INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY

Series Four: Sources from Record Offices in the United Kingdom

Part 1: Papers of Boulton & Watt, Wedgwood and Harvey & Co of Hayle from Cornwall Record Office

Extracts

This section contains a selection of transcriptions, and a number of brief descriptions, of the correspondence between Matthew Boulton, James Watt and Thomas Wilson, and the In Letters of Harvey & Co of Hayle.  The extracts provide an overview of the collection with information about mining technology, rival engineers, agents, employees, health, coinage, travel, personal and family matters.

Full transcriptions of the correspondence between Matthew Boulton, James Watt and Thomas Wilson (reference AD1583 and X208, Reels 1-6) can be found at the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site at http://www.cornish-mining.org.uk .  Further details regarding the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site are given in the digital version of this guide which can be found on the Adam Matthew Publications website at http://www.ampltd.co.uk.

REEL 1

AD1583/1/10
Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding movable engines
2 September 1783, Birmingham

Dear Sir

I have yours of the 28th, and am willing on my own part to enter a scheme of lending small engines provided you & Capt[ain] Paul take part in it, Mr B[oulton]. will I believe also agree to it, and I think that if W[illia]m Chuses he should have a part, you may proportion the Shares in such manner as proves agreable to you.

You are to consider B&W in this matter as seperate people, only in relation to the usual third of the savings which is to belong to them as a company, and will not amount to much, & which must be charged to the borrowers of the engine, along with the Charge of working it.

The best way will be to furnish the engine complete & the mine to pay for erection at the Spot, and to find pumps, The house must, if we can, be contrived to be moveable or else to be a charge on the mine, an 18 inch Cylinder working both up and down will do a great deal of work, as it will at least make 20 Strokes per minute, if not over loaded; but these moveable engines should not make above 4 feet Stroke in the Cylinder - I cannot tell with certainty, but I suppose an engine of that size will cost about £250 besides the pumps, I think those of 15 inches or even 12 inches will ans[we]r many of the mines, and they maybe made as large as 24 inches, Larger ones would not I think answer so well to have such short strokes - I shall consider the subject of wooden houses; but as I have so much on hand I wish W[illia]m [Murdock] would follow his own judgement in regard to Dolcoath; but let him remember that these rotative motions pull & push much endwise and must be well spurred, and the sills of the rotative motion firmly held down - I approve very much of C. P. as a partner, and shall leave it to your joint wisdom to settle the mode of agreement with the mines, but I would agree with none that have not a good deal of water to draw, and in my opinion we should always find Coals, and engine men, provided you can get any you can trust, I shall turn the matter in my mind, and write more fully than I can do to day having a headache.

I wrote you the Last post on a subject which must managed with delicacy, so as neither to convey an idea that we do not wish to take the trouble of giving out the orders for pumps, nor that We have deserted Mr Wilkinsons interest, nor that we wish to turn away orders from the Dale Company [Coalbrookdale, Shropshire] - but that Both he and they are our Good friends, and we wish to keep them so by not intermeddling in the distribution of orders, which will come with a better grace from the mines than from us.

I also wish the matter to be left to them for the reason I mentioned that, every mine has their particular notions about the sizes of Clack doors the taper of Clack seals and the thickness of the pipes, which it is impossible to me to remember, and by omissions sometimes give offence, and they seem to have a disposition to look upon us as accountable for even the errors of the founders in such goods as we order - They will do well however to send drawings or very particular directions about Clack door pieces & windbores; though both Mr Wilkinsons people and the Dale know my sentiments on these heads in general.

I must however mention one thing to you; that if the orders come through my hands the dale people expect the half of the pumps, and Mr Wilkinson growls terribly if he has not more than half.

Mrs Watt joins me in condolising with Mrs Wilson on her miscarriage, but we glad to hear that She is in a good way after it - I remain, Dear Sir

Your's &c, James Watt

AD1583/1/15

Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding accident at Poldory mine, Gwennap and other matters

24 January 1784

Dear Sir

This day brought me yours of the 18th enclosing Bills value £967. 9 [shillings]. 5 [pence] - with the State of C[hace]water Co[mpany] on which I shall correspond or see Mr Mathews; I observe you have not said what the yearly proffits of the mines have been the late years, nor do you mention whether G P is to have 4/64 of the profits given him or whether he is to be allowed to purchase in so many shares at the then value of the stock, nor whether his annuity and shares is for life only, or payable to his heirs - The wafers also tore off what you said about the value of General St Legers & the other shares so that I cannot make it out. As to N[orth] Downs [mine, Redruth] we have not been wrote to, but our intention was to take a 32[n]d & Mr Wilkinson will take some part, but this you need not mention as from us, as Mr Boulton is not with me - We shall also do what we can to get adv[enture]rs but I fear it is a bad time, as money never was scarcer and these abominable funds will soon make it more so - I am exceedingly shocked at the account of the accident at Poldory and should have been Glad to have had some particulars they must certainly have had a very strong steam otherwise the people would have had time to escape please also to advise who the people were and how so many came to be about the boiler; Copper tubes must be entirely given up without men can be found more carefull in the management of them. If any of the families of the deceased or the surviving persons who were scalded are in distressed circumstances, I am sure that Mr B[oulton] will Join me in being pleased that you should give a small matter for their immediate relief as if of your own accord without mentioning our names, when I see him we shall advise further on that head mean while use your discretion, and say nothing about what you do to any body but ourselves - Mrs Watt joins in Compliments to Mrs Wilson & family & I remain, Dear Sir, Your's &c, James Watt

The two small Engines are ordered and the small work of them going on Drawings for houses & boilers shall be sent next week -

AD1583/1/17

Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding the copper market

27 January 1784

Dear Sir

On looking over the C[hace]water ballance I perceive the following articles which want explanation, 1st at what rate do you value the fine copper? 2[n]d of what nature is the inven[tor]y in Wales 3[r]d money advanced to the men, whether advanced in such way as to be certain value? or whether you do not run a risk of Losing some part of it? 4th Tin in ores, how valued Copper ores on hand, whether valued at prime cost or if any allowance taken off - It looks ill your having so large a Stock of fine copper, I should think that it is in part caused by your want of a Mill, and more by your want of some active partner in London - Lastly I do not understand what you said to me about the interest due on shares which I wish you would fully explain. The greatest Objection however is the extravagant rate at which the Anglesea [Anglesey] Comp[an]y are getting ores, which on any demurr in sales must over Stock the markets and infallibly lower the price of copper so much that nothing but loss can be got by it, which indeed makes me tremble for the business in general, but to do these Gentlemen justice they are indefatigable in seeking out forreign markets, which will throw the back water of sales on some of the forreign mines and probably stop some of them entirely - There were mines wrought in Swisserland [Switzerland] in the time of the war which are now stopt.

I have talked with Mr Boulton about the sufferers at Poldory, and we give you authority to give them, from 5 to 10 guineas according to your discretion, and desire it may be given in small sums at a time to such as you think require it and as from yourself, unless some collection be made for them in which case you may give a moderate sum as from us so as not to be ostentatious.

Mrs Watt joins in compliments to you and to Mrs Wilson and I remain &c, Dear Sir, Yours &c, James Watt

AD1583/1/40

Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding suspected French spy

20 November 1784

Dear Sir

We are got so far on our journey well & without accident after spending almost one day at Exeter & 1 Day at Bath. I saw Mr Gullett at Exeter who had 2 French men with him & whom he said intended seting out in a day or two to Cornwall but as I am persuaded one of them is a spy I must beg you send a Note to Crane Engine desireing they will not admitt any french men & the same to the Whim Engine. I also wish you w[oul]d desire Mr Rasp not to take any French to Crane. as to ye other Engines there is no preventing 'em from seeing but these cautions should be sent ye day you receive this letter or will be too late.

Rivers said he could sell the Gray Mare & therefore if not sold let him try or perhaps his old Master ye Miller w[oul]d take her. I left a Gold Shirt pin Sticking at my beds head Cosgarn I wish you w[oul]d order it to be taken care of.

I shall be happy to hear that you are all in better health & particulary Mrs. Hicks present & accept my best thanks for all your kindness & believe me, Yours sincerely, M: Boulton

[marginal] Turn over

dont forgett when you go to Cambron to enquire after & to see Vivians house & furniture I wish I had a few stones W[hea]l Bussy [Wheal Busy] ore that is about 1/3 or less Tin & 2/3 Copper. I want to try to smelt both together for a particular purpose

AD1583/1/54

Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding the smelting of tin

26 April 1785

Dear Sir

As we are now together (our Mr Boulton haveing returned from London on Fryday last) We take ye first opportunity of giving you our joint sentiments, respecting the disposal of the Chase water Tin. -

You are sensible of our attachment to & our friendship for Messrs Phillip's & Fox's & there needs no arguments to perswade you of our inclination to throw our Tin & every other advantage in our power into the Scale of their interest.

