1835-1839
Gloucestershire Archives TS/126
Outgoing letters from Brimscombe Port September 1835 to May 1839
Copies of replies from Cirencester Gas Co. and Mr Bevir re grant of half inch pipe as benefit to Gas Company.
Mr Pitt improperly gave up the Deeds. Will T&S Company be satisfied with an abstract and covenant from Mr Lewis to produce or compel Mr Pitt to restore them? One deed included house agreed to be purchased by Mr Protheroe.
Legal effects of recess being made at Gasworks. Cart road will be destroyed, a foot road will remain.
Mr Jones to report all done at Lechlade.
Draft of resignation of Company’s lease of the mill. Enclosed also is lease from Earl Bathurst to late Dr Disney.
Instructions to proceed against Mason & Longmore of Brooks Wharf for recovery of the amount of their account due to T&S Canal Navigation.
Order for Book similar to 91198 had of you some time ago.
Failure of the embankment [see next letter]. Work done very insecure. Very considerable damage may accrue to works of the Canal.
Work lately done for you to convey water to a new mill at Daneway having failed, thus possibly stopping up the regular mill course, proceedings will be taken against you for any damage arising to the locks etc of T&S Canal Navigation.. Do not pen the water higher upon [the Company’s] land than before.
It being requisite the Executors of Dr Disney should be exonerated from any claim of Lord Bathurst re Sapperton Mill, when lease transferred to Thomas Hancox, the enclosed is sent for his Lordship’s approval.
Draft assignment of mill to Hancox and memorandum to Mr Anderson enclosed.
Copy of letter from Earl Bathurst’s steward. Does this give sufficient security?.
I received the enclosed transfer of [Sapperton] mill and the letter from Lord Bathurst’s steward.
Coal sent off so you may change the boiler. Tell Mr Ferrabee when boiler may be inspected.
Would it be legal to hold Parker’s boats liable for any arrears in his account?
Engine boilers put into proper working condition. The iron not at fault. Failure of socket connecting piston rod with the beam. Loss of water by shortening the lift. Cost a few pounds.
Transfer of [Sapperton] mill executed.
Land owned by Lord Bathurst for enlarging the wharf at Cirencester.
Freehold land purchased from Lord Bathurst’s father for a reservoir at Sapperton offered to his Lordship.
Small quantity of oak, about £100, purchased for general use of canal.
Result of application to Mr Raymond Cripps on Cirencester Gas Works. Recess ordered to be made will place Company in more favourable position as defendants, if Mr Richins proceeds.
Lease of mill dependent on payment on part of rent in addition to purchase money.
£6.17.2 amount due to Dean & Chapter of Bristol for rent of land in the Canal at Michaelmas last.
Re non-attention paid to settlement of Parker & Foster’s accounts.
Lechlade repairs.
Very depressed state of trade due to non-employment of Steam Engines, Dyehouses, etc.
Papers for General Assembly. Balance likely to be equal or surpass that of 1836, in spite of Forest of Dean trade and depressed state of clothing business, non employment of Steam Engines, Dyehouses etc.
Mr Ferrabee’s report on the failure of the Engine boilers.
Mason & Longmore are not entitled to any leniency. Conduct of account little short of shuffling. I hope you will proceed against them in most summary way.
Imperial Salt & Alkali Co have sacked their manager [Mr Parker] for gross negligence of duty and misappropriation of monies received. Letter signed by three directors, Mark, Robert and ? Morrell, Bankers of Oxford.
Enclosed is Bond given by George Mason and others to the Company. Who George Mason is I do not know but George Longmore has subsequently become the partner of Allen Mason. Mason & Co have paid as they passed for what little they have done on the Canal since.
Balance £37.19.7 to be remitted in cash.
If Thomas Phipp supposes I shall be satisfied he has paid his rent, 3 years from March 1834, because he chooses to be abusive, he will be very disappointed. Whether the whole period is at reduced rent, I cannot say but will consider it. I did not mean that Thomas Phipp had never paid any rent for his uncle but that he has never paid rent for his uncle within that time.
Please send cash remittance £37.19.7 by return of post.
Coal sent to Engine, the first part since it was stopped 115t 12cwt or 38 days consumption at 3 tons per 24 hours. I intend forwarding about another month’s supply, George Mayo’s cargo being the first part.
