"This experiment with the portable engine that will travel from one plantation to another and work without condensing water, is certainly of the greatest consequence to the planters, and as the whole weight will not exceed 1-3/4 ton, I should hope that the Commissioners at the Post Office will grant this request. I am sorry to trouble you so often about my business, but I beg the favour of your goodness to inform me through what channel I ought to make this application.
"I remain, Sir, "Your most obedient humble servant, "RD. TREVITHICK."
This experiment with the 1-3/4 ton portable engine to travel from one plantation to another, needing no condensing water, was certainly of the greatest consequence to the planters in the West Indies, and should have been of equal importance to the people in England.
Judging from the weight and cost, as compared with agricultural engines of the present day, Trevithick was nearer the mark then than we are now; its working without condensing water the engineers of that day believed to be impracticable, a fundamental error which greatly retarded the use of the high-pressure steam-engine. The providing sufficient condensing water was often a most serious item of cost, and as water mains were not in use, a deep well was a necessary part of a steam vacuum engine.
"GENTLEMEN, "CORNWALL, CAMBORNE, _October 16th, 1812_.
"Yours of the 30th of September I found at my house on my return yesterday from a journey. I am sorry to inform you that Mr. Pickwood's engine is not ready. Near three months ago I set my smiths and boiler-makers to work to complete an engine for Mr. Pickwood, which parts were finished five or six weeks ago. The other parts of the engine, which were to have been made of cast iron, were ordered and commenced at a foundry in this county, belonging to Blewett, Harvey, and Vivian, and would have been finished and the engine shipped long since had not these partners in the iron foundry quarrelled with each other, and the Lord Chancellor has laid an injunction and set idle their foundry. I have since ordered the castings to be made at a foundry at Bridgenorth, in Shropshire, belonging to Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co., who will complete the engine and send it to you in about two months, at which time I intend to be in town to set it to work before it is shipped for the West Indies.