Volume 9
AD1583/9
Correspondence, volume 9
Series
125 items (128 documents)
Volume
5 Jan 1796-31 Dec 1797
AD1583/9/1
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding various legal matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Jan 1796
Endorsed: ''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 5th Jan[uar]y 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Thomas
Wilson
Truro
London 5 January 1796
Dear Sir
I brought your letter from Soho hither with me, with the
intention of answering it at length, but being much pressed for time
I shall only be able to reply cursorily. -
In the first place I must inform you that you are
totally mistaken in your ideas about letting the Patent sleep out
and sleeping with it. I do not know from whence you have formed that
idea, as I do not think we have hitherto given any symptoms of
drowziness, although perhaps like the Mole we had been working
underground & out of sight. You will however see the effect of our
labours in due time and it is sufficient to say for the present that
we are pursuing the delinquents with all the eagerness and all the
dispatch the laws will admit of and if they do not allow us to go
faster, it surely is not our fault. - In the mean time it may be
some consolation to you to know that Bull has been again applying to
the Attorney General about the Scire facias and that the
Att[orne]y General has absolutely refused to sign it, having now
considered the matter more fully than he had done last year. - Poor
Bull must therefore apply to the Chancellor without any fiat
from the A[ttorney]. G[eneral]. and I leave you to guess what will
be his fate there. -
I am come here in order to get an Injunction against
Jabez Hornblower who has lately been trespassing, and there is no
doubt I shall succeed; but you need say nothing about it until you
have it confirmed, which will be in a fortnight. We have lately got
Injunctions against other Pirates and have no reason to complain of
the Courts being unfavourable. -
With respect to the Engine for Messrs Jenkins & Co[mpany].
I suppose Mr Boulton has already written to Mr. Jenkins himself. It
is our firm determination not to set such a precedent, as to accept
of ⅔ of our third at the first starting of a Mine. You know
perfectly that all the evils in Cornwall have originated solely from
the concessions we have made and they more we make, the worse we
shall be off, as they will never be regarded as proofs of generosity
in us [?] but as tokens of pusillanimity and certain indications
that we despair of our cause.
This not being the case, but upon the contrary being
firmly & fully persuaded that we shall recover all the arrears due
to us, we will not do any thing that shall tend to impress the
public with a contrary belief and we do not see the propriety of
Messrs Jenkin and Co[mpany]. making such a request; the like never
having been granted to any one. I shall write again soon & am very
sincerely
Dear
Sir
Your ob[edien]t Serv[an]t
James Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/9/2
Letter, Morcom to
Murdock
regarding William Murdock's wages
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Jan 1796
Endorsed:
''J[ame]s Morcom 9th Jan[uar]y 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Murdock, Redruth''
''Sir /
It falls to my Lot to inform you that the Adv[enture]rs
in this Mine has not thought Proper to Charge your Wages in this
Mine since Sep[tembe]r 1795.
I am
Sir, Your H[um]ble
S[ervan]t
J S Morcom
Consalidated [Consolidated]
Mines 9th Jan[uar]y 1796.''
AD1583/9/3
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Injunction against Jabez Hornblower and David
Maberley
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Jan 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 16th Jan[uar]y 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London
16 January 1796
Dear Sir
I sent your letter down to Soho, therefore cannot refer
to the date. I lament sincerely the persecution you have suffered
upon our Account and assure you that we feel ourselves much indebted
to you for the firmness you have evinced. Nothing but perseverance
on our side and a determination to make no concessions but what are
extorted from us by the law, can ever bring your litigious
neighbours to their senses. They have hoped to crush us by the
length of their purses and the Audacity of their measures and I have
no doubt they are much disappointed & mortified to find that for
once, right has prevailed against Violence & against Cunning.
The Attorney General having refused his Fiat to the Scire facias,
we are now told by Bulls Counsel that the idea of it is entirely
given up; we are therefore to see what tricks they will try next.
Try what they will, they must all answer the Bills next term, and we
shall then see whether they will speak as contemptuously of the
Chancellor as they have done heretofore & whether they are
acquainted with any means of evading an Order from him to pay up all
arrears.