But you also know that it is our earnest desire in all cases to keep up harmony & good humour in the Mines in which we are concernd.

As you are not a stranger to the Conversation which passed at Truro with the Cavedres [Carvedras Tin Smelting Works, Kenwyn] Gentl[ema]n previous to our takeing possession of the Mine You are the better qualifyd to steer in that middle course which our connections, our interest & our friendship require.

Pray tell us whether it is the profits of Smelting, or the profits of buying our White Tin at the end of each Quarter at the Coinage price that is most coveted by the parties.

We think it not prudent implicitly to send all our Black tin to any one House for reasons you understand. But in most cases where the offers are equal we think such smelters as are concernd in each Mine which produces the Tin hath a natural and equitable claim for a great part & therefore in ye Case of Chasewater Tin we should suppose that it could not be deem[e]d unjust or ungenerous if we sent 2/3 to Cavedras Smelting house & 1/3 to friend Fox's & to continue Polgooth as usual to Messrs Fox's.

We sent by the coach which sets out from this Town yesterday Morn[in]g 

3 oClock & w[hi]ch gets to Exeter this night & to Truro on Thursday next a Rolle of drawings for N[orth]: Downs Engine as p[e]r list on the other side upon which subject Mr Watt will write sundry particulars next post.

Wishing prosperity to the Mines & health to Your Family We remain with esteem, Dear Sir, Your faithfull friends & Serv[an]ts, Boulton & Watt

The drawings are directed to you & adressed to the Care of Land of Exeter & Rivers of Truro

Mr B[oulton] hath orderd the 5 Circumferenters & Instrum[en]ts which Mr Lawson wrote for & they will very soon be sent from London p[e]r Wagon to Truro directed for You.

a List of the drawings

No 1 General Section of W[hea]l Messa

2 Ground plan of d[itt]o

3 Plan of ye first floor of d[itt]o

4 Inside front view of d[itt]o

5 outside front View of d[itt]o

6 Parrallel Motion drawn Connected

7 D[itt]o in parts

8 D[itt]o Views of the Beam

9 General Section of W[hea]l Fortune

10 out side front View

11 Inside Front View'

[the handwriting is that of Matthew Boulton]

AD1583/1/82

Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding North Downs and Poldice mines

1 February 1786

Dear Sir

I wrote to you a long letter, which with sundry papers I sent to you p[e]r Coach on ye 24th Ult[i]mo since w[hi]ch We are fav[our]d w[i]th yours of ye 22nd Jan[ua]r[y].

Mr Watt returnd yesterday from London where he hath been layd up with a feverish complaint for upwards of a week but hope by quietness & good nursing he will soon be well again. I had no opportunity of consulting him about takeing some shares that were offerd in N[orth]: D[owns]: untill this day, when we both concluded that it would be folly to engage our Money or our passions to a greater extent, in that concern: although we do not think unfavourable of the Mine itself.

We cannot divise on what principle the Adventurers grounded their late resolutions respecting us; unless it was to form an excuse for depriveing us of the profits of our Trade although they have amply benifited by their own. Or perhaps it might arise from a consciousness that by good management they have expended twice the amount of the Estimate of setting the mine to work, that was held to the out Adventurers; & therefore it may be right to stop our Complaints by beginning first. - Or perhaps it may be owing to the magic influence of some evil spirit that haunts that mine, & that is invissible to Eyes coverd with ye films of partiality, prejudice, or self interest: However as the principle is not justifyable, we shall take care to defeat its operations.

Upon the examination of our letter book I do not find any promises made to them on our part respecting the time of setting the Engines to work, that being a thing we never did, or ever will promise; as we have neither the Winds, or Tydes, or conduct of other men in our power.

If you have done as I requested (in my last & in Z Walkers letter), ie: Set all our Men to work at W[hea]l Messa that can be employd there, I will venture to predict, that after all, you will find either the Carpenters or Smiths work behind, or Water not brought to the Engine or some thing else that doth not depend on our Men.

Perhaps you will think I feel sore on this subject, I must own I do, for 'tis not a pleasant thing to be classed amongst the mean delinquents and plunderers of N[orth]: D[owns]: particularly when all the Crimes for which they have been arraignd are in the Eyes of the Advent[ure]rs of the petty larceny kind, in comparison to a 5000£ injury. The man that will tamely bear being calld a Rascall by Men of Character will generaly be found to be such.

I observe in Poldice Expences for decem[be]r that there is 101 men working on Loads am[oun]t £450. 14s[hillings]. 10d [pence] w[hi]ch is £4. 9s. 3d p[e]r Man p[e]r Mo[nth] on an average. I also observe that there is 128 Men working on deads am[oun]t £244. 16s. 4d which is £1. 18s. 0d p[e]r Man p[e]r Month.

Hence I remark that there is more men on deads than on ye Lodes & that the men on ye Lodes gain much more than double the wages p[e]r Man than those on deads - Q[ue]r[y] How is this to be accounted for I have always heard that Poldice men gain great wages by good bargins -

Pray tell me how the little Engines in the West perform & how you like the hanging of ye pumps on each side ye Center of ye beam.

How much hath Poldice lost the last 6 months for want of the new boiler w[hi]ch might have been finished before ye winter began, had not the little interest of individuals been preford to the great interest of the Mine.

I yesterday had a meeting with many of my Neighbours upon the subject of our intended new Copper Comp[an]y if when the Gent[leme]n present subscribed more money than will be wanted & meet again next Tuesday to form plans & regulations for carrying it into execution but all this is upon condition that the situation for ye works, the Colliery & the agreements with other parties are found elegable & mutualy agreeable I therefore am impatient for your answer to my last & particularly for your opineons respecting Colliery & Situation,

Mr Morris hath wrote to me that the proportion of ore coming to new Co[mpany] at ye and of Jan[uar]y is about 250 Ton at 5£ = 1250£ of w[hi]ch he supposes the Metal Co[mpany] will advance one half = 625£ & says it w[oul]d be a pity & a loss to loose this supply of ore & therefore wishes my Birm[in]g[ha]m friends would provide for it. - But what can we do with it untill our Works are built unless your Co[mpany] could afford to smelt it for us at 35/ s[hillings] p[e]r Ton then & in that case we could readily advance the money for it certainly will not answer for us to buy it to lye by for 8 Mo[nths] or more. As you know the general sentiment & the interest of your Co[mpany] it will be better that you do not wait their answer, but let you & I try to settle as much as we can of this business without further delay.

The burry River Navigation 1, The Colliery 2, & the possability of a Union 3 w[i]th your Co[mpany] & prevailing on Mr Morris 4 to let the 3000 Ton of Ore go there. These are the objects for our attention. I have wrote to Mr Morris this post upon these heads. If we cannot make a Union w[i]th your Co[mpany] & present Works, who must we get for our Holbrook, & for our Morgan? I suppose you can do the Cornish business for both Co[mpanie]s.

If you have not allowed Poldice anything pray wave it untill I have consulted w[i]th Mr Watt. for I dont see why We should be the only persons that should be asked to give up the profits of their Trade. -

When ever the Merchants will give up their 20 or 30 p[e]r Cent profit or the Lords give up their dues then will B&W give up their profits for the good of the Mine & the Country. Compare the profits that the Merch[an]ts have rec[ei]v[e]d from Polgooth & N[orth]: D[owns]: with those which have been rec[ei]vd by B&W & you will find the former exceed the latter out of all Comparison & yet there are plenty of men who can write a letter & buy & Sell Materials but none that could draw the water of a great mine 150 f[atho]m deep with one Engine before we visited Cornwall. Pray what is meant by Deductions 288£. 4s. 2d in Poldice Monthly acc[oun]t w[hi]ch you have sent us.

I have no objection to you reading to the N[orth] D[owns] adventurers the 1st page of this letter but on ye contrary I wish you to do it.  Pray let us make up our new Co[mpany] with yours.

I give you joy of your new born Son & assure you it will give me joy to hear that Mrs. Wilson is perfectly recoverd but dont let her sit in the new plasterd parlour.

