Pounds _s._ _d._
2,000 Tons Linens 600 0 0
and Yarns,
(see page
20)
2,500 . . . Lead 515 12 6
. . . 23
4,500 1115 12 6
Total 7322 12 6
amount of
revenue at
present
estimated
By the above statements it appears the project will cost 92,830 pounds;
and the amount of revenue arising from such tonnage as is comprehensible,
will amount annually to 7,322 pounds 12s. 6d. which is rather more than 8
per cent. per annum for the shareholders, independent of 39,090 tons more
which the works will be able to perform, if required, and which from the
low price of one penny per ton for Rail dues, for twenty miles, will
amount to 3,257 pounds 10s. 0d. and when only another penny per ton, per
mile is estimated for waggon dues, this kind of tonnage will be conveyed
at a cheap rate, and delivered in the neighbourhood where it is so much
wanted, at prices agreeable to the foregoing estimates; a circumstance of
itself likely to improve the value of all estates, containing the
articles of stone and lime, and ultimately bring a great increase of
tonnage in that direction, most desirable in all Railway projects.
In the foregoing estimates it is calculated that the waggons will be
drawn by horses, at the same time we believe, that loco-motive engines
might be applied to do the work at a less expense: but not having
employed an engineer perfectly acquainted therewith, we are not
authorized to say more on the subject.
With regard to the annual repairs of a Rail-way our engineer, Mr. Telford
hath not supplied the information; but from other sources we have
ascertained the repairs are in proportion to the quantity of business
done; upon Rail-ways well constructed, and made strong in the first
instance, about l-8th of the annual proceeds is highly sufficient, but if
the castings are light and laid upon timber instead of stone, at least
twice that sum will be required.
Having as a Committee, accomplished in the best way we are able, what was
originally intrusted to our care, (except deviating from a Canal to a
Rail-way;) we now beg leave to lay the subject before the public, not
doubting but that public will duly appreciate its utility, and also
recommend to the Noblemen and Gentlemen who have estates on the line, to
give it such a consideration as a work of this magnitude deserves, either
as regards its importance, by the employment it will afford to the
partially employed labouring poor, during the time the work is in
progress, but more particularly during all the time hereafter; so long as
one ton of lead, or stone may be found near the higher end of the line;
or the river Nidd flow in its present course; or the neighbourhood of
Selby or Howden continue to produce more corn than is sufficient for its
population; or as may regard its importance in an agricultural view, a
sight of which should never be lost, nor whatever can promote its
advancement, be treated with disdain or neglect, but quite the contrary;
for upon the best, the cheapest, and most skilful method of causing the
earth to bring forth abundantly, depends in a great measure our national
prosperity; it gives a plentiful supply at home, will tend to reduce our
alarming pauperism, and hence promote peace, the welcome inhabitant of
every breast; of every cottage; of every mansion; of every state; and the
safest rampart of every throne; for while we consider the soil only as an
agent, let us not forget it is one of an incorruptible class; and
whatever is skilfully committed to its care is generally repaid tenfold;
then it should not be forgotten what was the state of the high-roads in
this country eighty years ago, they were chiefly composed of clay; and
now contrast that period, with the present, and say how much their
improvement hath, or hath not, contributed to the advancement of that
ancient, useful, respectable, and princely profession, of agriculture; if
this is not denied, then contrast the present highways of the district
through which the adopted line will pass, remembering the many steep and
rugged hills, with the present much improved Rail-ways where the
uniformity of ascent and descent is maintained as a principal object, and
permit it to come within your calculating powers to show, what benefit it
may contribute to the perfection of a science on which so much wealth and
public benefit depend.
Or as may regard its importance by the constant employment it will afford
to nearly all ages and classes of people, who may be concerned directly
or indirectly in the manufacture of Yarns, Linens, and Cottons, and
probably at better wages than are regularly paid at other manufacturing
places, for should a considerable saving of carriage be effected,
together with the quick dispatch and transport of goods from place to
place, as we have contemplated; the profits of the masters would be
improved, their business extended, competition created, and hence wages
would be advanced; industry would thereby be promoted, and could morality
and economy be taught by example, then pauperism would only be known by
its name.
If there be any doubt, that the completion of this project will not open
new channels for such tillage as the various soils which are contiguous
to the line require, we are unacquainted with it; because instead of
that, we believe it will not only facilitate the transport of the various
limes as may be requisite to suit the different soils, but also afford an
opportunity of introducing great quantities of manure from the towns of
Leeds and Hull, into places which the present modes in use never will
accommodate.