We have obtained an Injunction against Jabez Hornblower
and his Employer Maberley which stops the Engines already erected
by them and incapacitates them from making any more. But of this you
need take no Notice at present as it will be Nine or Ten Days before
they can be served with the Writs. -
I am not yet certain whether I shall go from hence to Newcastle, or
return to Birmingham, but at all events I shall leave town in a few
days, you will therefore please not to write to me here. -
I remain
Dear Sir
Very sincerely Yours
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r.''
AD1583/9/4
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
engine at Hallamanning, St Hilary, and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Jan 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 27th Jan[uar]y 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho.
Jan[uar]y 27th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We have yours of the 16th and 23rd to Wheal
Ramoth [mine, Perranzabuloe] Adv[enture]rs we can only say that we
shall not consent to their erecting Hall[amanni]n[g] Engine on any
other than our usual terms & if they persist in it we shall give
them a formal notice to this purpose.
In respect to Mr Daniel we have sent Copy of your letter
to Mr Weston for advice, but in the mean time after his repeatedly
flying back from his agreements with you, we can make him no
proposal until we have his offers in writing fully & explicitly
worded, we however give no answer at present to the proposition, nor
are we intimidated by his threats of the exchequer. The Bill
ag[ains]t him in Chancery will probably come to a decree before any
trial could be had were the Court disposed to hear them, which in
the present circumstances is not very probable.
We always shewn a sufficient disposition to accomodate,
but our overtures have been always frustrated principaly by his
means. we should be very foolish now to listen to him until his
sincerity is more fully evinced & at any rate must have other terms
than those he has proposed, We ought not in common reason to agree
to the same now which we would have done before he caused us so much
trouble, vexation & expence. However some proof of his
candour & sincerity may still induce us to relax from our interest.
Your son Tommy behaves very well & much to the
satisfaction of every body, his bad health was probably owing to the
change of air & diet, but he is now better I may say well &
extremely useful in his department.
As to myself my health has been better this winter than the last,
but that is not saying much. I am tolerably well as to seeing &
speaking with people & walking about moderately, but were I to write
or think much & keep much company I feel I should be as bad as ever.
I therefore indulge myself as much as I can & push away vexations
with all my might.
I am very sorry to find you suffer so many on our
account, you may depend upon it that we shall take every step you
can to save you from them.
We have never yet received the signed copy of the Neath
Agreement which has been shamefully delayed & we beg you would see
about it.
Wheal Treasure people have been with Mr Weston offering
to deposit their premiums in the hands of Mr Trevenen, to whom we
have no personal objection whatever but cannot consent to such a
precedent & have insisted upon their joining one of the two G. Foxes
with him, as Cornish Adv[enture]rs unconnected with us - with best
wishes & comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & family I remain
Dear
Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/9/5
Letter, Wheal Crenver Adventurers to
Harris regarding
accounts
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Feb 1796
Endorsed:
''Copy of Letter to Mr Harris Feb[ruar]y 4 1796''
''Wh[ea]l
Crenver [mine, Crowan] Adv[enture]rs D[ebto]r to Boulton & Watt
For premiums of Engines
1795
Dece[mbe]r 31
For small Engine
formerly Wh[ea]l Gons, from the end of May 1791. 51 Mo[nth]s at
[£]17. 19 [shillings] - £ 872 . 2 [shillings] -
For 1 Engine 60
Inches Diam[ete]r from end of Dece[mbe]r 1792, 36 Mo[nth]s at [£]
49. 17 [shillings] - [£] 1794. 12 [shillings] -
For 1 d[itt]o,
63 Inches, built by Bull from Feb[rua]ry, 8. 1794, 22 ⅔ Mo[nth]s at
£55 - [£] 1246. 13 [shillings]. 4 [pence] -
[Total]
£3913. 7 [shillings]. 4 [pence]
Sir
/
Truro,
Feb[ruar]y 4. 1796
Being lately informed by Mr Daniell you had lately
asserted that no demand had been made on you for Premiums of Boulton
& Watt Engines on Wh[ea]l Crenver, in which I believe I can prove
you are mistaken: I have however to take away the future cause of
complaint, made out your Acc[oun]t to the end of Dece[mbe]r last, as
above, the am[oun]t of which £3913. 7 [shillings]. 4 [pence] you
will please to remit per return of post, I am for Messrs
Boulton & Watt
y[ou]r very h[um]ble Serv[an]t''
AD1583/9/6
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
terms with Mr Daniell
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Feb 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 6th Feb[ruar]y 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr T. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho Feb[ruar]y 6th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We are favoured with yours of the 2[n]d. It
was not our fault that Neath Engine was so large, we advised
otherwise, however it is a good fault.
