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
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Mar 1796
Endorsed:
''Jno [John] Edwards Jun[io]r 22n[d] Mar[ch] 1796.''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson.''
''Truro,
22[n]d March, 1796
Dear Sir
I Have just left Mr. Daniell, who detained me so long
that I have not time to call at your office. The result of our
conversation is that he persists in his refusal to pay more than £70
a Month but he nevertheless will submit it to Mr. Vivian or my
father to say what under all the circumstances ought to be the
premium for the consolidated Mines. From some opinions which have
been lately taken, and some communications from a Gentleman in
London, who from a Letter which he read to me appears to be a very
active partizan, - he entertains the most sanguine hopes of eventual
success.
On my saying that I feared his persisting to accommodate
would induce you to give up your Agency, he observed that he was
sorry for it, but that he could not help it -
Dear Sir
Yours very sincerely
J. Edwards Jun[io]r''
AD1583/9/17
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Mar 1796
Endorsed:
''Boulton & Watt 28th Mar[ch] 1796.''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho Mar[ch] 28th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Yours of 23[r]d received covering two bills
value £77-10 [shillings] to account. -
Mr Daniel[l]s active partisan is I believe Jabez
Hornblower, who has been flaunting away in a gilt chariot to get
affidavits ag[ains]t us, but as we hear to little purpose, he is at
present in contempt as well as Mr. D[aniell]. & held to bail. I
hope we shall be able to humble his pride. As to the law opinions Mr
D[aniell]. might easily get a favorable one by a false state of the
case for I do not think he has manliness enough to give a fair one
even to his own lawyer. At any rate their law matters have been
conducted in a most contemptible manner which if persevered in would
lose them even a good Cause.
In relation to the relinquishment of your agency we beg
not to be understood, we meant only that you should not be the agent
in any offensive proceedings against them, They surely cannot be so
absurd as to find fault with you for endeavouring to accomodate
matters or to do them good offices; but it must not be as our
agent but as their friend, and you must not now apply to us,
but to Mr Weston in what regards those with whom we are at Law. A
Lawyer, especialy one at a distance, can speak more determinately to
them than you can, we see no reason for advertising in any shape
your simply telling it to those concerned whom you meet as well as
to the Captains of your acquaintance will advertise it sufficiently
in a Country where rumour flies so swiftly.
In respect to the Bog Engine nothing under ⅔[r]d can be
accepted in any circumstances - They have paid little regard to our
distresses.
In respect to the Poldice and Consol[idated Mines].
adv[enture]rs who were willing to pay their shares, we must look
over the letters to see how that matter was left; at present it
appears to us, that they refused to pay on the only terms on which
we could accept it viz allowing Judgement to pass ag[ains]t them by
default & not Joining in proceedings ag[ains]t us, & there by
subjected themselves to the issue of the suit, costs &c In short
those of Poldice though a majority, have suffered the mine to be
involved in a chancery suit which they might have prevented by
overuling Mr Daniel[l] & others who were in the minority, and they
still suffer him to go on in accumulating expense upon the Mine
without even the formality of a legal protest. In short they are now
defendants in every sense of the word. - we believe these Gentlemen
to mean well & to be willing to do us Justice, but by submitting to
Mr D[aniell].s Management they act equaly ag[ains]t us as if they
were our enemies. And if they & you will consider a little you will
see that by promising to take less from some partners than from
others we should effectualy ruin our own cause. Our former offers
were made equaly to all who were willing to accept of them. We
therefore hope the Majority will exert their authority & bring the
minority to reason, for their own sakes before it is too late, or at
least take some able counsels opinion what is in their power to do -
We realy wish to save our friends harmless but do not see the means
with safety to ourselves while we remain involved in so many suits.
If Mr D[aniell]. were to gain the cause, would these
Gentlemen think themselves bound to pay us, we certainly should not
expect that they would; therefore it would seem that by their
aquiescence they are in common Justice subjected to the consequences
be what they will & ought to lose all benefit which might accrue
from our present favourable sentiments towards them. Moreover have
not these very Gentlemen consented to the rash step of stopping the
mine to their own hurt and ours, merely to indulge Mr D[aniell].s
humours?
We remain, Dear Sir, Yours
sincerely
Boulton
and Watt
We are sorry to
learn Consols have acted in the manner they have done respecting Mr
Murdock, but shall certainly take as much care of his interest as of
our own, in any agreement we make with them & in all new Jobs
you must take care he be employed, as an essential article -''
AD1583/9/18
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
terms with the Poldice Adventurers
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
31 Mar 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 31st March 1796 -''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho Mar[ch] 31st 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I write a few lines least from my last you
should conceive we meant to raise our demands upon Poldice in the
present state of affairs, which is not the case - If the
Adv[enture]rs determine now to settle the account upon the footing
agreed upon with them, you are in power to settle it; but their
determination must be speedy and absolute & for the whole Mine,
because we find there is more risk in accepting payments from
individuals than we were aware of. If on the contrary the
adventurers take no steps to finish the business we must naturaly
consider them as acting with Mr D[aniell]. & the other dissentients
- It appears to us that for their own safety they should in any case
take the proper steps to lay the burthen upon the dissentients. But
we hope they will be advised to conclude the matter by settling the
account.
It will give us great pain to be obliged to take any
hostile steps ag[ains]t the adventurers in general & we hope they
will not by their conduct compel us to do so - We wish you to use
any means of persuasion & not to use any threats further than an
intimation of the natural consequences of suffering the Bill to come
to a decision before the Chancellor.
In respect to the attachments for united Mines [Gwennap]
we shall write to Mr Weston for advice how we should act. I fancy it
is necessary they should be served but that should be done in a
quiet way by giving the parties intimation, that they may lodge
bail, which ought to make no impression on the miners.
As to Mr D[aniell]. we beg you may have no conversation
with him on our affairs, but refer him to Mr Weston who he will
probably find more inclined to encrease than diminish the demand.
Whatever conclusions you come to with any of them,
remember Mr Murdocks interest, their conduct to him needs apology,
as well as recompense.
I remain
Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt
P.S. We can come
to no determination about the 63 upon Poldice until we now the
following particulars
1st The price of the Cyl[inde]r top, bottoms, piston & piston rod
2. D[itt]o - of the working Gear
3. D[itt]o - of the Nozzles & perp[endicula]r Steam pipe
4. D[itt]o - of the Air pump & Condenser and
5. D[itt]o - of the Iron Work of the Beam, with the state or
condition of each of these lots and whether they are to be had
separately
Lastly, if you cannot obtain these particulars, what will be the
price of the whole taken together. -''
AD1583/9/19
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Poldice and Consolidated Mines in Gwennap
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Apr 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 13 Ap[ri]l 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr T. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho Ap[ri]l 13th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We have two of yours 8th & 10th. I am glad
you are likely to get accounts settled with Poldice, which however
you will please to push on. I think the pursers behaviour very odd
& do not think the ad[venture]rs owe him many thanks, as without our
good will towards them they would have been in a sad scrape, as it
is, they have put to a very considerable expence needlessly.
We should be very willing to give our friends in the
Consols good advice if we could; we have wrote to know what would be
adviseable for them to do. In the mean time we think they should
take advice of some counsel they can depend upon, if they cannot
bring Mr D[aniell]. to reason otherwise, & for the latter purpose
think they had better attend an account day or call a special
meeting & by means of an Attorney take a formal protest ag[ains]t
his proceedings before proper disinterested witnesses throwing all
the damages that may accrue upon him and declaring that they will
give us their answers to our bills setting forth their willingness
to settle with us, but that they are witheld by Mr D[aniell]. &
others who have a majority of voices in the management of the mine.
You will be pleased to observe that this advice must be given as
coming from yourself & not proceeding from us - Another question
arises whether the Vice warden could or would do any thing in a case
of this kind. The longer D[aniell]. holds out the worse the matter
will grow as Costs will accumulate on both sides, besides that in
proportion to the trouble they give we must encrease our demands.
At present the ad[venture]rs are not only ruled by Mr
D[aniell]. but by the insidious & interested counsels of Mr Gryll[s]
& others of that breed. We have rec[eive]d a letter from Mr Edwards
sen[io]r, about an Engine wanted for some mine he is concerned in
please learn from him particulars as to size &c & advise us, also
the premium on such an Engine as he wants - I hope the military will
settle your rebellion & rejoice they the rebels have been kept away
from Truro - with best wishes to Mrs Wilson & family I remain
Dear Sir
Your's sincerely
James Watt
PS You will
please to mention to Mr Edwards that we postpone our reply to his
Letter until we are furnished with the particulars you are to
procure for our government.''
AD1583/9/20
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding accounts for Poldice Mine, Gwennap
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Apr 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 18th Ap[ri]l 1796 -''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
Soho 18th April 1796
Dear Sir
We are favoured with yours of the 14th Ins[tan]t
covering Bills for £750. 5 [shillings]. 6 [pence]. as part payment
from Poldice, which are at your Credit. -
We have not at present time to enter into a discussion
of the propriety of the claim of a diminution of Premium upon the
double Engine, nor will we say any thing upon that subject until the
Arrears are fully paid up. - We have been so often deceived that we
feel no inclination to stop proceedings against Poldice until every
farthing due is paid up, particularly as Daniell, Martyn & the other
great offenders, are the only persons named in the Bill and no harm
can accrue to our friends from what is now doing. -
We remain in
haste Dear Sir
Yours
sincerely
for Boulton & Watt
J[ame]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/9/21
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding accounts for Poldice Mine, Gwennap
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 May 1796
Endorsed:
''J Watt Jun[io]r 2nd May 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
Mr. Tho[ma]s
Wilson
Truro
Soho
2 May 1796
Dear Sir
We are favoured with Yours of the 28th Ult[im]o covering
2 Bills for £211. 5 [shillings]. 1 [penny]. for the ballance of
Poldice Account to the end of July last. - We shall give the subject
another days consideration, before we reply respecting the Abatement
wanted from August last. At present we see no ground at all for the
request and feel little inclination to comply with it in the manner
stated. -
We shall also write to Mr. Edwards in the course of a
day or two concerning his Engine and in the mean time remain in
haste
Dear Sir
Very
sincerely Yours
for B&W. - J Watt Junior''
AD1583/9/22
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding premium for Poldice Mine, Gwennap
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 May 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 4 May 1796 -''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
Mr. Tho[ma]s
Wilson
Truro
Soho
4th May 1796
Dear Sir
We have now maturely considered the request of Poldice
Adventurers for an abatement of the Premium upon their present
Engine, but we foresee so much plague and trouble, as well as loss,
from setting a precedent of this kind, that we cannot at all make up
our minds to it. If we enter into the merits of the case, we cannot
find any argument to justify us for making such a distinction
between this Mine and others, for certainly our friends there were
but very lukewarm, until they found themselves likely to be involved
in the consequences of Daniell's obstinacy and the stoppage of the
mine is as much to be ascribed to them as to him. They also forget,
that the sum of £62. 2 [shillings]. 8 [pence]. which we now ask, is
only ⅔ of the Premium due to us, which puts them in an equal
situation with the most favoured Mines. If we are to give up now
£32. 2 [shillings]. 8 [pence]. p[e]r Month merely because the Mine
is in a losing condition, we may immediately after, with just as
much propriety, be asked to give up the remaining £30.-.-., we can
have no better grounds for refusing the one than the other, nor
shall we be one whit more secure of the future payment after we have
conceded the £32 than we were before. Besides what answer can we
give to other losing Mines who make similar applications and quote
this precedent? Is not this virtually depriving ourselves of the
greatest part of our revenue, at a period when the indifference of
these very petitioners (Not to use a harsher term) has already
contributed to diminish it so considerably as to leave little more
to defalcate. In short the measure appears to us uncalled for upon
the score of gratitude or generosity and paving the way for the
total annihilation of our Cornish Income. - -
Considering upon the other hand, that a direct refusal
upon our part, may produce the consequence you mention, of stopping
the Mine, and that the odium may fall where it ought not to do, we
shall make a modified proposal, which will in fact grant them nearly
all they ask, but at the same time will not be injurious to us as a
precedent, as we shall at all times be ready to make similar
compositions with other Mines and shall even prefer doing so, as a
means of getting rid of these perpetual embarassments. -
What we mean to propose, is that the adventurers, should
buy up the Annuity for the remainder of our term. The Monthly
Premium of £62. 2 [shillings]. 8 [pence]. - gives the annual Rent of
£745 . 12 [shillings]. - . which sum is due to us next July; and the
purchase of that Annuity for four years say to the end of the Act of
Parliament is £2423 . - . say then
£745. due next July
£2423. purchase of the Annuity
[Total] £3168 which is the whole sum that would accrue to us at
the present Premium. Now from this Sum we are willing to loss off
£1168 and to accept of £2000 as payment in full for this Engine for
the remainder of our term, provided it be not removed out of the
County of Cornwall, leaving to the Adventurers the liberty of
removing it to any other mine within the County upon such terms as
they may please or can agree for. The said £2000 either to be paid
in hand, or by Installments upon Bond bearing legal Interest.
This letter you will please to consider as altogether
private. We wish you to give the subject full & impartial
consideration & acquaint us with your sentiments thereon before any
thing is said to the adventurers.
We remain very
sincerely Yours, for Boulton and Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/9/23
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
the erection of various engines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 May 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 9 May 1796 -''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho May 9th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We notice your information respecting J[ohn].
Wilkinson; Those who erect his Engines shall be served with
injunctions. We shall agree to Mr Kevil[l]s erecting one of Bulls
engines on the terms you mention but as we are situated respecting
[Richard] Trevethick Jun[io]r we cannot consent to his being
employed, nor do we think it Mr K[evill]s interest to have any thing
to do with him.
The story you have heard about Jabez [Hornblower] is we
believe false. Maberley & him have given in a very lame
answer & have applied for a trial at law; but there has yet
been no sort of argument about the matter & we are prepared to shew
that they are no ways entitled to the favour. If they obtain it, it
will be restricted to the fair questions of fact. The Chancellor
will take the law questions in his own hands.
