Canal

One page, sm. fol, some marking but mainly good condition. "I beg to know by the bearer Mr Brpougham who is my secretary, what answer you have received from Bradford respecting my second subscription of 1000£, ordered by the Committee, & confirmed by the General Court of the Leeds Navidgation. If you are satisfied, Mr. Brougham will pay you the 15£, & write my name in the Subscription book, [...] It is inconvenient for me to come so far as Lombard Street, having left my chariot at Twickenham this week."

The Rochdale Canal was conceived in 1776, and despite opposition from mill owners fearing a disruption to their water supply, began construction following the passing of an act of parliament in 1794. On completion (it was officially opened in 1804), and until the railway age, it constituted the main commercial route between Yorkshire and Lancashire. The present small collection provides an interesting sidelight into the legal and financial difficulties involved in the project, with several reference reflecting badly on Shuttleworth's professional capabilities.

Both documents 1p., folio. Both in good condition, on lightly-aged laid paper, the first with pin-holes from its attachment to another item. The first letter relates to 'the Expences incurred in constructing the Royal Military Canal', with reference to a 'Letter from Sir B[rook]. Watson Bt' and 'Lieut. Col. Brown's Accounts for expenditure'. The second letter again deals with communications from Watson and Brown, the latter 'enclosing Accounts & Vouchers for the Expenditure on the Royal Military Canal & Rampart'.

1p., 4to. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. With envelope, addressed by Cubitt to 'C F Stuart Esqre | 20 New Norfolk Street | Park Lane', with red wax seal and postmarks, and docketted 'Mr Cubitt. Engineer'. He has received Stuart's letter of 17 May, and has 'since seen Mr. Buchanan with all the Reports Plans Instr[ucti]ons &c &c relative to the question of interference with Lord Blantyre's property', and he will 'more fully examine' them 'during the recess of Parliament'. He has 'also seen & consulted with Mr.

4pp., foolscap 8vo, on two bifoliums. On aged and worn paper, with slight bloom at head and a little loss to spine from disbinding.

Four pages, bifolium, folio, 1" tears on fold marks, staining, loss of small amount of margin, text complete and clear. It includes: a statement of the Company's affairs "to the 27th of April, 1825 (expenditure, payments, debts, salaries etc.); "Abstract Account of Tonnage and Rent [...]" (Timber, lead, iron etc). Submitted by B.A. Griffith, and concluded by the "Orders" (dividend, etc.). Final page has manuscript address to "Richard Griffith Esq. M.D. | Cardiff."

2pp., foolscap 8vo. Bifolium on blue paper. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with slight fraying and loss to extremities. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr. Superintendent B. T. Oswald | Police Office | Burton on Trent'.

15pp., 12mo, with printers' slug at foot of otherwise-blank last page. Fair, on aged paper with slight creasing. P.3 carries 'Our Welcome To You', beginning: 'To all of you on your journey home, whether in the Services or not, this brings you a warm welcome to the Middle East Command. | You may be here for up to 48 hours and the reason for this break is to provide you with the warm clothing you will need on arrival in England.' Pp.9-14 carry nine tables relating to 'Clothing and Necessaries to be Issued' to service personel and civilian men, women and children.

A small archive of material relating to the Millwall Dock Co and the Manchester Ship Canal. George Hazlehurst, whose papers these are, worked several years in Manchester and climbed the ladder at Millwall, eventually becoming General Manager (1909). The archive includes: the Act entitled London and India Docks and Millwall Dock Companies (annotated in Hazlehurst's had); a copy letter to Winston Churchill, 3pp., 4to, dfrom Hazlehurst describing his abilities and achievemnts, 7 July 1908; copy application, 5pp., 4to, incl.

