Draft note from the committee

Stockton 16 Feb 1815

Dr Sir

At a general meeting for taking into [illegible] your estimate & observations relative to the proposed Canal an order has been made for raising as a [illegible] sum to discharge all the costs hitherto incurred & a Committee has been appointed to forward the undertaking.

The gentlemen named have it in contemplation to publish a short statement of your estimate & if the Returns which may be expected & in this they wish to shew the probable expense of the Canal should it terminate at Darlington or Killerby. You have calculated the former at 95,600£ ( from which perhaps may be deducted the 12,316.10/ for the aqueduct over the Skerne) but as you have not made a Rest also at the latter place I am desired to beg to be inform’d what proportion of the items for Bridges, Locks, Tow’s path, Land, damages & contingencies may be

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appropriated for the space between the Skerne & Killerby. Should you conceive that the political changes which have occurred since your estimate was formed will occasion any difference in the expence you will have the goodness to notice it.

Requesting the favor of an ans’r in the course of next week as the Committee are anxious that no further delay may take place.

I remain

D’r Sir

[illegible]

John Rennie

Requesting clarification on some of the costs of the project, and also enquiring whether the ‘political changes’ which have occurred since the estimate was made ‘will occasion any difference in the expense’.