My Son James is going to London today & will be there for about a
week if you have any thing to write him.
As Trevithick Jun[io]r is D[e]f[endan]t to some of our
bills & has never made answer nor suffered the injunction to be
served upon him, we should injure ourselves very materialy were we
to countenance his being employed in any way unless he first makes
his peace by a full & fair confession of the facts in his power to
prove, nor can we in common Justice then, give him a preference over
Mr Murdock Who has served us faithfully and is perfectly qualified
to do the Engine Justice - If we have any right to the business, we
have a right to employ our own agents in this most essential part
the erection, we hope these reasons will satisfy Mr Kevil[l], whose
candour cannot press us to a thing which would be injurious to us.
I remain D[ea]r Sir
Yours sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/9/24
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding the affidavits of Hornblower and Maberley
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 May 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 13th May 1796 -''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall -''
''Mr Thomas
Wilson
Truro
No. 13, London
Street, Fenchurch St[ree]t 13 May [17]96
Dear Sir
I am come to town to watch the proceedings of Mr Jabez
and other rascals of a similar description. He & Maberley have filed
Nine Affidavits in Chancery the intention of which is to prove or
rather to assert that the Invention of my father was not new and the
specification not sufficient. Four of these Affidavits are by the
Hornblowers, viz Jonathan, Jethro, Jesse & Jabez and the remainder
by Bramah, David Watson, Rowntree, Strode & Wolffe, who are all
pirates themselves. They are in matter & form contemptible and
ridiculous in the highest degree, urging merely the old Nonsense
brought forward by them at the trial. We presume that upon these
aff[idavi]ts they mean to ground a Motion to dissolve the Injunction
and for a fresh trial. If they do this, we shall move for an
Attachment against Hornblower for Contempt of Court. They have
however given no Notice as yet of any such motion and it cannot now
be made before Wednesday Week. I do not know yet whether we shall
oppose their having a new trial, if they ask for it, as it will put
an end to all our law business at once and we really have nothing to
fear from such knaves and blockheads, as we know they cannot get a
single honest or disinterested man to appear against us. -
I shall like to learn your sentiments upon the letter I
wrote concerning Poldice Prem[iu]m also whether any thing new is
going on in the County. It is most probable that I shall remain here
for some time to come.
I am Dear Sir
Very sincerely Yours
J Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/9/25
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
17 May 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 17 May 1796 -''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho May 17th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We have yours of 7th & 14th the latter we
defer giving an answer to, the young men being absent one in London
& the other at Manchester.
Carne has written to Mr Simcox to speak to us about the
bog mine [Wheal Darlington, St Hilary] we have not seen him yet, but
if my advice is followed he will be told that the matter rests with
you & the young men.
In respect to Landor I think it will be better to make
him some allowance, say about 21/ [shillings] p[e]r Mo[nth] till
Employment casts up.
On tuesday next Jabez Hornblower moves to dissolve the
injunction & we move to commit Maberley & him to prison for contempt
of the injunction, this however you will please keep to yourself -
they have filed 9 affidavits by Jon[atha]n Jethro, Jesse & Jabez
Jun[io]r Bramah Rowntree & Watson, one Strode & one Woolf the latter
their own Journeymen, containing nothing but avowals of their own
want of understanding & the old song of Henry Woods air pump, we
shall more than match them on these head & 3 of them who are
pirates, shall be enjoined
Yours
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/9/26
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 May 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt May18 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho May 28th 1796
''Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
We have yours of 20 & 25th. We observe your
exculpation of Mr Wilkinson & believe it may be principaly right as
we know he does not at present wish to disoblige us & we have no
good opinion of Ws. - the motion against Hornblower was put off to
Thursday next on account of the absence of counsel on both sides
electioneering, but the delay has given opportunity to prove another
contempt of Maberley & Hornblower - We have rec[eive]d Daniel[l]s &
United Mines answers, many matters of fact in which must be spoken
to by you, they have however admitted the principal points we wish
to establish & rest their defence on the pretended insufficience of
the patent on Hornblowers Engine being better than ours & such like
arguments, which we hope to answer satisfactorily.
It seems Mr Edwards showed some aversion or delay in
serving the attachments which made these be sent to Mr Warren,
without our knowledge; now as we by no means wished Mr E[dwards] to
involve himself by doing our business, it would have been better for
him to have declined it at once than to have delayed it, to our
prejudice - While matters remain in their present state of suspence
respecting the working of poldice it will be best for us to be
silent in our claims, but we propose to ask ⅔ of full premium on the
power used. Daniels & U[nite]d Mines answers give us much
provocation, as they contain several falsehoods very injurious to us
& to you as our agent, once I have studied them I shall send you
some hints of answers. While people continue to act in this way,
those concerned with them must suffer with them, for D[aniell]. has
alledged that we have offered to accept of the 70 p[e]r mo[nth] from
some of his partners which is not true.
In respect to Mr Carnes petition for the bog mine we
cannot comply with it without injuring ourselves more, than it could
benefit us, neither can we decide upon the matter untill our sons
come home, which message are sent to Mr Simcox, & moreover we cannot
listen to things of that kind but through you we should be
hunted by all our acquaintances in Birm[ingha]m in their turn if we
once opened that road, besides you only know the facts & can
advise us. When the young men come home we shall advise you of our
Joint sentiments & in the mean time shall be glad to receive yours
more fully. Mr B[oulton]. says it will not be in his power to
accompany Mr Townend to Wales, as at that time I propose to be
absent, & other matters will confine him here - Remember me to Mrs
Wilson & family, I remain
Dear
Sir
Yours sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/9/27
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 May 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jun[io]r 18 May 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Tho[ma]s
Wilson
Truro
London 18th May 1796
Dear Sir
I have your favour of the 15th Inst[an]t and am glad to
find that my information has recruited your spirits. Why you should
at all suffer them to be depressed, I have never been able to
comprehend, as we have certainly been constantly gaining ground
since the decision in Common Pleas and now stand extremely well in
every respect. Hornblower has given Notice of bringing forward his
motion on Tuesday 24th Inst[an]t to dissolve the Inj[unctio]n which
we meet by notice of the motion for an Attachment, or perhaps
by the motion itself. - We are fully prepared to over throw the
Affidavits of these Water Closet Engineers and Organizers of
Stinktraps, and although they may gain another trial and another
defeat, there is little chance of their getting the Injunction
dissolved. -
With respect to Poldice, I still feel disposed to insist
upon the lump sum or grant no Abatement, unless we resolve to
abandon the County altogether. However as the old Gentlemen at home
understand the situation of the parties &c, much better than myself,
I shall not at all interfere in their decision, particularly as I
have my hands & head full of other matter at present. -
I hear not a single syllable of Bull and have not yet
read the Answers put in by United Mines & Consols. I do not know
whether any thing will be done in those Causes this term, but will
let you know when I next write. -
I strongly suspect that Edwards very much neglects our
business. The serving of the Attachments has been scandalously
neglected. In future they will be sent to you or to Mr. Warren
direct. The Attachments against the Def[endan]ts in Dingdong mine
[Ding Dong, Gulval and Madron] were sent to him last night with
reference to you for the dwelling place &c of these people.
Messrs Weston & Lawson, who is my Aid de Camp here, desire their
best respects to you and I remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r
P.S. Please to
give me some information about the character & abilities of John
Knucky, as have some intention of engaging him''
AD1583/9/28
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding delays to the case in Chancery
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 May 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jun[io]r 24 May 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London 24th May 1796
Dear Sir
The business in Chancery has been put off until Friday
next at the request of the opposite Counsel who are for the most
part out of town. The greatest part of ours are also electioneering,
so that I think it possible it may be still farther deferred and as
I am wanted at Soho, it is most probable that I shall return there;
in the mean time nothing has occurred to damp our hopes of success
and I remain
sincerely
Yours
J Watt Jun[io]r
P.S. I have
received your favour of the 20th Inst[an]t and shall mention to B&W
your proposal respecting Mr. Smith, whom we shall certainly be happy
to assist in any manner in our power. -''
AD1583/9/29
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
sale of copper to Mr Smith
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
3 Jun 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Sen[io]r June 3 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho June 3[r]d 1796
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
I have yours of 31st - I have desired James
to say to Mr Smith that we shall sell him the copper provided he can
agree with you upon terms, therefore please make him a proper offer,
on receipt of this.
We have now the submissions of all the Manchester
pirates. Thackeray, the largest dealer signed his agreement here
last night. Hornblower only holds out & I hope the Chancellor has
settled with him yesterday, at any rate the Manchester gentry will
pay the expences of all these late applications.
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
James Watt
price current
says from 100 to 103
Rose copper company till 102''
AD1583/9/30
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding the failure of Hornblower & Maberley's Motion
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Jun 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jun[io]r June 4 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London 4th June 1796
Dear Sir
I have been in expectation of hearing from you in answer
to my enquiries about Knucky and have been prevented taking him into
our service from not knowing how he had demeaned himself in
Cornwall.
On Thursday Hornblower & Maberley brought on their
Motion to dissolve the Injunction, which to their great surprize &
vexation was confirmed by the Chancellor in its fullest extent and
he also refused to interfere in any way to compel us to bring an
Action at Law, but left it quite open for us to do therein as we
judged best. It is not possible for me to represent to you how
strongly the Chancellor entered into our Case & how much he
advocated our cause from a thorough conviction of the iniquity of
the proceedings against us.Being satisfied with the victory
obtained, our Counsel did not bring forward the motion for the
attachment; if they had, there can be little doubt that they would
have succeeded. But provided these fellows hands are tied to prevent
their doing mischief, it is immaterial to us whether they are in
prison or at large. - Being now at full liberty to bring our Action
at Common law, when, where & how we please, or to continue
the proceedings against Bull if we like it better; we shall take
time to consider of what is to be done, & in the mean time leave our
Adversaries to the consolatory reflections which their situation
must naturally inspire.
They have this day sollicited a conference with me to
propose terms of compromise and a meeting has taken place between
us, which has however ended in nothing, as their stomachs are not
yet sufficiently come down to swallow the terms I offered and which
will not be departed from; viz to pay the whole premium for all the
Engines they have erected, to enter into a bond of penalty not to
infringe in future & to pay all costs incurred by the proceedings
against them.
Terms similar to these have been acceded to by all our
other Pirates, who were very numerous in the North and we have no
Lawsuits now but with these people, who we believe are supported
from Cornwall. We shall therefore have the more leisure to pay our
respects to Mr Daniel[l] & his Coadjutors who may depend upon our
not neglecting them.
I leave this on Monday for Birmingham and remain as
always
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/9/31
Letter, Watt and
Wilson junior to
Wilson with copy of letter from William Carne
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Jun 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt & J Wilson June 14 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Birch Grove, near Swansea,
Glamorganshire, South Wales''
''Soho. June 14th 1796
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson /
Dear Sir / Mr Carnes letter of which copy annexed was
opened by your son. Nothing new has occurred in ans[we]r to Mr
Carnes, after their rascaly behaviour respecting Bog engine we must
think ourselves generous in asking only ⅔[r]ds premium - If their
mine cannot afford to pay our premium, it matters nothing to us
whether it is set on or not, and we shall not on such account set so
bad an example respecting Ding dong you know our sentiments, we must
be furnished with a satisfactory account of who were the contemners
of the injunction & have by your premium paid up, with Law Costs
before we withdraw our bill, we have by them & others been driven to
extremities & these extremities they must suffer, now we are at rest
from other pirates a new leaf must be turned over with Cornwall -
The sudden death of my daughter Mrs Miller has obliged
my son to set out for Glasgow immediately upon his return from
London & has overwhelmed me with affliction.
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours Sincerely
James Watt
[next page]
Dear Father /
You will see by Mr Watts Letter that I Opened Mr Carnes
Letter by Mistake - I received your Letter in due time & Wrote my
Mother by return of Post. I delayed writing on Acc[oun]t of the
Coaking Oven which I expected from Mr Southern every Day, he has at
last got every information necessary Concerning it & will write you
to Morrow without fail, Dear Father you will please excuse this
short Scroll as the Post waits - I remain
Your affect[ionat]e Son
Tho[ma]s Wilson -
Remembrance to all Friends in Wales -
[next page]
Copy of a Letter
from Mr Carne
Penzance 10th June 1796
Dear Sir /
I rec[eive]d your
Favour of the 4th Ins[tan]t - & Note, what you Observe respecting
agreeing with Messrs B&W for the full savings & leaving it to their
Generosity Respecting any Allowance - if Messrs B&W Expects two
thirds of the Savings for the time Past, from a Mine that has sunk
near £11000 in two Years, or a little More, what have we to expect
in future - I had hoped they would have been Content with half which
is more than any Mine in Cornwall has done - besides all things
considered, if we enlarge the Engine to a 40 Inch double which we
had intended, we can Pay but very little Savings in the Outset, if
our Mine Improves we shall have no Objections to Increase it - I
wish you to fix with these Gentlemen while on the Spot, as the
Summer is passing away & unless we fix soon, nothing will be done
till next Summer. Then again Observe that if Messrs B&W continues to
hold out such Terms the Mine never will work during their Patent, in
fact there is no prospect in the Bottoms at Present to Warrant such
Proceedings - Now Respecting Ding Dong what can be done to Settle
their Business. Providing you will Stop the Cost, the Adventurers (I
presume) will [this word being left blank] the Engine & Pay the
Savings in future, & when you return Captain Gundray [Gundry] who is
now our Manager & Captain, with myself & you will have a Meeting &
Settle the Cost at once - I remain
Yours
Sincerely -
W[illia]m Carne -''
AD1583/9/32
Letter, A
J & G Weston to
Wilson concerning Mrs Michell's involvement with United Mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
15 Jun 1796
Endorsed:
''Messrs Westons 15 June 1796''
Addressed to: ''Thomas Wilson Esq[uire], Truro, Cornwall''
''Sir
On the other side we trouble you with a copy of a Letter
this Day rec[eiv]ed from Messrs Grylls & Co[mpany]. We presume we
have been misinformed in relation to Mrs. Michells being concerned
in the United Mines but before we give a positive answer to Messrs
G[rylls]&Co[mpany']s Letter shall thank you to do us the favour to
inform us if you can whether Mrs. M[ichell]. is or is not an
Adventurer in these mines.
