"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.
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:—
"Scorrier House, November 14th, 1820.
""Dear Sir,
"... with regard to Mrs. Trevithick's claims for savings on engines at the United Mines, there is much to be said.
"Before Mr. Trevithick went abroad he sold half the patent right to William Sims, our engineer, who very strongly recommended that two of the engines at the United Mines should be altered to what he considered his patent principle, but the alterations proved very inferior to his expectations, and to this circumstance I attribute much of the objections in question. Mr. Henry Harvey has perhaps told you who the partners are in the patent, and when you next come into this county I shall be much pleased to wait on you at Tredrea that you may hear the whole of the case; and though the United Mines adventurers are far from being a united body, I am very sure my sons, who are their managers, are desirous to recommend what appears to them right, and they will with myself be obliged for your opinion after you have heard the whole matter on both sides.
"Dear Sir,
"Yours very sincerely,
"Jno. Williams.