Before leaving for America he had reported on the best means of improving St. Ives Bay.[147] Hayle Harbour was a branch of it, and he now suggested to Mr. Henry Harvey methods for deepening and improving it. A rival company of merchants and engineers, known then as Sandys, Carne, and Vivian, after many fights had recourse to law on the question of the course of a stream which had been changed by alterations during the making of wharfs and channels for ships. [Footnote 147: See vol. i., p. 343.] Trevithick made a model in wood, movable layers of which indicated changes of level caused by workmen at different periods, giving a different course to the river bed. Mr. Harvey's counsel, since known as Lord Abinger and Sir William Follett, complimented Trevithick on the facility of understanding the case by reference to the model. The writer having carried the surveying chain, was present at the trial at the Bodmin assizes in 1829. "MR. GILBERT, "HAYLE FOUNDRY, _September 14th, 1829._ "Sir,--I expected to have seen you before this, but am detained by Mr. Harvey's attorney to settle the Foundry Quay. As I made the drawing and model of the disputed ground, and was examined in evidence in court, it was thought proper that I should be present at the time that Mr. Peters came to determine the boundary line between the two companies. This cannot be concluded for ten days. "As I have been so long detained I wish to await your arrival in Cornwall for the purpose of trying the new engine while you are down, and will thank you to inform me when you intend to be with us. "I remain, Sir, "Your very humble servant, "RICHARD TREVITHICK." Erskine, who had expressed the opinion favourable to Trevithick's engine more than twenty years before,[148] was in this trial the counsel for the opposing side. The verdict was in favour of Mr. Harvey, or Trevithick's side. [Footnote 148: See vol. ii., p. 129.] A former chapter[149] speaks of promises to pay certain savings by the use of Trevithick's inventions prior to his leaving for America. The United Mines refused to continue the payment, and on Mrs. Trevithick's application to Mr. Davies Gilbert for advice he kindly wrote to the Williamses, who managed those mines, and received the following reply:-- [Footnote 149: See vol. ii., p. 108.] "DEAR SIR, "SCORRIER HOUSE, _November 14th, 1820_. "... with regard to Mrs. Trevithick's claims for savings on engines at the United Mines, there is much to be said.