We preferred Messrs Fox to Mr Edwards, because less
connected with us and with them; we give ourselves no pain whether
they agree or not, as the bill ag[ains]t them will soon come to be
ans[were]d & bring them to their senses, most probably will make us
our own trustees. In respect to Mr Daniel, we must take a few days
to send a formal answer, mean while we see no reason to depart from
the terms we gave you when here - The Exchequer suits are Phantoms
of which we are not afraid, but if they come there shall meet them
there - As to the stopping the mines we are takeing no steps for
that purpose but merely to obtain our dues, which for the past at
least, must be paid whether the mine stops or not, & if they do stop
it must be from the obstinacy of the adv[enture]rs & not from our
doing.
Mr D[aniell]. if he argues fairly cannot think us
ungenerous in demanding only the same sum now that we did when in
London before we he had set us at defiance & forced us to go to
Chancery for redress; but to our former demand must be added the
expences, we have encurred in consequence. Though Chancery is slow
it is sure & he must soon answer our bill, that is the true thing
which presses him. If he wished to meet the question fairly why has
he availed himself of all the indulgence the court allows? why did
he not answer our bill & let the matter be brought to decision? The
truth is he knows he is in the wrong & it will be found that he is
in the wrong towards himself as well as towards us. In our
opinion it behoves him to make acceptable proposals soon, as the
bill shall be pushed as hard as the forms of the Court admit, & in
case of a favourable decision we shall not content ourselves with
what we now ask.
We proceed ag[ains]t Mr D[aniell]. & others upon no
principle of revenge, though they have given us sufficient cause,
but solely to obtain our rights, those who have so repeatedly used
every means in their power ag[ains]t us can have no claims upon our
generosity or compassion.
We are extremely sorry to find any body blames you for
our proceedings, we know they do it unjustly, & on the
contrary we think you have stood too much their friend when they
little deserved it of you. If our attestation of this can be of any
use we shall write to that purpose to any body you please who you
think disposed to believe us, or we shall send down an agent to take
this part of the business off your hands; for we cannot
suffer ourselves to be overuled by people who have used us in the
manner some with you have done, we must & shall, have our right if
there is law or Justice in England. Mean while we beg you w[oul]d
keep up your spirits & trust we shall do all in our power for your
comfort - The sentiments in respect to the probable issue of the law
we are confirmed in by Mr Weston & our counsel who are still more
sanguine than ourselves. The readiness with which injunctions were
granted lately ag[ains]t several of our pirates sufficiently shows
the sentiments of the court on our cause.
The ovens you mention shall be enquired into, but I have
been repeatedly told that coaks made in that way do not answer for
making Iron - with Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & family
Your's sincerely
James Watt
Tom is very well
& free from his toothaches.''
AD1583/9/7
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
terms with Mr Daniell
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Feb 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 16 Feb[ruar]y 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho Feb[ruar]y 13th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We have yours of 10th covering Draft on T.
Williams value £1637. 17s[hillings]. 9d [pence] to your credit - In
respect to Mr Daniel, we have had a retrospect of letters &n from
which we are at present inclined more & more to abide by the offer
we have made, which we think more favourable than ought to have made
under the provoking circumstance in which we were put through his
means & sufficiently so had there been no provocation. But to enable
us to judge properly, we shall thank you to furnish us with an
acc[oun]t of the full premiums due to us from that mine since last
settlement.
Say 1st the premium while they wrought all the engines &
the time that continued. 2nd the Premiums on the remaining Engines,
at the various dates, calculated according to their powers, by the
yearly sum agreed for for the original Engines. This had we shall
say what deductions we are inclined to make: but you will please to
observe, that everything relating to the gaining or losing state of
the mines must now be entirely put out of the case & has been so
ever since we were set at defiance.