Adieu I am for Partner & Self, Dear Sir, Yours most sincerely, Matt[he]w: Boulton

dont sell any of our Shares in Chase Water but on ye Contrary if you can buy Treeves's cheap pray do. I am now sorry we have given away 25 p[e]r Cent to the Merch[an]ts & assure you if I had known what I now do that I would have kept ½ that mine or more rather than have forfeited our liberty to the Merch[an]ts

REEL 2

AD1583/2/5/2

Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding dispute with Poldice adventurers

21 July 1786

Dear Sir

We are favoured with yours of the 12th & 13th, and must think that the adv[enture]rs in Poldice shew very little delicacy in pressing us to so sudden a conclusion in a matter of so much importance and involved in so many attendant circumstances, were Poldice mine alone the subject of our consideration we should certainly think no farther on the subject but adhere to what we have already written to you, as it does not appear to us from the Captains Statement that there is a rational prospect of proffits either to the Adventurers or to us: therefore the giving up our premium in the manner demanded would be setting an injurious example without advantage to the adventurers. It may be urged that the giving up our premium is taking nothing out of our pocket, but the fact is otherwise, these last Engines have taken up a portion of our time and attention, that would otherwise have been applied to other subjects, which would have afforded us very considerable profits & more permanent ones than those we receive from the mines, besides that the annual expence of the establishment of our business is very great & every thing which takes up our attention, in the way of our business ought to be burthened with its proportion of the general Expence. The use that has been made of every concession we have made in the county by turning it into precedent has tended to stifle our generosity & to harden our hearts against all demands of that kind. The principal reasons that should determine us to make any concessions in respect to Poldice, they and what we have already impowered you to make, are the saving of the other Gwennap mines, Which, we are convinced, were we to agree without reserve to the present proposal, instead of looking on it as any favour done them, would certainly construe it into a precedent in their favour & think themselves ill used if similar favours were not granted to them as soon as they came to need new Engines. If it be true that the water of Wheel virgin & Poldice communicates, the whole should be looked upon as one common concern so far as that article extends & therefore whatever we now give up to Poldice should be looked upon as given up to Wheal Virgin & Poldice and in that light only can we go any further.

We still think that our former proposition is as far in reason we ought to be asked, or in prudence we ought to go, but if you find that it is not accepted and that Wheal Virgin ad[venture]rs have so little respect to their own interest as to lett Poldice be stopt, you will then as an Ultimatum make the following proposition, which is dictated more by a wish to obtain general goodwill than by a strict regard to our own interest.

1st You may agree in our name to give up the whole of our premiums on Poldice Engines, for the space of Sixteen Months, unless the profits of the mine shall repay the £8000 proposed to be laid out on the new erections in a shorter time in which latter case our premiums to be paid us from the time such repayment shall happen, or from the end of 16 months whether the expenditure is repaid or not. To commence the 16 months from the first of august next.

2[n]d  To prevent any use being made of this as precedent by the neighbouring mines we cannot agree to the above proposition unless the Consolidated & United Mines will impower some of their Adventurers to sign an agreement importing that they will not use this concession as a precedent & that they shall not in future make any demands on us for abatements either on acc[oun]t of new Engines which may be wanted for their respective mines or on account of any state the mines may be in at any time hereafter. or at least if these mines shall claim any such indulgence that they shall be allowed it from the adventurers of Poldice mine out of the sum now to be given up to them, and that in such proportions as shall be mutually settled among them. You will easily see that if we make a concession in favour of Poldice it is but reasonable that mine should guarantee us from any other prejudice happening to us on account of such Concession. And if this cannot be done, we cannot reasonably be expected to lay ourselves open to repetitions of such demands.

After all if the mine is not better managed than it has been heretofore we donot expect that any thing we can give up will save it. As to any of us coming to Cornwall to attend this meeting, we do not see that it could answer any good end, and it would be very disagreable to either of us to be assailed by demands improper for us to comply with.

We send this by way of London that you may consider what is prudent to be done & shall write to you again to morrow by the common post till you receive which it may be proper to make no mention or hint of the contents of this, We remain, Your's sincerely, Boulton and Watt

AD1583/2/22

Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding loan of £40,000 from Mr Hope of Amsterdam

2 November 1786

Dear Sir

Yours of the 27th I received this day and am glad you have settled with Mr Reed though if Mr Vivian & C[ornish].M[etal].Co[mpany] should make such call as they propose it will disable both us & our friends from holding these shares in Chacewater. It will certainly be opposed by a great Majority, and must end in the breaking up the Company, besides if more vigorous measures are not taken to command sales all must be in vain the second subscription must soon be exhausted as soon as the first,  The Interest will bear hard, and every thing go amiss. It is unlucky that Mr Vivian has left the county as Mr Henry Hope of Amsterdam has lately been here & is now on his journey to Cornwall. He has been spoke to by Mr Boulton & upon proper terms expressed himself willing to lend the Company £40,000 & said he would procure more if wanted, which is just the man to save the Company I suppose his terms will be to have Copper put into his hands to the amount & to have the consignments, this is my own supposition for I was not present when the conversation past & I know not how far it should be imparted to anybody as Mr B[oulton]. is not with me; but I think you may say that you understand Mr Hope is on a visit at Mr Gregor's and that he had been spoke to by Mr B. on the subject of the Company's finances & seemed inclined to assist them. Without doubt he should be waited upon by some of the Directors. And if you can be one I think it would be right on several accounts particularly as being our agent you may show him the Mines &c. I am afraid that if he falls into the hands of the D[irector?]s they may show their own weakness too much; Mr B. gave him a letter to Mr Vivian, but to whom else I know not.

I am hopefull from what you say that this storm of the Horn[blow]er's raising is like to blow over, and that Mr D[anie]l saw it in its proper view. But however you should be diligent in getting the Agreements with United Mines Crenver & Hallamanin engrossed & executed, otherwise on refusal the works should be stopt -

I remain with best respects to Mrs Wilson & other friends, Dear Sir, Your's sincerely, James Watt

AD1583/2/38

Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding Watt's meeting with the King, also various mines

13 March 1787

Dear Sir

I have but a few minutes to say that I rec[ei]vd yours of ye 7th this day covering 2 Bills for 320£ which serves to pay the Cornish Co[mpany]s Int[eres]t for the last half year & is placed to ye Credit of that Acc[oun]t - I have actualy paid Mr Wilkinson in Cash the amount of Bevans dr[af]t to him with interest for the same from the day ye s[ai]d d[eb]t became due & as it is inconvenient to me to be out such a sum I must beg of you to obtain paym[en]t & I will send you the s[ai]d dr[af]t in a post or two it being in Mr Walkers desk at new Hall.

If you should hear of ever a House in the Neighbourhood pray inform me its size & rent &c. I have heard of one but I fear its too dear though I know not the rent.

I shall come to Cornwall for 2 or 3 Months this Year but will in some degree be guided by you as to ye precise time.

Mr Watt is sent for to London to shew to the King Mr Whitbreads Engine & to explain it to him. I have by this post wrote Mr Vivian a long letter upon the subject of ye Copper trade in Birmingham. Pray have you got the Refiner in Wales which you wanted & are you improved in the quality of your Best tough I am interested in ye Question.

I beg & desire most earnestly that W[illia]m Murdock will pledge his head & his honour to make a good job of ye new Engine at the United Mines in spite of every thing & every body otherwise Mischief will fall upon B[oulton]&W[att]. - It is too late for Cap[tai]n P: to alter the Engine for W[hea]l Maid as the new one is nearly made & will soon be sent off.

When Cap[tai]n P: can shew me that 3 Engines require fewer men, Grease, repairs & have less stopages than one I will change my opinion.

I observe what you say ab[ou]t ye Trumpeters pray tell me 1st whether they press ye piston with Steam or Atmosph[e]r[e].

2 whither they condense in a separate Vessall &

3 whether they extract ye Air by an air pump

& if you can send us a drawing by Murdock it will oblige us -

The Cornish Gent[leme]n may probably mistake their interest in more ways than one.

We have not only enabled them to get Copper but I am now very busy in endeavouring to find a consumption for it. We are not so light but it will make a difference whether we are put into one Scale or the other.

I cannot speak of Chase water untill Mr Watt returns but you may be assured we shall not be less kind to our Chasewater Bretheren & our selves than in other similar cases, but if they expect us to be generous, We have a right to expect them to be just & that they will agree upon the erection of ye Poldice Engine to pay all Leveys & taxes & not to torment us with the Machinations of envious & illiberal Men by saddleing us with taxes that the Law will not, cannot reach.

I am sorry you have been indisposed but hope by this time you are perfectly recoverd pray give Mrs. Wilson a kiss & say I sent it. remember me kindly to Murdock, to Lawson & to David. I am Dear Sir, Yours very sincerely, M: Boulton

all the drawings for Prince George are finished within these few days & the parts put in hand but the spirit that appears in Cornwall is not encourageing to ye introduction of new improvm[en]ts. Pray have they got a set of 9 Inch working barrels for Prince George or must they be orderd here

REEL 3

AD1583/6/1

Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding republication of Thomas Wilson's pamphlet

4 January 1793

Dear Sir

Your letter of the 1st came this even[in]g to hand. I agree with Mr B[oulton]. in thinking that your pamphlett should not be republished at present, The paper sent you contains an abstract of the principal arguments with some fresh ones, & should be published, on the same size page as the former, as soon as possible, being short it will have more chance of being read than if tacked to or moulded into the other. I have in some parts of it said as much to the H[ornblower]s as run & as much of your motives as I think need be said; for calling names is of no use, being an easy weapon for any blockhead to wield. I hope you will approve of what I have made you say, but leave you at liberty to omit any thing you please, but wish nothing to be added as to our merits. You will please examine the Calculations carefully & correct whatever may be amiss Only observing that the calculations of the combined power of the two Cylinders & their power singly are right, on the footing stated. The thing I think principaly objectible is where it says ''that at the cheapest period of its working it shall exceed their Engine 50 p[e]r Cent'' now they may say that their Engine at the cheapest period of its working did exceed its present performance 50 p[e]r cent, I would therefore say that, at the load of 3 times the 16lb [pound] p[e]r inch of the small Cylinder it should do more than theirs now does, & that at the Cheapest &c. If any one asks what you mean by the cheapest you may tell them at 16lb [pound] per inch of its own Cylinder. This I write at home, & shall consult Mr B[oulton]. tomorrow and add what occurs.

