HAZARDS OF TRADE WITH FRANCE IN TIME OF WAR, 1776-1783.

Discusses French trade history during the American war for independence, 1776-1783, in light of the Boulton and Watt papers in Great Britain. The hazards challenging 18th century merchants trading overseas; Entry of the 'Steam Engine Parliament' into the shipping business; The business of Bouton and Wattt, selling steam pumping engines to Cornish mine proprietors, in collaboration with John Wilkinson, the chief supplier of heavy castings, operating at Bersham iron works; The issue of Wilkinson supplying canons to France; The problem of shipping equipment to French industrialists during war-time controls; Watt's contact in government, William the second earl of Dartmouth; Vessels used to transport engines; Influence of brothers Jacques Constantin Perier and Augustin Charles Perier.