Door frame and door made, with two stages to be attached to the shear legs. Hall had better make some hooks and eyes to hang them when not in use and thus preserve them from decay. Tallow should be had from Cirencester rather than Bristol.
I am sorry you settled with Mr Chipp [Thomas Phipp] as the Company will loose one year’s rent. We never receive rent without giving a receipt. The money was never paid here.
½ cwt of Tow or Hemp refuse fit for wiping oil from the bearings and other parts of the Engine.
You must contrive and make the shovels you have do until the Engine is again started. I have sent the planks. Mr Jones will tell you how I wish them to be fixed. I have sent the door frame and door for coal hole next your house for which you must make hooks and eyes and fastenings. I have been unable to find a grindstone sufficiently large to be used for other purposes as well as those of the Engine. Tow ordered but not received, tallow sent. It is all we have left of the cask. I do not wish to order more till another season.
Having seen your names as Directors of Imperial Salt & Alkali Company, from whom an account for Tonnage upon salt, £37.19.7 is due to the Directors of the Thames Severn Canal Navigation, without any notice being taken of an account or letter, consent to give credit has long since expired.
I enclose money to pay the following: D Bowley Trespass £1.0.1, Pitt, Bowley & Co Trespass £2.2.9, Earl St Germans Taxes £8.0.0, William Hayward Trespass £1.6.3, Revd T Huntingford Trespass £1 10 8, Geo Bevir Law expenses £1 3 6. Total £15.3.3.
Increase of consumption of coal to the Engine desired by Hall, as stated by George Mayo. Hall allowed cargoes last sent put in wrong coal hole. Labour of bringing such coal to the boiler too great. He appears to me to attend to this part of his duty in a very careless, slovenly manner. Aim of letter to guard against his using the present working boiler beyond limited period of 30 days. Mr Ferrabee’s suggestions, using boilers only 20 days at a time and softening water by liberal use of bran etc, should be strictly adhered to. Hall has completely altered the quality of the coal by preventing proper admixture.
Hall attends to other things as much or more than his own, in short period he was engaged. R Hooper complained of having overloaded his vessel in consequence of “the man at the Engine”. Assurance that water would not be lower than 3 ft in the Summit. Fellow did not know that it takes a great deal more water to raise the summit an inch at that height than it does at 3ft 2 or 3 inches.
Re stones of particular length for angles of recess. Loading on Mr George’s boat G Gardner.
I did not know that R Hooper was obliged to lighten out of the Tunnel.
No more coal to the Engine until you consider Hall sufficiently punished by removing the coal he has carelessly or intentionally had placed in the wrong coal hole.
Presuming Mr Mulling’s letters refer to land not in the Canal, I see no reason why it should be exempt from Tithe and the consequences of non payment. Two charges recommended. Payment to Mr Ford, if resident at South Cerney. Same subject came before Committee in late lockkeeper’s time and was ordered to be paid by them. Land at Inglesham paid Tithe in a similar way.
Your boat Greyhound passed today with 20 tons of salt on board. The steerer stated that, owing to being detained longer at Stoke and having incurred a £1 penalty on the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal, he had not sufficient money left to pay our dues. I allowed £1 to remain due.
I hope the present rain will prove equal to a full supply in the summit level and enable Canal to do without the aid of the steam Engine for some months to come.
In the last month or so the importation of oats into Gloucester has been very great. A considerable portion has found its way through the Canal to Oxford, Banbury and other towns where the coaching business is carried on.
Mention to Mr Ferrabee of tank for rain water to supply the boiler. Expense not warranted, uncertainty of supply.
Mason & Co have not paid money promised,
£50 expenses incurred in opposing the Cheltenham & Great Western Union Railway, title of an account opened, sum £2803.17, the balance of what has been received from them and the London & Birmingham Railway Co. Ltd.
Proposition from Great. Western to pay £17000 per annum (and keep the line in repair for not exceeding 10 years), rent for portion of road from Cirencester to Swindon. It is generally understood the other parts of the proposed line are totally abandoned.