I wish you to go on in the reform of your pamphlett according to your own ideas, & if there is occasion for it I shall revise & alter it, for a use you may conceive, but I shall very much abridge it, otherwise Gentlemen would not read it. At present it would be improper to republish it.

In respect to Mr Fox we have no terms to offer further than we gave him in Cornwall, vizt £28 while single & 56 when double, his present offer is an insult upon our common sense, £25 p[e]r month for any sized Engine they please to erect. We write him per tommorrows post.

Mr Boulton thinks he can write a more persuasive letter to E. Fox & we have agreed to send them both to you & that you may deliver which ever you approve of, I send mine at present & if you do not receive Mr B[oulton]s by next post you will please forward mine. F[ox]s letter was a most impertinent one.

Mr B[oulton]. makes no objection to the alteration on the other page, so you will do as you please but publish immediately.

Wishing you & yours the Comp[limen]ts of the season health & happiness, I remain, Dear Sir, Your's sincerely, James Watt

Please collect all the Sherborne mercurys that have the Horners advertisements in them I mean the entire papers, we shall want them to show the pains that have been taken to prejudice the county against us

AD1583/6/52

Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding Richard Mitchel's suspected tuberculosis

10 October 1793

Dear Sir

We have none of yours since our last. You mentioned lately your fears that Rich[ar]d Mitchel was going into a consumption, It has just now occurred to us, that if not already too far gone, removal to a better Climate might be of service to him, We have some business say, an engine to erect at Cadiz, where the winter is extremely mild, not materialy colder than our Summers, If this would suit him, we should not only pay his expences but make it worth his while, as a piece of business. We shall be obliged to you to propose it to him as soon as you can, but caution him to silence, as the voyage ought to appear to be wholy upon account of his health; which indeed first made us think of it & is the principal motive, at the same time that his going would render us material service, We beg your speedy answer as we must send somebody Ja[me]s Murdoch behaving very ill in drawing money, & have also heard accounts of his behaviour in this country which are unpleasing.

Cardrew downs drawings will be sent off per coach to night directed for you.

I remain, Your's sincerely, James Watt.

[marginal] Doctor Withering will be in Cornwall soon, You should have his advice on Rich[ar]ds case & pay him for it on our account -

Mr Boulton desires me to say that instead of sending the 10 tons of Copper to London send it here immediately as he has sold all he had

AD1583/7/20

Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding the case against Bull

22 March 1794

Dear Sir

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

You will please make & communicate your observations on this curious performance of which I have only sent you abstract, it being 3 sheets. If he could be convicted of perjury it would be [text missing]. I am sure he merits it at least I verily believe so.

With best Comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & family I remain, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely, James Watt

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

REEL 4

AD1583/8/71

Letter, Watt junior to W Wilson regarding the riots at Poldice Mine, Gwennap

3 August 1795

Dear Sir

We are favoured with your letter of the 1st Inst[an]t containing an Account of the riots, which furnish an additional proof of the rascality of Bulls conduct and of the weakness of his intellect. He may think by such means to frighten all our friends out of the County and intimidate us from bringing him to punishment, but he will find himself mistaken, and if legal proofs can be obtained of his conduct in the late proceedings, we shall conceive it to be our duty to commence a suit against him of a criminal nature. Of this however you need to say nothing at present, until sufficient proof can be obtained of his being the instigator and promoter of what has been done. - At all events this business will serve to accelerate & aggravate his punishment. We beg you will deliver the inclosed letter to Landor, which we send open that you may see our sentiments upon the conduct to be pursued by our friends, whom we would not wish to desert their posts at the moment of danger; at the same time, as we are not capable of judging of the extent of it, we must leave them at full liberty to follow their own feelings.

We have sent a Copy of your and Landors letter to Messrs Weston's and wish you to keep them informed of what is going on and also to make every enquiry you can safely do into the origin and progress of the late disgraceful business, particularly the share which Bull had in it.

We think means should be taken to inform the Miners that we have no objection to Bull's Engine being finished, provided our dues are paid, and Bull discharged from all interference. - We remain truly, Your sincere friends, For Boulton & Watt, Ja[me]s Watt Jun[io]r -

AD1583/9/10

Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding the foundry at Soho

26 February 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.

AD1583/9/76

Letter, M R Boulton to Wilson regarding Consolidated Mines Protest

19 May 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

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AD1583/10/5

Letter, G Watt to Wilson regarding his dislocating his arm near Penzance

14 January 1798

Dear Sir

I take up the pen to relieve your friendly anxiety. My arm certainly was dislocated partly what is called a sub Luxation, but was reduced almost immediately by Mr. Williams' holding it as we walked into Penzance - The pain is nearly gone & in a few days I shall have tollerable use of it -

Remember me to Mrs. Wilson & Thomas who I trust are well & excuse this short scrawl as I write in some pain.

I am D[ea]r Sir, your Obliged & Humble Serv[an]t, G Watt

AD1583/10/16

Letter, Watt to Wilson regarding Gregory Watt's recent accident

Item

12 February 1798

Dear Sir

I have received your long letter which I intended to have answered to day but find I have not time & am going from home to morrow for a day or two - The letter is in general satisfactory. I thank you sincerely for your care of Gregory, but would have been more obliged to you had you wrote to me as soon as heard of the accident, I should have been easier in my mind than I was, for I suspected the real fact or something worse, concealments occasion distrust on other similar occasions, & I beg there may be no more of them & that you will always let me know the worst, particularly at present inform me whether you understand he has been hurt any where else or has any cough or pain in his side or breast - I have thought much on Tom's case but can at present advise nothing else but a sea voyage if his medical advisers see no harm in it. A sail of a few hours could easily be tried & observations made on the consequences, on this subject I shall write more fully, mean while with comp[limen]ts to Mrs Wilson & family

I remain, Dear Sir, Yours Sincerely, James Watt

AD1583/10/33

Letter, Boulton to Wilson regarding recent business

28 April 1798

Dear Sir

Be assured my long silence arises from no other Cause than from the impossibility of doing all those things which I have undertaken to do & from the want of two heads & 2 pair of hands. If it will be any consolation to you I can with truth assure you that the state of my correspondence with all those friends, to whom I write with my own hands, is exactly similar with yours, & even the Ladies complain of me: but tis better to neglect words than things. I am now engaged in the Service of three Crown heads as well as enlisted in 2 Corps of Cavalry & one of Infantry. I am also Erecting a superb Mint at St. Petersburg upon my own Plan which Covers near 2 Acres of Ground & requires (particularly the internal part of it) much midnight oyl as all is totaly new - I am now summonsd to Town by our Privy Council to assist them in a Reform in the English Mint which will confine me here about 8 days longer but we can never make it equal to the Russ Mint, the plan of which has been layd before ye P[riv]y Council & Expl[ain]d.

I have taken the liberty of giving a letter of recommendation & introduction to my Friend Mr Deriabin whom I expect will present it to you in few days. This Gent[lema]n is a Native of Siberia & extreamly well informd in Mines & Minerology & is sent by the Emperor to transact some business with me; as well as to make a tour through great Britain, as he has already done through the most remarkable Mineral Countries of Europe, & as I will answer for his not takeing away any of the Cornish Mines, I hope my Friends will not obstruct his pleasure in seeing them, & I will thank you & W[illia]m Murdock to direct & assist him in obtaining the inspection of some of the most important. If he should want any money I beg you will furnish him under my Guarantee -

I hope your Son Will[ia]m goes on as much to your satisfaction in Cornwall as he did to mine at Soho. Give him work enough, keep him constantly employd, & he will do well: but I fear he scarcely took time enough in London to gain all the necessary knowledge & Experience to be the Prime Conductor of a Brewery: at present, however, I hope he gaind knowledge sufficient to improve your Brewery, & make it profitable to you & himself.

In regard to your transactions with Mrs. Matthews you would not wonder at my Silence if you were acquainted with sundry other circumstances of a similar nature that have occurd to me in the Cource of the present year all which have arisen from Friendly & not Commercial motives, such as Holbrook desired to draw in that way for 200£ but it soon encreased to 3 & then to 4 to 5 to 6 & even to double that sum & there I put a dead Stop 1200£.

