"All these castings must be delivered in Cornwall in four months from the time the orders are given; therefore, if you take the job, or any part of it, you must enter into an engagement to fulfil it in the time. As there ought not to be a moment lost, I wish you to answer me immediately in what time you will deliver those materials in Cornwall; or otherways, what part of them you can execute in the time.
"I am making the drawing, which will be ready before I can receive your answer. For whatever part of the job you may engage I will lodge the money to pay for the whole in Mr. Fox's hands, which will then be paid for before you begin the work, as soon as you execute the agreement.
"R. T.
"Mr. Pengilly, Neath Abbey, South Wales."
It is an odd coincidence that while writing of the events of fifty-eight years ago, pumping engines are being sent to those same mines with the steam-cylinder in twenty-two pieces, no piece to weigh more than 300 lbs.—a facility in mechanical arrangements not enjoyed by Trevithick—having Trevithick's high-pressure boilers, giving steam of 50 lbs. on the inch.[122]
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne, June 2nd, 1813.
"Sir.
"I drop you this note just to inform you that I have begun your job. Yesterday I engaged a great many smiths and boiler-builders, who set to work this morning. I have also engaged all the boiler-plates in the county, which will be sent to-day to the different workmen. The master-smiths that I have engaged are the best in the kingdom. I have obligated them to put the best quality of iron, and to be delivered at Falmouth within four months. I have been obliged to give them a greater price than I expected, otherwise they would not turn aside their usual business employment for a short job of four months.
"Mr. Teague is with me, and one other, assisting about the drawings. If you call at Camborne about Friday, shall be able to show you the designs. The drawings for the castings will be sent to the iron-founders by the end of this week; and by the end of next week shall have the whole of the different tradesmen in full employ. If you wish to have a greater quantity of machinery ready by the end of September, there ought to be as little time as possible lost in giving your orders. I can get you double the quantity, provided you give the orders in time.