Autograph letters signed (x 3) to the Secretary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway,

The elder. Quaker grocer and philanthropist (1801-1859). The letters provide an amusing insight into nature of customer relations on the British railway system. The first, 4 pp, 12mo. "I left Middlesboro' on the 1st of 8mo at 6.40am. for Leeds only Booked to Preston Junction - when waiting in that office I saw two Men sent away without a Ticket for Darlington. The Station M[aster] who was issuing Tickets said "you can pay the Guard" this looked no unusual mode of acting when busy - is it approved of at Darlington? The Station M[aste]r. evinced a great want of knowledge & true dignity [!] for his Office - He said on Station I insulted him & "I was a nuisance in the Office" &c I did not know the fare to Leeds. I handed him a Sovereign & asked what the fare was "4/9 3/4¾" - all I said was I would have 4/10 - & he took 4/10. I did not say a word! As I have stated to the Superintend[en]t Geo: Gaslett some particulars of the mode of treating me at that Station I need not now enter into it - I can fully prove that your Station Master & some of the Porters acted in a very wrong way & such as no Director would allow". Some more in this vein and the postscript "The Porter refused his No: &c & stopped the train because I asked his No". The second, 2 pp, 12mo. "I expected the information I sent of two Men being sent from the Preston Junction to Darlington without any Ticket would have been worth a [sic] answer - as it did not appear unusual to say "You can pay the Guard" certainly no sufft. cause existed for it - no doubt S. & D Guards are good Men I do not dispute them - but Station Master wants knowledge much! & your Co: pay half!" The third, 3 pp, 8vo. "[...] I do not consider it at all conclusive that the Station Master was not to blame - it was not difficult to obtain change for a Sovereign [...] I think Joseph Pease [1799-1872, one of the projectors of the railway] would have explained on what grounds the omission of Tickets to two Men was made, & felt obliged to anyone who served the bank's Interest. [...] I know if J P. knew the Ignorant Conduct of Station Master towards me he would have recd a rebuke".