Letter from Robert Stephenson to Samuel Smiles

Newcastle Tyne
4 Oct 55

Private [written in red]

My dear Sir
By this post you will receive my reply to your official application declining to go into the matter as I have decided (and I have acted upon the decision for the last two years) to withdraw entirely from all new professional engagements _ This I have done chiefly on account of my health not being very good.
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With regard to the notes upon my fathers early steps with the Locomotive Engine they have been done some time and I hope shortly to see you on this subject but I shall be engaged for 10 days or a fortnight out of London mainly.

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Since you undertook your new situation you have frequently passed thro' my mind and I began to feel that your new engagements would be far too numerous to admit of your giving the Biography any attention _ Moreover I felt that if your Board found that you were not giving your whole time to their business it might create dissatisfaction. I was aware also that you had had a struggle against a section of the Board when you obtained the appointment when you succeeded I knew that you would have many serious difficulties to contend with _ a divided Board reduced income _ increasing expences and as a necessary consequence discontented shareholders _ none of these contribute to a secretary's comfort and as I take rather a gloomy view of the future prospects of the So E. I fear you troubles are not at an end._
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I intend leaving England for a cruise in some southern clime in about 3 weeks but I will make a point of seeing you for an hour or two, before that time.
Brunel or Hawkshaw would either of them be good men to confer with [illegible word] on the Tunnels and from what I have heard, the matter will not brook much delay.

Yours faithfully,
Robt Stephenson

S. Smiles Esq