Reply to letter. Bridge and road access at Griffin’s Mill. Owners of Mill always kept it in repair and had a right to use it. There was footpath but never a right of carriageway except to the mill. Present owner refuses one except for that purpose. Mr Griffin wass a magistrate, a person of some considerable influence and averse to the canal. Presumably he compelled the Company to make him a bridge equal to his wants. Altered use made by his successor John Morgan was pointed out in a letter from James Webb, the Company’s Agent at the time. Bridge crippled by loading but would have answered all the purposes for which it was erected had not the mill, instead of being a clothing mill, become a sawing mill, loads of timber, many tons weight, being brought there. The question is whether the present proprietor of the mill is liable for injury done, standing in Mr Morgan’s shoes, or can the Company, having made an efficient bridge, be called upon to make one of greater strength because of the altered business of the mill. No written answer received to letter sent to Mr Morgan.
No payment by Mason & Co
The Imperial Salt & Alkali Co’s business is thrown into Chancery by Parker.
Sketch of bridge enclosed.
Sand from this place to Inglesham nr Lechlade where the Canal terminates per ton 4s 4.5d. Distance from Inglesham to Oxford supposed to be about 30 miles.
Metallic sand arrived at Gloucester to pass a further distance via the Stroud Canal 8 miles and if reshipped at Gloucester, 8 miles to pass to the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal
Particulars re Griffin’s Bridge forwarded for you to submit a case for Counsel’s opinion.
No payment made by Mason & Co. Bill for grain by their boats in name of Keckwick, son of Mr Mason’s wife by a former husband. Looks very suspicious. Need to recover money from Mason & Co.
Today £1250 with half year’s interest on £3750 becomes due from Cheltenham & Great Western Union Railway Co.
Because of recent rains I hope the Engine will not be required for several months. Coal trade not so brisk. The trade must be dull after Christmas as the wharfs have all heavy stocks on them.
Re drawback of tonnage on metallic sand. Details required on probable continuance of trade or quantity likely to be carried.
P.S. I do not consider it fair that this Company should make the whole sacrifice necessary for diverting trade and other parties, the Stroud Canal, River Thames and Gloucester & Berkeley enjoy the full benefit.
Mr Watts does not rent any house property of the T&S Canal Co. They do not favour beerhouses on the banks of their canal. Premises at Thames Head are to be let to a person connected with the coal trade. I am not prepared to say whether they would object to the sale of beer forming an addition to that.
T&S Canal tonnage on deals and timber passing from Stroud to Lechlade.
Timber, 50ft of round or 40ft of square oak, ash or elm, or 50ft of fir or deal baulk, poplar, birch or beech not cut into scantlings rated as 1 ton 4/9 per ft. To any intermediate place beyond Brimscombe Port 2d per ton per mile.
Reply to complaint of charge of 3d per ton for crossing towing path, prohibiting purchase of gravel. Increase in cost trifling. Only half tonnage paid on stone carried.
Application to his Lordship re land to enable Company to enlarge their wharf at Cirencester. Lack of accommodation for additional coal to check any semblance of monopoly.
Company’s interest in his Lordship’s mill at Sapperton ceased with transfer of lease to Thomas Hancox. Land purchased for the Reservoir not being required will be disposed of, his Lordship having the first offer. Quantity thus: a meadow called Soudleys and a nook (7 perches) of New
Leys Wood - 3 1 35, a meadow called Bellam purchased of T Hancox –
1 0 32, Total 4 2 27.
Company’s right to exclude the use of the towing path for purpose to which your letter alludes and to charge for the privilege.
Date of Committee Meetings.
Copy of the Bye Law under which the charge is made for using the towing path.
Premises at Thames Head. Fear that no one will take them for the coal trade exclusively and if beer is to be sold it should be done openly.
Mr Dunsford to wait on the Committee re 3d per ton for gravel.
If the frost leaves us in the present mild and gentle manner, the Engine must go to work but if so I must obtain some coals fresh from the pits.
Enclosed are copies of correspondence between Mr Dunsford and also Mr Bowly and myself. I fear there is not a sufficient livelihood to be obtained at Thameshead by the sale of coal alone.
The Millers’ account for water taken from the Churn £46 less than expected. Length of time the Engine worked and repairs more than expected.
Severe frost, stocks of coal affected.
Mason & Co have paid £40.
