The invention was patented in
February, 1782, five Years after Murdock had entered the service
of Boulton and Watt.
Murdock continued for many years busily occupied in
superintending the Cornish steam-engines. We find him described
by his employers as "flying from mine to mine," putting the
engines to rights. If anything went wrong, he was immediately
sent for. He was active, quick-sighted, shrewd, sober, and
thoroughly trustworthy. Down to the year 1780, his wages were
only a pound a week; but Boulton made him a present of ten
guineas, to which the owners of the United Mines added another
ten, in acknowledgment of the admirable manner in which he bad
erected their new engine, the chairman of the company declaring
that he was "the most obliging and industrious workman he had
ever known." That he secured the admiration of the Cornish
engineers may be obvious from the fact of Mr. Boaze having
invited him to join in an engineering partnership; but Murdock
remained loyal to the Birmingham firm, and in due time he had his
reward.
He continued to be the "right hand man" of the concern in
Cornwall. Boulton wrote to Watt, towards the end of 1782:
"Murdock hath been indefatigable ever since he began. He has
scarcely been in bed or taken necessary food. After slaving
night and day on Thursday and Friday, a letter came from Wheal
Virgin that he must go instantly to set their engine to work, or
they would let out the fire.
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