"Gentlemen,--Lord Dedunstanville's engine thrashed yesterday 1500 sheaves in 90 minutes with 40 lbs. of coal. "RD. TREVITHICK." The first steam thrashing engine was worked by a labouring man for eighteen months, without needing repair, or even attention beyond three or four minutes each hour to put on a little coal. Necessary stoppages for various purposes caused a day's work to be no more than the engine could perform in half a day. No additional feed-water was required during an ordinary day's work to thrash 1500 sheaves of wheat with 168 lbs. of coal, while on a special occasion that quantity was thrashed in an hour and a half, consuming only 40 lbs. of coal. Three horses during three days were required to do the same amount of work. A farmer sold his horses used in thrashing for more money than his engine cost, which did twice as much work at a reduced expenditure, and also saved the feed of the horses. Such an engine could be delivered in London for 100 guineas, while a portable engine on wheels with a differently constructed boiler, requiring no mason work, would cost 160 guineas. [Rough draft.] "GENTLEMEN, "CORNWALL, CAMBORNE, _19th August, 1813_. "I have your favour of the 9th August, respecting steam-engines for St. Kitts. I fear it will not be possible to get an engine ready by the 1st of November. "As you say the gentleman that is about to take them out is a clever man, and likely to promote the use of them, I will make immediate inquiry, and, if possible, will get one ready, of which I will inform you in a short time. "I very much wish that every person who intends to employ a steam-engine of mine would first examine the engine, and be satisfied with the construction before giving an order, for which reason I must request you to send your friend down to Messrs. Hazeldine and Rastrick's foundry, Bridgenorth, Shropshire, where he may see the portable steam-engine that was made for Mr. Pickwood, which the founders will set to work for his inspection in half an hour after his arrival. As this gentleman has a taste for machines, and wishes to make himself fully acquainted with the principle and use of the steam-engine, he will be much gratified with the sight of this curious machine and with the information he will receive from the founders, which will be essentially necessary to him before leaving England. "I am extremely disappointed that this engine was not forwarded to Mr. Pickwood, as I find from his letter that he has an exceedingly clever and active mind, and is a very fit person to take the management of introducing a machine into a new country. "This engine is engaged by a Spanish gentleman, who is going to take out nine of my engines with him to Lima, in South America, in about six weeks. "I remain, your obedient servant, "RICHD. TREVITHICK. "MESSRS. PLUMMER, BARHAM, AND CO., "_London_.