Account for water taken from River Churn forwarded to Lombard St, also Account of Traffic on Canal.
When the Committee visited the Canal, they ordered a sum to be paid by Cirencester Gas Co. for the use of pipes to their works. Letter from Mr Raymond Cripps on charge.
Frost very severe. Steam Engine may be needed to supply Canal. Good Spring trade expected.
You may occupy the premises at Thames Head for the sale of coal but not beer.
Tonnage and Account for December and January not paid. Boats should in future pay at time of passing.
Ice between tunnel and Stroud 9in thick. Stocks of coal gone from nearly all wharfs.
Impossible to ascertain whether Griffins Bridge has been affected by weather.
Local agent for Imperial Salt and Alkali Co has been forbidden to make further payments for tonnage, so must insist on tonnage as boats pass.
Ice cannot be less than 11 or12 inches thick. In the near Chalford yesterday we got the boat through some measuring 9 inches.
Nothing in Cheltenham & Great Western Union Bill affecting the T&S. A number of persons are employed in setting out the line between Swindon and Cirencester in order that contracts may be made for the land required. Act expires June 1839.
Certain shares in The T&S Canal transferred to Mr Perry’s account.
Mr Jones succeeded in opening the Canal from Latton Basin to the Tunnel where Mason’s boat and two others were lying. Thick ice from the Tunnel to Trewsbury. More northern canals not open before the middle of the week.
We shall require a considerable quantity of old boiler plate crooked and with spike holes as per pattern. Take every opportunity of cutting the old boilers to pieces and reserving any that will do until the Engine is put to work, when the plates can be heated in the fires much better and cheaper than at the forge. Length of pieces not material. I presume you have repaired any apparent injuries the Engine may have sustained during the late summer and that it is ready when requested.
PS. I have sent a grindstone, but not for the use of farmers or their men. I will send some round and square iron as soon as I can obtain it from Bristol, but if the plate iron you sent for is for T washers you must make them out of old boiler plates.
Accounts of Carrying Co to be fully paid soon.
Details of Tunnel repairs. Stoppages of uncertain duration.
Griffins Bridge. Present proprietor is Thomas Howell, Brownshill House Chalford. It is strange that no action can be taken against person responsible for condition of bridge after many years have passed and no action was taken earlier.
Do you intend to stop your canal for repairs between Latton and Abingdon at Easter?
Mr Howell is accepting the sufficiency of Griffins Bridge when built and its injury by deposit of earth, but he does not admit any liability.
Parker & Co’s account finally settled. Boats to pass as formerly. Tonnage to be paid at time of boats passing.
Annual stoppage on Wilts & Berks Canal at Easter. Reply from Mr Dunsford.
Repairs of frost damage on Towing path. Trade on Canal since frost left.
Importation of oats from Ireland into Gloucester very considerable.
Copy of our rates of tonnage.
Cheltenham & Great Western have passed the Commons.
I’m glad to learn that Mr Salt’s health is satisfactory.
I expect you will let me know if the Committee ordered any action re Griffins Bridge.
Queries re accounts.
Re copper ring. Limestone sent next week by W Tanner who has gone to the Engine with a small cargo of coal. Tin can for conveying oil made. Holds 10 gallons.
Fly Boat trade on T&S and Wilts & Berks Canals needs further review.
Tonnage on slates passing into Wilts & Berks Canal.
Mr Miles, residing at the Junction, superintends the trans-shipping of slates occasionally.
Tonnage carried by Fly Boats an innovation. No additional revenue.
Basin wall at Cirencester Wharf to be put into repair using stone from the basin wall at Latton which is useless.
Statement of accounts.
Forward by packet Charles Bossley Master piece of sheet copper 13.6 long 5½ deep and 1/8 thick.
Swing pole sent to Siddington, also boards for paling the Engine Galley. Spikes forwarded on arrival. Copper for ring here next week. Punt ready to take planks etc. Have you enough bricks at Daneway?
Please send terms on which a tank could be supplied for sole use of timber employed on canal. Also expense of using Cirencester or Gloucester tanks.
Per James Sisum you will receive scantling & boards for Ant Dry Rot process at Cirencester tank.
Dissatisfaction with returns of coal unloaded at Cirencester. Suspect traders may be defrauding T&S Co.
