appears that the
best way will be to throw up the share, reserving the value of
Materials ores &c & this we think you should immediately do in
respect to your own share if you cannot sell it - In respect to the
credit you want of £700- it could scarcely have happened at a more
inconvenient time, our Exchequer as you may suppose is not very
full, and we have some very serious payments to make. One is the
winding up the A. Mill bottoms which will require a great sum. The
Costs of this lawsuit &c & in case the opinion of the court should
be unfav[oura]ble we may have others, perhaps still more heavy as
every one wishes to throw water on drowned men - We are however
willing to assist you what you we can, but you must send us
such a title to the Copper you have with Mr W[illia]ms due in May as
shall enable us to raise money upon it if necessary. Upon sending
us this order to receive payment for your copper, you may draw upon
Mr W[illia]ms on our acc[oun]t for the £700. or if you cannot
do that you may draw on us pay[a]ble at Mrs Matthews's at 2 mo[nth]s,
which we shall be in London to accept.
If the Vice Warden is applied to for an order to make us
pay up arrears of costs, you must oppose it, as even in case of the
opinion of C.P. being ag[ains]t us no sentence can pass, as we shall
turn it into a special verdict for the opinion of the remaining 8
Judges & shall apply to Chancery in the mean time for an Injunction
ag[ains]t the mine, We wonder that you & your neighbours should
take it into your heads that the opinion of C[ommon].P[leas]. can
set aside our patent, that is out of their power.
We shall certainly be in London on Monday - I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt.''
''M[atthew].B[oulton].
hath taken out between 7 & 8 Thousand to pay for Land besides what
Mr Watt hath taken for the same purpose which reduces Mrs Matthews
to a Barran Wom[a]n.
I beg Mr Murdock would not vex himself & say little at present All
will turn out for the best.
M[atthew].B[oulton].''
AD1583/8/8
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Cause in Common Pleas
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
29 Jan 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 29 Jan[uar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Wilson
London 29
Jan[uar]y 1795
Dear Sir
We are favoured with yours of the 25th Inst[an]t and
have informed Mrs. Matthews of your intended D[ra]ft which will be
duly honoured. Neither the opinion of Mr. Vivian, nor of any other
man shall have any influence on our future proceedings, which shall
be, as formerly, always guided by equity, but as to the gratitude &
the friendship of the County of Cornwall, we are by this time
sufficiently acquainted with them, to know what we have to trust to.
We hope that we shall never be under the necessity of solliciting
them. -
Our Cause in Common Pleas is put off on account of the
business in the House of Commons, until Saturday. - We have much
novel and sound argument to advance, and if we lose it in this
Court, I have no doubt of the ultimate decision being in our favour.
-
I remain Dear Sir
Yours very sincerely
Ja[me]s Watt
Jun[io]r. -''
AD1583/8/9
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Common Pleas and King's Bench
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
31 Jan 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 31 Jan[uar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Wilson
London 31 January 1795
Dear Sir
Serj[ean]t Adair argued our Case this morning in Common
Pleas, but it being late when he had finished, the Court deferred
the hearing of the reply until Tuesday, when Serj[ean]t Williams is
to argue on behalf of Bull. - The Court appeared at first to be
prepossessed against us, but without indulging too flattering hopes,
I may safely say, that upon the whole we have gained ground, as the
judges appear to have given up the objection of the
misrecital in the Act of Parliament; so that having removed that
stumbling block, we shall proceed with more confidence in our next
argument upon the Organization in reply to Bull's Counsel.
I cannot pretend to predict what will be the termination
of this affair, but I do not think the enemies hopes at all
increased by what has passed; at all events, I have not the shadow
of a doubt that we shall succeed in the Kings Bench, which is the
next court we go to, provided we lose it in this, either through the
obstinacy or ignorance of the Judges. - You will not therefore
suffer yourself to be disheartened by any panic fears arising from
the enemies exagerations, nor suffer them for a moment to conceive
that we shall tamely put up with an inequitable decision, until we
have tried every resource which the Laws of our Country open to us.