We are Sir,
Your
most obed[ien]t Ser[van]ts,
A J & G Weston.
Fenchurch Street,
15. June 1796.
Tho[ma]s Wilson
Esq[uire],
Truro.
[next page]
(Copy)
Helstone 12 June 1796
Gentlemen,
Anne Michell ats [against] Boulton & an[othe]r - We have
heard this Day from the Sheriff that an Attachment has been issued
and the Def[endan]t arrested for not putting in her Answer to the
bill filed against the Adventurers in the United Mines. - When we
inform you that the Def[endan]t has no share in these mines we
presume you will not expect us to put in an Answer fo[r her the?]
Expence of which must ultimately be bor[n by the?] Pl[ain]t[iff]s.
If it is, on the contrary, your Desire that her Answer shall
likewise be taken in common with the other Defendants &c, we will
immediately do it and forward it to London - Permit us to request
the favour of an early Answer.
We remain Gent[leme]n,
Your very obed[ien]t
Serv[an]ts,
Grylls,
Borlase & Scott.
Messrs Weston.
-''
AD1583/9/33
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
legal action against Hornblower & Maberley
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Jun 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt June 23 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Neath abbey Iron works,
Glamorganshire''
''Soho June 23[r]d 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir / I am favoured with yours of the 19th & am glad to find
that your Iron works are likely to do well -
We find ourselves at last constrained to bring an action
at Law ag[ains]t Hornblower & Maberley who we have reason to believe
are supported by Daniel[l] & all his infernal crew. The trial will
be in Dec[embe]r next, we shall want your testimony & that of Mr
Murdock & R Mitchel. You will therefore please to quicken up all
your memories, as to the introduction of our engines, their merits,
Hornblower & Bulls piracies &aca &a.
Our bills in chancery ag[ains]t D[aniell] &a will go on
in the mean time independant of the law trial.
Mr Boulton is confined with a sore leg, & I am not
overwell as you may conceive from my being assailed with so many
vexatious subjects at once. - We have now settled with the
Manchester pirates & James is to come from Scotland by Leeds to
discuss them there - I remain
D[ea]r
Sir yours sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/9/34
Letter, Watt and
Wilson junior to
Wilson with copy of letter from J Carpenter
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Jun 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt & J Wilson June 28 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Neath Abbey Iron Works, near
Neath, Wales.''
''Soho June 28th 1796
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson /
Dear Sir
I rec[eive]d yours of 26th & the
annexed to day - The Trial is not an issue but an action ag[ains]t
Maberley & Hornblower & will be tried in the C[ommon] Pleas for
reasons that shall hereafter be explained to you. You are right in
your supposition respecting their supporters & if you could
insinuate to any of their advisers that they had need of Bonds
from those who pretend to support them we might make use of such
bonds. This must be done cautiously - I know not what to say to the
enclosed, you may answer it, by saying the proposal was new to us
but should be considered when we were all together - Mr B[oulton].
continues confined to his bed, & not very well, but his leg gets
better as I hear.
I remain Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
J Watt
[next page]
Dear Father
Mr Watt has kindly permitted me to add a few lines, I
frequently have the pleasure of hearing of you from him, but I have
not rec[eive]d an answer from home since I wrote last - I know
nothing worth communicating to you but that B&W are very much in
want of Tin, they have waited some time in expectation of the 5
blocks you wrote me about, but will be forced to apply elsewere if
it does not come soon, the Price in Birmingham is from 96 to 100 &
there seems to be a great call for it - Mr Boulton has had the
Misfortune to hurt his Leg which has confined him to his Bed for
some Days but I hope he is Mending a little - Mrs Watt behaves very
kindly to me she always desires to be remembered to my Mother when I
write, she Dreamt the other Night that my Mother & Sister were
coming here before she was told anything of it - Dear Father you
must excuse Faults as Mr Watt brought me the Letter but a few
Minutes before the Post Mans time who now waits -
I remain
Your truly affect[ionat]e Son
Tho[ma]s Wilson
[next page]
(Copy)
Penzance 25th June [17]96
Sir!
I understand that Mr. Murdock has written to you,
stating my wish to be inform[e]d, sho[ul]d Pednandrea Mine [Redruth]
go on, whether you are willing to enter into a Contract respecting
the Engines, upon a plan which I apprehend is about to be generally
introduced into this Country.
Mr Penrose says that two Engines are necessary; one a 60
and the other a 50 inch Cylinder. They would be required to work
single at first and double when wanted. Their duty should be 6
strokes p[e]r minute in summer and nine in winter, a six foot stroke
and lb 10½ [pound] to the inch if necessary.
I think the proprietors would prefer a Contract of the
following nature: That the Engines sho[ul]d be erected all above the
surface free of any expence to the proprietors; that the proprietors
sho[ul]d pay a reasonable monthly sum for the use and working of the
Engines for 3 Years and then purchase them at a fair valuation
supposing the mines sho[ul]d then have cleared a profit equal to it.
Coal, leather, grease, oil, engine men &c sho[ul]d be included in
the monthly expences and I w[oul]d wish them to be particularized
and an answer sent to me at Redruth as soon as convenient -
I am, Sir
Your Obed[ien]t
Serv[an]t
J Carpenter''
AD1583/9/35
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
cause in Common Pleas
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Jun 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt June 30 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Neath Abbey, Ironworks,
Glamorganshire''
''Soho June 30th 1796
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson /
Dear Sir
Capt[ain] Morcom should not sell
the bears skin till he has killed the beast to be certain of setting
our patent aside is rather too bold, we have good reason to hope the
contrary - The cause is in C[ommon]. P[leas]. we are plaintiffs &
shall have a special Jury, with as we hope the C[hief]. J[ustice].
to preside; & though we had a good band of witnesses the last time
we hope for a still stronger this time, their talk of some other
persons having invented it is a mere bugbear, they can prove no such
thing - As to how this matter came about we can only say that our
counsel have bungled it. The Chan[cello]r could not refuse a
new trial, to new parties, but he might have directed an issue if he
had been reminded of it. He however left the time & place of trial
to us & said we had been hardly used, & that the whole was an
infamous business, I observe what you write about Poldice but am
hurried.
I remain
D[ea]r Sir
Yours
James
Watt''
AD1583/9/36
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Jul 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Sen[io]r July 5 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr Thomas Wilson, Neath Abbey Iron works,
Glamorganshire''
''Soho July 5th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 3[r]d. - Carpenter may
be told that we will agree to furnish all the metal materials
of the Engine & the premium to the end of the term for a fixed sum,
but can neither contract for woodwork nor erection.
You seem dull respecting the bonds, were such a
transaction to pass, probably some proof could be obtained of it, &
the cornish supporters subjected to penalties, we could extort the
truth from them in their answers to our bills in Chancery - Meux &
Co[mpany] have attempted to make terms with us, but we have refused
unless Maberley also conforms, leaving them as a dead weight about
his neck in the mean time - The points of Law we are not much afraid
of & care not much whether C[ommon]. P[leas]. decides or not. Mr
B[oulton] Jun[io]r & James are not yet come home & I am obliged to
set out for Bath, to stay a week or two, I go tomorrow. Mr B[oulton].
is still in bed but his leg gets better though slowly.
With compliments to Mrs Wilson I remain wishing you a
good voyage home
Yours
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/9/37
Letters concerning the capitulation of
Richard
Trevithick junior, and other matters
Item
2 pieces
Manuscript
5-12 Jul 1796
AD1583/9/37/1
Letter, M R Boulton to
Wilson regarding
letter from Thomas Gundry
Piece
1 folio
Manuscript
12 Jul 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Boulton Jun[io]r July 12 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr T Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
understanding from Mr Townend that you had
left Swansea we address you as usual in hopes that our letter may
find you safely returned to Cornwall. Mr J Watt & myself have only
been returned a few days after a long absence, the one in Scotland &
the north of England & the other at Manchester where all our
transactions have terminated entirely to our satisfaction. We were
yesterday favored with a very singular & unexpected letter from
Tho[mas] Gundry of which we inclose you a copy for your comments &
beg to learn your sentiments thereon. The impression we have of Mr.
Gundry's character is rather a favorable one than otherwise but in
the present instance we are inclined to think him the dupe of our
opponents. We wish however you would endeavour to learn the real
drift of the letter & favor us with your opinion upon it as soon as
possible that we may avail ourselves of it to the best advantage.
The reciept of Mr Gundry's Letter will be acknowledged in course but
shall wave for the present a definitive reply to his application
till it has been more maturely considered - Mr Watt sen[io]r is gone
to Bath to recruit his health & Spirits & Mr Boulton is still
confined to his Bed. These circumstances therefore will fully
account to Mr Gundry for the delay.
In looking into our Acc[oun]ts we find from the large
sums absorbed by our new establishment at this juncture that our
Cash acc[oun]t stands much in need of supplies, any remittances
therefore that can be made from Cornwall either on acc[oun]t of
Engine prem[iu]ms or Copper will be highly acceptable at this
moment. - Our Mr Pearson is also impatient to recieve your
acc[oun]ts.
At this moment J Brown the Engine Smith from Cornwall is with us to
beg your interfence with the Carriers at Truro to recover his Chest
containing the wearing apparel of himself & family. He says that the
Chest was a large blue one & might weigh from 1 Cw[t] to 1½ Cwt, was
delivered on Friday the 22nd April by his Wife to Th[oma]s Stevens
the old post man at Redruth with directions to leave it at the
Carriers Warehouse Truro. The Chest was directed to J Brown at the
Spread Eagles Birmingham where repeated enquiries have been made but
to no effect. Thom[a]s Stevens has also been written to know when it
was delivered to the carrier, but hitherto Brown has not recieved
any positive intelligence from him direct. We are persuaded you will
excuse the trouble that the enquiries may cause as it will be really
relieving the poor fellow from great uneasiness -
We remain
Dear Sir
Your
obed[ien]t humb[le] Serv[an]t
For Boulton & Watt
M[atthew] Rob[inso]n Boulton
Soho July 12th 1796''
AD1583/9/37/2
Copy of letter from Gundry to Boulton & Watt regarding
Richard Trevithick junior
Piece
1 sheet
Manuscript
5 Jul 1796
''(copy)
Gentlem[e]n /
I have taken the liberty to trouble you with this by
desire of Rich[ar]d Trevithick J[unio]r who have been for some time
past employed by Edw[ar]d Bull in Mechanism, he desires not to
continue in opposition to you, and is ready to give up every thing
in this Countey and be under your direction; if you should employ
him, you will certainly find him possesed of good abilities in
Mechanics, natural, as well as acquired, and is of an honest and
peacable disposition, he would be glad to serve you either in
Cornwall or Soho, the latter place in particular, if this
step is taken I think the opposition in Cornwall would in a great
measure subside, - I would esteem it a peculiar favour if you would
take this matter into consideration and don't doubt but that any
favour conferred will be gratefully acknowledged by him as well as
Y[ou]r most obed[ien]t Serv[an]t
Tho[ma]s Gundry
Goldsithney
5th July 1796.''
AD1583/9/38
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding the position of Richard Trevithick junior
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 Jul 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jun[io]r July 19 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Wilson
Truro
Soho 19th July 1796
Dear Sir
Your two favours of the 15th & 17th Instant are at hand,
the former covering a Bill for £53. 11 [shillings]. 10 [pence].
which is at your Credit and are sorry that remittances are not more
abundant, however we are not driven to such necessity as to
anticipate the Def[endan]t on Mr. Williams. -
My father & Mr. Weston concurring with us all, in the
propriety of disengaging young Trevithick from the confederacy, to
which your good character of him has not a little contributed, we
have determined to withdraw our suit against him, and if the writs
are not already served, desire you will call them in. If they are,
they must not be proceeded upon. The inclosed letter to him will
sufficiently explain our sentiments upon that head, but with respect
to engaging him in our own service, we shall be entirely guided by
the inclinations and advice of Mr. Murdock, whom we feel ourselves
bound to consult and to be governed by in this matter. We inclose a
letter to him open for your perusal, but request that both it & the
one to Trevithick may be sealed before they are delivered. If
William [Murdock] approves of our employing him, we think it will be
best that he should carry the letter himself; if not you will send
it to him.
Should Mr. Murdock approve of our employing him, as you
say, he does, it will remain to be considered whether he should be
employed here or in Cornwall. We think he might be useful in
Cornwall to destroy the prejudice against us, which himself has
helped to circulate and in that case we must leave it to you to fix
his wages; but if it is thought preferable to employ him here,
the utmost wages we can offer, would be a guinea per week* and
we would not take him into our works upon a less engagement than for
three years, but we should prefer five. If old Trevithick will give
security for his Son, so much the better, but we should not
absolutely insist upon that, considering the good character of the
young Man, provided he enters into regular articles of Service,
which indeed must be insisted upon in any case, whether he remains
in Cornwall or come here. As soon as that is determined upon we
shall send you a Copy of Articles. - If it is determined to employ
him, you will of course take the first opportunity of conversing
with him upon the subject and of informing us of his expectations
etc.
The new transgression of Bull will remain for
consideration when my father returns which will be in a few days. -
We are not under the slightest apprehensions from
Maberley & Hornblower, who are, if possible, greater fools than Bull
and worse advised. I am in haste
Dear Sir
Very sincerely Yours
J Watt Jun[io]r
P.S. We
particularly desire to know whether Trevithick is a good workman, or
whether he has only been accustomed to superintend work, also what
are his other qualifications. -
We can get no
intelligence of Browns chest as the inclosed note of the Birmingham
Carrier will shew. We must get you to write to Bristol about it.
