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Document number: 7487
Date: 03 Nov 1857
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: VIVIAN William
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: Acc no 20925 (envelope only)
Last updated: 7th February 2015

[printed letterhead:]
Tuckingmill Foundry & Roseworthy Hammer Mills.
Near Camborne. Cornwall.

3rd November 1857

H. F. Talbot Esq

Sir/

Since I had the favor of an interview with you at the Abbey I have thought much of my ranging over your Iron oer [sic] ground & I come to a conclusion that if it is wrought under the superintendance of a good Miner it may do – there is a person in the neighbd of Bristol, a Cornish man, Mr Trevithick, whom I would recommend to your notice as the most efficient man in that neighbd. I should have spent a day or two in Bristol on my way home (but had not time being detained in Wales longer than I expected) & got him to go up & see the ground & if he approved of it & could recommend it to me I should have no objection to take half of the Mine & work it with Trevithick you retaining the other half, but giving the management into the hands of Mr Trevithick – I intend writing him in a post or two & ask him to run up to Lacock & see the ground – should he call I hope you will be kind enough to allow him to examine the pits &c – I think you will be pleased with him as he is well skilld in Mining – I believe he has been employed in several instances to inspect Mining ground in the neighbd of Bristol – Several years since he went from this neighbd to take charge of a Lead Mine near Banwell (in which I was largely interested) in the conduct of which he gave me the utmost satisfaction, but the Mine proved a failure – I believe he is now working Iron Mines in that vicinity – he being a good Miner & must now be well acquainted with the Iron oer [sic] market I should like to have a try with him in some enterprise & I fix upon your grounds, – If you can entertain my application & state terms I shall be glad to hear from you –

Iron I see is going down in price & I fear that unless we get a better state in the money Market we shall have Iron at a very low figure – I have not had time to fulfill [sic] my promise in sending you a few Copper & Tin specimens but my sons will get up some & send to your address –

I am Sir your obedt Servt
Wm Vivian

[envelope:]
[added in pencil in WHFT's hand:] Vivian
H. F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts