VA1UOUS INVENTIONS. 23 



the breakwater at Plymouth, but does not say whether you hold 

 any share with them in the contract or not. Therefore I cannot 

 understand from your letter whether you wish to see an engine 

 titted to the purpose of the breakwater, or for pumping the 

 water from the foundations of the Exeter Bridge. Please to 

 inform me which of the two purposes you wish to see the engine 

 calculated for, and about what time you think you shall want it, 

 and I will get one finished suitable to the purpose you intend 



it for. 



" Yours, &c., 



" JAS. GREEN, Esq., St. David's Hill, Exeter. " ft. T. 



" N.B. To what extent have Messrs. Fox engaged, and what 

 parts of the work do they perform ? I think more good might 

 be done by loading, carrying, and discharging, than by quarry- 

 ing only." 



Trevitliick was equally ready with the application of 

 steam-power either for pumping of water or for boring 

 and removing rock. The use of chisels and rock- 

 breakers in the Thames in 1803 * had prepared the 

 way for the more perfect engine for boring, lifting, 

 and carrying rock from the quarries to its destination 

 at the Plymouth Breakwater in 181 2. 2 



" 106, HOLBOEN HILL, November 26^, .1812. 

 " I am in leceipt of yours of the 22nd inst. Mr. Giddy 

 informs me that Mr. Fox and Mr. Williams are to have 2s. 6d. 

 per ton for making the breakwater at Plymouth, and he con- 

 siders that they can do it for 2s., which he thought would give 

 them 50,000/. profit. If you meet those gentlemen, I have to 

 caution you not to LEARN THEM anything until you make a 

 bargain, as I know Mr. Williams will endeavour to learn all he 

 can and then you may go whistle. 



" If 6d. per ton will give 50,0007. profit, a halfpenny per toil 

 would give upwards of 4000/. Would they agree to give you 

 that for your labour only ? However, this will depend in a great 



1 See Stonebreuker of 180o, vol. i., ]>. 239. 



2 See St'.'um-cnuie, vol. i., jip. 102, 274. 



