Letter from John Dixon, Railway Office, Canterbury to Timothy Hackworth, Darlington

Railway Office Canterbury 28th of 2 a mo
1826


Esteemed Friend

I have long expected a few lines from thee and am very sorry to learn from the contents of thy letter received this morning that things are in such a state with TS [Thomas Storey, Surveyor for the Stockton & Darlington Railway later Chief Engineer of the Great North of England Railway] and thyself. The last letter I had from G [George] Stephenson made some allusion to it but gave no particulars. I think he is out of favour with the Committee now; alas how fleeting and transitory are the smiles and support of men. It is not more than 3 years ago that GS was looked upon as more than human and allmost [sic] Deified [sic] by Edward Pease and even Mewburn, and Storey was scarcely expected to continue his situation but the tide is turned in a contrary direction. With regard to thy question, how to act with F Mewburn it is difficult to say, but I must do him the justice due to him by informing thee that I allways [sic] found him a great and sincere Friend [sic] not only in words but solid Deeds [sic] and have every reason to believe him sincere either as a friend or as an enemy and if it should be thy misfortune to have him on the latter side, I am extremely sorry for thee, for I am confident he would not be an enemy without he believed thee to be deserving of it. I am apprehensive something poisonous has been poured into his ear by enemies to thyself and GS and if that has taken root, it may be difficult to eradicate but be honest with him. Tell truth and act uprightly and it will answer the best in the end.

With regard to myself I cannot give a very good account for since I came home I have sometimes sorely repented coming. First of all we got so badly on for want of materials that our Directors grew very sore. Just at that very time Mr James came forward with wholesale proposals to do all manner of work and quit the Co. of all trouble but they wished to give us a fair trial, and when we got a few wagons to work and 3 or 4 hundred yards of way laid down the charge of sentiment was very great in our favour. I wished for a Carpenters and Smiths Shop but that was refused and I was recommended to respectable tradesmen in the town whom they conceived would do the work as cheap as I could get it done by having a yard of our own; but behold the result

£ s. d A single Ballast Waggon Woodwork only 11 . 10.0
A double - do - 16. 0 0
Wheelbarrows (complete) 1. 0 0
Smithwork for Waggons etc. 0. 0. 8 p. lb

I stated the prices we paid in the north and was allowed to try a change of system which completely succeeded that is we can just do the work for about half the money for good oak can be bought for ready money at 3/- p. foot and [?] fir for 2/6 and a good journeyman carpenter hired for 4/- p. day as a foreman and the rest 3/6 p. day. Iron 20/- p. cwt. Smith 4/- p. day but have not got a good smith yet. Mr Stephenson has been applied to for one but has not succeeded. In consequence of these appalling facts I have had the Whip and Reins given allmost [sic] entirely into my own hands and am as diligent and careful as I can to give no cause for them to change their method and one great comfort exists here and that is in being the only Agent the Co. have to consult but we are cursed and hated by the natives more especially since we disappointed the Tradesmen in making our own things. We have advertised all the cuttings to give the labour as a fair chance but none of the proposals are as low as Nicholsons. We were likely to get pretty well on with purchasing the land and meant to make a vigorous push by beginning in various parts next month, when alas comes a sad damper!! Our Bankers shut up shop and no money to pay wages etc. so that I am now up to the ears in trouble. We have upwards of £1000 in their hands and moreover they were considerable shareholders. They are expected to go on again but that is allways [sic] said. A placard is up at the door stating that they will resume business on Saturday. It was caused by the failure of their London connexion Sir John Perrings & Co. Since their failure or suspension we have not had a meeting and will wait till after Saturday to see whether they resume or not. If not it will go hard with us and may stop our works at present which will be a sad job for me but we must hope for the best and remember that what cannot be cured must be endured.

Thy sincere friend
John Dixon