ABSTRACT

Much is known of the difficulties besetting eighteenth-century merchants trading overseas in time of peace and of the hazards facing shipping at the hands of men-o'-war and privateers in war-time. The engine was put in hand immediately, but the problem arose of how to ship the acques Constantin Perier and Joseph Jary orders to France despite the war-time controls on trade and a growing shortage of shipping. Irritation over war-time controls, danger and delays led to an interesting exchange of views between Watt and John Wilkinson at this time which illustrates very well their real feelings about the widening struggle in which Britain was becoming ever more deeply involved. Captain John Williams did in fact discharge his cargo safely at Honfleur in October and by 5 November was off Plymouth on his return voyage, confident of his ability to make a second trip to France in a few days 'had he the English licence ready'.