1829-1832
Gloucestershire Archives TS/125
Outgoing letters from Brimscombe Port May 1829-Dec 1832
Sorry to see Skinner put into coal trade at a period when goods are waiting at Gloucester for a conveyance.
Correct weights do not accompany goods in many instances & am fully satisfied Jones’ boat has little short of 2 tons more than entered. Believing as I do that such error takes place previous to the articles coming into your possession you must suffer to a still greater extent than ourselves.
Stated in conversation with Mr Fisher would be a preferable plan, if practicable, even at increased expense, to convey water from the Brook into G&B Canal independent of Stroudwater Canal, by taking from a point below where now runs into that Canal & by means of existing feeder.
The freight, tonnage etc on coal from Swansea or Neath to Brimscombe will be 10s per ton.
To make and forward by Stroud Galley as early as possible chair for crane, manufactured with the very best iron & proved.
Wickson arrived yesterday & was told 10 cases of marble about 35 cwt to take in here. He stated arrangements made for Jones to come light to take them but Jones arrived considerably deeper than Wickson. Jones has taken the marble but stated not able to proceed from Long Cott without an additional horse sent there to meet him.
Wickson never will take more goods after leaving Gloucester on which account you have lost considerable carriage of goods.
To pay Churn Millers for water £376 18s 6d.
I claim for the Company all the land formerly covered with water (excepting as marked) for which I believe they had a piece allotted them under Enclosure Act at Wilmoreway. Question must be put to rest without loss of time. Let me know result of your interview with Mr Hall by day coach.
Proposal to reduce tonnage on salt on Parker’s boats would open such a field for fraud by other persons … that it cannot be entertained.
Send by galley now in Bristol 60 feet of inch round rod iron, etc.
Two ways by which vessels pass along this Canal to arrive at same point, Abingdon. One leaves this Canal; 9 miles short of its destination by passing along Wilts & Berks Canal; the other by continuing to end of this Canal to Lechlade then down the Thames. By former route boats cannot exceed 70 feet by 7; by latter route not exceed 70 feet by 12 ft 4 inches, to go throughout. But from Severn to Brimscombe Port, vessels 70 feet by 15.6 inches can travel & from here to the Thames, 90 feet by 12.4 inches.
In most cases where coal intended for Abingdon, Benson or Wallingford the route via Wilts & Berks is usually adopted and beyond those places the Thames from Lechlade in either the larger or middle sized vessels.
The arrival of Wickson this morning compels me again to state my dissatisfaction at the manner in which the manifests for this Office are made out … after the liberal plan this Company have adopted of charging only for what the Fly Boats actually carry it comes with a bad grace for the parties to enter even less than that quantity – I cannot repeat this Caution.
Sorry to observe many vessels usually employed in conveying coals from here onwards, are already tied up with nothing to do, & those bringing coals to this place also likely to be due to trifling demand. But anticipating tolerably brisk trade in corn and slate to Oxford, etc.
Enclosed halves of Sunday cash notes. Corresponding parts by coach this day.
Frost has caused some inconvenience by detention to boats, ice having prevented their moving for 2 days on Wilts & Berks Canal.
Supply of water decreases daily. Springs recede in the dry weather.
Not paid enough for faggots carried from Daneway by the Good Intent – evidence of mistake or fraud respecting faggots on board. Chamber Kids (very small faggots) & Oven or Penny faggots (nearly twice as large & heavy as Chamber Kids) – the purchasers state them all as Chamber Kids for purpose of defrauding tonnage. Will direct Meacham to enquire quantity Simpson had.
Masons may be removed to Marston as soon as you think proper & during their absence Arkell to go to Toward to assist putting Engine to work. Toward must be told to make the most of Arkell while can be spared from stone getting, etc.
Fly can come into Dock when you please. Meacham needs stone to repair Daneway Wharf & some wall stone to repair Towing path wall at bottom of 7 locks. Perhaps can come in the Fly.
Endeavouring to purchase some rough deal to fence Thames Head & enclose part of Siddington Wharf.
Toward wants Engine Chimney raised to make fire burn better when wind is ‘East or East by North’. Not willing any improvement attended by too much expense, but not like to encourage ‘Whims’. If scaffold necessary would raise by more than a foot otherwise can do without scaffold.
Just seen young Meacham & sent directions to his Father regarding the faggots.