Jac & Eginton whom I have done many kind things for begd an indulgence to the extent of 300 but they crope on to 900 & then one dyed & the other became Bankrupt 900[£].

Chipindale, whom you know, insensebly got into his hands our Money & then Stopt & cannot pay 5 p[e]r Cent 2000[£].

a Mr Gray in London an old fr[ien]d & Correspondent has made a dead stop & will not pay 2/[shillings] 6 [pence] in ye £ owing to me 800[£].

One of my oldest friends at Amsterdam has had such a fraternal Squeese by the french that he, within ye Past Month, is gone - 750[£].

As I have lost all my Continental Trade except at Hamburgh I have lately done much there but my Agent advises that it is now on a very precarious footing -

Although I could not bring my self to say no to you, yet from such a train of discouraging circumstances you will not wonder that I was backward in saying yes & more particularly so when you take into consideration the very precarious state of the Kingdome & even of the Bank & all other property. I therefore beg you will not extend an Acc[oun]t that is in itself ruinous, but on the Contrary I hope you will adopt such plans as will enable you to annihilate it in a short time, for the sake of your own peace as well as mine & Mrs. M[atthe]ws for she doth not like it. -

I observe by the Tickiting papers that the Standard price of Copper has lately risen which I presume is in some degree owing to the Mines being obstructed by the Winter Water & if that is ye sole cause I presume the price will now lower again pray what is your opineon.

I shall be happy to hear that Mrs. Wilson is in good health that Tom is recoverd & beg you will remember me kindly to W[illia]m & all your family remaining ever, Dear Sir, Your faithfull friend, Matt[he]w Boulton

present my Love to Gregory & assure him I am happy to learn he is so perfectly well

AD1583/11/2

Letter, Watt junior to Wilson regarding the opinions of the judges being against Maberley

25 January 1799

Dear Sir,  Send forth your Trumpeters & let it be proclaimed in Judah that the Great Nineveh has fallen; let the Land be cloathed in Sackcloth & in Ashes! Tell it in Gath, and speak it in the streets of Ascalon. Maberley and all his host are put to flight.

The second Argument came on this day, when after hearing Le Blanc on the opposite side & Rous on ours, much at length, All the Judges gave their opinions seriatim in our favour, and treated all the Doubts that had been hitherto raised, as contrary to the common sense & the common honesty of Mankind. - Every thing handsome, honourable and laudatory was said in our favour, and in one day we are repaid for the Labour of Years. - All controversy is now terminated, for it is impossible to suppose that the opposite party can be so insane as to attempt to go to the Lords, if they do, the same fate awaits them there with tenfold certainty.

I have no time to say more now. I shall cut you out work enough in a few days. We shall now see, what new devise, these villains who have hitherto cloaked their dishonour under the cover of quibble, of Dry Law, can resort to, to save them from the pecuniary mulet which awaits their misdeeds. They shall now render unto Cæsar, the things which are Cæsar's, and the protraction of their punishment shall only render it the more compleat, as I always told you, though you would not believe me. It was impossible, that justice and reason should not in the end prevail over the miserable jargon of sophistry that have been opposed to them.

Excuse this Rhapsody & believe me truly, Yours, J Watt Jun[io]r.

P.S. Send out to R. Mitchell & all other friends immediate Intelligence'

AD1583/11/65

Mr Watt's Specification of his Method of lessening the Consumption of Steam and Fuel in Fire Engines

late 18th century

His present Majesty having granted to Mr James Watt His Royal Letters Patent, dated the 5th Day of January 1769, for his, the said James Watt's, new invented Method of lessening the Consumption of Steam and Fuel in Fire Engines, the said James Watt, in Compliance with a Proviso contained in the said Letters Patent, caused a Specification or Description of his said Invention to be enrolled in the Court of Chancery, on the 29th Day of April, 1769, in the following Words, viz.

My Method of lessening the Consumption of Steam, and consequently Fuel, in Fire Engines, consists of the following Principles:

First, that Vessel in which the Powers of Steam are to be employed to work the Engine which is called The Cylinder in common Fire Engines, and which I call The Steam Vessel, must, during the whole Time the Engine is at Work, be kept as hot as the Steam that enters it; first, by inclosing it in a Case of Wood, or any other Materials that transmit Heat slowly; secondly, by surrounding it with Steam, or other heated Bodies; and; thirdly, by suffering neither Water; or any other Substance colder than the Steam, to enter or touch it during that Time.

Secondly, In Engines that are to be worked wholly or partially by Condensation of Steam, the Steam is to be condensed in Vessels distinct from the Steam Vessels or Cylinders, although occasionally communicating with them; these Vessels I call Condensers; and, whilst the Engines are working, these Condensers ought at least to be kept as cold as the Air in the Neighbourhood of the Engines, by Application of Water, or other cold Bodies.

Thirdly, Whatever Air or other elastick Vapour is not condensed by the Cold of the Condenser, and may impede the Working of the Engine, is to be drawn out of the Steam Vessels or Condensers by Means of Pumps, wrought by the Engines themselves, or otherwise.

Fourthly, I intend in many Cases to employ the expansive Force of Steam to press on the Pistons, or whatever may be used instead of them, in the same Manner as the Pressure of the Atmosphere is now employed in common Fire Engines: In Cases where cold Water cannot be had in Plenty, the Engines may be wrought by this Force of Steam only, by discharging the Steam into the open Air after it has done it's Office.

Fifthly, Where Motions round an Axis are required, I make the Steam Vessels in Form of hollow Rings, or circular Channels, with proper Inlets and Outlets for the Steam, mounted on horizontal Axles, like the Wheels of a Water Mill; within them are placed a Number of Valves, that suffer any Body to go round the Channel in one Direction only; in these Steam Vessels are placed Weights, so fitted to them as entirely to fill up a Part of Portion of their Channels, yet rendered capable of moving freely in them, by Means hereinafter mentioned or specified: When the Steam is admitted in these Engines, between these Weights and the Valves, it acts equally on both, so as to raise the Weight to one Side of the Wheel, and by the Re-action on the Valves, successively, to give a circular Motion to the Wheel, the Valves opening in the Direction in which the weights are pressed, but not in the contrary; as the Steam Vessel moves round, it is supplied with Steam from the Boiler, and that which has performed it's Office may either be discharged by Means of Condensers, or into the open Air.

Sixthly, I intend, in some Cases, to apply a Degree of Cold, not capable of reducing the Steam to Water, but of contracting it considerably, so that the Engines shall be worked by the alternate Expansion and Contraction of the Steam.

Lastly, Instead of using Water to render the Piston or other Parts of the Engines Air and Steam right, I employ Oils, Wax, rosinous Bodies, Fat of Animals, Quicksilver, and other Metals, in their fluid State.

AND the said James Watt, by a Memorandum added to the said Specification, declared, that he did not intend that any Thing in the Fourth Article should be understood to extend to any Engine where the Water to be raised enters the Steam Vessel itself, or any Vessel having an open Communication with it.

REEL 6

X208/12

Letter, Pearson to Wilson regarding errors in accounts

22 March 1800

Sir

Annexed you have account against Poldice Adv[enture]rs £119. 9 [shillings]. - & also an account against United Mines Adv[enture]rs £180. 15 [shillings]. 3 [pence] with both be pleased to do the needful. above you have account of some little errors in Commission Account, which if found to be right stated please carry the diff[eren]ce to account & say you have done so. Have also sent accounts, as above, of sundry other matters; which you have not given credit for, and which beg you will pass to account, or give reasons for not doing it. -

Beg you will please to say what is doing with the double Engines, as nothing respecting them hath appeared in your accounts of along while. -

We are, Sir, Your mo[st] ob[edient] Ser[van]ts, For Boulton & Watt, James Pearson.'

[Gives above errors in account of commission regarding Pednandrea, Wheal Gorland, Consolidated Mines and Wheal Godolphin Addit, and other accounts as specified in the letter]

X208/67

Letter, Boulton & Watt to Wilson regarding sale of their shares in the Cornish mines

22 August 1801

Dear Sir

We are duely favoured with your letter of the 8th and observe the contents on which however we request further explanation 1st in respect to Godolphin have you rec[eive]d the £220.12.[shillings].7 [pence] profits on our acc[oun]t? 2[n]d at what time are the ones July 9th to be paid? 3[r]d Is what you propose to sell to Mr Williams merely the Halvans, Materials, & good will of the Mine valued by you at £187.10. we bearing the loss on West downs to July 9th - In respect to Wheal Jewel Mr Williams in his report to the house of commons states the capital employed in that Mine to be at least £7000 & now you value it at only £2000. Whether do you include in what is to be sold to Mr Williams, the £48.9.9 value of our part of ores sold June 18th or only the value of Halvans & Materials stated at £31.5. When you say that Wheal Chance is worth nothing do you include every thing above ground in that price?