Capacity of tank requires clarification. Kindly forward circular to John Disney, The Hyde, Ingatestone, Essex, and W P Richards, 8 Wellington Street, Strand.
For use of T&S Steam Engine – send ½ cwt Hemp freed from refuse and ½ cwt Yarn as before.
Poor Law Commissioners orders . New charge brought against Company re Profits arising from the Wharfage on Coal & Merchandise etc £50. Company purchased land for Canal Towing Path, Houses and Warehouses and pays taxes on them. Valuation of Canal property by Mr Palfrey of Preston, Surveyor who said other appeals had been made but had failed.
Cirencester charge placed before Mr Lane, Company Solicitor
I will send a few more planks as far as the Engine with coal and some hand rail stuff. I have bought 2 casks of Roman cement, one for Siddington. Luke to make box to keep it in. Additional bricks in shed at Daneway for Tunnel repairs..
Objection to alteration in regular charge for Tonnage & Wharfage. Quantity of stone as example.
10 planks and 20 handrails sent to Engine, cask cement to Siddington and something to hang up at the Tunnel’s mouth which Meacham’s wife there must see is not cut and to be returned directly.
Destination of vessels improperly declared by Tidmas. He must fully explain this matter.
Jones Lloyd & Co to pay £200.
Re Mr Lane’s instructions not to pay demand made by parish at Cirencester. George Bevir to attend to subject on behalf of Company.
Company charged re profits arising from the Wharfage on Coal & Merchandise etc £50. Payment resisted. Separate charge for the Canal & Towing path £11.10 0, House & Warehouses £7.10.0. Conflicting rates charged by Mr Palfrey. Mr Jones or Tidmas will point out who are the occupiers of the adjoining land.
Unfavourable weather delaying repairs, so do not start your boats before Tuesday next.
Long pond at bottom of Siddington Locks very low in spite of water drawn out of river. Large quantity of oats to come from Gloucester and three vessels arrived at the Junction with slates and malting coal, but re-opening of Canal must be delayed.
Opening of main line of canal postponed.
Re your letter enclosing £10. I offered to let Jones pass, leaving the tonnage till his return, but he wanted money for his own use. I gave him £1.
Charge made at Cirencester for profits on wharfage under the Poor Law. Discussion of rates.
Rebuilding wall of wharf at Cirencester requires keeping water out of the arm
In this district, pair of new upper gates installed at Ballinger’s Lock, Chalford, and at Daneway, mud cleaned out of two levels at Chalford, new wall below Chalford Chapel lock and Ballinger’s Lock, side puddling to Wallbridge Upper Level, other work.
Cheltenham & Great Western Union Railway paid 4th installment.
Business a little brisk.
Mr Parker, a Director of Inland Carrying Co, compelled to resign.
Re fall at mill you occupy at Daneway. Water thrown on meadow belonging to Thames & Severn Navigation. Possible legal proceedings.
Send per Bossley’s Vessel: ½ cwt 7/8 inch round, 1 cwt ½ inch round, 1 cwt 1½ flat by ¼ inch thick Iron.
Forward a book similar to No. 69276.
Drawback on 21 tons Salt per Huggins 1 Jan duly credited. 2/6 per ton on stone to Reading was the right charge. Mr Berry had a blank certificate to be filled up for 7½ tons salt per Maylings 30 June. Manure and salt only half full Parliamentary rate, 1½ per ton per mile to any place eastward beyond Brimscombe.
Charge as previously on iron and nails.
Charge on iron and nails in future 2/6 per ton. Stone brought from the W&B Canal entitled to pass at 1s per ton must be in boats conforming to Order of 20 Oct 1820.
Company to use Kyans patent for preparation of timber.
Re tonnage on iron and nails and Bath stone.
Company Bye Laws to be revised.
Licence for Anti Dry Rot tank, Kyan’s patent, to be deposited with you and paid for by you on T&S Co account, £45.
Your licence received. Apply to Stephenson Salt & Sons for payment.
Claim of errors in account re malt and salt refuted.
Send by either of the vessels now in Bristol: ½ cask of Odessa Tallow for the Proprietors of the T&S Canal.
I have obtained licence from Anti Dry Rot Co and have nearly completed construction of tank for saturating the timber.
