proper not, it ought not to be encouraged."" Judicious and as was this reply, it did not prevent Sir F. Burdett from again writing to Sir Robert Peel, urging a compliance with his request, and likewise reflecting upon the conduct of the Water Companies; but the latter remained firm in his decision to avoid employing Mr. Telford at the public expense. Though foiled in all his former attempts, yet Sir F. Burdett did not abandon his object; but the persons constituting the government being changed, he ventured, in January 1831, to write to Lord Althorp, then become Chancellor of the Exchequer, requesting a Treasury order, to employ Mr. Telford to make a Survey, Report, &c., at the same time averring, "he thinks this matter of such great importance, that he undertakes to guarantee the Treasury against any expense which may attend it." This apparently patriotic offer induced the new ministers to furnish the required order on the 29th of January, 1831, with a copy of the Treasury minute to be sent to Mr. Telford," for his information, and to desire that he will make his Report, as proposed by Sir F. Burdett,— (if he is willing to do so,)—on the distinct understanding that he is to bring no charge against Government for this service." This clear and explicit communication shows, that as far as the survey, &c. was concerned, Sir F. Burdett's desires had been complied with on his own conditions; and the public documents affording this information, also show the nature of his conduct after the Treasury order was obtained. • Are not there very good grounds for presuming that the "Section of the Thames," as well as the "Draft of the Bill," and "anonymous letter," were the productions of the "individual'engineer," who has made himself so prominent by his great pretensions and palpable absurdities? EE Whether Mr. Telford's shrewdness led him to doubt of the validity of the guarantee, was known only by himself; but he returned an answer declining to engage in the work. However, after the lapse of about two months (on March 21, 1831), he consented to undertake it; and wrote to the Treasury a letter, asking the question-" Am I to understand that it is by Government, and not by any individual, that I am employed?" In the reply it was stated that he was to "consider himself employed by Government." During the subsequent three months six letters, at different periods, were addressed to Sir F. Burdett, to arrange with him the mode of remunerating Mr. Telford; nevertheless on this important point, the honourable baronet refrained from giving one word in reply! On June 22, however, when the copy of a Report concerning a scheme of the Grand Junction Company was transmitted to him by the Secretary to the Treasury, he again became their correspondent; but instead of noticing the letters previously addressed to him, to remind him of his promise to indemnify government, he indulged in a long strain of invectives against the Water Companies, evading altogether the subject of his engagement to pay the expense of Mr. Telford's survey, which had been so pertinaciously urged upon the Treasury by himself! On the 5th of July a second minute of the Treasury was sent to the baronet relating to the survey, but he deferred replying till the 28th of August, when he wrote to Lord Althorp repeating his censures of the Water Companies, and descanted on the increase of income by the New River Company since 1820; omitting, however, to notice the great increase of buildings, or the expenditure of nearly 200,000l. in the extension of their pipes, &c. to effect the supply to the increased population! Such too was his regard for candour and justice on this occasion, that not one syllable occurred concerning his guarantee, although it had been so often applied for by the Secretary to the Treasury! In February, 1834, Mr. Telford having completed his Survey and Report, delivered them to the Lords of the Treasury, accompanied with three plans, and on the 26th of March they were ordered to be printed by the House of Commons. The object of one of the plans was to obtain water from the river Verulam, two miles above Watford, being about sixteen miles distant from London. For conveying it to the metropolis, he proposed to construct a covered aqueduct, having a double water-course, with a foot-path between them to a capacious reservoir formed on Primrose Hill, at the height of 146 feet above high water in the Thames. The estimated cost of these works amounted to 785,9657. 11s. 6d., and large as the sum may appear, they were limited merely to affording a supply to the West Middlesex, the Grand Junction, and Chelsea Companies, * which should respectively receive it by large iron main pipes, connecting their respective establishments with the reservoir. The plan proposed for supplying the south side of the Thames, consisted in forming an extensive reservoir on Clapham Common, to receive water procured from the Croydon branch of the river Wandle, at the east end of Beddington Park, being a point ninety feet above high water in the Thames. A covered aqueduct with a double water-course and foot-path interposed was also to * In the present Session (1835), the Grand Junction and Chelsea Companies have applied for Acts of Parliament, to enable them to obtain water higher up the Thames; the former at a place opposite Richmond Gardens; the latter at a short distance from Richmond Bridge. |