-
We are all in good health & spirits, neither too much
elated with hope, nor depressed by anxiety, but prepared to meet
every event with stoical indifference. -
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours very sincerely
Ja[me]s
Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/8/10
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Argument of the Special Case
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
3 Feb 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 3rd Feb[ruar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Wilson
London 3 Feb[ruar]y 1795
Dear Sir
We are favoured with your esteemed of the 31st Ult[im]o
covering two Bills of £1507.12 [shillings].11 [pence] & £80, the
latter on Account of Mr. Boulton. -
The Argument on the Special Case was terminated this
day, but the judges refrained from giving judgement, intimating that
they would take some time to consider of it; they stated very
strongly the merits of the Invention & the great obligations of the
public to the Patentees, and said that they were particularly
anxious that it should be understood, that so far from wishing to
raise objections, their desire was to uphold the patent and that
they would not pass sentence against it but with the greatest
reluctance, and expressed their hopes that they should do no such
thing; especially considering, what must be allowed, the very
extensive mischief that would be done by annulling so great a number
of patents, as must fall with this.- You will see from this that
the general question is left in as much uncertainty as it was before
and not in less obscurity, one thing however is certain that the
injunction against Mr. Bulls piratical proceedings still continues
and will continue for at least twelve months longer, whatever the
fate of the patent may ultimately be, about which however we have
very little anxiety and no fear.- It may be some consolation to you
to know that all the Lawyers whom we have consulted, and among
others the celebrated Mr. Erskine, are decisive in their opinions
and treat the objections with very little respect. In short whatever
is the decision of this Court, we shall go with a light heart into
the next, that is the Kings Bench. -
We are very glad to find our belief confirmed that
Poldice Adv[enture]rs are not all of one stamp, and we hope we shall
always have sense & gratitude enough to distinguish between our
friends & enemies but as it is necessary that we reply to their
resolutions by sending them ours, we intend to write to them in a
few days to inform them that without the Arrears are paid up, we
shall immediately file a bill against them in Chancery. - We shall
not trouble you to deliver the said letter, but shall send it
directly to the purser of the Mine, by the post. -
We hope this will serve to raise your drooping spirits
and that you will not suffer yourself to be disheartened where there
is no occasion. Our hopes are fervent and there is no reason yet
given to the enemy to exult; at any rate we shall lead them a dance,
the end of which they do not and they cannot [this next word being
missing].
Please to mention on what day you delivered our letter
of the 13th January to Poldice Adve[nturer]s.-
We think it prudent that Mr. Erskines name should not be
mentioned at present, and we only tell you his opinion for your
government, We think it of very great consequence to ourselves and
therefore shall not for the moment communicate it to the enemy. -
I remain with wishes for your better health
Yours very sincerely
James Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/8/11
Letter, Boulton & Watt to Poldice Adventurers regarding dispute
Item
1 folio (part removed)
Manuscript
4 Feb 1795
Endorsed: ''Boulton & Watt 4 Feb[ruar]y 1795''
Addressed to: ''[Mr Thomas W]ilson, [Tru]ro, [Corn]wall''
''London
4th February 1795
To the Adventurers in Poldice Mine
Gentlemen
We refer to our Letter of the 13th Ult[im]o
in which we made you, what we thought, a fair and conciliating
proposal, to which we still adhere. Mr Wilson in due course sent us
your resolutions of the 15th which we must consider as hostile &
unmerited & which might well have excused our not making any
epistolary reply; however as you have stated that there was a
majority of the Adv[enture]rs willing to comply with what we askd,
we shall not be so unjust as to reprobate the whole nor pursue
measures of the same nature as those you have adopted, without
making one other effort to convince you of what we conceive to be
your interest under the existing circumstances we think that a want
of determination or any concealment of our Sentiments wo[ul]d be the
most unfriendly Conduct we co[ul]d pursue & co[ul]d not fail in the
end to be detrimental to all parties. Sensible as we are of our
obligations to many amongst you and wishing well as we do to the
Concern we cannot deliberately think of adopting any measures which
may eventually tend to injure it & to throw the industrious poor out
of Bread at least till every means of persuasion have proved
fruitless & a determination to withhold our just rights prevails.
The Sum Mr Wilson demanded on our account is a Sum due
to us by Agreement and we do not see how that demand co[ul]d lay you
under the necessity you mention - We think you ought not that
of all Men you ought not to have employed one, who by the verdict of
a Jury & the voice of a Court of Justice has been declared a
Pirate of our Invention, & who now lies under the injunction of
the Lord Chancellor not to proceed in his Violation, but this is
your affair, though you must excuse us if we exert ourselves to
prevent him. -
We remonstrate also against the injustice of your
refusing to deliver to us our proportion of Ores which however we
can easily remedy by relinquishing our share in the Mine. reserving
to ourselves our rights over the Materials.