Draw your attention to part of an old boat lying in Cirencester Basin where it has been 2 or 3 years to annoyance of the navigation (understand it belongs to you). Remove forthwith or proceedings to commence against you according to Act of Parliament.
Enclosed halves of Sundry Cash notes, remaining by coach. Corresponding halves cash notes remitted by post.
Should present heavy rain continue for 12 hours, chance the springs again moved.
A strange sensation has been created along the line of Canal by the report of one of Mr Parker’s Captains having died of Cholera Morbus on board one of his boats on the Thames on the passage to Abingdon that the man is dead & that his ultimate complaint was cholera is quite certain but of the fourteen medical men that saw him not one ventured to call it Asiatic Cholera & I sincerely hope their opinion is correct.
Received official notice from Stroud Canal Co. of their stoppage of Canal for three weeks from 4 Jun. This is one week previous to Whitmonday, period arranged for Wilts & Berks, Stroud & T&S to stop annually for repairs. Proves what have always stated, parties consult their own interests above that of others.
Summit level in good working order. Purchase of water discontinued. Unless succession of very dry weather will not resort to purchasing water again for several weeks.
When Mr J Davis applied for the Fullers Earth deposited at this place by Mr Biddle’s vessel I refused delivering it until I had an assurance from him … that he would be answerable to the Company for the housage & wharfage due upon that & former parcels & which he gave me to the amount of the value of the Earth he might take away, stating that he did not consider the Earth equal in value to the Company’s demand. I am therefore not a little surprised to find an objection started on your parts, to paying such amount & can only say I shall be reluctantly obliged to place the business in the hands of the Company’s Solicitor for the purpose of getting it settled.
The Forest Rail road bill thrown out.
Bill applied for by Glos & Berkeley Canal Co. Appears to embrace objects for which separate notices given but need to keep an eye on them to make sure nothing objectionable introduced by way of rider.
Bill for third rail road in Forest of Dean to River Severn thrown out of House of Commons.
Will go to Wharfs tomorrow to close their accounts preparatory to making yearly statements to 3 Apr.
Notice received from Mr Dunsford that North Wilts Branch & line between Latton & Abingdon to be stopped for repairs. Thus both the Stroud & Wilts & Berks have fled from the understood arrangement of not stopping till Whit Monday.
Write to the following persons:
To Mr Edmund Pollard, South Cerney near Cirencester – instructions received to proceed against him for trespass in lopping & carrying away produce of certain willow trees, property of the Company of Proprietors of T&S Co. at Boxwell Springs. Proceedings to commence without further notice unless reparation made forthwith to Mr Denyer, Co. Agent at Brimscombe.
To Mr Ackerman, Eisey, near Cricklade, Wilts in similar terms for cutting certain Ash, Willow and other bushes growing in the Canal at Eisey.
All boats etc should be allowed to pass the stoppage at either place & therefore permitted to work on Sunday 22nd. Give orders accordingly. Stroud Co. agreed to postpone their stoppage. Will continue for 3 weeks. Let me have any observations you may wish to make about stoppages to General Meeting.
Enclose half yearly accounts, receipts & payments etc. Corresponding parts of the notes sent by next coach being too bulky for post.
Summit level sunk several inches due to dry weather.
Have directed Mr Meacham have as much mud got out of Basin pond at Daneway as possible next week if you can ride over once in the time I shall be glad.
Particulars of work to be done during 3 weeks stoppage. As much of worst and most leaky parts of summit level. As much mudding where most required, new Lock Gates erected & repairs to others. Inform me what money you require for the period as the whole of my resources will be cut off while the work is about owing to the Stroud Canal being stopped.
Advisable to keep good supply of water to prevent complaints of shortage.
Have given notice of proposed stoppage of Canal (in conjunction with Stroud & Wilts & Berks) at Whitsuntide to enable traders to provide sufficient stocks of coal, salt etc to most places.
Stock of Oak Timber for repairs nearly consumed, this is best period to look for further supply. According to supplies required in past years will require outlay of at least £200.
While in London twice went to see Shalders patent pump to ascertain if useful on Canal.
Gave your letter to Mr Ferrabee an Iron founder & Engineer of this neighbourhood.
On the subject of a pump to keep the water clear of the workmen repairing the sills and bottom work of the locks I am abandoning the idea because of the expense, the need to always keep water on the leather which as work is only occasional we cannot do, and as the Masons generally work at same time as Carpenters considerable quantity of lime from mortar mixed with water pumped out so leather would become dry & immoveable, requiring renewal almost every job.