As to an arbitration it would have been very proper some
time ago & we should have entered into it with pleasure, but now we
do not think it would be right - However it would give us much
satisfaction if Mr. D[aniell]. would authorize one of the Gentlemen
you mention to negociate the business with you, as I think he will
scarcely do it himself - In respect to the Western Mines we approve
much of his not entangling himself with them let then Shift for
themselves.
We shall try to get dimensions of the ovens used by Mr
Reynolds which we are told are like a common Bakers oven - Coaks
made in that way are too solid & not well freed from their sulphur.
I saw a method in France which I think would answer better if your
coals cake at all - with comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson I remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/9/8
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
various mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
3 Aug 1798
Endorsed:
''Boulton & Watt 3rd Au[gu]st 1798''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Extract from
Mr Wilsons letter of Feb[ruar]y 20th, 1796 -
When
I last settled with E. Fox for Polgooth [mine, St Austell] Premium I
told him I had prevailed on you to give up Uewas [Hewas mine, St Ewe
and St Mewan?] on account of their ill success till an alteration
had taken place and he consented to pay 30 Guineas which he said
should be 20 for Polgooth and 10 for Uewas. I answered it was
immaterial how it was charged but that I should consider it as paid
by Polgooth.
Soho Aug[us]t 3rd 1798
Mr T Wilson
Dear Sir
We send you above an extract from the only
letter of that period which has reference to the transactions with
Mr E Fox.
This gentleman has not yet written to us & we rather think he will
not, for he must be satisfied from your answer that he has no
prospect of an abatement -
It may perhaps make some difference in the complexion of
Trevithick's transgressions at East Pell [East Pool mine, Illogan]
that the Engine building there is not entirely new. It will however
be a question of Law for Weston's consideration how far its having
been previously worked at Tregothnan [Consols, Kea?] unnoticed by us
may be an obstacle to our proceeding against it in the present
situation -
We shall thank you for a correct relation of the
particulars which may form the basis of a case to be stated for
Weston's opinion -
You will also oblige us by procuring information of his
motions at Wheal Crenver & of any other infractions committing by
him or others elsewhere - During the long Vacation in Chancery we
shall have leisure to look about us & to select a proper object for
the cognizance of the Court when it opens in November -
Your sentiments of ye propriety of proceeding with
greater vigour in our other chancery suits perfectly coincide with
our own and Weston has directions accordingly and will prepare
during the suspension of other business the necessary documents for
bringing them forwards the ensuing term - We believe Mr Pasco is not
perfectly correct in his legal reasoning - We are not precluded from
recovering our claims by a chancery suit even in those cases where
no agreements exist, we allow an injunction would accelerate the
termination of the suit but it is by no means a sine qua non, at
least we were taught to believe this is sound doctrine & our faith
in it will certainly incline us to try it's efficacy when we have
not other game better worth pursuing -
Your query relative to the propriety of noticing
Carpenter's abuse has been further considered - It appears it does
not come under the cognizance of the law & a literary warfare with a
character already blasted could not be productive of much
satisfaction to you - To expose his malpractices would, we
understand, be a work of supererogation, & a vindication of your
measures or conduct towards a Man of his stamp would be derogatory.
- We should recommend you to disregard the legal invectives of such
a fellow as below notice & his personal insults, if he should have
the impudence to offer any, you will know how to check without any
suggestions from us -
Mr T[homas] Kevil[l] has written to request a
modification of our demands upon Cook's Kitchen [mine, Illogan] & to
have it put in future upon the same footing as other Mines to which
we have conceded one third - The request in itself is not
unreasonable but were we in considering it to be actuated by the
same motives which governed the Advent[ure]rs in Wh[ea]l Abraham
[mine, Crowan] it would certainly not be granted. We might answer
them in their own style, you have not the means of enforcing your
demands and we shall not therefore pay any attention to them - We
mean not however to follow their base example; the friendly &
honorable conduct of our departed friend would certainly have
ensured our compliance to a similar request if made by him & we
shall shew our respect to his memory by requiting to the Son our
obligations to his father - Our answer therefore will be in the
affirmative but before we reply to his letter we wish to know from
you whether there exists any agreem[en]t between us & the Cook's
Kitchen Adven[ture]rs We cannot find any in our possession & we do
not recollect whether any entry was ever made upon their Mine Book -
We are desirous of ascertaining this point previously to our writing
Mr Kevil[l] as we shall avail ourselves of this opportunity to
supply the deficiency -
We have it also in contemplation to anticipate any
similar demands from the few remaining Mines which continue to pay
the full premium. If there are any other besides Wh[ea]l Jewel
[mine, Gwennap?] in this predicament you will please to notify them
& we shall be glad to receive your advice as early as possible -
We
remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your obed[ien]t hum[b]le Ser[van]ts
Boulton and Watt.''
