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Result number 38 of 55:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >  

Document number: 7584
Date: 31 Mar 1858
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: COTTRELL George Edward
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA58-036
Last updated: 1st September 2003

7 Eaton Place South

31st March 1858

My dear Sir

I think your present suggestion of the tramway to the G. W. R. a good one & one which may be usefully adopted so far as I am concerned – and I shall be quite ready to engage to adopt it for the carriage of the ore – The only question upon it is whether the toll should be so high as that originally proposed for the Railway – vizl 1s/ per Ton. I think that toll would make the entire charge rather more to Staffordshire than I could do it for – but on the other hand if the Welsh line is made it will be a saving of some thing – Perhaps if upon investigation (which I have not yet fully made) it turns out the more expensive plan you may be inclined to modify the toll a little in as much as the cost of the Tram road will be much less than a railway and the keep it up in proportion

With respect to the lease there is no point between us except the actual selection of the land – upon which point I do not think we shall differ – as I do not doubt you will permit me to select the spot which I consider the most eligible for working purposes – The spot being either wholly in the larch wood, or partly there & partly (but always joining) – in the field to the West or South West of it – The surface land for tramway &c I can hardly understand without an inspection – which perhaps you will be so good as to allow me next week – upon that too I do not doubt you will do the best you can for me – Unless my calculations are very wrong you will probably receive some £2500 or £3000 a year for virtually 1½ acre of land and some little derangement of two or three fields would be expected under such circumstances – but all convenient means for crossing &c being provided I do not apprehend any great amount of consequential damage – a farmer must always make for a gate somewhere and such gate may be just as conveniently provided as the present one –

There is one thing I shall be obliged by your doing at once –

You saw Mr Sarl upon the question of his land & wrote to him – I would on no account stand in the way of Messrs Sarl taking your land if you and they can come to more advantageous, or equally advantageous terms – to you – & they desire it – I have not mentioned that I have been in correspondence with you as I wish to be left out of the question entirely so far as any bias on my account goes – Perhaps therefore you would not object, without stating you are actually in treaty on the subject – to write me a letter stating the terms upon which you will be willing to grant them a lease – Such terms being

The quantity of land

The Terms

The royalty & surface rent

The minimum annual royalty –

and naming a time within which they shall say yes or no – I will then lay your letter before them and we will consider the question –

I believe they have no wish to have the land but if they do – & you can arrange with them I am quite ready to emancipate you from all obligation on my part –

Yours very truly

George Cottrell

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