In December, 1813, while in London, arranging for a vessel to convey
the engines to Lima, and also to secure written agreements with
Uville, who expected to leave England in a week or two, the going into
the documents made known many weak points, one of them being shortness
of money. The expected week or two had lengthened out to three months,
and Uville was still in London, and Capt. Thomas Trevarthen and Bull
were to be there, ready to start, about the middle of March, 1814. Four
large boilers, in pieces, were to go for the pumping engines, to be put
together in the mines; and Trevithick strongly recommended the sending
a third man, to take general charge of the practical work, which Mr.
Uville thought he himself could manage.
Page and Day were lawyers, who drew up very long documents. Money to
pay expenses was raised by the sale of shares in a company formed by
Uville without sufficient authority, and Page was to go to the mines
to look after his own and the English shareholders' interests; between
them Uville was arrested, apparently for some trifle.
[Rough draft.]
"MR. UVILLE,
"CAMBORNE, _March 15th, 1814_.
"Sir,--I shall write to him again by this post, and push him to send
down the transfer of my shares, already agreed on, for my execution,
and hope I shall be able to meet Messrs. Hazeldine and Co.'s demand
before it will be due. The young man Bull has been with me. I told
him I expected that you intended to take him with you, and Capt.
Trevarthen is making preparation for going. I am glad you intend to
take a third person with you. I have not thought or said anything to
anyone about this business. Mr. Vivian informed me that, from the
conversation he had with you on the subject, he had expected to hear
from you. I can answer for Mr. Vivian's honesty, ability, and pleasant
behaviour, and he is a person very suitable for the engagement, only
that one failing of making too free with an evening glass, which
you were not unacquainted with while in Cornwall at Dolcoath Mine. I
do not like to take an active part in this business, because if any
accident should happen to him, my sister or his family might charge me
with being accessory to his going; therefore I must beg to be exempt
from taking any part in this engagement.
"I remain, Sir, yours,
"RD. TREVITHICK."
[Rough draft.]
"MR. PAGE, "CAMBORNE, _April 9th, 1814_.
"Sir,--I have your favour of the 5th instant. I intend to be in town
on Sunday week, but this need not prevent their writing to me here;
and both you and they may still be doing your best towards disposing
of shares.
"Your obedient servant,
"RD. TREVITHICK."
[Rough draft.]
"MR. UVILLE, "CAMBORNE, _April 9th, 1814_.
"Sir,--I intend to be in London on Sunday, the 17th, and shall call
immediately on this person for money, which shall be at your service.
Wheal Alfred and Wheal Prosper agents wish you a prosperous voyage,
and success in your mines.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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