Your explanation of these matters will enable us to judge of Mr W[illiam]s offer, & of the propriety of selling them on such terms or of relinquishing & standing the want of an evaluation.

Our wish is not only to dispose of these mines but also of our share in North Downs to Mr Williams if he chuses to purchase, and you may also add our share of materials &c at Consols, so thus Mr W. may stand in our shoes in all these concerns, wishing to devise all our rights in all mine adventures in Cornwall for a specific sum, which for the following mines according to the annexed computation we make to amount to £1100 You will please add to that your valuation of Consols & any others which you know off & favour us with your general comments & observations upon the whole - We have this day wrote to Mr Grylls upon the reference concerning Wheal Rose to two counsel with powers to chuse a third, referring only the question how far the circumstances of their agreement with Bull freed them from our claims

We have also offered to refer the question respecting the statute of limitations in Wheal Rose to the award of counsel mutualy chosen & have impowerd him to make the offer to Robinson in our names which you may confirm both to them & to your friends

We have your letter with the invoice of Tin

We remain with comp[limen]ts & best wishes to Mrs Wilson & family -, Dear Sir, Your's sincerely, Boulton & Watt''

[The handwriting of the above is that of James Watt. That below appears to be that of Matthew Boulton]

''Statement -

Godolphin Mine – Value

Our share of undivided profits to the end of June -                                         [£]190..12 [s].7 [d]

D[itt]o of nett produce of Ores unsold since the above date            201
        Deduct[in]g loss in West Downs to the end
        of the time of her work[in]g -                                               74.8.4                  126.11.8
D[itt]o of Materials & Halvans -                                                                                 187.10.0
 - Goodwill on value of share -                                                                                       5.0.0

Wheal Jewel
   Our Share of Undivided profits
   to the end of June -                                                                 48.9.9
   Balance of P[rofit]&L[oss] or ores unsold
   & expenses of getting d[itt]o since
   the above period}
Our Share of Halvans Materials &
   or capital employed in s[ai]d
   Mine as stated by Mr Williams                                                   31.5.                     79.14.9
   at this time = 2000
   but in his report to the Copper Com[pani]e 7000 = 93/5.
   Goodwill of share in this Mine                                                                                  5. . -
Wheal Chance
   Undivided profits Share of Materials
   Halvans &c - goodwill} -                                                                                         10. . -
North Downs
            According to your letter of the 4th Aug[us]t
   after bringing to Acc[oun]t the unfunded debts
   & undivided ores Halvans Materials &c
   there is a balance in favor of
   the Adven[ture]rs of 10,000 - our Share
   viz 2/57 of s[ai]d sum -                                                                                        350. -
                                                                                                 [Sub-total]            954.9
     Allowance for various considerations
     among others for the above items being taken
     at the purchaser's valuation                                                                                 45.11
                                                                                                 [Total]                 1000 -
Add value of our Share of Mater[ial]s &c in
  consolidated Mines -''

X208/52

Letter, Boulton Watt & Co to Wilson regarding dispute with Wheal Margaret Adventurers

3 April 1801

Dear Sir

The very singular coincidence in the errors of Mr Daubuz's & your own acc[oun]t of time would lead to a suspicion that there was some foundation for the period originally assumed by you & tho' the information obtained by your son at St Ives is in contradiction to this opinion our doubts are not perfectly satisfied by it - The circumstance of the destrucion either real or pretended of the Coal Book which would have ascertained this point beyond contradiction, by no means tends to dissipate them - Were we indeed disposed to follow the example of some of your neighbours & resort to the cavils & quibbles which might be employed upon this occasion there is a very ample field for them. But we are unwilling to employ either your or our own time & thought in so unprofitable a way -

You may therefore inform Mr Daubuz that the sum of our demands will now be £537..10 [shillings] - To the proposed periods of the Instalments we do not object but we shall certainly expect some positive security for the performance of the compromise on the part of the adven[ture]rs. In the very vague manner in which the agreement now stands we shall be bound by the compromise & the adven[ture]rs left at liberty to fulfill it or not as it may afterwards please them - We see no reason why the resolution entered in the Mine Book can not be rescinded by the same authority which framed it & we should concieve it can only be considered as valid in the Vice's Warden Court to which we are not inclined to make our appeals - At all events not having any authenticated copy of it, such a document would afford us little or no security, from the great difficulty we should have in enforcing it's production upon any emergency when it may be required. Like the Coal Book it may happen to be destroyed when it is wanted for examination - Upon these grounds therefore you will see the propriety of having some satisfactory security for the performance of the compact when agreed upon - Bills drawn by you at the dates mentioned in your Letter & accepted by a banking house or drawn by some of the principal Adven[ture]rs & accepted by the purser would meet our ideas - You well recollect that in no instance have we acceded to any settlement without recieving notes of some kind in payment of the stipulated sum & for the reasons already stated as well for other equally cogent we are not disposed to deviate from the regulation - These remarks will equally apply to the Wherry Case & we beg you to inform Gundry that we cannot acquiesce in the prolongation of the credit required by him without recieving goods bills at the dates he proposes viz 2 & 4 Mo[nth]s for the amount of the remaining Instalments - He must be told to consider this accommodation as our ultimatum & after the intimation of Mr Daubuz it is certainly as great an indulgence as he has reason to expect - We trust your former experience of this gentleman's talent in procrastination will put you upon your guard against it on the present occasion -

We are D[ea]r Sir, Your obed[ien]t humb[le] Ser[van]ts, Boulton Watt & Co

PS. I am happy to hear that the instrum[en]t is arrived & pleases - from the length of it's voyage I was under some apprehension that it had been taken for the amusement for the french Ladies

I have to beg you will accept the thanks of the amateurs of gardening here for the apple tree slips which have been recievd. RB -

[The handwriting is that of Matthew Robinson Boulton]

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Harvey & Co of Hayle. In Letters, 1/1/16

Letter, copy from R Thomas concerning monies owing by the Charleston Blowing House

23 January 1829, London

Sir,  Mr Dickinson has brought me your letter on the subject of the balance due  Messrs Harvey & Co for goods supplied the Charleston Blowing House and has once more requested me to address you.  Mr D desires me to say that he will hold himself pledged to discharge this claim, long before the same might be recovered by legal --- that might be adopted against him.  He also desired me to state that he is quite ashamed to ask any further delay after the long indulgence that has been given on the part of Messrs H & Co but there are circumstances connected with some of the other parties who are concerned with --- that would be advantageous to Mr D if this debt were allowed to stand over for a very small time - and it is most likely he will beg the favour of your writing a letter to another party.  It is now decided on to proceed against Mr D--- and I have handed over the papers to Mr T--- to take such measures as he may think fit.  The little bill that I had of his dishonoured when you were in town.  I have not yet got paid - Should an unexpected delay take place in the arrangement we are making with the other parties concerned - I will get Mr D- to give me his acceptance for the amount --- you & remit it to you.

I am Sir respectfully, y[ou]r mo[st] ob[ediant] s[ervan]t, R Thomas

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/1/29

Letter concerning a Warrant of Arrest against Mr Francis Daniele?

9 February 1829, Helston

Dear Sir

I went to Cambourne with a Bailiff on Saturday with a Warrant of Arrest ---against Mr Francis D--- but he managed to keep out of our way and we could not lay our hands on him, and the warrant was --- on that day.

I saw him at Cambourne yesterday, he called on me, he appeared very indignant at being arrested for the sum of £20-  He said he should send you the amount of the Bill today, and he understood as he was not arrested he was not liable to pay Costs - But he is altogether mistaken - He can be compelled to pay every thing but the officer’s fee, and understanding the interest on the bill amounts, I believe, to about 10/6 - and the costs I should think would be £8.10 - or £9 - now.

If you have anything today to Mr Roberts - I intend writing him tomorrow.

I remain, Dear Sir, Yours truly, Thos P Tyack

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/2/25

Letter from Henry Bath about the purchase of the vessel, Providence.

16 February 1830, Swansea

Dear Friends

You are already appriz’d that Capt James Banfield has purchased the Brig Providence for you, & he has this day in conformity with your authority to him; delivered me the enclosed Drafts value seven hundred & eighty Pounds which please accept & transmit to me for return of post.

I was anxious to enable Capt Banfield to load Hail immediately, but difficulties presented which I could not overcome, & of which he is fully aware.  On the receipt of your acceptance; I hope we may permit the vessel to sail, by appointing him the master, but the owners here will expect that you signify to me that you will indemnify the owners for such grant; as the old owners will be subject to liability by their names being retained on the Register; and as the owners of the Providence are so very far apart, it will be a great detention to the vessel here, to have the Bill of Sale return’d fully executed and a new Register granted.  I shall feel truly obliged if you can employ Capt T--- who is gone in the Pack, as I believe you will find him an active able and faithful servant.