Without insisting again upon our Merits or the Sums we have
relinquished in your favor we must observe that if you sho[ul]d
unhappily persist in your resolutions of setting both Law & Justice
at defiance by your Conduct towards us, we cannot be so wanting in
Justice to ourselves, as to forbear any longer laying our injuries
before the Court of Chancery from whom we hope for Substantial
Justice, one part of which will probably be the Stopping the
existing Engines from Working & the erection of any new ones on our
principles, but as this must involve the innocent with the
Offenders, we intreat you to avert the evil by a contrary Conduct to
what your resolutions point out. -
After this candid avowal of our sentiments
intentions we shall feel ourselves perfectly free from all
responsibility as to the consequences, which must in justice be laid
to the Account of those who instigated your late resolutions. -
We beg the favor of your immediate Answer, as without
that is speedy & favourable we cannot delay our proceedings.
We remain respectfully
Gentlemen
Your obed[ien]t
h[um]ble Servants
No 6 Green
Lettice Lane, Cannon Street.''
AD1583/8/12
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
E & R W Fox
regarding Polgooth Mine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Feb 1795
Endorsed:
''Copy of a Letter from Messrs Boulton & Watt to Messrs E & R W Fox
Wadebridge 22 Feb[ruar]y 1795''
''Messrs E & R W
Fox
Wadebridge
London 22nd Feb[ruar]y 1795
Gentlemen
We are sorry that our absence from home and a Variety of
business has prevented our replying sooner to your esteemed favour
of the 28th Ult[im]o mentioning the present state of Polgooth Mine
[St Austell] and requesting the relinquishment of part of our
Premium. We have always considered ourselves as under great
obligations to you for your equitable and Friendly behavour at a
period when the conduct of others has been so very different from
what we had a right to expect, and that alone would certainly have
been a sufficient motive to induce us to put you upon the same
footing with other Mines in a losing state: we are sorry therefore
that you should have thought it necessary to strengthen your claim
by adverting either to the suit now pending in Common Pleas, or to
the nature of our engagement with you. - In regard to the former, we
trust to the justice of our Country and after the Verdict of a jury
given compleatly in our favour we cannot doubt that we shall
ultimately prevail over all the quibbles which have been suggested
against us and we scarcely need add that our perseverance may
surpass even the ingratitude of certain Gentlemen in your County. -
As to what relates to our engagement with you - We believe it
equivalent to the most formal one, and we know you will not forget
that if it was not more so, it was entirely owing to the confidence
we had in your honour and the respect we entertained fore your
characters, which rendered us less anxious about a more regular
Agreement.
From what we have already experienced, we are well
assured that we shall not be sufferers by this confidence, nor shall
you by your Friendship towards us. We have this day directed Mr
Wilson to rate you in future at ⅔ only of the present sum, until
such times as your Mine shall again become productive. We hope these
terms will give entire satisfaction to yourselves and the rest of
the Ad[ventur]ers and that you will believe us at all times ready to
give you proofs of the sincere regard & Esteem with which we are
Gentlemen
Your ob[edien]t & obliged
h[um]ble Serv[an]ts
Boulton & Watt.''
AD1583/8/13
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Poldice and Polgooth mines
Item
1 sheet (cut in half)
Manuscript
1795
Addressed to:
''Mr ThomasWi[lson], Trur[o], Cornw[all]''
''Wilson /
Dear Sir
Annexed you have copy of our letter sent
this day per post directed to the Purser of Poldice Mine, to which I
shall only add that the Bill in chancery is drawn & that we shall by
no means lose the sittings to have it filed. We have rec[eive]d a
letter from E. Fox wanting us to abate Polgooth to 30 Guineas p[e]r
month on account of poverty, what is the fact? I have nothing to
add to yesterdays report of the trial except that in all probability
Bulls friends will say the direct contrary how the event will prove
in this court we neither know nor much care, as we hope for less law
elsewhere.
I remain Dear Sir
Yours Sincerely
James Watt.''
AD1583/8/14
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding relinquishment of Poldice shares
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Feb 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 23 Feb[ruar]y 1795'', also ''enclos[e]s copy
of letter to E&RWFox Wadebridge''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall.''
''Mr Wilson
London 23 Feb[ruar]y 1795
Dear Sir
The inclosed letter will explain itself and when you
have take a Copy of it for your future Government, you will please
to seal and forward it. -
We have been successively favoured with yours of the
10th, 13th & 20th Inst[an]t, to which we have not replyed sooner on
account of our having nothing materially new to inform you of. All
law matters must remain in their present state until next Term. - We
have all been much indisposed by the badness of the weather and
shall return home, as soon as the state of Mr B[oulton’s] & my
father's health will admit of the fatigues of a Journey. -
We wish you - to give immediate notice at Poldice of our
relinquishing our Shares in the Mine, but you may continue in your
own name for our account, at least for a Month longer, or untill we
come to a different determination.