Payment due. If not discharged in 14 days will be sued.
Have viewed several fallages of Oak & purchased two lots, about £250.
Advertisement in Oxford Journal River Thames not navigable at Marsh Pound Lock in the 3rd district for fortnight during T&S stoppage, so far lucky.
Be so good as forward per Franklin & Hamlyn’s first boat …
Received your cheque but not as the balance as the claim you make are so decidedly at variance with Justice to other traders that I cannot entertain them but thro order of the Committee.
Apologise for previous observations. Being on point of getting on my horse to attend repairs hastily concluded your cheque for difference only, not having referred to earlier account.
Reply to your note by Mr Fisher. Distances by River Thames & Canals are as follows:
The Thames from London: to Abingdon 106 miles; to Oxford 114 miles; to St John’s Bridge 140 miles;
to Inglesham, the junction with T&S 142 miles.
T&S Canal from Inglesham: to Kempsford 3¼ miles; to Cricklade 7¾ miles; to Cirencester 14¾ miles.
Cheque on Pitt & Co. Cirencester Bank in favour of Mr C. Jones or Bearer dated 22 Jun attached to letter placed with another letter for Witney (duly received) in my private bag which goes direct to Post Office. Finding it not received, sent clerk to the Office with letter folded in similar manner. Post Mistress distinctly remembered it & pointed out where she had placed the charge for postage on the letter. She said every reason to believe she had forwarded it in Cirencester Bag but may have sent to Dursley or some other place. She would ascertain by writing.
Something wrong somewhere. A blank acceptance sent to Mr Thistlethwayte in London about 6 months since has never been heard of, and letter containing £5 note directed to Birmingham never came to hand.
Cheque for £50 which never come to hand, every precaution adopted to prevent its being made use of. Nothing yet been heard of it.
Description of proposed work from the Engine to the Firs.
Presuming fee simple not be vested in the Company, must be given power to enter for purpose of repairing etc.
Not been able to discover anything relating to £50 cheque. I have apprized every Bank with 30 miles or where I considered it might be presented.
Water in summit level sufficient for much greater trade. I had flattered myself the Fly Boat trade would have been much increased, upon the great question which has of late agitated all classes of society being settled, but at present they load very indifferently.
Waiting the return of Mark Hale to collect in presence of third person deposition on stone business, complaint of a year or two standing.
Mr Ferrabee inspecting interior of cylinder, pumps, etc of Fire Engine & to report. Suggested improvements. Introduction of grease cocks on cylinder cover to supply melted tallow to piston packing thereby reducing friction & making backing more durable; and an indicator of work performed.
Engine reduced water at Thames Head to allow for projected works but fearful men be very scarce until harvest got in. Though publicity made for work no application yet made by men wanting employ.
At present every indication of very dry autumn & great scarcity of water.
Understanding the Nelson Inn is a House of Call or Rendezvous for Navigators & having some work for which about 20 efficient men are wanted I shall feel obliged by your making it known & directing them to apply to Mr C. Jones, Siddington, near Cirencester, or on the Work at Thames Head, near Kemble, about 3 miles on the Tetbury road from Cirencester.
Ferrabee’s report on the Engine to be presented to Committee meeting.
Understanding considerable number of men to be discharged from railroad making near Bristol, sent notices of work required at Thameshead to such places they likely to meet. Several applications received & passed to Mr Jones.
Recommendations of Committee relating to alterations in tonnages for salt carried down River Thames.
Mark Hale not had particulars of complaint with him.
It is intended to reduce tonnage on Salt passing in one bottom in quantities of not less than thirty tons to Newbridge and below, on Thames at same rate as on Wilts & Berks to or beyond Abingdon. At present in either case rate is half the full parliamentary rate.
Sorry to observe so few of your salt boats passing this way, the water in Canal never to my knowledge having been better this season & therefore confident this not arise due to our deficiency.
Mr Ferrabee not been able to go to Engine last week but work proceeding tolerably well.
Rains improving water levels in Severn & Thames which have been very low to the injury of revenue to Canal. Water in Canal has been good though supply in Churn river becoming very limited as well as from being obliged to desist from taking as much of that as we should, but for the alarming epidemic now visiting various places, as such water when not flowing into the Canal acts as a scour to the Town of Cirencester & will consequently be frequently required for such purpose.