[the following
is written in the margin]
* It would
perhaps be better to offer less for the two first years, say 19/-
[shillings] and 20/- [shillings]''
AD1583/9/39
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Murdock's opinion as to employing Trevithick
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Aug 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jun[io]r Aug[u]st 9th 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
Soho 9th August, 1796. -
Dear Sir
We duly received your two favours of 24th July & 3rd
Instant. As Mr. Murdock has no wish for Trevithick to be employed,
and he is himself become indifferent about it and has not had the
good manners to answer our letter, we shall give up the idea of
taking him into our Service, more particularly as we see no reason
for augmenting the wages mentioned in our last, which are the utmost
we give to putters up of Engines, the only capacity in which he
might be useful to us. We are however not inclined to renew
hostilities against him notwithstanding his setting us at defiance,
unless he commits some flagrant act of Contempt in which case the
Injunction must and shall be served, even if one of us comes
down in person to do it.
Dingdong Adventurers, as we have frequently repeated,
must not be let off for the law expences; they must answer the bill.
We have no idea of the propriety of an Engagement of the
kind suggested by Mr. Carpenter, but shall consider of it at our
leisure and write again about it.
You say nothing of the result of your enquiries about
Brown's Chest; the poor devil is in great tribulation and if we do
not hear something of it in answer to this, will set out in search
of it himself. I wish this trouble could be spared him. -
We are very sorry to learn of the state of Mr. Murdock's
health and desire you will present our best respects to him and tell
him that it would give us very great pleasure if he would come and
stop a month or two with us, by way of recruiting his health, and he
might find entertainment in assisting us in the construction of our
lathe &c at the foundry. The sooner he can conveniently come, the
more agreeable it will be to us. -
Our old friend John Wilkinson has been staying a week
with us & has compleatly settled all his accounts, having paid up
the arrears of premium due upon his Engines and purchased out the
annuities to the end of our term. We are now upon the best footing
possible and all idea of opposition from him is entirely at an end,
he having entered into an Agreement to make no more Engines upon our
Principles without our consent in writing.
We know not what Weston is doing about the different
bills in Chancery, [we?] presume that not much will not be effected
during [?] the summer. Next Winter will, we flatter ourselves,
compleatly do for all our Cornish Antagonists, who have no chance of
saving themselves but by a timely submission. -
We remain Dear Sir
Very
sincerely Yours
For Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s Watt
Jun[io]r''
AD1583/9/40
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Mr and Mrs Wilson's recent visit to Birmingham
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 Sep 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Sen[io]r Sep[tembe]r 14 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho Sep[tembe]r 14th 1796
Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson /
Dear Sir
You will please deliver the
inclosed to either of our young men & if they should be set for home
please return it, as it does not relate to Cornish business, If they
are in your neighbourhood please send it them by a special
messenger.
I hope Mrs Wilson yourself & children got well home &
found matters agreable, Mrs Watt desires me to present her kind
compliments & to express her regret that she missed seeing you & Mrs
Wilson, she was in her usual health when I heard from her & her
father still alive, though very weak. I expect also to ask Mrs
Wilson's excuse for any want of attention I may have shown when we
had the pleasure of your company here, I was unfortunately below par
at the time & at any rate do not find that age makes me more alert -
Please give our young friends the necessary cautions not to expose
themselves needlessly to the malice or violence of the Miners - Your
Son Tho[ma]s is well & I recollect no business to write upon at
present, but remain with best wishes to Mrs Wilson & family
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/9/41
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
20 Sep 1796
Endorsed:
''Boulton & Watt Sep[tembe]r 20 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho
Sep[tembe]r 20th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
Not having had any letter from our sons of
later date than the 11th we become uneasy about them, & on several
accounts wish them to be at home, to which purpose we wrote them on
the 14th & 15th. Maberley has again held out other proposals of
accomodation, but we do think them admissible, it seems not
improbable however that he may come to such as are. This subject
must not be mentioned to any person.
Our distresses for money augment, some large sums, we
have been obliged to delay paying, but cannot do so long especially
Westons account. If you can conveniently make us any remittances
they will be acceptable in a great degree.
If we have any Copper in a saleable state we wish you to
dispose of it to best advantage & to get part payment in bills at a
negociable date. With best comp[limen]ts to Mrs. Wilson & family
We remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your's sincerely
Boulton
& Watt''
AD1583/9/42
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Boulton & Watt's financial predicament
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Sep 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 28. Sep[tembe]r 1796.''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho Sep[tembe]r 28th 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I have yours of 25th this minute & cannot
delay sending answer if that can relieve your uneasiness - We are
extremely sensible to your friendship & exertions in our favour &
should be very sorry to put you to any material inconvenience, far
less to distress you. The foundry & our encreased dead stock has
swallowed up so much money lately, that though none of us have drawn
any out this twelvemonth, we have not a sufficient reserve for
accidents after paying the debts immediately pressing us, even for
them, we are short of cash & Bills are a dead letter now, till they
become due, I have some stock but that cannot be sold at present
without great loss, money lent upon bond cannot be culled up
without warning & possibly cannot be had. Mr B[oulton]. has enough
to do with his own affairs.
Though we have great confidence in the issue of our
cause yet it is prudent to be provided in case of the worst, because
in consequence of misrepresentation an adverse decision may bring
all our creditors upon us & we may be cut off from the means of
suing for Justice, against refactory debtors, such being our
situation, will I hope excuse our having asked a remittance.
Although we thought you did wrong in engaging so far
upon our credit, yet our regard for you & the wish for your
prosperity made us silent, and we trust that there has nothing
happened, which should make you doubt of that regard under all the
circumstances. Therefore we beg you to make your mind easy, & if
you cannot pay, yourself, make others do so, which will answer a
still better end, and pay us when you can.
Mr B[oulton]. is absent & our sons are not yet arrived.
Mrs W[att]s father is still alive, but barely so. My own health
though infirm is better than when you were here.
With best comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & family I remain
Dear Sir
Your's
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/9/43
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
5 Oct 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt. Junior. October 5th 1796
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Thomas
Wilson
Truro
Soho 5 October 1796
Dear Sir
We have been too busy since our return to have had time
sooner to return our grateful acknowledgements to you & Mrs. Wilson
for your kind civilities and attention to us in your house. I thank
you likewise for your inquiries about the Brass, which you will
please to order to be forwarded to me in the Manner you mention. You
have forgotten to inform me what I am indebted to you for the Trunk.
We have your two favours of the 1st & 2nd October, and
are glad to find there is a prospect of settling with Daniel, though
at £90.
We would have you receive the proposal of United Mines
at £60, but at the same time say you have not the smallest hopes
that we shall accept of any thing less than the ⅔rds; If you think
it necessary, you may say positively that we will not: for
that is the positive determination of B&W. -
We wish you to take the first opportunity of learning
from Mr. Kevill the Issue of his conversation with Grylls and if any
mention has been made of Maberley, to question him particularly upon
that head, as we wish to have all the information that can be
procured of their proceedings. Mr. Weston is keeping them in play,
and as they appear very anxious to have it settled, we have strong
hopes that they will not interfere in Cornwall during the time you
mention.
I shall write tomorrow about the Copper and any other
matter that may occur being pressed for time at present.
With best respects to Mrs. Wilson, Mr W[illia]m and Mr
Patch, I remain
Dear Sir
Your obliged h[um]ble Servant
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/9/44
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson
requesting copper from Swansea
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Oct 1796
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w Boulton Oct[obe]r 6th 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall, by
Gloscester''
''Soho Oct[obe]r 6 – 1796
Dear Sir
Haveing just rec[ei]vd orders for a considerable
quantity of Copper Coin I must beg of you to order by the first post
that all ye 23 Ton of Copper belonging to Boulton & Watt now lying
at Swansea be sent off by the most Expeditious means to me at
Birm[in]g[ha]m or say (Stour port) in the form of thick tough Cake,
like that which has been usualy sent me for that purpose.
And as this quantity will go but a little way in the
Execution of my order, I must request the fav[ou]r of your friendly
advice and assistance in respect to the best means of purchasing 100
or 150 Ton more at 102 & to be paid for at the end of March next,
which will not be 5 Mo[nths] from the delivery here, or on Williams
terms & to accept Bills. I also wish you would order a quantity more
of thick Cake to be prepared (as a part of your Contract with the
East India Co[mpany]) & I will procure an order from the E[ast].
I[ndia]. Co[mpany] for you to deliver it to us on their acc[oun]t.
I shall also have a part from ye Rose Co[mpany] on Similar terms to
those made between you & Will[ia]ms.
Furthermore if there are any of B&Ws ores which can be smelted so as
to be delivered here in Decem[be]r or in Jan[ua]ry I wish you to
smelt them & send 'em accordingly to me or if any other means occur
to you by which a Supply can be obtained I beg you will inform me. I
met the Mines R[oya]l at Oxford & signed a Contract for one Year
more in fav[ou]r of the Rose Co[mpany].
with kind resp[ec]ts to Mrs Wilson I remain With great regard
Dear Sir Yours
sincerely
M.
Boulton''
AD1583/9/45
Letter, M R Boulton to
Wilson regarding
contracts for copper
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
10 Oct 1796
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w R[obinson] Boulton 10th Oct[obe]r 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr T Wilson, Truro, Cornwall, via Gloster''
''Soho Oct[obe]r 10 1796
Mr T Wilson
Dear Sir
your favor of the 7th Ins[tan]t is at hand.
We shall decline Mr Williams' offer as our WB can dispose of the
whole of our Copper. It however may not be proper to mention to Mr
Williams the reason of our refusal but shall simply inform him that
we have more advantageous offers from another quarter. This
precaution may be necessary to prevent him from interfering with
M[atthew]B[oulton] in other markets which perhaps a knowledge of MBs
contract with the E[ast] I[ndia] Co[mpany] for coin & his consequent
want of Copper might induce him to do - The subject of Wh[ea]l
Ramoth & the other premiums has not yet been discussed owing to a
constant succession of more urgent business, we hope however to
transmit you our sentiments upon it in a few days. Mr Thomas'
request shall be attended to & the necessary enquiries made.
We remain
Dear
Sir Your obed[ien]t humble Ser[vants]
For
Boulton & Watt
M. R Boulton
Turn
over
PS We are all
puzzled by an item of your Acc[oun]ts under date of July 16th -
The charge for the Copper is perfectly intelligible but
we do comprehend the Allowance of 118 days Int[erest] upon £201.
16 [shillings]. 9 [pence]. From whence arises this sum
of £201. 16. 9.? Your early explanation upon this point is expected
with impatience by our Mr Pearson -
I believe Mr J[ames] Watt in his last letter expressed
to you in our joint names the grateful sense we entertain of your
kind civilities & hospitality, but I cannot omit on the present
occasion reiterating our thanks both to you and Mrs Wilson''
AD1583/9/46
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
copper coins required by the East India Company
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Oct 1796
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w Boulton 11th Oct[obe]r 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall, p[e]r
Western post''
''Soho Oct[obe]r 11 – 1796
Dear Sir
I have just rec[ei]v[e]d your fav[ou]r of ye 8th & am
much obliged by your writing to Harford, Partridge & Co[mpany]. A 2d
[penny] letter which I hope will prove in time. I yesterday wrote to
Mr Edwards but upon further reflection I did not send the letter &
concluded rather to tell you the whole of my case, my wants & views
which are as follows. -
The E[ast] I[ndia] Co[mpany] have given me an order for 150 Ton of
Coin which they say is to be shiped by the begining of March & in 2
or 3 Weeks after Shiping they will pay me for it & in consideration
of which I agreed to furnish the Copper at 104 & made no doubt but I
could gain 2£ a Ton by it as the average of the Standard seems to be
about 97 & our Rose Copper Co[mpany] offered to deliver it to me at
Birm[in]g[ha]m at a price equal to the aver[a]g[e] Stan[dar]d plus 5
p[er] Cent but I now find by their engagements they can't deliver me
more than ten Tons before ye end of Decem[be]r & but little
afterwards - (I forgott to mention in my last that the Rose has made
a new Contract with the mines Royal at 42/6 during War & 1s[hilling]
less in peace) Whatever quantity of ♀ [the alchemical symbol for
copper] I can buy deliver[e]d at Birm[in]g[ham] for 102 I shall gain
2£ a ton by it but if I cannot buy it under 84 I shall in that case
leave it to the E[ast]. I[ndia]. Co[mpany]. to supply me with their
own Copper & content my Self with the Coinage profit only yet
nevertheless I wish to buy as much as I can at any price that will
yield me a profit & therefore I request your advice & assistance in
accomplishing my Views - Upon 2[n]d thought I will inclose you my
letter to Mr Edwards which is not necessary for you to deliver
unless you find it so.
I wish my Coinage to be a subject of Silence least Envy or averice
should awaken any persons attention to it. If you could agree for
the delivery of 20 or 30 Ton of Tough Cake p[er] Month & for the
paym[en]t of the whole in April at such a price as will yield me any
profit I wish you would & beg youl turn your thoughts around.
I hope to receive the 23 Ton very soon for I have not one Ton to
begin with & my Time is short.
God
bless & prosper you
M. Boulton.''
AD1583/9/47
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding premiums for various Cornish mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Oct 1796
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
Soho 27th October 1796
Dear Sir
We have been so much occupied lately in establishing
regulations in our new Works and in bringing them to perfection, and
in superintending the execution of pressing Orders, that we have not
been able sooner to meet together to deliberate upon the different
matters in Cornwall which are still in a state of suspence. We have
now however pretty well made up our minds upon these cases and the
result is as follows
Wheal Ramoth. 60 Inch, full premium £50.- of this sum, we are
willing, in consideration of our regard & friendship for Mr. Jenkins
to accept of ⅔rds say £33 p[e]r Month, which is putting this new
Mine, from which we have never received a farthing, upon the same
favourable terms, as Poldice, Consols & others, from which large
Payments have been made to us. - The case of Hallamanin we shall not
admit of as a precedent, as we were compelled in that case to submit
to terms, which our present condition by no means render necessary.
