Letter from Thomas Meynell to Leonard Raisbeck

My Dear Sir
As a Railway Proprietor I was decidedly hostile to the measure of extension to Middlesbrough, and I am of opinion, that if all the parties who agreed with me had been equally strenuous and decided in opposing the bill, the Act of 1828 would not have been obtained. I apprehend that it would be impossible now by any means to prevent the project from being completed, and indeed were it otherwise it might not be desirable after the large sum that has been already expended. With this view of the case I think it would be impolite to throw any impediments in the way, or increase the waste of the Company’s funds by creating an opposition, especially as I am decidedly of opinion, that the powers of any Act to amend the former one, are greatly preferable to any temporary agreement with some of the parties, who might in future have the means of occasioning annoyances to bind all parties and permanently I think would not be practicable. After many battles we fought together I feel much regret that on this occasion we should differ in opinion, but trust

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our discordance will not be accompanied with the unpleasant circumstances that have been the consequence on other similar cases.

I am my dear Sir
yours ever faithfully
Ts Meynell