Letter from William Kitching, Darlington to Timothy Hackworth, Railway Tavern, Rain Hill, Nr Warrington, Lancashire

Darlington 17th of 10 Mo. 1829
Respd frd

T. Hackworth
In consequence of my Bror. Alfred having ommitted [sic] to inform us in his last letter of the 7th Inst. were to direct to him, I should be obliged by they endeavouring to see him, and say we are much disappointed in not having heard from him for upwards of a week.

I shall be extremely glad to have heard that fair play had been allowed to the different engine makers who were competitors for the premium, from the very cool reception that a Timothy received from forth street Geo shewed [sic] very plainly he was afraid of the Shildon production, and well they might as they well know that every Engine which they have yet sent has had great needs of mending, the new one last sent was at work scarcely a week before it was completely comdemd [sic] and not fit to be used in its present state, the hand gearing and valves have no controul [sic] in working it, when standing without the wagons at Tullys a few days ago, it started by itself when the steam was shut of and all that Jem [sic?] Stephenson could do was not stop it, run down the branch with such speed that old Jim was crying out for help everyone expecty [sic] to see them both dashd [sic] to atoms the depots being quite clear of waggons [sic], which would have been case [sic] had not the teamers and others thrown blocks &c in the way and fortunaly [sic] threw it off, a similar occurrence the following day in going to Stockton as soon as the waggons [sic] were unhookd [sic] at the top of the run away goes Maniac defying all the power and skill of her Jockey, old Jem nor could it be stopt [sic] untill [sic] it arrive near the staiths, had a coach been on the road coming up its passengers would have been in most dangerous stituation [sic] – the force pump is nearly useless, having had every day it was at work to fill the boiler with pails at each of the watering places. No fewer than 3 times the lead plug was melted out, this Maniac was a forth Street production and at last was obliged to be Towed up to the Hospital by a real Timothy in front on 6 wheels and actually had 24 waggons [sic] in the rear as Guard, it is now at head quarters Shildon – There is at present no ships in the River, - from what I have heard of the doings with you it appears that the engine who had a Booth as the inventor of the copper pipes in the Boiler was without either Judge or Jury to be the winner, it would have been dreadfully galling to the owners had not the favord [sic] ones carried the day no matter how often they happend [sic] accidents it was alright – hoping we shall have the pleasure of see you both in a little less time and

Remaining very respectfully
W Kitching