It was then our Interest to avoid a Lawsuit, and we made concessions
in consequence, but now that malice has done its utmost towards
depriving us of our property and that our rights are upon the point
of being established we feel no disposition to submit to have
similar terms dictated to us. And in general we are determined that
no act of generosity of ours, which took place prior to our rights
being disputed, shall be admitted as a precedent in any case that
may occur hereafter. - But if Mr. Jenkins & his Partners are
inclined to buy up the annuity for the remainder of the term, we
will accept of £1000 in full of all demands & they shall be at
liberty to dispose of the Engine to whom & where they please. As
this sum amounts to about ½ of our demands, it is in fact putting
them upon the footing of their offer, only it is doing it in a
different way and which we shall not be afraid of having quoted as a
precedent.
Wheal Fortune 36 Inch full Premium £18. We agree also to put
this at ⅔rds say £12 p[e]r Month so long as it is worked single &
£24 when worked double. Or we will accept of £350 in full of the
Premium, if it is only worked single during the remainder of the
term, or £700 if it is worked double.
Wheal Abram. 45 Inch. full Premium £28. 1 [shilling]. 2
[pence]. To be put also at ⅔rds say £18. 14 [shillings]. p[e]r
Month.
[marginal] P.S.
If in any particular case, the parties are willing to pay, but
cannot advance the Money, we shall not object to taking their bond
payable by Installments bearing Interest. -
[next page]
Wherry Engine
[Wherry Mine, Penzance]. Has now two Cylinders of Hornblower's
construction 21 & 27 Inches Diam[ete]r. 6 & 8 feet Stroke. If
converted into two Engines of our single kind, the Monthly
Premium for both will be £16, wh[ich] we shall expect to be paid in
full, as these Adv[enture]rs have no claims upon our generosity. But
if they are disposed to purchase up the Premium for the remainder of
the term, we will accept of £384 in full of all demands; and you may
in conversation observe to them, that this is only a few
pounds more than Hornblower has asked for his pretended savings for
18 Months, which is not half the time the patent has yet to run.
Neath Abbey [ironworks, Glamorganshire] In concluding the
original Agreement for this Engine, much greater allowances were
made, than ought to have been, and we cannot think of making any
farther. It was not our fault, the Engine was made so large, we gave
an opinion to the contrary at the time, but Wood insisted upon it.
We request that you will take the most early opportunity of waiting
upon Messrs Foxes and pressing the signing of this Agreement, as
they are bound to keep their words both as men of business & as men
of honour and it is really unpleasant to us to be under the
necessity of saying one word more upon such a subject. If they are
inclined to purchase out the Premium, the sum will be £426 and we
are willing to take the whole amount in Iron, if the Company will
let us have it at £5. 5 [shillings]. and supply us with as little
delay as possible. The whole quantity will be about 80 Ton and must
be forwarded so as to reach us before the frost sets in, so that you
see there is no time to be lost. If this is agreed to by the Messrs
Foxes it will not be necessary that the Agreement should be signed.
Mr.
Carpenter
[Pednandrea Mine, Redruth]. Our present scarcity of cash, renders it
imprudent for us to engage in this undertaking at this time; but we
should not dislike that form of doing business, if our funds were in
a better state & we were satisfied with the security. If you hear
any thing more from the parties, you may say that B&W wish to
decline it for the present.
We have broken off the negociation with Maberley some
time ago and hear nothing of what they are about. We presume he is
gone to Cornwall & should like to know who are his acquaintances &
supporters. You should have your ears open to every thing you can
learn of the enemies motions & intentions. - We are beginning to
prepare our Witnesses & shall use every exertion to bring the matter
to trial as speedily as possible. Rich[ar]d Mitchel[l] & yourself
will probably be wanted early in Dec[embe]r. I do not know whether
Weston will think any more witnesses necessary from Cornwall.
With best respects to Mrs. Wilson & your family
I remain D[ea]r Sir
Your ob[edien]t Serv[an]t
For B&W
Ja[me]s
Watt. Jun[io]r
[marginal] P.S.
My father set off yesterday for Scotland to bring Mrs. Watt home and
collect Witnesses as to the originality of the Invention.''
[also, on
seperate sheet containing endorsement and address: AD1583/9/47/2]
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 27th Oct[obe]r 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
AD1583/9/48
Letter, Boulton & Watt to
Wilson regarding
Consolidated Mines, Gwennap
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Nov 1796
Endorsed:
''Boulton & Watt 4th Nov[embe]r 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho 4th Nov[embe]r
1796
Mr. T. Wilson
Truro
Dear
Sir
We have received your favour of the 29th
Ult[im]o and observe that Daniell has made you beleive that he is
not concerned with Maberley. We have every reason, short of positive
proof to suppose the contrary, and consider his affected ignorance
merely as an Artifice to conceal the part he is taking in the
Conspiracy & to ward off the consequences that would result to him
individually from its being known to us. This cunning, however is
not likely to avail him much, for his conduct has not passed
unnoticed and will be vigilantly looked after by us. - Still if any
farther method should occur to you of procuring information, and it
surely cannot be very difficult where a secret is entrusted into so
many hands, we desire you will not be sparing of the means of
obtaining it. -
In the present situation of affairs, we have no
proposals whatever to make to Mr. Daniell & after the repeated
proofs he has given of his bad faith, we have no inclination to
enter at all into treaty with him. Weston is now preparing the
Declaration for an Action against him and he may look to the
consequences. Still if Mr Vivian has full powers given him, not only
to treat, but to conclude for Consols, we are willing to empower you
to treat with him. But even upon this head his decision must be
speedy for we will not be fooled off until after the trial of
Maberley, which is doubtless his intended object. -
Mr. Reid's idea of not making us an offer lest it should
be binding upon the Adv[enture]rs, is of a piece with the rest of
their Actions. If the actual payment of the full Premium for
so long a time was not binding upon them (ie if they suppose it was
not) how can an offer become more so now? And if an offer is
binding upon them, is it not equally so upon us. We do not see why
the burden, if it is one, should be thrown upon our shoulders, as
they have more reason to cry out than we have. Besides have we not
already made an offer, viz yours of 11 Sep[tembe]r 1793, and would
you advise us to put ourselves again into the case to have our offer
rejected & then be told that although rejected, it is binding upon
us. This treatment is too humiliating & we have had too much of it
already. You will therefore please inform Mr. Reid that we have no
new proposal to make and above all that we do not even consider the
old one, as binding upon us, as it was not accepted by them. -
Still, that no misunderstanding may arise, it is proper to add, that
if the adventurers by a decisive resolution agree to adhere to that
proposal, we shall be willing to confirm it, provided their
determination is speedy, that is, within a fortnight or three weeks
from this time. -
From this & our former letter, [you] will perceive that
we have decidedly m[ade] up our minds to make no farther concessions
under the present circumstances. Independent of the prospect we now
have of a favourable turn in our affairs, we think we perceive that
these overtures are only made with a view to draw from us more
favourable conditions whilst the dread of a trial is impending over
us, but which will neither be accepted nor rejected by them until
the issue of that trial is known.
Our Mr. Watt is still in Scotland, but we know that
these are also his Sentiments.
We approve of what you have done with respect to Poldice
and remain
Dear Sir
Sincerely Yours
Boulton &
Watt
P.S. We have no
objection to your hinting to Mr. Reid that if the terms proposed by
you the 11 Sep[tembe]r 1793, are acceded to, we do not intend to
make any farther charge for any additional power they may stand in
need of, but on the contrary shall give them all the assistance in
our power ''gratis.'' -''
AD1583/9/49
Letter, Llewellin to
Wilson regarding
engine at Beerferris Mines, Bere Ferrers, Devon
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Nov 1796
Endorsed:
''Will[ia]m Llewellyn 11 Nov[embe]r 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Wilson, Brewery, Truro''
''Beerferris Mines near Tavistock Nov[embe]r 11. 1796.
Sir,
This is to inform you that I am about to rebuild an
Engine on this Mine (20 Inch[e]s diamet[e]r of Cylinder) which was
burn't down some Year's ago. Mr. Gullett paid Messrs Boulton & Watts
£10 p[er] Mo[nth] in lieu of Savings. Please to let me know by
return of Post if the same will be accepted from the present
Proprietor of the Mine.
I am for -
Rich[ar]d Crawshay Esq[uire],
Your most h[um]ble Serv[an]t,
W[illia]m Llewellin.
Mr. Murdock
(Redruth) is employed for erect[in]g the Engine and has been on the
Spot before. -''
AD1583/9/50
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson enclosing letter to William Murdock
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Nov 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r Nov[embe]r 16th 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Thomas
Wilson, Truro
Soho 16th Nov[embe]r 1796
Dear Sir
We have your respective favours of the 7th 8th & 9th
Inst[an]t which shall be more fully replied to another time. The
present is merely to hand you the inclosed and to request you will
immediately dispatch a proper person with it to Murdock. Mr.
Southern, Mr. Lawson and all our best hands are engaged from home,
so that we have nobody to direct the preparation of our Models &c
and it is necessary that we should have Murdocks assistance as early
as possible. -
R[ichar]d Mitchell & yourself will not be wanted before
the 3 or 4th Dec[embe]r and you will have timely notice. R. Mitchel
need not finish his Model, but may bring it up as it is. -
I am D[ea]r Sir
Yours
sincerely
J Watt Jun[io]r
Seal the
inclosed before you send it and observe secrecy''
AD1583/9/51
Letter, Llewellin to
Wilson regarding
premium for Beerferris Mines, Bere Ferrers, Devon
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
18 Nov 1796
Endorsed:
''W[illia]m Lewellyn Nov[ember] 18 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Wilson, Brewery, Truro''
''Beerferris Mines near Tavistock Nov[embe]r 18. 1796
Sir,
I received your Letter of the 13th inst[an]t - I wrote
you on the 11th concerning the premium of the Engine on this Mine,
which is £10 p[er] Mo[nth] as appears by Mr Gullett's Books. - I
have shew'n Mr. Pearson it is so. - The Agreement you will please to
make out as follows, (William Llewellin of Beerferris Mines, Devon,
Agent for Rich[ar]d Crawshay of Cyfarthfa Iron Works in the County
of Glamorgan Esq[ui]r[e].) The premium I think is rather high, but
If the Mine should happen to turn out unsuccessfull I expect we
shall have the same Indulgence as other Adventurers have in
Cornwall,
I am Sir,
Very
respectfully,
Your humble Serv[an]t,
W[illia]m
Llewellin''
AD1583/9/52
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
Wilson and Murdock going to London
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
22 Nov 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 22 Nov[embe]r 1796''
Addressed to: “Mr T Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho Nov[embe]r 22[n]d 1796
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
I am very sorry to hear of Mr Murdocks
accident, who must not think of coming here previous to his going to
London where if he is by the 3[r]d Dec[embe]r it will be soon
enough.
In respect to yourself, I hope nothing will hinder you
from coming, as nobody can swear for you, we request therefore you
will if any ways practicable pack yourself in a Chaise with
Murdock and Mitchel[l] & be in town by the 3[r]d - James is in
London & I shall be there on Sunday or Monday next. We neither value
the fire nor water gentlemen provided they let steam alone.
With best compliments to Mrs Wilson & other
friends I remain
Dear Sir
Yours
sincerely
James Watt
I am so bad with
the rheumatism in my arm I can scarcely write -''
AD1583/9/53
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding subpoenas for Wilson, Murdock and Mitchell
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 Nov 1796
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jun[io]r Nov[embe]r 24 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
Fenchurch Street 24 Nov[embe]r 1796
Dear Sir
Inclosed you have a subpœna for yourself and R[ichar]d
Mitchel[l] and Murdock. You will please to put it into Mr.
Edwards's, or if he is not at home, into some other Attorneys hands,
for the copies to be served immediately upon each of you &
your expences tendered. If Murdock is gone to Soho, let the Writ be
sent after him to be served there and be sure you lose no time in
forwarding it, as it must be returned here with as little delay as
possible.
It is necessary the Writ should be served & expences
tendered, to enable us to recover from Def[endan]ts. -
You must all be in town by the 4th Dec[embe]r at the
latest and you will find Lodgings provided at the Langbourne Coffee
house in this Street, where you will also find Witnesses assembled
from East, West, North & South. -
Defendants have this day been defeated in an attempt to
procure a trial at Bar. The chief Justice treated their
application very roughly, and Buller perfectly coincided with him in
opinion. Maberley & Hornblower are both at their Wits-end, and I
think I shall send them to keep you Company as I am informed you do
nothing but croak. I have been half determined in consequence
of your attempt to get off, not to allow you to appear as a
Witness upon this trial, as your despondency is enough to infect a
whole pannel of Witnesses. I therefore do request that you will
shake it off, before you make your appearance in town and not do us
more injury by your low spirits, than it is in the power of our
enemies to do with all their damned boasting and nonsense. -
I expect the rest of the Sohoites here about the same
time with yourself, as there is only me here at present, so little
do we think of this formidable bugbear.
With kindest respects to Mrs. Wilson
I remain D[ea]r Sir Yours sincerely
Ja[me]s
Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/9/54
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Trevithick's reaction to being served with an Injunction
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
26 Dec 1796
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w Boulton 26 Dec[embe]r 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Croyden n[ea]r London Decem[be]r 26 – 1796
Dear Sir
I hope this will find you perfectly recov[er]d from the
fateagues of your journey & the better for it. an opportunity offers
of sending this Letter to Town but I must be very short.
Woodward found Trevethick [Trevithick] & his Friends at a publick
House faceing my Manufactory & deliverd to him ye Injunction which
he rec[ei]v[d] with much surprise particularly as he thought nobody
knew him. He seemed much aggitated & Vexed however he afterwards
went w[i]th Bull & Andrew Vivian to dine with Simon at the Foundry
where he found our Men fireing of Canonons & rejoicing at our
Victory w[hi]ch took away his appetite from his dinner. Andrew was
admitted to see the Foundry & Manufact[or]y but not the others.
It is rather curious that although ye Injunction could not be served
in Cornwall, I should run into the Lyons Mouth & afterwards go to
Dine w[i]th the Man that they had Banished from Cornwall. They
afterwards went to Colebrook dale [Coalbrookdale, Shropshire] but
know not their reception.