A few larger oak trees purchased for repair of lock gates.
Three copies of Bye-Laws for regulating Canal forwarded for examination and correction. Example of Kennet & Avon’s use of their printed Rules & Regulations.
Inform me of the price of corrosive sublimate for Kyanizing timber.
Send per Commercial Inland Carrying Company’s boat half-cwt of corrosive sublimate for the Proprietors of the T&S Canal.
If you procure a certificate that the rags were for manure only, there is an abatement of 1d per ton mile.
£6.17.2 rent due to Dean & Chapter of Bristol.
Final notice. Unless money is paid on Monday night I shall detain all succeeding boats for their dues. No future credit.
No difference made to Fly Boats in tonnage on iron carried from Gloucester to London whether it goes by the river the whole way or by the Wilts & Berks canal,
Enclosed is order for payment for Roman cement £7.4.0.
Due from Mr Lidiatt Chalford in 1836 to the late firm £1.12.0. Total £8.16.0.
Please send your cheque for £15.15.11 owing
Please check the stock of coal for the Engine during the winter months.
Need to commence working steam engine at an earlier season owing to very scanty supply of water obtainable from the River Churn. Six weeks of coal unconsumed. Some important leakages must exist in some portion of the Summit level, not discoverable unless that part of the canal is totally stopped for at least 40 hours. Sanction of Committee needed.
Similar dividend to the last likely. Stocks of coal not very heavy. Abundance here ready for increase of water.
Re Engine. Inside of boiler to be thoroughly cleaned and covered with the Anti-corrosive composition (tallow and black lead) as recommended for marine engines.
Owing to some of the locks requiring the carpenters, I have not yet begun Kyanizing.
Forwarded 3 copies of the existing Bye Laws.
£8 Law charges paid by Mr George not received.
Meeting with Mr Howell (Griffins Bridge). Present tenants to quit. Mill unlikely to be relet for purposes requiring heavy loads to pass over the bridge. He declines to anything further to do with the subject, leaving the Company to build such a bridge as they please. In the recent Paddington Estate v Great Western Railway Co case, the jury refused to allow compensation for prospective injury or damage. We are told we have lost our right to action by time.
Re Bye Laws. I agree the less they are encumbered with legal language, the more likely they are to be recollected. They should be carefully worded to avoid being defeated and should define the minimum penalty.
I shall send by George Hooper a frock and pair of trousers to be used when you go into the Engine Pit. I want to know the day of the month the Engine began working this year and the quantity of coal in the yard before any was sent this season, also the Engine stoppages this year.
Obstruction in Tunnel, causing some smaller boats to be stopped. Presumably a large coal knocked off one of the boats. S Skinner has marked the place with three black streaks. Have it looked at directly.
Re overcharging on iron and nails. Drawback on 15 tons salt per Skinner credited when certificate is returned properly filled up. Invoice re Oats by Faulkner 18 Aug in error.
Charge on castings for Brentford 1 Aug.
Permission from General Assembly to stop Summit level for thorough examination.
Notice. T&S canal to be stopped between Daneway and Siddington and Cirencester 27-29 October 1838.
Cheque for £12.5.7.
Water in Canal much improved by late rains.
Heavy rain made arrangements for stoppage of Canal unnecessary. Services of Engine to
be dispensed with for season.
Survey of line for Cheltenham & Great Western Railway, from Kemble towards Chalford. Cirencester to Kemble to be completed in 16 months, Minety to Junction with the Great Western near Swindon for middle of November.
Grand Junction Canal has been nearly at a stand for water, throwing some goods into hands of Commercial Carrying Co for conveyance this way. The wine arrived today. Mason a poor figure in the Fly trade.
Argument relating to Mr George’s account implies personal animosity.
The Imperial Salt & Alkali Co and Mason & Longmore have not paid their accounts.
The rains of Saturday and Sunday totally defeated our operations at the Summit level.
The land re fencing about which you were to write to Earl St German’s steward is a piece exchanged with his Lordship’s late steward for one with a good fence. Agreement that it should be properly fenced off. Refer him to Jones.
The Chairman wishes me to arrange the Bye Laws and refer them to you for your legal knowledge on the technical bearings of the writing.
