Letter from Robert Stephenson to Samuel Smiles

Newcastle Tyne
30 Sept 57

Dear Smiles
It may be quite true what the Mayor of Northampton says, but it certainly does not convey the fact. Meetings were held in almost every town on the line, both for and against the Railway but Northampton distinguished itself by being rather more furious than other places in opposition to R’ways and begged that this line might be Kept away from them.
It is true that the low level of Northampton presented a very great objection to the line approaching it nearer than it does but I had a strong leaning for that

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direction, because it would have admitted of the line approaching the Kilsby Ridge up the Althorpe valley in a favourable manner
I was anxious to go in this direction for another reason viz that the line should have reached a point better calculated than Rugby for commanding the midland & Northern counties _ If you look at the Map you will easily see the bearing of this view.
The line by Banbury & Warwick I soon abandoned, in consequence of feeling the absolute importance of enabling the London & Birmingham to command the Midland counties

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and the districts now traversed by the North Midland _ nothing saved a Direct line to Manchester in 1845, but the general position of the London & Birmingham and especially the bending northwards and passing thro' Rugby instead of bending Southwards & passing thro' Banbury & Warwick, which was strongly urged upon me by the some of the most influential Birmingham people.
Few people have any notion how completely the whole system of our Railways has been influenced by the bend in the London & B'm in order to pass Rugby _ Scarcely a single line that now exists to the North of this point would

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have been made as it is now made._
The only Solicitor at Northampton who supported the London & Borough was a Mr Scriven, but I have some notion that he has left the scene of life _ Mr Samuel Carter could give you some facts in this subject, but I think you have already seen him,_ He was the great man for getting up meetings on the Law at the London & B'm._ I have no doubt however your best way is to run down to Northampton to examine the newspapers _ I dare say you will find some rich specimen of anti_Railway speechifying _ Yours faithfully
S. Smiles Esq Robt Stephenson