We have had a Consultation w[i]th our Council & find all right and
safe - We advise you to assume an air of Mystery & Secrecy & when
you are asked questions Nod your head look wise & drop dark inuendos
- such as you see.
Time will bring truth to Light & shew whoes right.
My respects to Mrs. Wilson - farewell.
Yours sincerely
M
Boulton''
AD1583/9/55
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Maberley, Trevithick and Murdock
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Dec 1796
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 30 Dec[embe]r 1796''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. T. Wilson
Truro
Soho 30 Dec[embe]r 1796
Dear Sir
I hope that you and your companion have reached home in
safety. I almost expected to have heard from you, but as you are
probably under the idea that the whole Company of us are still in
London, I presume you have directed your letters thither. I left
town two days after you & as yet, am the only one returned.
Maberley has discharged his men & broke up his
establishment. He sent a message, before I left town, to say, that
if we did not come to some compromise with him, he should persevere
until he brought the matter before the house of Lords. We replied
briefly, that the message was too ridiculous to deserve an answer.
His friends say, that this Engineering business will have cost him
first & last, not less than £8000, which I think extremely probable.
-
I should be glad to hear what the Cornish worthies now
say to it and whether they propose paying any part of this poor
devil's expences. Also, how Bull & Trevithick do after their Journey
and whether the latter bears the Injunction with fortitude and
bravely sets calamity at defiance. Such accumulations of disgrace as
fell on his devoted head scarcely ever happened to any Mortal
before. After having escaped the Injunction for a twelvemonth, to be
served with it at the very door of the parties he had injured; &
afterwards, whilst he was dining at the house of a Man whom his
brutality had expelled from Cornwall, to be entertained with the
festive rejoicings of our men at the victory which we had obtained
over him & his employers, must have excited sensations in his mind,
(if it is capable of any) little preferable to those of the damned.
-
I am sorry to say that Murdock has been confined to his
room ever since he came here with a return of his fever & I cannot
say that I think he mends at all rapidly. He does not wish his
relations to be informed about [it?]. Therefore you will please not
to mention it. He is in my house & regularly attended by a
physician. I shall take care that no assistance shall be wanting in
case he does not mend. He seems uneasy lest he should be wanted in
Cornwall; please to inform me whether there is any pressing
necessity for his return.
With respect to all our litigated affairs in Cornwall, I
presume you will act up to your Instructions and if applied to,
inform the parties that you have nothing more to do with them, and
that any application must be made direct from them to us, or to
Messrs Weston. -
I beg my best respects to Mrs. Wilson and your family &
remain
D[ea]r
Sir
Yours sincerely
J Watt
Jun[io]r
P.S. I shall be
obliged to you to collect what Premiums & Cash are owing to us from
the Mines that pay & remit it as soon as you can, for our scarcity
of money still continues. -''
AD1583/9/56
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Daniell and Maberley
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
11 Jan 1797
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 11 Jan[uar]y 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. T. Wilson
Truro
Soho 11 January 1796. [“should be 1797” has been added in pencil]
Dear Sir
I duly received your favours of the 3rd & 6th Inst[an]t,
but have hardly time to write you in reply, as Mr. Ewart has left us
for good, and Murdock also set out on his return on Sunday last,
being so much mended in his health, that I believe I may almost say
he is quite recovered. He will stay a few days at Beerferries &
perhaps also at Bristol. I shall be glad to learn from you the news
of his safe arrival and hope he will hasten his return hither, as he
would be of signal service whilst we are getting forward our
Machinery, lathes &c. This I have endeavoured so strongly to impress
upon his mind, that I hope he will not forget it. - He has promised
me that his absence from hence shall not exceed a Month.
The whole of our party are now returned from town, but
bring no news of any consequence. Maberley, it seems, grows daily
less presumptuous, but we presume maintains his Intention of
carrying us on to the house of Lords. - We shall lead him such a
dance as he has but little idea of, although he might form some
faint idea of the future from the past, if he would allow himself
time to reflect upon his misfortunes. - I rejoice exceedingly that
Daniell is in for part of Maberley's expences. I wish only that he
had to pay the whole. That worthy gentleman will very soon now have
to appear as a principal himself, instead of lurking like a cowardly
knave in the background. In the different actions we have to bring,
we shall honour him with the preference, indeed his claims upon our
favour, are such, that we shall honour him with an uniform
precedency and marked distinction in all our future transactions
with Cornwall. -
It is well that Hornblowers people begin to be alarmed.
I know not how soon Mr. Weston may judge it expedient to begin upon
them, but sooner or later their turn will come. In the mean time,
the best way will be not to say much about it, but leave them to
follow the devices of their own hearts. I also recomend the same
council for Bull & Trevithick, who will, if left to themselves, soon
get involved in such difficulties, that the Ingenuity of Messrs
Gryll[s] & Wallis will be hard put to it, to extricate them.
I am glad to learn that Mr. Kevill is better & that R.
Mitchel meets with no molestation. If the Adve[nture]rs in United
Mines chuse to stop the Mine, so be it. It is no fault of ours, and
they may look to the consequences! -
Give my best respects to Mrs. Wilson & your family &
believe me
D[ea]r Sir
Yours
sincerely
J Watt Junior''
AD1583/9/57
Letter, Llewellin to
Wilson regarding
construction of the Engine House at Beerferris Mine, Bere Ferrers,
Devon
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Jan 1797
Endorsed:
''Will[ia]m Llewellin 16 Jan[uar]y 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Beerferris Mines Jan[ua]ry 16 1797
Sir ./.
I have your favor of the 8th inclosing D[raf]t of
Agreement, which I have forwarded to Mr Craushay for his Sanction,
after that shall return it to you as requested, also answer about
buying the Furnace Bottoms of the Roundwood Lead Co[mpany]. - If Mr.
Murdock cannot make it convenient to call upon me in his return from
London, he may spare himself the Trouble as we are in Possession of
the Drawings belonging to the Engine which were left with Mr
Gullett, we have been much retarded with a Continuance of very bad
weather with our building, but we have the Engine House nearly to
the second Floor and in the Course of 2 Mo[n]t[hs] hope to get her
drawing Water.
I remain, Sir,
Your most humble Serv[an]t,
W Llewellin''
AD1583/9/58
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Thomas Wilson junior's employment
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
28 Jan 1797
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
Soho foundry 28 Jan[uar]y 1797
Dear Sir
Being about to adopt some alterations in our Counting
houses, such as increasing the number of Clerks and regulating their
different employments, it will be necessary that we should know your
intentions with respect to your son Tom that we may be guided by
them accordingly. We are every way satisfied with his conduct &
attention to business, and should be glad to find that your views &
ours so far coincide, as to enable us to reckon upon his continuance
with us for some years, but in this we do not wish in any manner to
biass your judgement, or to ask of you to alter any other plan,
which you may have conceived for his greater advantage. Our only
desire is that we should now clearly understand one another and with
this view we shall state our sentiments openly.
One of the alterations, we should propose making, would
be the removal of your Son from Soho to the foundry & making him
there, for the present, an assistant clerk. He would be in that case
principally employed in taking account of the men's time, weighing
out & in, settling accounts &c, and would have every opportunity of
obtaining a thorough knowledge of all the departments of the Foundry
business and of Engine making. We are principally induced to think
of this situation for him on account of its obliging him to be much
out of doors & to take frequent exercise, as his present confinement
to the writing desk does not seem to agree with him. We should be
willing in such a situation to give him an annually increasing
salary, proportioned to his years & to his services; but in return
we should expect either that he should remain with us the usual time
of an apprentice, or that you & he should engage for his not
afterwards entering upon any business that we might consider to
clash with ours. The latter condition seems to us not desirable
either on his, or our own Account, as he would be mispending his
time in learning what he could not afterwards make use of & indeed
we doubt whether in law or equity an engagement of that kind would
be, or ought to be, binding. - On the other hand you must be well
aware that if you have any intention of his becoming a partner or
manager of any Iron works & making use there of the knowledge he has
acquired here, it is right we should have some equivalent and this
we should expect to find in the length of his service. - We have no
objection to his remaining in his present situation at Soho for any
period either long or short, as it may please yourself, & without
laying him under any restriction whatever as to future employment;
but we hardly think that it will tend to his improvement in any
thing but the mere art of bookkeeping & we should think it more
beneficial for him to learn the foundery business, or some other,
which he may himself practice hereafter.
These are our sentiments upon the subject in which we
have as much your Son's Interest as our own in view. We submit them
to you to decide upon. We have not said a word upon the subject to
your Son & shall not do, until we are authorized by you and we wish
you solely to consider his advantage in making up your mind upon the
subject. With best respects to Mrs. Wilson & family
I remain D[ea]r Sir
Yours faithfully
For B&W
J Watt Jun[io]r''
AD1583/9/59
Letter, G Watt to
Wilson regarding
engine at Wheal Jewel, St Day
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
Feb 1797
Endorsed:
''G. Watt Feb[ruar]y 1798''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Wilson, Truro''
''Penzance
Feb[ruar]y 1797
Dear Sir
I send the paper which was wanted when I was at Truro by
the Messrs Wedgewoods - I have been with Carne who is very willing
that Murdock should build the Engine at Wheal Jewel - He says he
never had any conversation with Trevithick about it except once when
T[revithick] offered a boiler he has at somewhere or other for £250
or 200 if permitted to erect the Engine - As to Premium Carne says
he expects (which I dont believe) that the Engine will work double
next winter but will enter your letter in the books as it stands -
and trust to B&W for any allowance they may chuse to make in that
case -
Comp[limen]ts to Mrs. W[ilson]. & Tom - & other members of your
family. I hope you are in better health than when I saw you last - I
staid at Trevenson on Wednesday - the night was dreadful - My things
have not come -
I remain your obliged & humble Serv[an]t
G[regory] Watt''
AD1583/9/60
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
William Murdock's illness and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
8 Feb 1897
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt 8 Feb[ruar]y 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho Feb[ruar]y 8 1797
Mr. Thomas Wilson
Dear Sir
We have yours of the 1st 3[r]d and 4th. The contents of
the 1st have not been communicated to Thomas as our young men are
absent & I did not chuse to interfere. The Pamphlet you mention was
duly received but seems unworthy of an answer. The hearing in Common
Pleas has been deferred but it is hoped will come on this term;
there were three judges on the bench when the motion was made for a
new trial & two of them spoke in our favour. Our Lawyers give us
reason to hope that we will carry our point in the argument. I am
very sorry to find that Mr. Murdock continues ill & beg he will take
care of himself and not hurry himself about coming here. John
Williams shall be wrote to.
Be so good as inform us what are the symptoms of Mr.
Murdocks disease. Your last letter has been communicated to our
young men at London. I must intreat Mr. Murdock not to vex himself
about our affairs whatever comes of them but at present we have no
reason to despair. We have today a letter from W[illia]m Teague of
Redruth wanting to know the price of a 63 inch cylinder for
Pednandrea [mine, Redruth] cast iron &c premium included which
please inform him shall be answered as soon as our sons come home.
He seems however to have mistaken what Mr. Murdock said to him but
that we shall rectify in our letter to him.
In regard to health all here pretty well, though I am
much plagued with pains in my stomach. I have no other news, except
that all here are much out of heart at the late successes of the
French in Italy which threaten a continuance of their malicious
intentions towards this nation - I remain
Dear Sir
Yours
sincerely
James Watt''
AD1583/9/61
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding the ‘Quicksilver Question’
Item
1 sheet
Manuscript
1797
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Weston writes
that the Quicksilver Question was heard on Thursday before the Chief
Justice & was killed, knocked up for ever. - But he says,
that our adversaries petitioned for a new trial, upon the ground
that, in the 5th Count of the Declaration (upon which we took the
verdict) it is not stated that the Patent is either for an Engine
or a Method, but generally for an Invention. The Chief
Justice granted a Rule to shew cause why there should not be a new
trial; but Weston says it is all a Humbug & the Trial will certainly
not be granted. If it is it will be great iniquity, although we hope
& believe the issue would again be the same. -
The inclosed may be forwarded per post or when
convenient.''
AD1583/9/62
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding Motion for new trial
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Feb 1797
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 9 Feb[ruar]y 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Dear Sir
A copy of your letter of the 4th Ins[tan]t has been
forwarded hither from which I observe the alarms that the Cornish
Junto have endeavoured to excite. -
The Rule to shew Cause why there should not be another
Trial, has not yet been argued, owing to the usual delays of
Counsel. We hope it will come on tomorrow and have little doubt
that the event will be such as we would wish. Our Counsel treat the
matter as quite frivolous and I believe it is merely a devise to put
off the payments of Costs. It has however procured Mr. Daniell a
momentary respite as we cannot now bring in his business before next
term, say the Month of May. -
Should any thing important occur tomorrow, you shall be
informed. - You need not address any letter to this place, as we
shall probably return on Sunday.
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
J Watt Jun[io]r
London 9th Feb[ruar]y 1797''
AD1583/9/63
Letter, M R Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Motion for new trial
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
13 Feb 1797
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w Rob[inso]n Boulton 13 Feb[ruar]y 1797 -''
Addressed to: ''Mr T Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London Feb[ruar]y 13th 1797
Mr Wilson
Dear Sir
The prophecies of Daniel[l] & his
assocciates have again failed & in future, judging from the past,
you may consider his rantings as the prelude to our success - We
have indeed discovered a change of opinion in the judges but
unfortunately for Mr Hornblowers prediction it appears that Justice
Heath is the convert, at least in this days argument he not only
acceded to the L[or]d Chiefs opinion, but supported it personally by
his own argument.