AD1583/9/9
Letter, M R Boulton to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 Feb 1796
Endorsed:
''M. R. Boulton, 24th Feb[ruar]y 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr T Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho
Feb[ruar]y 24th 1796
Mr T Wilson
D[ea]r Sir
As our answer to the request of the Wh[ea]l
fortune [mine, Breage and St Hilary] adventurers is required on
Saturday next we must confine our reply to your favor of the 20th
Inst[ant] chiefly to this subject leaving the others for future
discussion. At the present juncture we think it would be both
imprudent & improper to return to the tables: the disposition of the
County towards us certainly does not give us a high idea of their
candour or impartiality & both must be relyed on were we to adopt
that mode, it always was a source of disputation & certainly will
not be less so at present, moreover it would be a very disagreeable
one to you & could not at any rate be adopted in one instance
without the premiums of the other mines were put upon the same
footing - You may be assured that Mr Daniels information from London
is very erroneous our customers there would not be mean enough were
it lawful to refuse our premiums. He must allude to some obscure
invaders who at present have their noses at the Grindstone therein
[?] the hands of Mr Weston - Our northern pirates have all submitted
at discretion & others in our neighbourhood have also submitted to
our claims - The former have agreed to pay all law expences as
charged between attorney & client, & the full premium both for the
past & future - These facts may be mentioned to Mr Daniel in answer
to his intimation of the London confederacy -
In the case of Polgooth we agreed to accept of 30
Guin[ea]s & to give up our premium from Hewas till the Mine was in a
better state & we really cannot make any alteration in our demand
for in our present situation we can as little afford to give as they
to pay -
We have no objection to accomodate Mr Carne provided he
will give us acceptances for the money in the name of the
adventurers at reasonable dates -
Your offer of pig Iron is come to hand at an unlucky
time having laid in a very considerable stock from Shropshire,
indeed as unexperienced founders we are unwilling to venture upon
any Iron with the properties & quality of which we are not fully
acquainted when we are possessed of more knowledge & skill in our
business we shall be glad to make a trial of your Neath Pig -
The prices of Shropshire pig suitable for our purpose &
delivered at Stourport [Worcestershire] are from £6 to 7£ & that
Iron made at Tipton [Staffordshire] & in the neighbourhood is
deliver'd at the works for £6. 5 [shillings] -
We shall communicate to you our further sentiments
respecting Daniel's negotiation in a few days
Remaining
Dear Sir
Your obed[ien]t hum[b]le Serv[an]t
For Boulton & Watt
M[atthew] Rob[inso]n Boulton''
AD1583/9/10
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
the foundry at Soho
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Feb 1796
Endorsed:
''Matt[he]w Boulton Esq[ui]r[e] 26th Feb[ruar]y 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Tho[ma]s
Wilson
Soho 26th Feb[ruary] 1796
Dear Sir
I have rece[iv]d in due course your fav[ou]r of ye 21st In[stan]t,
incloseing a bill for 80£ which is placed to the Cred[i]t of ♀ [the
alchemical symbol for copper] Smelting Works.
We have much to do at our Foundry, in building Furnices, in
Finishing our Boreing Mill in makeing Moulds & Iron Boxes and in
recruiting a proper Regiment of Founders &c; before we can begin to
consume pig Iron but when we do you may be assured that if Neith
Iron proves of a right quality, we shall for many reasons
become your Customers.