Re Mrs Porter. She cannot obtain from any medical man the certificate required to entitle her to relief forwarded from this place.
The dividend in April will not be less than the last. A very trying summer as respects water, on a par with other canals. The Grand Junction has been nearly or quite dry.
Non payment of account
On behalf of some quarrymen, I address you on the subject of your advertisement for stone for the Newport Ship Dock. I can confidently recommend stone from this district, but as it is to be scapled to dimensions to be furnished, I cannot see how the parties concerned can give a price.
I will allow a difference on the rags on receiving a satisfactory certificate that they were used as manure.
I have always been willing to settle Mr George’s account if he makes proper allowance for articles belonging to the Company which he took away.
Draft of Bye Laws for your correction.
You are required to quit the house and premises you occupy at Kempsford belonging to the Company of Proprietors of the T&S Canal.
Conditions for disposing of land at Boxall Springs to Mr Pollard.
Details of Tonnage on T&S Canal.
Mr Ferrabee thinks the dead plate from the Engine ought not to have been burned.
Setting of thickness of replacement. Boilers to be cleaned ready for composition of tallow and black lead,
Cost of conveying coal via Bristol and Wilts & Berks Canal not available. Forest Coal, 8/10ths of trade, cost given by Mr George, cannot be conveyed more cheaply than by T&S.
Dock gates have been put in order.
Man at Kempsford given notice to quit the house in June. He seems willing to begin the weekly system when agreeable to the Committee.
Six permanent shafts for the railroad tunnel through Sapperton Hill begun, cost £1800.
Is there any occasion for using the term “Boat or other Vessel” in the Bye Laws, would not “Vessel” do?
Enclosed are heads of clauses from the Cheltenham & Great W Union Railway Act relating to Canal, also sketch of land at and near Yeoing Bridge, with particulars of payments made to Mr Richard George for the portion used by the Canal for roads. I think you should see Mr Merrick about it.
Thames & Severn Canal commences at Stroud and terminates at Lechlade. Details of tonnage on coals and iron.
A severe and obstinate attack of influenza prevented me from visiting the traders at Cirencester. Security of cargoes on wharfs.
Apparatus for weighing Canal Boats similar to that on Kennet & Avon Canal discussed by Committee several times. Problems of forming a dock for the machinery, also expense, Company’s lack of power to affix a number on the boats for registration, presenting necessity of weighing a boat each time on its return empty. Tendency to encourage a monopoly.
Re land required for a timber yard: treble the value in money, as stated in my observations on Mr George’s letter. A very clear agreement requisite to prevent a misappropriation of the land to the injury of the wharfs and to make good dilapidation.
Mr George having paid his account has requested me to apply for the Bond he gave, which be pleased to forward to me.
We are carrying large quantities of materials along the Canal to be used in making the Cheltenham & Great Western Union Railroad.
I have sold the long disputed land at Boxwell Springs for £25 to Mr Pollard the farmer.
Mr George’s claim of conveying Forest Coal cheaper to Oxford via Bristol & Wilts & Berks Canal omitted the River Thames dues and other expenses from Abingdon to Oxford.
Send per first Trow a keg of Red Lead. Bossley may not have left when you receive this.
Price of ashes at the Engine, screened and unscreened. Use of ashes.
I sent a note to J Sisum about Lock Gates Bars.
Re sale of property to the late Mrs Mary Lewis by this Company. Any deeds retained by Sir Edward Littleton, Lowbridge Bright and the Company were to be available for inspection.
Re land proposed to be converted into a yard exclusively for timber, the property of Mr George, for sale or used in ship carpentry etc. To be let for term of not less than 7 years.
Extract from Deed of Conveyance from Proprietors of Canal to Mrs Mary Lewis.
I can as see no objection to the alteration you propose otherwise than to make it respectable.
Presuming your house is rated in the same proportion as others under the new valuation, consider yourself well off. Inform me of any difference made in valuation of Canal.
Enclosing letter to Stevenson Salt & Sons: Pay Messrs Chalie & Richards £23 16 6 for wine for the Committee.
Nine days stoppage at Easter. Stopping leakages at the Summit, Steam Engine supplying it with water, waste in district of Coxes Valley (where the road passes under the Canal) or Smyrrel.