No reduction in tonnage on salt above Newbridge under any circumstances. Full parliamentary rate from Wallbridge to Inglesham.
When Charles Twine reached this place Jul 23rd he enquired for a letter from you containing money to pay his tonnage or guaranteeing the payment of it & he expressed very great surprise (or pretended to do so) when informed nothing of the sort has arrived, at the same time stating the great inconvenience & loss that would arise to you & him if I detained his Boat, as you particularly wanted to return him immediately with stone for Birmingham & that unless he could reach a certain place on the Severn by a particular day, the tides would have passed away & he could not get over the shoal – As he had passed before under somewhat similar circumstances I was induced to listen to him, in order to give the necessary facility to the Stone which I was well aware could not be lightened, in the event of the Boat being unable to proceed, but as I have neither heard from you nor seen C. Twine or his Boat since I begin to fear there was little truth in his tale & shall feel obliged by your informing me, his tonnage amounts to £4. 5. Less the drawback, if any.
Two boats cannot pass together throughout this Canal. Company’s object to save water by greatest possible quantity passing in one bottom.
No alteration contemplated on boats going to or below Abingdon via Wilts & Berks Canal with salt, only difference being between salt passing to or below Newbridge in Canal Boats & Trows.
Send by Galley now in Bristol, to leave tomorrow, ½ cwt Best Corn, round blowing powder in 2 Casks, if you have them so small, if not in one.
Don’t fail forwarding the powder.
In consequence of the numerous complaints made of Boats going into the Tunnel contrary to the Bye Laws of the Company & that great interruption and delay arises thereby, I am satisfied proper attention is not paid on your part to the duty you have to perform of seeing they do not enter without the prescribed number of efficient men to navigate them through in proper time & I have to inform you that a repetition of such complaints will determine me upon removing you from such situation when of course your pay will cease.
Mark Hales confined at home due to illness. Will materially strengthen the case & hardship of Hale as Mr Dunsford is sending stone under precisely similar circumstances. Will see if he charges same rate of tonnage as he did Hale on the Wilts & Berks Canal. Reduced tonnage only on T&S. … either an act of injustice has been done to Hale, or a fraud practiced on the T&S Co.
I fear all hope of obtaining any payment from Mr Dillon is at an end, there being Writs issued against him sufficient to Carpet a good sized room, but he has eluded the whole of them & fled; whither is not known … A list of persons swindled by him would nearly occupy a foolscap sheet of paper.
Work at Thames Head proceeding.
Work at Thames Head – small opening made through top of end of old headway or Tunnel.
Your application for Salt Warehouse & Stable laid before Committee. I was directed to divide lower part of Warehouse adjoining Lock for such purposes on your consenting to pay fair rent which in proportion to present Warehouse will be Two Guineas & a half per annum. Wish your answer before drawing masons from Wallbridge.
Stable part considered part of present rental.
You appear to require greater expenditure in converting Warehouse into Stable & Salt Warehouse than Committee contemplated, they considering divide of lower part fully sufficient. Cannot make a flue but will divide the floor & pave Salt House. Upper floor: not consider requires dividing but if to be used for selling corn or other things the rent stated will be for salt storage alone & further rent charged for loft. If used solely for depositing Hay, Corn & Straw for use of horses rent be as before stated.
May wish to communicate with Committee who meet at No 20 Lombard Street the last Wednesday each month.
Omitted to include 10s, the residue of Cox’s fine which you guaranteed the payment of.
Resolved: in future no credit given for tonnage & wharfage on coals.
Unprecedented low water in Thames, preparations for erecting pair of Lock gates at Inglesham where Canal falls into the River. Had taken old gates out when heavy rains compelled workmen to abandon the job before perfected. But made passable for boats & rains welcome to provide means of carrying winter stock of coals along Canal & down Thames at trifling cost for water.
C. Twine has at last “made all right” but he is notwithstanding a shuffling fellow & unworthy of belief.
Cases against G. Ashley is of passing through this Canal, & every other canal between Birmingham & Henley, about 14 tons Bar Iron as coal & receiving drawback on it.
The Bar Iron was delivered to Mr Plumbe, Ironmonger, Henley.
I want better information that I have hitherto been able to obtain as to whether the fellow is worth powder & shot.
Enclosed amount due from T&S Co. Proprietors to Dean & Chapter of Bristol for land taken into use of Canal.