The Bill upon Williams has been paid. We called upon him
but did not meet with either him or Grenfell. We shall make use of
his permission to draw for £1000 at 8 months from 10th December, or
payable 10th August 1795 in case we find ourselves in want. -
I remain
for Boulton & Watt
yours very sincerely
J Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/8/15
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Wilkinson's at Bersham in Wales
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
10 Mar 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 10 March 1795''
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
Soho 10th March 1795
Dear Sir
We have been returned here for these some days past and
are all tolerably recovered from the effects of the Air of London. -
We should have written you sooner in reply to your
favour of 28th Ult[im]o, but had nothing material to communicate. -
Jno. [John] Wilkinson & his Brother being at Loggerheads
and in Chancery, have in their wisdom stopped the Works at Bersham
[ironworks near Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales], wh[ich]. is likely to
prove a greater inconvenience to us than Mr. Bulls lawsuit, as we
cannot get on with any business. - John has written us some letters
lately which indicate a disposition to draw us into the scrape, for
which reason it is necessary that we should be upon our guard and as
the Credit Side of his Account stands rather too much in his favour
at present, we request that you will not send us any more D[ra]fts
upon him, as it has always been our custom to remit them to him upon
Account. - You are not to conceive from the above, that we are at
open variance, but we do not know how soon we may be, as to give us
a proof of his friendly disposition, he has put his papers into the
hands of Bull's Lawyers. We have written to desire a meeting with
him, which we suppose will take place in a few days. -
We have received an Answer from Messrs. Fox's of the 6th
Inst[an]t, saying they were in hopes we should have thought 30
Guineas sufficient, however, that they have directed their Agent at
the Mine to charge £36.13.4 for the two last Months. -
The Bill against Poldice is prepared, but cannot be
proceeded in untill next term. The Action ag[ain]st Consols must
also lie over until then.
I remain Dear Sir
Your sincere friend
Ja[me]s
Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/8/16
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Mr Bull's engines at Poldice Mine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 Mar 1795
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 17 March 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Wilson,
Truro
Soho 17
March 1795
Dear Sir
We are favoured with yours of the 7th & 12th Ins[tan]t
with an Account of Bulls proceedings, and of the meeting of Poldice
Adventurers.
It is not in our power to prevent Bull from erecting
Engines, as the Injunction only goes to stop their working. But as
it is highly probable that our cause will not be brought to a
decision until long after the Engine is finished, (I mean supposing
we lose it in the Common Pleas) & the injunction will continue the
whole of that time; the Adv[enture]rs may find their
situation not very pleasant to have been at the expence of erecting
an Engine, which they cannot after all work without our consent, -
and Mr. Bull may roar for mercy when he finds himself committed to
the Kings Bench prison for a Contempt of the Chancellor's Orders.-
I am not sure whether the Engine being erected, so as to
be fit for working, will not alone be a sufficient breach of the
Injunction to bring the above Penalty upon the agressor.
If Poldice Adv[enture]rs should determine upon refusing
our resignation, you will please to take Mr. Edwards with you &
enter a regular Protest against their refusal upon the Books of the
Mine, stating the sums due to us from the Mine and the proportion of
materials which belong to us, as sufficient set offs against the
Costs claimed by them. - You may consult with Mr. Edwards whether
this cannot be done beforehand, and then let them do what they
please, with this protest staring them in the face. -
Carne's offers amount to nothing; for if we gain our
cause, he must pay and if we lose it, he says he will not;
we should therefore be only showing a contemptible weakness by
acceding to his request. We shall in this and every similar case,
accept of none but unconditional payment. I hope that by and
by we shall teach these lawless invaders to make us proposals a
little more agreable to the dictates of common sense. - Upon what
principle of logic do they presume that we would enter into an
Agreement where all the profit is on their side and all the risk
upon ours! -
Their Counsel in London Mr. Short, having spoken to
Weston about compromising matters, we have authorized Weston to
write him a letter to know with whom we shall treat, upon what
terms, what for, and how we are to be secured in the enjoym[en]t of
our rights, or as to the fulfillment of any terms that might be
agreed upon. As they can give no satisfactory answer to these
queries the whole negociation will end in nothing.
