Some LETTERS OF PaTRIcK MILLER. 141 
General Robert Melville and to Mr Charles Gascoigne, manager of 
the Carron Company. Their precise shares in the invention cannot 
now be ascertained, but the Carron Company presented General 
Melville with a model of the gun, on which he is described as the 
inventor. 
2 Mrs Jean Miller to her son, 28th November, 1789. This visit 
to Carron was in November, 1789, for the trial of the second steam- 
boat. At the trial the paddles broke down. New ones were made, 
and on 28th December a speed of seven miles per hour was attained— 
in the circumstances a wonderful result. 
3 A most important letter on the relations between Miller and 
Symington. Taylor stated that Miller was so disappointed that he 
at once called for accounts, and applied to Boulton and Watt for an 
engine. Watt declined, as he did not think steam navigation prac- 
ticable. This letter now first published shows that Miller was pleased 
with the progress made. ‘Taylor really did very little towards the 
invention, the idea of employing steam came from William Syming- 
ton, who in 1787 proposed to apply his engine to drive road cars and 
boats on canals. The suggestion that this engine should be used for 
Miller’s experiment came from Taylor, whose brother was in partner- 
ship with Symington as mining engineer. That was Taylor’s con- 
tribution, and in the circumstances it was an inspired public service. 
The engine employed on Dalswinton Loch in 1788 was exactly the 
same as the one patented by Symington in 1787. But to Patrick 
Miller belongs the credit of actually applying steam engine power to 
a boat. He contributed the ideas, the perseverance, and the funds. 
4 Miller to his son, 6th January, 1790. 
5 Henry Dundas, Treasurer of the Navy and M.P. for Midlothian 
in 1788, became Viscount Melville in 1802. He was elected governor 
of the Bank of Scotland in 1790, and Patrick Miller succeeded him 
in the office of deputy governor at same date. 
6 Mrs Miller to her son, 3rd April, 1790. 
7 Ibid., 3rd June, 1790. 
va 3rd May, 1794. 
7b 2nd March, 1794. 
ve 23rd May, 1794. 
8 Mrs Miller to her son, 28th November, 1789. 
9 Miller to his son, 26th June, 1784. 
10 David Staig, Provost of Dumfries, 1783-6, and for several 
other periods down to 1817. 
11 Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Goldie, to whom Walter Riddell 
disponed Woodley Park (Goldielea), 3rd September, 1794. Believed 
to be identical with Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Goldie of Crooks, 
nephew of Patrick Heron of Heron (Kirkcudbright), and brother of 
Joseph Goldie of Craigmuie. ‘‘ Colonel Tam’’ (Election Ballad 
Second, 1795). 