Remain your sincere friend Henry Bath

Above £700 has lately been expended on the Providence, but I have received full authority from all the owners for my selling her. H B

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/3/81

Letter from Thos James enquiring the provision, cost & transportation of a boiler.

2 March 1830, West Tilbury Mills

Sirs

I believe I did not name in my letter to Mr Woolf I am rather short of water to condense with - but I am going to try an experiment which is to work some of the water back and lead it into the well again - and should not this answer I am fearfull I shall be obliged to have an high pressure engine - therefore should be glad to know whether the boiler you have recommended of help Messrs  Lucas & Co would be strong enough for high pressure of eight or ten Horsepower should my experiment not answer, and I should be glad to know if its of the same make and shape as the one sent up to Gravesend for that is such a one as I wish to have, I don’t mind it being the foot to short if it is from 8 to 10 Horsepower, I should prefer it 10 as I think by what I can see of it - it is best to have power enough there.  There is another thing I wish particularly to know whether the boiler is made from the best Welch iron - I think if I read your letter right you include the fireplace &tc compleat with the boiler - if so and you think it will answer my purpose I will give £60 for it delivered to London where I will have a Barge ready to take it from the vessel - as I have a very great objection to have anything to do with the delivery to London.

Yours most obediently T James

PS I hope you will give me an answer as quick as convenient as I have a boiler offered me in London which I am requested to give an early answer about, I shall want a plunger, to force the water into the boiler, and one of your men to fix it - without you would be kind enough to send me a plan how it should be fixd if so, I have a millwright who has been accustomed to engine work and I think competent to do it, but I will leave it with you to recommend that way you think most advisable - when you write please to state that you charge per ton for a new boiler of the same kind as the one in question.

I think it not unlikely we may know each other after this, as I have a Brother wishes to have an engine providing I could get mine to answer.

The money shall be forthcoming any way you may ask - paying - for the boiler, or anything else we may have decidings for -

REEL 10

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/5/104

Copy of tender for carpenters and masons work on lighthouse, St Ives Pier

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/4/107

Letter from Henry Francis requesting tender for a 16 inch cylinder engine

24 September 1831, Wheal Elizabeth

Gentlemen

We shall be obliged for your Tender stating the lowest price you will make a 16 Inch Cylinder Engine, with Steam Case, 4 feet stroke, for crushing and winding with 31/2 Tons of Boiler to have a self acting Governor and the valves &c workd by Eccentrics, to be delivered in the mine in 12 weeks from the time the Tender is accepted, the Tender to be delivered to the mine on Friday sept the 30th Instant.

Your Obt Servt, Henry Francis

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/5/108-109

Letters about new chapel at Penzance

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/5/122, 136, 140

Letters about dispute with Cornish Copper Company over Carnsew quay

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/6/208

Letter concerning the delivery of a cargo by vessel to Harvey & Co

29 December 1832, Brevig

Gentlemen!

I have received your favor of the 11th Inst. whereof I learn, that you will take my Cargo at Marazion for 27/6 -, in case I cannot get my Vessel into your Port, and I entirely trust to what you state in your letter, and that you will give me every Assistance and not Order me Round, without you find the Vessel can get over the Bar with Safety, and I refer to my last letter if I should unfortunately get damage to my vessel, as may cause my ruin, though if you find me no risk, you may be assured shall omit not opportunity, and should be glad if I could succeed to fulfill your wishes -

I should wish to escape that experience going into Falmouth and I would propose if wind and weather permits when I pass Mounts Bay as to call in at Marazion and I suppose the state of the Bar may be ascertained in the latter part of Febry months if this may be agreeable to you.  I there by you pleased to leave orders at your office in Marazion: if I should meet with low tides and contrary winds as to run into Falmouth, by such circumstances I should be glad if you would honour me with a few lines directed to the care of our Consul Fo---  in Falmouth by order where I have to proceed the voyage.  If wind should be from the South as to keep of that coast and I should proceed direct to your place I expect to be known of the pilots at St Ives if there is water over the Bar, if not I must stand my chance to go back to Marazion.

I hope you have nothing against these my propositions if you another wish I should bring the vessel to Falmouth.  I consider time enough to be informed when you write by returning post.  I have heard a vessel is freighted to you for to go direct to Hayle, probably that one may be expected about the same time as mine.

I remain, Gentlemen, Your most Obt Servant, Niels P---

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/7/161

Letter concerning the renewal of contract for Binner Downs

29 June 1833, Binner Downs

Dear Sir, I have been waiting day after day expecting to hear from the Directors concerning the Contract for Coals, but have been disappointed, the old one ends today.  Notwithstanding this you will be pleased to continue the supply until an arrangement is made, I mean a new Contract, and if the Directors think well of it, I think for my own part you had better keep the whole of the supply in your own hands -

Binner Downs have not been a bad customer in the last year.  We are now very poor, do not press us too hard.  I was glad to hear that Miss Harvey was a little better the other day and hope her health will continue to improve.

I am, Dear Sir, Your very ob-- Mr Gregor

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/7/291, 311, 312

Letters about wreck of the Providence off the Carmarthenshire coast

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/8/141

Letter about the question of ownership of a piece of ground

16 July 1834, Phill--- Parsonage

Dear Sir

I had fully understood from you the last time I saw you that you were satisfied with the copy of my Title Deed that there was not the shadow of a doubt that the piece of ground adjoining my field in the Higher Ground was absolutely mine & regularly by name conveyed to me - when you asked if I could wait for you to have Phillip Bigglestones Deeds now in Mr Rogers office exam I fully expected that a week would suffice for that purpose; but I have waited a fortnight for this examination & not having heard from you concluded this had been done and that you were finally satisfied - had you stated any particular time you might desire to get at these Deeds I wd have acquiesced - but I think after all my forbearance & when P Bigglestone has not the least appearance &, any evidence, that I aught not to be expected to wait to endorse my rights to an indefinite time - and I am surprised at P Bigglestone coming on the spot this afternoon & saying he should --- the ---- as before - Will you then get these Deeds examined at some fixed time and let me know whether they contain anything that gives appearance of the spot in question belonging to Phillip Bigglestone.  N--- will I stop proceeding till this is done.

I am, yours very sincerely, Mr Hockin

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/9/44

Letter from Mary Beznon asking for the whereabouts of her husband, Master of the Brigg ----

27 October 1834, Swansea

Sir

I hope you will not be offended at the liberty I have taken in addressing you but being in such distress with a family of seven children without any knowledge of what is become of my husband - he left Swansea five weeks last ---day as Master of the Brigg --- and as far as I knew his intention was to return as master of the vessel - but to my great surprise the vessel was brought back without him and his little boy said that he never mentioned anything to him of his intention to leave her and I have not seen or heard anything of him since that time - and I have been obliged to you - with my children to have relief from the Parish and all I wish is to know what is become of him and shall be very thankful if you Sir can give me any information concerning him and --- my self your grateful humble servant, Mary Beznon, The wife of Philip Beznon

Sir - if a Boy is wanted on board of the --- I hope that you will please to be so kind as to let him remain in her.

Sir -

Please direct for Mary Beznon at Richard Francis --- --- Pavell Street,

St Johns Swansea

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/9/179

Draft memorial to Treasury about removing Custom House from St Ives to Hayle nd, but with correspondence for Dec 1834

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/10/70

Letter, acceptance of a Tender for a cylinder engine

7 April 1835, Callington

Sirs

In reply to your favor of the 3rd concerning Tender for a 30 inches cylinder Engine, I beg to say that looking at your private list of prices, it appears evident to me that you have made an error of exactly 100£ - cannot you alter this Tender? and get the required Engine ready by midsummer?

I think we can get up the Boiler on better terms than you have named.

Awaiting your early reply.

I am Sirs, Your obedt servt, J(oseph) Malachy

PS  We have, or shall get up the steam at Holmhurst on Friday next.  Be so good as to send up without delay the false cover of the cylinder & a

L--- Brass for the Piston rod.

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/11/45

Letter requesting assistance with boilers following the absence the engineer, Mr Rendle, due to illness

15 July 1835, Portreath

Gentlemen, I have today received a letter from Mr John Marc Plymouth, wherein he says that owing to the absence and illness of Mr Rendle the Engineer.  The plan of the Boiler was not decided on till yesterday and J Marc begs to know whether you now could take the job in hand as in that case he would immediately come down with the Plans, and enter into such engagements as may be necessary -

May I beg the favor of an early reply that I may communicate the same to him.

I am respectfully, your obliged servant, D Bain

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/12/97

Letter about a payment made by false representations

20 November 1835, Bristol

Gentlemen

In reply to your favor of yesterdays date, we cannot understand why or how Capt Andrews should have paid the *£5.3.0 to Kendall & Son of Gloster.  Any expenses incurred by the latter have always been repaid by the manufacturers - at least we believe so - at any rate we have nothing to do with it.  The Captn we think should look to K & Son to return it - if it be the case that they imposed on him in the way you state, by false representations.