You need not mention the above to any person or say that
you know any thing of this matter, unless it be talked of in the
County in which case we will send you a Copy of Weston's letter for
your Government. -
I remain very sincerely
Yours
Ja[me]s Watt
Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/8/17
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding the worsening relationship with Wilkinson
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 Mar 1795
Endorsed: ''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 24 March 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Wilson
Soho 24th March 1795
Dear Sir
We wrote to you on the 17th Inst[an]t and are favoured
with yours of the same date. -
You will recollect what we said to you in a former
letter, about the quarrel which has taken place between Jno. [John]
Wilkinson & his brother and the ticklish ground upon which we stood
with the former, which is rather worse now that it was then,
although we are not yet come to an open rupture. But you will say we
are not far from it, when we tell You, he has given us Notice ''that
he means to join our enemies''. - However, although we are
determined to make no concessions to pacify a resentment founded
merely upon caprice we are resolved also to take no steps which may
appear to give him cause to say we have commenced hostilities. He
has already accused us (without any grounds) of having endeavoured
to seduce his men from his service, and if we were, after having
repelled that accusation, to advertize for founders, he would be
sure to say that we had done it on purpose to entrap his men. As
neither our inclination nor our interest lead us to irritate him
more than what he is already, we must beg you will excuse us from
having any thing to do with the Adv[ertizemen]ts in question. - Your
better way will be to apply to Jno. [John] Wilkinson directly,
stating that as you understand the works at Bersham to be at an end,
he may perhaps have some founders to spare whom he can recommend to
you. -
We will again make enquiries about a Brewer, and let you
know the result as soon as possible. -
The price of Tin, about which you enquired in a former
letter, is very various in Birmingham, but the most current price is
from 94 to 95. - Mr. Boulton is requested by the Rose Copper
Co[mpany]. to learn from you, or some other Tin Smelter
1st. Whether it will be agreeable to send Tin to them to sell upon a
Commission of 5 per %. -
2nd. What more you would allow for the Company to guarantee the
Debts, and you will please to remember that the Co[mpany]. consists
of 200 opulent persons.
3rd. Or what you would allow provided the Company permit you to draw
for ⅔ of the Value upon its arrival at Bristol. -
Please to send your Answer to these queries separate from B&W's
business, that it may be laid before the Rose Copper Co[mpany].- at
their first meeting. -
Mr. Short, Bull's Counsel, has told Weston that the
Cornish people mean to propose very liberal & honourable terms to
B&W - But they have very little hope indeed of any good coming from
that quarter. - I remain
Dear Sir
Your
very ob[edien]t Serv[an]t
For Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s
Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/8/18
Letter,
Weston to Wilson
including copy of letter to Charles Short
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Mar 1795
Endorsed:
''A. Weston 30 March 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Merchant, Truro, Cornwall''
''D[ea]r Sir
On the other side you have a copy of my Letter to Mr.
Short, which of course you will only make a private &
confidential use of.
I send this by the Desire of our friends at Birmingham,
to enable you to correct the misrepresentations which have got
abroad: which however, must be done with caution.
I am, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely,
A Weston,
Fenchurch Street
30 March 1795.
Mr Thomas Wilson
Merchant - Truro.
[next page]
(Copy)
Charles Short,
Esq[ui]r[e].
Sir,
I have frequently considered the Suggestion
you threw some time ago, but have always met with Difficulties in my
mind, as to the Manner of carrying it into Execution.
I beg leave to state the following Questions for your
consideration. With whom are we to treat, and for what;
whether for the relinquishment of the present Action, or something
more extensive? How are we to be satisfied as to the Performance of
the terms that may be agreed upon? What compensation is to be
made for the arrears, & for the advantages of the time to
come, both of which, whilst the Matter is sub Judice, we
must consider as of great Value, having the most respectable
opinions that we shall establish our Rights: - though we may be
willing to sacrifice something for peace & certainty -
if those objects can be secured. But how are we to be assured that a
compromise with A, may not the more expose us to attacks from B &
the rest of the Alphabet?
These and many other Considerations require to be
attended to: - and all that I can answer for, on the part of my
Friends, is that they will be governed by reason, so far as it can
be made evident to them. This Letter is intended to remain in your
Hands, and not to be parted with or copied, but any other Use may be
made of it, which you shall conceive may best promote the amicable
Arrangement you have in View.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your
most obed[ien]t,
& most h[um]ble Serv[an]t,
Ambrose Weston
Fenchurch Street
11 March 1795.''
AD1583/8/19
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson, cessation of negotiations with the Cornish Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Apr 1795
Endorsed: ''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 11 Ap[ri]l 1795''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Wilson,
Truro.
Soho 11th April 1795
Dear Sir
Mr. Short has transmitted to Mr. Weston the resolutions
of the Cornish meeting which are more absurd and ridiculous than
even you supposed, and which of course have obliged us to put a
total stop to the negociation, more particularly as we find it is
not Mr. Bull and not the Cornish Adventurers, with whom we are
to treat. -
Mr. Weston says he did not send you the Copy of his
letter to Mr. Short, because he had made it a condition with that
Gentleman, that no Copy should be given out. You will therefore
please to be upon the watch to discover in how far that condition
has been observed.
& |