General Meeting & Committee Meetings two distinct things... my books must close this evening. You must act as you please – the room will be finished when the plasterer’s work is sufficiently set.
Half yearly statement & Resolutions, etc forwarded for General Assembly.
Darke’s house at Wallbridge has been raised.
Warehouse divided but not completed.
Mr Anderson has been seen respecting rent of Mill occupied by R. Hancock, but not recommend any reduction.
The Siddington Cottages have been settled with for the damage to their potato crop by need from Canal (£5.2.0.)
Mr Beair to look up various title deeds & send to Brimscombe.
Mr Pollard has been seen & promised to write & offer terms.
It affords me considerable satisfaction … to observe that I consider an amendment in trade generally upon the Canal has taken place resulting naturally from a reaction in the manufactures of this & neighbouring counties having commenced.
J J. Richardson’s letters on subject of delays – first no reference to this Canal. Second was represented thro’ a microscope of magnifying power … all delays both avoidable & unavoidable been laid to account of this Canal, no doubt also the case with Gardner.
Letters to Rogers & Son, Engine Boiler Makers, Bristol
Mr Baldwin, Bovoreux Iron Works, Nr Bilston, Staffordshire
Samuel P[enn], Wednesbury, Staffordshire
Daniel Horton & Co., Briery Hill, Nr Stourbridge, Worcester
Cinderford Iron Co., Nr Newnham
Joseph Robinson, Great Bridge, Tipton, Staffordshire
Your price per ton for a well manufactured low pressure steam engine wagon boiler with straight flue through centre?
Questioning Franklin, he denies he ever intended transferring his Boats etc to Mr Parker but admits Mr Parker proposed conveying all their goods at a price per ton to be agreed, the Boats continuing in name of Franklin & Hamlyn. They rejected such offer. This appears extremely mysterious. Franklin promised me sight of Parker’s letter but not yet seen it. Mr Parker certainly is not the person to do all the work & allow others to reap the benefit of it which would be case if Franklin’s statement correct.
Committee should frame an order regarding credit terms.
Mr Parker’s objections to increasing tonnage on block free stone not always to be relied on.
That Gem of Canals with its inexhaustible reservoir (the Wilts & Berks) all but totally stopped for lack of water. Our coal trade very brisk & appear to stand well for Apr.
Written to 6 of most respectable firms as Engine boiler makers for prices. Intend using own workmen during winter where practicable.
Rains enabled vessels to carry full freights along Canal. Wilts & Berks been in very bad state as to water.
This neighbourhood has been very much agitated during the last 9 or 10 days in consequence of a most atrocious Burglary & attempt to murder committed at Tunley about a mile from Daneway the particulars I have marked in the Oxford Journal… The young man shot at had both eyes destroyed together with part of his front teeth & a great many others were lodged in his tongue, in the whole [162] shots can be distinctly counted & yet he is likely to recover, but of course totally blind … every exertion has been used to discover … offenders but up to the period I am writing without effect – a subscription has been opened to defray part of the expenses incurred to which I have taken the liberty of adding a Sovereign for the Company.
Late rains caused flood in Thames. Many boats destined for Oxford discharged cargoes of coal at various wharfs along Canal in preference to risking being detained by excess of water in river.
The daring burglary at Tunley remains a mystery.
Inform me your lowest price for five thousand best Stourbridge fine Bricks (Ruffords) & best Stourbridge fire clay delivered to Brimscombe.
Putting new boiler to Engine & desirous to give job to neighbours, the Cinderford Iron Co. but deterred by representations that their Iron & workmanship unequal to Best iron of Staffordshire. Not know where to turn for truth or refutation of such statement except to you.
Every exertion to place stocks of coal at various wharfs for approaching winter.
On return from London ascertaining prices for making boiler for Engine. Forwarded order to Cinderford Iron Co. in Forest of Dean.
Engine has ceased working. Mr Ferrabee sent men to take apart what necessary.
Received your Mr W. Bishop’s letter & sending particulars for Boiler. Commence on directly & inform by return when likely to be ready. I fully rely upon your assurance that the plate & workmanship will be of the very best description.
Probable need second boiler, when could it be ready if given the order.
Mr Ferrabee states his Foreman reports total impossibility of repairing second Boiler at the Engine & astonishing held together this season.