Having seen Mr Gordon’s application, the idea of irrigating his meadow by means of the steam engine appears to me monstrous. He can use any extra water flowing into the canal for that purpose if he is willing to incur a small expenditure. Repair of defects and the expense. Plan for Mr Jones to benefit from extra water.
Order for two books binding No. 107319, No. 79616 in calf,
Stoppage of Canal for 9 days at Easter for repairs. Removal of residue of mud from pond below Siddington. Chance to erect a pair of lower gates to the lock, repairing some cills at Daneway, repairs at Coxes Valley or Smyrrel. Vast quantity of water required.
Person occupying house opposite this place, late John George, will benefit by £25,000 by Sir H Jenner’s decision re late J Wood Gloucester property, if confirmed by Privy Council.
I need to know the Committee’s view about the Easter stoppage.
Questions for potential suppliers of a new engine to be sent to The Hayle Foundry, Hayle, St Ives, Corwall and Ravenhill & Miller, London. What costs for a steam engine for pumping water - viz 1,300,000 cubic feet in 24 hours, the lift being 65 feet. At present two boilers working a Bolton & Watt engine, 50 ins cylinder are in good order and can be applied to new Engine.
Please take care of the Company’s interest in the Act for Cirencester Poor Rate.
Mr Ferrabee thinks the boilers will be of no use with an engine upon the expansive principle, ie a Cornish engine. They may be of use with one on Bolton & Watt’s principle, but the former would be more economic. Present Engine in best possible condition but exposed to weather for 50 years.
Easter stoppage of Canal to be from 1st to 10th April.
It will be necessary to send the punt for the [lock] swing poles as I do not think any of the boatmen will take them.
Contracts under which land from Thameshead Bridge to the 13th milestone at Furzen Lease was purchased free from all taxes and levies, Parliamentary and Parochial. This must be explained to Jacob Betterton.
I have appealed against poor rate. Assessment reduced from £139 to £50 for Canal Towing path, Wharf, House, Warehouse, Counting houses etc.
Purchase of land in parish of Kemble explained to Jacob Betterton.
Swing poles here in tank. Send me a gravel washer and sieve.
Appeal against Cirencester charge for poor rate. Trouble with parishes through which Canal runs.
Sale of Commercial Inland Carrying Co advertised in Oxford Journal, perhaps to Parker & Foster.
Proposals for completion of Gloucester & Hereford Canal before Parliament.
Demand for labour on rail roads. Good workmen very scarce. High wages.
Bye Laws XVIII. Need to change the six hours notice to apply during the times the canal is open, 5 in the morning to 9 at night.
Mr George’s Bond delivered to him.
Detailed rates of Tonnage on Canal.
I objected to River Thames from Round House to St John’s Bridge being charged to T&S Co.
New Proprietors. Joseph Timperon, James Curling, George Greenwood. Joseph Griffiths, Birmingham, ceased to be a proprietor.
List of proposed alterations and additions to Bye Laws.
Delay in re-opening of canal due to poor weather.
Mr Wood not justified in acting to prejudice repairing of Canal.
Check arching stone in Cirencester warehouse.
Papers for General Assembly.
Proposed Act to extend railroad from Bristol to Coal Pit Heath to form junction with Cheltenham & Great Western Union a few miles below Stroud.
Mr Farrabee and others to give evidence re supply of coal for steam engines.
Letter from Mr Mullings, Cirencester, but I do not expect to find any conditions of sale from 32 years ago.
Order for a book.
Suggesting places to look for conditions of sale.32 years ago.
Mr Wood’s obstruction of repairs to Canal. Postpone Eisey Lock gates and shortening the Bourne Lock. Thorough examination needed of Summit Level.
Circular notice of Canal stoppage.
I intend getting the mud out of the short pond below the Basin.
Carpenter W Miles who has worked with L Griffin and on railroad near Cheltenham is available.
Terms on which Company would allow swing bridge across Canal to connect Mr Hinton’s land.
Phillpots, the carpenter, will come to you on Whit Monday or sooner.
Will not the heat of the lime kiln, with the weather, cause the coping stones to perish speedily?
Cheque for trespass for spoil bank at Coates.
Mentions planting the tunnel heaps in 1821
Index to letters
