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Great Western Railway.
London Terminus.
Paddington.
W.
10th Nov 1857.
Dear Sir,
There are several Places situated about Wootton Basset, at which the Wilts & Berks Canal approaches nearer to the Railway than at Chippenham – & if the future course of Traffic in ore must be carried on partly by Canal, & partly by Railway, I should recommend your employing some one to examine the most convenient spot for the Transfer of the Ore – when some Engineer of this Co could also attend to examine the position & report upon it. It would however be most desirable that the Traffic should be carried continuously by Rails from the Land whence it is dug, & on this subject, I can only advise, before you commit yourself to the Canal Company that you should ascertain the practicability of constructing a private Railway to our Line.
The terms on which this Co agree to carry the Ore are correctly stated at 7/16 of a penny pr Ton pr Mile in addition to a sum of terminal Charges &c specified in a Tabular Statement whh was published in February last – the Ore being carried on Owners Waggons For 129 Miles it would therefore be 4/9 pr Ton – plus the terminal charges varying according to the Quantity – The Freight to be in full Loads – The Allowance of one sixth is solely applicable to the Supply of back Freight in the same owners Waggons – to the full Weight of Ore sent.
I remain, Dear sir yours very faithfully
Chas A Saunders
H. Fox Talbot Esq