Your Engine has exactly the power we calculated for & I hope you &
the rest of the proprietors will live to Load it by an increase of
Furnices & Finery hearths, but I cannot recommend the application of
its spare power to the working of either Forges or Rolling Mills as
it may put your furnices out of tune. Small Engines for Forges are
best which may be so constructed as to do double work by working one
hammer & anvil 'till it becomes too hot & then without loss of time
applyd to the working of another. An Engine whose Cylinder is 17
In[che]s is sufficient to work a good Forge. A Rolling Mill ought
not to be coupled with any other work whilest it is Rolling. It is
true that Mr Hunts Rolling Mill wh[ic]h we erected Rolls & Slits a
Ton p[e]r Hour & it also (when it is not Rolling) works tilt
hammers, Grinding Stones & bores Gun barrells but these things are
worked by Day & the Rolling by night - If I remember right the
Cylinder is 32 In[che]s Diam[ete]r w[i]th 6 feet Stroke & is = to 40
Horses power.
The Car[ria]g[e] from Shropshire is certainly cheaper than from
Neith but I think Iron can be made Cheaper at Neith. It is the
nature of most Coak pig when made into bars & Roll[e]d very thin or
forged into small Nails to be very tough but is not so when made
into larger work. What sort of Horseshoes does it make - I wish I
had been concernd in that work, but it is now too late for me to
spread my Wings so extensively, however you may always command my
assistance or advice. I think your Engine will blow 4 Furnices (&
not 12) very well or 3 Furnices & 5 Fineries & after working it one
year The Comp[an]y will be able to form a better judgment what they
ought to do, than they can at present. -
You say you shall soon have 40 Ton of ♀ to deliver B&W. I think you
may venter to send 20 Ton of it to Williams. It is probable I shall
want 20 Ton here for a Coinage but I shall not know 'till next week
if that will be the case, & then I will write you (what I may want
must be tough). Some time ago you sent a Ton of Shot Copper highly
refin[e]d a part of which I used, & it was very good; & now I want
more, but I find B&W have used it all up. I therefore wish to have
such another Ton and furthermore I wish it was possible you could
prepare our Bar Copper for plateing which we find difficult to
obtain. It is sometimes very good & sometimes we had better give 5d
[pence] p[er] lb [pound] than attempt to use it.
It is not impossible but I may accompany Mr Townend I should like it
much if I can spare the time w[hi]ch I can better judge of when it
approaches nearer.
Mr James Watt is not yet returned from the North where he has servd
many injunctions & the parties have signd agreements to pay us our
usual premiums or buy out. There is not I believe an individual
London who has our Engines but what pays us with pleasure, & I am
sure w[oul]d continue to pay us even if our patent was null as they
are men of honor & will perform their agreements & not act like that
D[amne?]d D[irt?]y D[evi?]l however I hope you will be able to
settle with him.
Your son Tom goes on very well & is a favourite with all he has any
concern with, & I flatter my self he is not in the way of being
spoild.
Your letter seems unfinished & not signd.
My Son runs into ye extream of Working hard & is become very keen
about the Foundry & the Engine business in general; so that I think
we shall leave little for your Cornish Engineers to do even when our
patent is out as we are now become our own Founders & have views of
sundry improvments. We shall also keep fitted & Mounted together
assortments of Engines ready to put into a Boat at ye Foundry door,
by which our Customers can be supplyd in less time than they can
make them.
Please to remember me kindly to Mrs. Wilson also to W[illiam]
Murdock wishing you all health & happiness.
I remain with great regard
Dear Sir
Yours most sincerely
Matt[he]w Boulton.''
