Boulton's reply was entirely satisfactory, and upon this basis the
arrangement was closed.

Watt, with his usual want of confidence in himself in business affairs,
was anxious that Boulton should come to him at Glasgow and arrange all
pecuniary matters connected with the marriage. Watt had faced the
daughter and conquered, but trembled at the thought of facing the
father-in-law. He appeals to his partner as follows:

I am afraid that I shall otherwise make a very bad bargain in
money matters, which wise men like you esteem the most essential
part, and I myself, although I be an enamoured swain, do not
altogether despise. You may perhaps think it odd that in the
midst of my friends here I should call for your help; but the
fact is that from several reasons I do not choose to place that
confidence in any of my friends here that would be necessary in
such a case, and I do not know any of them that have more to say
with the gentleman in question than I have myself. Besides, you
are the only person who can give him satisfactory information
concerning my situation.

This being impracticable, as explained by Boulton, who thoroughly
approved of the union, the partnership and Boulton's letter were
accepted by the judicious father-in-law as satisfactory evidence that
his daughter's future was secure. Boulton states in his letter, July,
1776:

It may be difficult to say what is the value of your property in
partnership with me. However, I will give it a name, and I do
say that I would willingly give you two, or perhaps three
thousand pounds for your assignment of your third part of the
Act of Parliament. But I should be sorry to make you so bad a
bargain, or to make any bargain at all that tended to deprive me
of your friendship, acquaintance, and assistance, hoping that we
shall harmoniously live to wear out the twenty-five years, which
I had rather do than gain a Nabob's fortune by being the sole
proprietor.

This is the kind of expression from the heart to make a partner happy
and resolve to do his utmost for one who in the recipient's heart had
transposed positions, and is now friend first, and partner afterward.

The marriage took place in July, 1776. Two children were born, both of
whom died in youth. Mrs. Watt lived until a ripe old age and enjoyed the
fruits of her husband's success and fame. She died in 1832. Arago
praises her, and