To enumerate all the advantages which a well constructed Rail-way
possesses over every other mode of conveyance, on lines where the ascent
is great, as in this, would be a work of time, and therefore we shall
dismiss it after quoting a passage from Dupini's Report to the French
Government:
"The advantages which Iron Rail-ways present are immense.--England
owes to them a part of her wealth. Never without them could coal,
lime, minerals, and other raw materials have been conveyed to such
distances, and at the same time, at so trifling an expense."
To the Noblemen and Gentlemen who have money vested in the security of
the tolls, arising from the highways contiguous to the line, we beg to
offer some observations, particularly to those who may feel alarm for
their interests:--It is the opinion of others, better informed on these
subjects than ourselves, that instead of reducing the annual amount of
tolls, they have invariably been found to increase, particularly on such
roads as cut the line in a transverse direction; but on roads parallel to
the line, the increase has not been so great; and when it is remembered
the great quantity of tonnage, a project of this kind must require to
make it profitable, it must be admitted that a disposal of it in all
directions will necessarily be the case; thus it is accounted for why the
tolls have increased.
To such Noblemen and Gentlemen who may at some future period (we hope not
far distant) form themselves into a Committee to ascertain the merits of
this report, we beg to express a request, which we trust will be treated
with attention, that they will permit all the money advanced towards the
expenses of the survey already made, to become share money, (if the work
should go forward) and the subscribers who may not be disposed to
purchase shares, to have the option of receiving back the sum or sums so
advanced by them.
JOHN ETESON.
MATTHEW OATES.
WM. THACKWRAY.
FRANCIS COOPER.
WM. DRIFFIELD.
JOHN ELLISON.
THOMAS SIMPSON.
LAMBERT ELLISON.
ROBT. DEARLOVE.
ISAAC NEWTON.
MICHAEL MEEK.
An account of the sixty-seven mills named in the preface of this Report,
showing how each mill is at this time employed:--
Corn. Flax. Cotton. Lead.
Shaw Mills 2 2 0 0
Thornton 0 1 0 0
Wreaks 1 0 1 0
Waite 1 0 0 0
Fewstone 1 0 0 0
West House 1 1 0 0
West End 0 3 0 0
Bramley Head 0 2 0 0
Darley 1 1 0 0
Thornthwaite 1 1 0 0
Summer-bridge 1 1 0 0
Fellbeck 1 0 0 0
Braisty Wood 0 1 0 0
Low Laith 0 1 0 0
Smelt House 0 3 0 0
Glass House 1 1 0 0
Holling House 0 1 0 0
Pateley-Bridge 1 1 0 0
Bridge-house 1 0 0 0
Gate
Cockhill 0 0 0 1
Sun Side 0 0 0 1
Scarah 1 0 0 0
Providence 0 0 0 1
Prosperous 0 0 0 1
Merry Field 0 0 0 1
Low Mill 0 0 0 1
Grass Field 0 1 0 1
New Bridge 0 0 0 0
Gouthwaite Hall 1 0 0 0
Ramsgill 1 0 0 0
Killinghall l 0 0 0
Scotton 0 l 0 0
Knaresbro' 0 1 0 0
Do. Chapman 1 0 0 0
Do. Do. 1 0 0 0
Calverley's
Plumpton 1 0 0 0
Goldsbro' 1 0 0 0
Staveley 1 1 0 0
Hunsingore 1 0 0 0
Knox 1 0 0 0
Crimple 0 1 0 0
Spofforth 1 0 0 0
Wetherby 3 0 0 0
Thorp-Arch 2 1 0 0
Tadcaster 1 0 0 0
Clifford 1 1 0 0
32 27 1 7
Besides the before-named mills, flax is sent from Knaresbro' to be spun
at
Scotland Mill, near Leeds.
Mickley Mill, near Ripon.
Bishopton Mill, near Ripon.
Ripon Mill, and
Masham Mill.
N.B. Soon as additional Subscriptions are received, by the Committee, to
cover the expenses of the Survey, a list of the same will be printed, and
distributed to each Subscriber, setting forth, also, the expenses of the
Survey, with every particular.
Edward Baines, Printer, Leeds.
Footnotes:
{vi} The Committee alludes to the immense quantities of excellent stone
for highways near Pateley-Bridge, and the great want of it in the
neighbourhoods of Howden and Selby; and the surplus produce of the earth
in these districts, and the increasing demand for it at Skipton and
Pateley, and the Eastern parts of Lancashire.
{12} No surviving copies of this map are known.--DP.