AD1583/9/11
Letter, Winwood to Wheal Pool Adventurers regarding Wheal Unity
Engine
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Feb 1796
Endorsed:
''Winwood Letter to Wh[ea]l Pool Adv[enture]rs Feb[ruar]y 27 1796''
Addressed to: ''Rev[eren]d W[illia]m Robinson & Co[mpany]
Adv[enture]rs, in Wheal Pool Mine, Nansloe, Helston, Cornwall''
''Bristol 27th Feb[ruar]y 1796
Gentlemen
After we had made a trial upon Wheal Unity [mine,
Gwennap?] Engine, to ascertain the effect of our largest Engine just
erected, we signified to you, that for very obvious reasons, we
could never think of the trial made upon Wheal Butson Engine, being
admitted at all as a parallel case, and therefore desired you to
consider whether or not you would make a fair trial on one of Mr
Watt's, to ascertain our Savings; or agree to pay us according to
what we perform'd, and what the Engine of Mr Watt now performs in as
similar situation to that of Wheal Unity as can be found: to this we
have had no reply: and having no other criterion to go by, do
therefore now beg leave to call upon you for savings, or profits
upon the grounds of the last mentioned method of comparison - The
difference of the power of Our Engine compared with Mr Watt's we
find to be as thirty is to eighteen, and therefore we expect to be
paid for such proportional share of the value of what Coal you might
have consumed from the setting to work of the Engine, to the
expiration of the term of our Patent, which was on the 13th July
1795.
I am for Jona[tha]n Hornblower & Self
Gent[leme]n
Your respectful &
obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
John
Winwood''
AD1583/9/12
Letter, Southern to
Wilson regarding
description of furnace
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Feb 1796
Endorsed:
''Jno [John] Southern 28th Feb[ruar]y 1796.''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho 28 Feb[ruar]y 1796
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
I received your favour of 21 on friday
evening. The place Mr Murdock mentions I perfectly well recollect
being with him at, but it so long since that I do not remember at
all what the peculiarities of the furnace is. I have however had the
promise of a description of it, and as soon as I receive it I will
remit it to you.
I was making some enquiries yesterday about it, and was
informed that coaks made in a close oven do not at all answer for
blast furnaces, and have been universally given up, but I could not
learn a very satisfactory reason, the alleged one is that the
sulphur is confined in the coak and spoils the iron. If I should
learn any thing farther in this business in the time I procure the
description of the oven, I will not fail to communicate it with the
Description, Interim, I am
D[ea]r Sir
Y[ou]r Obed[ien]t Servant
John
Southern''
AD1583/9/13
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Mr Daniell's alleged contumacy
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Mar 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 20 Mar[ch] 1796.''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall.''
''Mr. Thomas
Wilson
Truro
Soho 20th March 1796
Dear Sir
We confirm in every respect our letter to you of the
18th Inst[an]t which will shew you our decided resolutions with
respect to Mr. Daniell.
Mr Weston writes to us, under date of the 17th In[stan]t
as under, ''Mr. Daniells contumacy is well-timed; - for this day,
after your letter arrived, I sealed an attachment against him for
his Contempt in not answering the Bill. He is not the only Contemner.
I have a Basket full of Attachments lying before me which I shall
send to Mr. Edwards to put into the Sherriffs hands to execute.'' -
This will, I hope, convince the parties that we are
determined to proceed seriously to work, for although they may bail
these Attachments, we shall follow them up by other proceedings
which they will find it difficult to set aside and in future we are
resolved to let the laws have their course. - We are well aware that
this will produce still farther animosity than has yet been excited
against us, but as we know the Parties have gone all the lengths
they could already, we will not be deterred in the pursuit of
Justice by the fear of displeasing them.
We cannot help however feeling for the situation in
which you & Murdock, in the heart of the enemies Country, will be
involved by these measures and as both our inclination and duty lead
us to prevent a recurrence of the Insults you formerly met with and
to keep you out of the Scrape altogether, we think it would be right
that you should now declare to Mr. Daniell and to all the other
parties concerned, that finding your mediation has been ineffectual,
you have declined acting any longer as our Agent in these litigated
Affairs, and that any proposals they have to make or any
transactions that may arise, must pass immediately from them to our
Sollicitors. If you approve of this and we much wish it for the sake
of your peace and tranquillity, the sooner you make such a public
declaration, the better, as it will add to the effect of the
Attachments. -
Nothing farther occurs at present, except that we wish
to have the particulars of all the Engines to be disposed of in
Cornwall; particularly the 63 Inch Cyl[inde]rs. Mr Murdock once
before informed us that one of the 63 Cylinders upon Poldice [mine,
Gwennap] was in good Condition. Question - what will be the price of
it & whether any of the other parts are in a good saleable state &
at what price they may be had? Your early answer to this will oblige
us.