The ingenuity of Mr Serj[ean]t Le Blanc has proved
abortive & this motion for a new tryal which was to have been so
pregnant with mischief to us, has been disposed of in the most
satisfactory manner to ourselves - Judgement must now follow in
spite of all their chicanery & their last attempt has only availed
them in two of the most trivial points. The Specification which in
point of fact is already inserted in the record is to be put upon it
in form & we have offered to take our verdict upon the 2nd instead
of the 5th Point. This last alteration appears so little desirable
to them that they hesitate to accept it - Upon the whole the issue
of this business we consider as a second triumph & tho[ugh] we are
fully aware we are not to expect anything from the honor or even
prudence of Daniel[l] & his Associates we now defy their malice -
The retribution for their villainy may be somewhat deferr[e]d by
their expensive struggles, but to that they must come at last -
Please to communicate the joyful tidings to Murdock &
with respectful compliments to Mrs Wilson & family
Believe
D[ea]r Sir
Yours sincerely
M.
Rob[inso]n Boulton''
AD1583/9/64
Letter, M R Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Motion for new trial being turned down
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 Feb 1797
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w R[obinson] Boulton 19th Feb[ruar]y 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr T Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho Feb[ruar]y 19th 1797
Mr Wilson
D[ea]r Sir
I am sorry that your joy upon our late
success should have suffered any damp from the ambiguity of my
Letter. I will endeavour to give a satisfactory explanation of the
doubts you suggest in your's of the 15th Ins[tan]t. You will
recollect that the Motion was to shew cause why there should not be
a new trial but the real intention of it was to obtain a Special
Verdict or in default of that to load the record with such
extraneous matter as might give the Def[endan]ts scope for special
Pleading quibbles & objections. In both of these points they have
been disappointed, the rule for the new trial being discharged &
judgement upon a general Verdict entered for the Plaint[iff]s
the insertion of the specification in the record is as I mentioned
to you totally immaterial & the substitution of the 2nd in lieu of
the 5th Count is equally so - We are thus in possession of a
general verdict unincumbered & are now at liberty to file our
declarations ag[ains]t Daniel & others which you may be persuaded
will not be unnecessarily postponed. The delay we allude to regards
the payment of Costs, our demands of premium being already satisfied
- If the enemy thinks the prospect of success in the King's Bench a
sufficient inducement to incur the expences of a writ of Error, they
may be driven to that expedient to defer the day of reckoning as we
apprehend they find it very inconvenient to make the necessary
disburshments at this time. Such a step on their part will neither
be a matter of surprise nor alarm to us, we are perfectly prepared
to meet them there & we have reason to believe their reception
before L[or]d Kenyon will not encourage them to appear before the
House of Lords. Should they resort to this measure it will not
effect our proceedings ag[ains]t Daniel, who probably will not be so
much pleased with the part of a principal Actor as that of Prompter.
We wish to know whether the adven[ture]rs in Consols have protested
ag[ains]t the payment of the law costs & whether in case that Daniel
is attacked singly he will be supported by Harris & his party - Has
Grylls & his Clients adjusted their differences & have you yet
learnt with any certainty what have been the cornish contributions
to the support of Maberley?
We think the Wheal Ramoth Adven[ture]rs have had sufficient time for
consideration & we shall be glad to learn the result of their
deliberations.
Your letter of the 17th is just come to hand & your observations
respecting Mr Tyack will have their due influence in our negotiation
with that gentleman. -
Murdocks better state of health gives us all much pleasure & we
sincerely hope he will not retard his recovery by his own
negligence. - Our best respects to Mrs Wilson & family & we remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely for B&W
M. R Boulton
P.S. Upon the
whole we beg you to understand that the last decision of the Court
have left us nothing to desire; it has placed us in a more favorable
predicament than we had reason to expect & in the most favorable
that it is in the power of the Court to grant -''
AD1583/9/65
Letter,
Cheshire to
Wilson regarding request for Thomas Wilson to go to Birmingham
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
27 Feb 1797
Endorsed:
''Will[ia]m Cheshire 27 Feb[ruar]y 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Tho[ma]s
Wilson
Sir
Mr. Boulton being under the
necessity of going out, has directed me to inform you that, he
wishes you to make your road through Birm[ingha]m, as he thinks it
probable that the Birm[ingha]m business will now be settled, & he
hopes you will do him the fav[ou]r to take a bed at Soho.
I am, for Mr Boulton
Sir
Your ob[edien]t Serv[an]t
W[illia]m Cheshire
Soho Feb[ruar]y 27th 1797''
AD1583/9/66
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
his need for 50 tons of copper
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
4 Mar 1797
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w Boulton 4 March 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr Tho[ma]s
Wilson
Soho March 4 – 1797
Dear Sir
I send this for the Chance of finding you at home & at
the same time to tell you that you will probably not find me at home
as I mean to set out this day to London.
I am disapointed of about 50 Ton of Copper & wish for your advice &
assistance in procuring it at a reasonable price to be paid for in a
Bill at 2 Mo[nths] upon delivery at Soho or Birm[in]g[ha]m.
Q[ue]r[ent] can Fenton & Co[mpany]
can Foxes
can Edwards
or any other person you know furnish me with 50 or 100 Tons in what
time, & at what price
I shall obtain a prolongation of the time for delivery of my Coin,
of some Months; but how many I can't tell till I arive in Town
As you will probably not see Mr Edwards before your departure I beg
you will Seal & send the inclosed to him
Since writing the above I have attended the Rose Copper Co[mpany]
who Resolved that ye Committee are disposed to purchase the Works
of Messrs Fenton & Co[mpany] if they can do it on advantageous terms,
but the Chairman will write you.
I am in g[rea]t hast
dear Sir
Yours
sincerely
M. Boulton''
AD1583/9/67
Letter, T
Wilson junior to
Wilson regarding shortage of copper at Birmingham
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
6 Mar 1797
Endorsed:
''Tho[ma]s Wilson Jun[io]r for B.&.W. 6 March 1797 -''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho 6th March 1797
Dear Father /
You will perhaps be surprized at receiving another
letter from me, but since I wrote last we find there is no Copper of
any kind to be got at Birming[ha]m, you will please therefore
procure 5 Tons more of Cake, but if any can be got cheaper, of an
inferior kind to the tough Cake, it will answer the purpose equally
well, as this last is for melting down into Brasse - If my Father
should have left home William will forward this as soon as possible
as we are in immediate want of it -
Meanwhile I remain -
Your truly affect[ionat]e Son -
Tho[ma]s Wilson -
for Boulton &Watt -''
AD1583/9/68
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
copper embargo
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
7 Mar 1797
Endorsed:
''Mat[the]w Boulton 7 March 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London March 7 [17]97
Dear Sir
I forgot to inclose my letter to Edwards in my last but
I sent it to him p[e]r post. I now beg leave to lay an Embargo upon
all the Copper which you have any power over & all w[hi]ch Messrs
Fox's or any other friends have any power over as I will make the
paym[en]t & the price perfectly agreeable to you, although I must
tell you that Gov[ernmen]t have layd an Embargo upon the
Exportation of Copper as it is a Warlike Store & this you may be
assured is ye fact neither will they suffer the East India Co[mpany]
to purchase more at present. - What I write to you on Copper I beg
you will not say one word of to Mr W[illia]ms for many reasons but I
know he will ask you - I dined w[i]th him yesterday.
I am in g[rea]t hast
D[ea]r S[i]r
Yours sincerely
M.
Boulton''
AD1583/9/69
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding meeting with Mr Trevenen
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Mar 1797
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 9 March 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. T. Wilson
Truro
Soho
9th March 1797
Dear Sir
Inclosed is a letter for Mr. Trevenen which please seal
& forward, writing to him at the same time yourself to sollicit a
meeting. We trust that no difficulty can occur in the settlement of
this affair.
Mr. Weston is preparing his Actions against the other
Refractory Mines. -
If any thing new occurs, shall be glad to hear it. We
hope that Murdock is set out by this time. We have not yet written
to Mr. Williams about him but intend doing so & soon. We are
Dear Sir
Yours faithfully
for Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r.
P.S. I inclose
the letter to Mr. Williams, which please seal & forward. -''
AD1583/9/70
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding various matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
9 Mar 1797
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r 9 March 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
Soho 9th March 1797
Dear Sir
Nothing particular having occurred, we have not sooner
acknowledged receipt of your favours of the 17th & 28th Ult[im]o. -
We have had a letter from Mr. Vivian about Poldice
Premium, which we cannot answer until we have consulted Mr. Boulton
who is in London. -
Please inform us whether you have, or are likely to have
any Copper of ours in hand, as it does not occur to us at present,
whether we desired you to sell all our Ores, or only part of them.
We are in want of some for our own use. Please to say where any is
to be had & at what price. -
We observe that you have deferred your journey, we wish
however that Mr. Murdock should not delay his, as we are now
standing still for him. -
We defer settling with your Son until you come, as there may be some
matters to talk over. -
We intend writing to Mr. Trevenen in a Post or two &
shall inclose the letter to you. -
We remain
D[ea]r Sir
Your ob[edien]t Serv[an]ts
for Boulton & Watt
J Watt Jun[io]r.
P.S. We have
also a letter from Mr. Jenkins which remains unanswered for the
reason above assigned.''
AD1583/9/71
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
puchases of copper
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
16 Mar 1797
Endorsed:
''Mr Boulton 16 Mar[ch] 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson of Cornwall, at the Bush Tavern,
Bristol''
''Dear Sir
I send this for the Chance of meeting you at Lands to
beg you will pick me up all the Copper you can at Bristol, I have
bought at 102£ deliv[ere]d at Stourport
D[itt]o at 104 deliv[ere]d at Bristol
& have bo[ugh]t at 105 all Mr Thomass & that is the Highest but
sooner than Miss a good Lott I w[oul]d give 106 deliv[er]d at
Stourport.
I shall be at home on Saturday even[in]g & hope to find you at Soho
- You must not leave Birm[in]g[ha]m till I have seen you for you
will not agree w[i]th the Rose Co[mpany] unless I assist you -
respects to Murdock.
ex[cu]s[e] hast
Yours sincerely
M.
Boulton
London
ye 16 March [17]97
Mr Tho[ma]s
Wilson of Cornwall
at the Bush Tavern in Bristol''
AD1583/9/72
Letter, A
J & G Weston to
Wilson regarding return of subpœna
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
23 Mar 1797
Endorsed:
''A. G. & J. Weston 23rd Mar[ch] 1797''
Addressed to: ''Tho[ma]s Wilson Esq[ui]r[e], Truro, Cornwall''
''Sir
Boulton & Watt v[ersus] Hornblower & an[othe]r
We
request you will forward to us as early as convenient an Affidavit
of the Service of a S[u]bp[œn]a in this Cause on yourself and Mr
Mitchel[l] which Mr Warren may prepare. The Subpœna we apprehend
was sent to you by Messrs Boulton & Watt from Birmingham and served
by Mr. Warren, as it has never been returned to us.
We are Sir,
Your
most obed[ien]t Serv[an]ts,
A J & G Weston.
Fenchurch Street
23rd March 1797''
AD1583/9/73
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
copper
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
30 Mar 1797
Endorsed:
''Mr Boulton March 30 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, of Truro, The care of Mess[rs]
Boldero Adey &c [Boldero, Adey, Lushington & Boldero of Cornhill],
Bankers London''
''Dear Sir
I write this for the chance of finding you in London 1st
to tell you that our three Ambassadors set out yesterday afternoon
with full powers to settle with Fenton & Co[mpany] so soon as they
have inspected the works & I suppose Mr Villers wrote to you & Mr
Townend to that effect.
I bought 30 Ton of Irish Copper which Mr T Holbrooks
says is refind so high that it will neither forge or Rolle &
consequently cant be used by me untill it is remelted & as I am in
instantanious Want of it I have desired him to remelt it & that I
would be answerable to Fenton & Co[mpany] for all blame & all
expences as I fear I shall loose the sale of a considerable quantity
of Coin for want of Copper timenough.
I have rec[eive]d no orders from Gov[ernmen]t yet however I have as
many orders for Exportation as will serve me for 4 Mo[nths].
I believe I have bought 500£ worth of Copper ore pray
could you smelt it for me as I could deliver it in 2 or 3 Weeks at
Swansea.
Ex[cu]s[e] hast & believe
Yours sincerely
M
Boulton
Soho
March 30 1797''
AD1583/9/74
Letter, Brown to
Wilson regarding
receipt of moneys
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
15 Apr 1797
Endorsed:
''W D Brown Apr[i]l 15 1797''~
Addressed to: “Mr. Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro''
''Mr. Tho[ma]s
Wilson
Sir
The Forty pounds I have this day Receiv[e]d
as well as the Forty pound you some little time since paid to Mr
Boulton are placed to the Smelting Account of Tho[ma]s Fenton
Esq[ui]r[e] & The Yorkshire Copper Comp[an]y against Mr Boultons two
Shares.
I am
Sir
Your very h[um]ble Serv[an]t
W[illia]m D Brown
Soho April 15th 1797''
AD1583/9/75
Letter, Tippet to
Wilson regarding
Consolidated Mines protest
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
14 May 1797
Endorsed:
''Ja[me]s Tippet with Copy of Consols Protest May 18 1797''
Addressed to: ''Tho[ma]s Wilson Esq[uire], Truro''
''Falmo[uth] 14 May
1797
Dear Sir
On the other half sheet you have a copy of the Protest
delivered the Consols - Trestrail said he had received no orders &
further that he had signed the Resolutions for Messrs Vivian &
Walker as had Ste[phen] Pearse for Sir William Lemon. I think you
sho[ul]d write Mr Vivian about signing in which Case I will prepare
another notice & deliver it & am
Dear Sir
Your very ob[edien]t Servant,
Ja[me]s Tippet
Tho[ma]s Wilson
Esq[uire]
[next page]
Having read the
Resolution of Ralph Allen Daniel[l] Esquire and other Adventurers in
the Consolidated Mines dated the tenth of March Ultimo whereby the
Purser of these Mines is directed to call on Messieurs Bolton and
Watt for the Arrear of Cost due from them amounting to Three
thousand nine Hundred and thirty four Pounds thirteen Shillings and
one penny half penny and if not immediately settled to apply to the
Vice Warden to stop any further Delivery of Ores to those
Adventurers (the said Boulton and Watt) until the Account is
balanced.