We are Gents, always you most obt , Staite & Ash

Yours is the first intimation of any charge being made, which we have had.

REEL 17

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/14/28

Letter about delivery by ship of various goods

6 August 1836, Plymouth

Sirs,  I thank you for a cheque £290 - to your credit this morning.  It was quite a mistake of Mr L----  to sell you Soap Tallow for present delivery.  I have some on their way from Petersburg and fully expect this arrival before the month is out, as soon as they are landed you shall have an invoice of your orders.

Mr Gill of Briton we will no doubt ship the gun and plate you speak of the first opportunity - he is more likely to hear of a vessel to your port than I am - your heavy deductions from the freight of stone - frighten the captains of my vessels & preventing their coming to you.

In commands, Respectfully Y[ou]rs, Mr Thos Gill, J Bransom

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/15/29

Letter reporting on unloading and loading of cargo

21 February 1837, Waterford

Sirs

I am to inform you of our welfare.  We have commenced loading this day with taking on board 130 sacks of flower (sic) 100 of fines and 30 seconds with the lard and part of the bacon the remainder of which is not ready as yet.  I should not have gone beyond my instructions and not the price and quality exceeded the sample which Mr Noel gave me, and the remainder of our cargo will be of coarse (sic) be of black oats as you directed me.  Wee might get loaded by tomorrow but as the oats will require time in the stowing wee shall not be able to finish untill (sic) Thursday.  I have [h]ad great trouble in getting out the Cargo of Castings, we finished on the 18th of the month.  I have seen Mr Petherick he would not allow me the --- due on the cargo wich (sic) according to your orders I have left the freight unsettled.  The cargo might have been out before add (sic) they procured a place for the vessel to take the ground.  They told me wee should not be allowed [to] land the Case and Cillinder (sic) w[h]ere wee did had not I gone to the harbour master who told me wee might land what ever we might on the quay.  I think it was their duty to Provide us a Place to Discharge.  I did all in my power to get the cargo out, and by working in the wet on Saturday last we got clear of the cargo.  I trust if we have weather to keep our hatches open we shall finish loading on Thursday.  The wind at preasant (sic) is fair and I trust by the time you receive this we shall be with you.  I shall loose no time here at Waterford.

I remain Your, Obedient Servant, Richd Harry

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/16/194

Letter detailing types of cargo carried and prices paid

16 October 1837, Gloster

Gentlemen

I have to inform you that I arrived in the Cannal last night and today I arrived up to Gloster with forty five tons of pig iron and metal from Swansea at 5/ per ton which was the only thing I could get and the freight I am to receive from Swansea by Mr Southan endorsing bills of loading.

I have been to Mr Kendall and he told me that part of the Cargo is down already and he expect the remainder down in a day or two and the salt that is all ready for us we shall begin to discharge tomorrow.  So I remain your humble servant, Edward Green

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/17/1

Letter on reverse of sale poster with inventory of the brig ‘Eleanor’ built in 1831

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/17/51

Letter requesting price list for engines

24 February 1838, Castlecomer Ireland

Dear Sir

Will you have the goodness to send me one of your printed lists of prices, such as you had occasionally sent me a few years ago - addressing post as above.

The Wheal I---ton Engine, a 40 inch cylinder, which you furnished me with about ten years ago, has I am happy to say, given much satisfaction, as well as the Pumps for which I got from your foundery.

I remain Dear Sir, your most obedient servant, David Aher

REEL 21

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/18/126

Letter concerning the closure of a business due to ill health of the owner

16 June 1838, St Ives, Jas Young

Dear Sir

In consequence of a severe attack of my old complaint I am under the necessity of giving up my shop.  I can get a person to take it without the ironmongery part, and as you have a shop of that description I have thought whether you would be so kind as to take that part of my stock - part of it is new in the packages unopen’d, and very few of the articles have been here 2 years (the amount may be about £200) - you will do me a great favour by taking it and I may be able to --- you for it in another way.

I have not enjoyed a --- health since xmas, and the medical gentlemen all agree in saying that I must make up my mind to go out of business.

I remain, Dear Sir, Your mo[st] obed[ien]t serv[an]t, J Young

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Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/19/125

Letter concerning the insurance costs for their ships

5 November 1838, London

Gentlemen

We are this day favoured with yours of 3rd instant.

We have for some years past affected most of your insurances with the Mutual Indemnity Assurance Company, as we feel that the security of a large subscribed capital with the prompt settlement of losses or coverages without delay or starting needless legal scruples is of great importance.

The company will insure your Ships for five /5/ months “including all the ports in Wales and the Bristol Channel, and as far as Newhaven in the English Channel at £5..5- percent and your ships stand so well that no doubt they would extend it at the same premium /£5:5/ to the entire coasting trade of England, Scotland and Ireland.

An insurance might be effected for twelve months at £8..8- percent.

Should only part of the value be insured on any ship they will require that the ship be valued in the policy at a fair price for contribution in case of average.

We shall be very happy to be favoured with your correspondence & will do our best to give you satisfaction.

We are, Gentlemen, your most obed[ien]t servants, Robt & Wm Hichens & Harrison

REEL 23

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/20/16

Letter requesting prices for bricks

3 Jan 1839, Bissoe Bridge Smelting Wks, C K Vigers

Gentm

Having been informed by my friend Mr Moyle that you may probably have the following articles on hand I take the liberty of addressing you to know if such be the case, and if it would be convenient for you to let me know your prices what other sizes besides those mentioned at foot that you can part with -

3000 Common Stourbridge Bricks

1 Doz Head Bricks from 18 inches to 2 feet long by 9 inches wide by 4 1/2 thick

2 Doz Do 9in by 9in x 4 1/2 thick

I am, Gentm, your obd[ien]t S[ervan]t, for Bissoe Bridge Smelting Wks,

C K Vigers

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/20/164

Letter about assignment of shares in Truro Gas Co

REEL 24

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/21/45

Letter requesting the highest price paid for a bell (now broken) for its value as metal

6 May 1839, St Mary’s ---

Gentlemen

I will thank you to inform me what would be your highest price per lb for a Bell wt about 4 tons -1stone - 8 lb delivered at Penzance.  This bell having been used as a cathedral bell in Rio Janeiro, (rendered now unfit for the purpose being broken) I should consider that the metal was very superior, I will thank you also to send me by return of packet any account which you may have against Mr Smith or myself.

Remain, Gentlemen, your obed[ien]t servant, W P Johns

REEL 25

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/22/96

Letter requesting a high pressure boiler

27 July 1839, West Chinnock

Gentm

We have lately had with us Mr Wm West of St Blazey to inspect a steam engine previous to our putting down a new boiler; he is about making some alterations and recommend your making us an high pressure which he said you would accomplish in a short time and best material and workmanship fee on board at 24£ per ton - you will therefore please receive his instructions, as we have had the pleasure of supplying you with sail cloth we think you will allow us to send you some, a part at least, towards the amount of its cash -

Our present boiler being in a dangerous state we are anxious that the new work be soon complete, therefore we think you will send it off in time to be here / via Bridgewater / by the last week in August or as much earlier as possible.

We remain Gent, Your --- Ob[edien]t Serv[an]t, Rd Hayward & Sons

REEL 26

Harvey & Co of Hayle, In Letters, 1/23/16

Letter requesting technical information and prices for a 20 Horse Engine

14 September 1839, 9 Springfield Terrace, Grove Hill, Camberwell

Gentm

Understanding that you are Steam Engine makers upon a large scale and wanting a 20 Horse Engine I shall be obliged by your early answer to the following questions.

1 What is your cash price for a 20 Horse Engine upon W----‘s principle (erected in London) the connecting rod &c bright - and what diameter of cylinder do you allow for such an Engine, and what dimensions of Boiler - and what pressure do you require upon the safety valve - How many coals per hour are consumed? - The weight and diameter of the fly wheel.

2 What is your cash price for a 20 Horse Engine upon Boulton & Watt’s principle (low pressure) erected in London?  The same parts as above bright - what diameter of Cylinder do you allow - and what dimensions of Boiler - what pressure on safety valve?  and how many coals per hour are consumed?  Weight and diameter of fly wheel.

3 What us your cash price for a 20 Horse Engine (erected in London) upon the expansion principle - at which part of the stroke do you propose to cut off the steam - what diameter of Cylinder do you allow - what dimensions of boiler - and what pressure do you require upon safety valve?  How many coals per hour are consumed? Weight and diameter of fly wheel.

As an engine of the above pressure is wanted as soon as it could be manufactured an answer to the above queries is particularly desired - To insure the order the lowest price must be named.  Be pleased to attend to each question - for Gentlemen, your most obedient, Wm Grisenthwaite

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