We wish to keep out of the scrape ourselves therefore
applications must be made to Mr Westons directly, which at any rate
will save serve time as we should not stir a step without their
advice in this stage of the business, being fooled to the top of our
bent, If Mr Edwards does not chuse to act offensively we shall
endeavour to get some proper person to go down for that part of the
business, but in the mean time let the attachments be served,
though in the most decent manner possible, as we wish to do
nothing mischievously or ill-naturedly
I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James
Watt''
AD1583/9/14
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Consolidated Mines premium
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Mar 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 4th March 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
Soho Mar[ch] 4th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Upon considering deliberately the subject of
Consolidated Mines [Gwennap] premium, We do not see any sufficient
reason for departing from what we formerly settled with you £105 per
month from the last settlement of accounts. We cannot think that
Consolidated mines have any claim to a greater abatement than
Poldice viz to pay ⅔ of the full premium of the Engines at work. Our
concession of accepting £70 per month was founded upon the reasons
you then urged to us among which was the then idea that a smaller
number of Engines or less power would have been required than is
actualy the case, moreover that offer was never acted upon by them
(though we believed it to have been accepted) and consequently
ceased to be binding upon us. At any rate it was only during our
pleasure. The terms for the mine in future must be regulated by the
power at work if they now agree with us. If they do not we must
abide by what the Chancellor shall award, for to that issue we shall
refer it. It must be very plain to any impartial person that the
mine must ultimately pay us more than our present demand, & it
cannot in reason be expected that we shall abate any thing of the
sum that may be decreed for us to receive if we continue to be
pushed to the utmost as we have been - We expect that it cannot be
thought unreasonable in us in the present state of the case to ask
the sum which we ought to have been paid had there
been no dispute.
We have completely got the better of several of our
pirates on this side of England who have made every concession we
demanded & given their bonds for performance, and we are now
proceeding ag[ains]t some others, having obtained anot[he]r
injunction last Saturday.
We hope that Mr Vivian has been authorized by Mr
Daniel[l] & the other adventurers to settle the matter with you &
that he will be convinced of the propriety of ending the business in
the present stage - I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/9/15
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
Mr Daniell's rejection of their terms
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Mar 1796
Endorsed:
''Boulton & Watt 18th Mar[ch] 1796 -''
Addressed to: ''Mr T. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall.''
Mr. Wilson
Truro
Soho
18th March 1796
Dear Sir
The issue of your Negociation with Mr. Daniell is
precisely what we expected, we are only sorry you should have been
at any pains to persuade him to accept of our terms, which
are infinitely more favourable than he deserves. This rejection of
them is matter of perfect indifference to us and we should not have
accepted of the £90 per month had he offered it, nor indeed shall we
accept of any thing short of what we last demanded; we therefore beg
you will hold a firm and determined language upon that head and not
give them room to suppose that we mean any thing different from what
we hold out. - It may be in Mr. Daniell's power to protract the
Lawsuit a little longer but pay he must & shall in the End,
with Costs into the Bargain, and this much he will gain by his
obstinacy. - And in future should Mr. Daniell attempt to treat, he
must in the first instance give full powers to Mr. Vivian or some
other Gentleman of probity, as we will have nothing more to do with
him personally, except in Chancery.
As to Wheal Fortune, we are willing to let the
Adv'[enture]rs have the 40 Inch Cyl[inde]r upon condition that it is
not worked to more than Eight Pound upon the Inch = to 10½ ld
[pound] upon the Inch of the 36, at the same Premium as a 36; but if
the load should ever exceed the Eight Pound upon the Inch, then the
whole Premium to be paid.
We remain, Dear Sir
Your obed[ien]t Serv[ant]s
Boulton & Watt
Your information
respecting Hornblowers has been duely attended to. Such affidavits
will weigh nothing in opposilition to the verdict of the Jury, & the
subsequent arguments of the Judges. -
We wish it to be understood that our agreing to the
propositions of Wheal Fortune Adven[ture]rs is not to be in any
degree quoted as a precedent for other mines. Had we been able to
furnish the materials of a 36 Inch Cylin[de]r we certainly should
not have consented to them -''
AD1583/9/16
Letter,
Edwards junior
to Wilson regarding Mr Daniell's refusal to pay the premium
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