Consider at tomorrow’s meeting & send directions. Want to get Engine in proper state to work with least possible delay.
Willing to recommend further reduction in tonnage in accordance with Mr Dunsford’s proposition on conditions of such Chalk being brought in boats whose immediate preceding voyage has been Coal or Salt passing through this Canal & willing to propose Flints put on same footing if shown any back carriage would be result.
Not always most economical to purchase at lowest price. But before giving order for Boiler, & after learning the price, had received testimonials of the goodness of the Iron & Workmanship.
Instructed by Committee to apprize all persons trading upon the Canal requiring Credit for Tonnage & other dues, of the plan intended to be adopted …
“Three months running account, to be settled at the end of each quarter, by Cash payment, … London Bankers acceptance; or other good bills at Short dates; but that no Credit whatever be given, until the party requiring it, jointly with an approved person, execute a Bond to the Company for security of payment, to the Am.t of Credit required”.
Notify me of name of person(s) you propose uniting with you in such Bond.
Same letter to Bowerman & Son; Parker & Co.; Franklin & Co.; George Franklin.
Had no reply regarding when new, and possible second, Engine Boiler would be ready. Need to alter mode of placing tube in Boiler, without further expense. Utmost importance to know probable time Boiler to be finished to prevent delay.
A little frost would assist Coal trade. Stocks on various wharfs becoming very heavy.
Have prospectus for proposed rail road from Gloucester to London which are to be obtained at William & Beckett Esq. Golden Square, London or of T. H. Body, No. 27 Princes Street, Bank, London.
Observing advertisement of sale of sundry things belonging to Cinderford Iron Co., including quantity of Boiler plate, having understood they possessed only about sufficient to complete the boiler ordered of them, I feel very anxious to know whether any subsequent occurrence has arisen to prevent the two Boilers being executed… of the utmost importance to this Company not to be disappointed, indeed such an event might be attended with consequences not to be foreseen.
Mr Johnson fully sufficient to join in Bond for Tonnage etc. Need his Christian name & amount require to be credited.
Sent off Abele poplars by James Smith’s Trow, the Maiden Oak, to Newport. Directed Mr C. J. Webb of Newport to forward them for planting as soon as possible. Over two thousand plants, of various sizes, all separated and trimmed for planting, packed in a hamper. Nothing give me greater pleasure than to learn from you in future that they go well.
Considerable increase in water to Engine as result of operation for short period last summer. (Details of excavations)
Toward given notice to leave at next Lady-day.
… a man fully qualified as an Engineer, Blacksmith, & with high testimonials as to such qualifications, together with an undeniable Character for Honesty, Sobriety, Industry … accidentally heard of the circumstance and applied for the situation … Not yet agreed but have stated highest wages that could be given him & his 14 year old son equally spoken well of & at present looking after an Engine. Wage 26s per week. Both engaging to do any other suitable labour when Engine not at work. Good conduct in all probability render situation permanent. Consented to accept.
Towards wages is £84 per annum with a Smith when at Blacksmith work, or the Engine worked at 10s per week & extra pay for extra hours & Sundays – all this I hope to do away with if the man & his son alluded to are engaged.
Mr Ferrabee reported Engine in very bad state of repair. Suggested several improvements instead of new one. Could not have gone another season without probability of some accident. No blame to Toward but length of time it has worked so the expense would have arisen in any circumstances. Committee ordered both Boilers to be replaced.
Agreed with Cinderford Iron Co. near Newnham first satisfactorily ascertaining that the quality of their plate and method of putting the Boiler together was equal to any in the Kingdom to be ready for shipment from Bullo Pill on or before 25 Mar. Calculations regarding Engine hitherto erroneous. Called 100 horse power, but not more than 48 and lately not exceeded 27.
Our Coal trade been tolerably brisk but as connected with such uncertain rivers as Severn and Thames, now that so many other roads present themselves it never can calculate upon a great trade in merchandise.
Mr George sends compliments, not succeeded in obtaining documents promised.
Seen plan of proposed new railroad from Gloucester to London. Told Mr Salt where to obtain prospectuses.
Details and sketch of dimensions for man-hole of each boiler, to be given to person making the boilers.
This neighbourhood being now filled with Steam Engines I feel no hesitation in saying that thro’ Mr Ferrabee’s connection much may be done in Boiler making in the Forest in the event of those at present under order being turned out of hand in a satisfactory manner.
Index to letters