We the undersigned Adventurers in the said Consolidated
Mines conceive the above Resolution is defective in as much as the
purser of the said Mines is not thereby directed to allow the said
Messieurs Bolton and Watt the Amount of the Premiums due to them
from the said mines in respect to the Fire Engines thereon erected
by the said Boulton and Watt - And we do hereby declare that it is
our wish and desire that the said Account should be settled in a
just and equitable manner by allowing to the said Boulton and Watt
the premiums they may consent to on account of the Circumstances of
the Mines - And [bein?]g apprehensive that if the aforesaid just
Allowances be not made to [the sa?]id Boulton and Watt the
Adventurers in these Mines will be [?]d in Litigation and expence -
We do hereby Protest [?] any share in such Litigation and against
bein[g held?] responsible for any part of the Expence or other
consequences [which?] may be occasioned thereby -
Dated the 10th
day of May 1797
Witness to the signing of John Williams, Thomas Wilson, Silvanus
Jenkins & Robert Were Fox, W Hawking
Witness to the signing of Geo[rge] Fox and Charles Scott, J Tippet
For Fra[nci]s
Rodd Esq[ui]re, Mrs Wallis and the Rev[eren]d H[enr]y Hawkins
Tremayne} John Williams
For Jno [John] Wilkinson Esq[uir]e, Mr Ja[me]s Stockdale & self
Tho[ma]s Wilson
Silvanus Jenkings
For Geo[rge] C. Fox & Sons, Tho[ma]s Latter & E[xecuto]rs of W
Dashwood
Rob[er]t W Fox
For Sir W[illia]m Lemon Bar[one]t, Charles Scott
For Ja[me]s Harford & Co [and] G.C.G.P A T Fox} Geo[rge] Fox''
AD1583/9/76
Letter, M R Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Consolidated Mines Protest
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
19 May 1797
Endorsed:
''Mr Boulton Jun[io]r May 19 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr T Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr
Wilson
Soho May 19th 1797
Dear Sir
We have your several favors of the 25th &
30th Ulti[m]o & 15th Ins[tan]t the latter accompanying Copy of the
Protest of the Consolid[ate]d Mines. It is very proper that Mr
Vivian should be put to the test as his conduct hitherto appears to
us rather inconsistent. Under the present circumstances your system
of Taciturnity is the most prudent that can be pursued, it might
probably have been as well to have adhered to it in the instance of
Messrs Foxes request. Surely their precaution was rather uncalled
for after we have confided in & acted upon the simple intimation of
their intentions towards us - In future should any similar
applications be made to you we wish such scrupilous gentlemen to be
informed that we consider their signings more as an act of prudence
on their part than of favor to us & at all events if they are not
prompted to do it by their own sense of honour we shall not induce
them by promises of concessions - Such secret contracts may be
detrimental to our law proceedings & of course we wish to avoid
making any declarations in writing as they may fall into
improper hands. Wh[ea]l Ramoth business may sleep for the present;
£25 p[e]r Month is certainly better than nothing but let your
receipts be cautiously worded & by no means accept it as payment in
full.
Mr Moyles reports may on this occasion be better founded
than usual, as a partizan of our adversaries he may perhaps be
acquainted with their intentions, tho' we believe they scarcely know
themselves what conduct to pursue - You know in the present state of
our proceedings it remains with them to bring forward the discussion
of the business in another court. They have as we expected given
notice of their intentions to do so, but in a manner that does not
indicate that they are anxious to bring it to a decision.
When any thing of moment occurs in our law business you may depend
on being advised of it & in the interim we beg you not be warped by
the ridiculous reports of Moyle or the still more ridiculous
boastings of Daniel[l] - We learn from R Mitchel that Bull &
Trevithick are constant attendants at the United Mines & that they
have offer[e]d proposals for the erection of their new Engine. We
wish their motions to be observ[e]d but not disturbed; by giving
them length of rope we have no doubt but they will get entangled &
the injunction may be enforced when they least expect it -
We are concerned to learn that your complaints have not
yet left you & we sincerely wish your next letter may bring us more
favorable accounts of your health -
We remain
Dear Sir
Your obed[ien]t hunb[le] serv[an]ts
For Boulton & Watt
M.
Rob[inso]n Boulton''
AD1583/9/77
Letter, Watt to
Wilson regarding
the health of Thomas Wilson junior and other matters
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 May 1797
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt May 24 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Soho May 24th 1797
Mr Wilson /
Dear Sir
It having been reported to me that your Son
Thomas did not recover his health as was expected I sent for him
yesterday & found from his account of himself that he was
considerably mended though still weak & thin. The Yorkshire medicine
was too violent & if had been persisted in w[oul]d have demolished
him, the medicines he takes at present are very gentle & he finds he
can reduce the dose weekly, so that I hope with the help of the
present fine weather he will soon be reestablished.
Our difficulties in money matters seem to increase from
the delay of payments; we hope you have got some monies of ours in
your hands now & will make us a remittance very soon, As you have
disposed of the copper works on which you gave us a security would
it not be right to make us an absolute assignment, that we might
receive the monies when due,a reason might be given to the company
of our having made you advances on that account. I forgot what you
told me of the state of the property at present & shall thank you
for information, at any rate you will see that it will be proper to
invest us with some other security, as this must cease with the
partnership. I should have spoke to you on this head when here but
other disagreable subjects being started. I did not like to distress
you too much at once, and indeed the state of my own health debarred
me from much exertion.
You have been informed of the state of our law affairs,
the adversaries counsel understand the art of quibbling and
procuring delay so well that I doubt that nothing decisive can be
done this term nor perhaps the next, we shall however watch them
closely & if we can, prevent their gaining any thing but time.
I beg to be kindly remembered to Mrs Wilson & family and
remain
Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
James Watt
Please send us
account of monies received on our acc[oun]t since last statement''
AD1583/9/78
Letter, Boulton to
Wilson regarding
copper coinage and His Majesty's Warrant
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
24 May 1797
Endorsed:
''Mr Boulton May 24 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr Tho[ma]s Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London May 24 – 1797
Dear Sir
I have pleasure to tell you that I have this day receivd
his Majestys Warrent to which is annexed his sign Manual & ye great
Seal empowering me to execute the present intended Copper Coinage &
for that purpose I shall return home at ye end of the present week &
set about it with Spirit I have secured the whole of the Copper
wanted & even more haveing been tempted to purchase a considerable
quantity this day at 102.
I mentioned to you when last at Birm[in]g[ha]m that I wanted the
assistance of an honest, active, good temperd, common-sense young
Man dureing my present Coinage pray could not you spare me one of
your Sons. I think William & I should agree very well & I am
persuaded he would very soon be usefull to me and at the same time a
Change of Scene & employment would tend to improve him pray consult
him upon that head & let me know derectly as I must immediately fill
up all the Mint departments.
I know not what orders you or Christo have rece[iv]d for
buying Ores for the Rose Co[mpany] but I think it necessary to
inform you that they contracted with me 6 Weeks ago to supply me
with ten Tons of Tough Cake p[e]r Week none of which I
rece[ive]d neither did I mean to press them to the delivery of any
part, untill I could be supplyd with Copper of Holbrooks refineing
for I assure you the Copper smelted by the Mines Royal will neither
stand the test required by the Kings Comptroler (who is to reside at
Soho) nor the Common test of Rolling. I therefore wish you &
Mr Christo would take care to deliver Copper at the Swansea Works
sufficient to employ the hands so soon as they have swept up their
Rooms & Closed their employment with Fenton & Co[mpany].
I will thank you to tell Mr Thomas (vice Warden) that I have lately
been so much hurryd, by my own business, by Gover[n]m[en]t business,
& by assisting in frameing Laws for the Preventing of Counterfeiting
the Coin of this & other Countrys, that I have not had it in my
power to answer his last letter but please to inform him I shall
make no difficulty in takeing the 5 Ton of Copper he mentions upon
the same terms as before & as to what relates to the Engine business
of him & his partner I have turnd over that part of his
letter to Boulton Watt & Sons to answer which I suppose they have
done.
I likewise receivd a letter from Mr Stackhouse who is a Gentleman I
much esteem & whom I should have much pleasure in Serving or
obligeing. but as the Engine indulgence he requests will probably
extend to the y[ea]r 1780 & as we have rece[iv]d so many marks of
the honour & liberality of some of his partners I have for
the same reason left that business to be settled by my partners.
With kindest respects to Mrs. Wilson I remain with esteem
Dear Sir Yours sincerely
M.
Boulton
If it is
agreeable to you & Will[ia]m for him to come to Soho it must be
almost directly dont forgett to inform Mr Thomas as it will save me
writing''
AD1583/9/79
Letter, M R Boulton to
Wilson regarding
Trevithick's application
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 Jun 1797
Endorsed:
''M R B June 2 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr T. Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''London Street June 2nd
1797
Mr T Wilson
Dear Sir
I was sorry to find upon my arrival here a
few days ago that the protest of the Cons[o]ls Adv[enture]rs had not
been sent to Mr Vivian during his stay in town. Upon enquiry at Mr
William's Office I understand he is expected to be at Truro before
this time & of course we must beg you to present it for his
signature on the first opportunity. We wish it to be entirely
optional with him & if he expresses the least reluctance by no means
to press him -
Your letter containing Trevithicks curious & unexpected
application has been transmitted to us & submitted to A[mbrose]
Weston's consideration. We are here unanimously of opinion that his
request ought not to be complied with. It appears to us to be a very
gross artifice on the part of the Adve[nture]rs to get out of their
present dilemma without liquidating the arrears.
They never could expect to make better terms thro' the
medium of such an obnoxious negotiator as Trevithick than by
directly treating with us - you know they have very good grounds for
believing that when the old acc[oun]t was settled we should be very
moderate in our demands for additional power; why then should they
in present instance offer to pay our full premium. Most certainly
not from any sense of honor towards us or friendship to Trevithick.
-
The artifice is glaring & it would be folly in us to be
intrapt by such a foolish snare. The case is not very dissimilar
from that of Poldice when we were requested to let Bull finish his
Engine on that Mine & our conduct should be same as on that occasion
- While we decline the offers of Trevithick it may not be amiss to
inform the Adven[ture]rs personally, that we are ready to furnish
them with any Engines they may r[equire?] whenever their former
engageme[nts] have been fulfilled & untill that is done we feel
ourselves perfectly justified in witholding our consent to erection
of our Engines. In whose ever name the Engine may be put up whether
in Bulls or any of their Captains, the law will take it course & the
Engine if it infringes on our rights will most certainly be stopt by
injunction. Bull may perhaps escape the halter by the device
but it will not serve the purpose of the Adven[ture]rs. We wish no
better punishment than one of Mr Trevithicks new invented Engines,
we heartily desire they may make an Essay of using the steam upon
the piston & condensing in the Cylinder - You will receive from Soho
an official letter for your govern[men]t in this business in the
mean time I thought it proper to apprise you of the sentiments of
the parties here - Meux & Mabberly [Maberley] are going to
loggerheads & the former talk of having a 30 horse from us - I am
yours sincerely
M.Rob[inso]n Boulton''
AD1583/9/80
Letter,
Watt junior to
Wilson regarding application to erect engine at United Mines
Item
1 folio
Manuscript
2 Jun 1797
Endorsed:
''Mr Watt Jun[io]r 2 June 1797''
Addressed to: ''Mr. Thomas Wilson, Truro, Cornwall''
''Mr. Wilson
Truro
Soho 2nd June 1797
Dear Sir
We have felt not one moments hesitation as to the
propriety of totally rejecting every idea of connecting ourselves
with Trevithick and of withholding our consent for the erection of
our Engines by him or any one else, upon the United Mines until all
the Arrears are liquidated and we are assured that they will
continue to pay in future. You will therefore send for Trevithick
and inform him verbally that his proposal is totally
inadmissible and that no consideration of present emolument, were it
ever so well secured, would induce us to permit any of our
principles to be applied until we have received compleat
indemnification for the past and security for the future. As to
Bulls threats we know the Rascal is too well tied up by the
Injunction to dare to move a step & the moment he breaks down the
fence, we shall take care to have the scoundrel secured and the
Adventurers put under a similar restriction. This case is exactly
similar to that of Poldice and what happened there, will most
probably be acted over again.
This is all you have to say from us to Trevithick. His repentance
for past offences comes too late and his promises of future good
conduct meet here with little credit. If his own conscience is
unsufficient to induce him to act with common honesty, we shall not
bribe him to do so. - Let him therefore take his swing. -
The present case will have no doubt struck you as being
perfectly similar to that of Poldice and the same motives which
governed our conduct then, act now with tenfold
weight. A perusal of the letters which passed upon that occasion may
be of use for your Government. - We wish however to profit by the
opportunity which this affords and the delay which has taken place
in our law proceedings, to make one other attempt at conciliation.
We therefore request that you will take the most early opportunity
of waiting upon the Purser & informing him that we are ready to
execute the Orders of the Adventurers with all possible alacrity
whenever they have settled our former demand. That you have every
reason to believe that we shall be very moderate in our demands for
premium for this increase of power & that perhaps if they
behave handsomely we may charge them none at all. You may add as
from yourself, if you think it will be an inducement, that when at
Soho, you saw the Materials of a 63 Inch, nearly finished, which had
been ordered for Newcastle, and you believe delayed on Account of
some circumstances of the Colliery; that you have no doubt that if B
& W. were so disposed, they could furnish the whole of the materials
in three or four months. You will have the goodness to see both Mr.
Beauchamp & Mr. Reid & repeat to them the above as early as
possible. -
You see we are giving you a good deal of trouble, but as
we think it possible that this may lead to something, we wish to
avail ourselves of the Moment & req[uest?] that no time may be lost.
We have only to add that it is our wish you should not commit
yourself in writing upon this subject, but let the whole be matter
of conversation. -
We
remain sincerely Dear Sir
Your ob[edien]t Serv[an]ts
for
Boulton & Watt
Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r
P.S. My father
desires me to say that he has received your letter & has the
contents under consideration''
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