One page, 4to, secretarial hand but signed by Le Vaillant de Bovent. In response to a letter he is providing "les états mensuel de tous les passagers de voiture . . . qui ont été [constules?] par le prepose du pont a bascule de cette ville depuis le mois de . . . 1828 . . . "

One page, minor damage and staining marginally affecting text, which has lost one letter, as follows: "D'après l'autorisation que mon frère [Eugène Flachat, eminent engineer] m'a transmise de votre part, je prends la liberté de vous demander un rendez-vous, pour vour entretenir du Canal maritime, et vous soumettre notamment la partie des plans de cette entreprise qui interesse plus spécialement la ville de Paris.

8vo: 1 p. Good, on lightly creased and aged paper. Good firm hand. Five lines of text and large, bold signature. Reads 'Enclosed please find the note of the General | With compliments to Madam and to Miss Chapman I remain | Very truly yours | [signed] John Bigelow'.

Presumably secretary to his father, Linant Bey. One page, 8vo, good condition, text as follows: "Je viens d'apprendre votre nomination au grade de Bey; je vous prie d'agreer toutes mes felicitations les plus sinceres. Je suis heureux de voir le Gouvernement apprecier et recompenser les services qui lui sont rendus, c'est un encouragement pour nous tous. / Mon pere, a qui j'ai annonce votre nomination, me charge de vous adresser ses compliments."

20 items. Various formats (see below). Showing signs of age, and with some foxing, fraying and creasing, but in very good condition overall. Collection indicates that Hazlehurst, who was born in Grappenhall, Lancashire, to an illiterate mother, was a capable individual entrusted with responsible positions. ITEMS 1 TO 5: Certified Copies of Hazlewood's birth and marriage certificates (birth certificate in poor condition, but with text entirely legible), his wife's birth and death certificates, and his parents' marriage certificate.

Minister of Public Works, with a key role in the building of the Suez Canal. The document, numbered No.39 top left corner, is three pages, folio, sl. damaged but text clear and complete. He reminds his correspondent that "Son Altesse le Khedive" has appointed him "ministere des travaux publics" four months previously. He discusses "le reglement" by which decisions were to be made and the situation he finds himself in, "ne sachant au juste sur quoi appuyer mes actes officielle, je ne puis plus longtemps rester dans la vague, qui empeche toute administration.

American diplomat and author (1817-1911), editor of Benjamin Franklin's works. All three items are very good on paper discoloured with age, though all with small punch holes for binding in upper corners, resulting to loss to six words of text. All three signed 'John Bigelow'. The second letter represents an important exposition of Bigelow's religious position at the very end of his life. LETTER ONE (14 March 1911, 21 Gramercy Park, two pages, octavo): In response to his correspondent's 'Syrenic appeal' he is sending a cheque for $25, 'at the rate of $5 for the next five years'.

New York journalist (1847-1928) and biographer of Theodore Roosevelt; Secretary, Isthmian Canal Commission. One page, quarto. Very good, but lightly creased a little grubby. Docketed and bearing the Society's stamp. He has received the letter 'asking me if I can furnish you with material on the social side of the work at Panama. It would give me much pleasure to supply this, were it in such form as to make it possible to do so. There has been a great deal written about it, but nothing in concrete form, so far as my knowledge goes.

British soldier (1877-1948): Boer War; General Staff Officer, Portland Fortress, Dardanelles, Suez Canal defences, etc., during Great War. C.B.E., D.S.O. and Cavalierr of the Order of the Italian Crown. Very good though somewhat discoloured with age. Dimensions five and a half inches by three and a half. Bearing the Society's stamp. Signed (beneath stamp) 'A Ersine-Murray'. Headed 'Cantor Sections'. He has 'discovered that several typewritten pages have been omitted' from his fourth lecture ('lost in the post I expect').

American hydrographer and engineer (1830-1902). Wraps, detached and chipped, pp.370-385, contents good. Inscribed by the author to George Davidson (1825-1911) geodesist and geographer AND ANNOTATED extensively throughout by Davidson, marking passages with underlining, expressing doubts about accuracy with question marks and trenchant comment from "Rot" to short addition, to lengthy disquisition, and adding information from his own wide and detailed knowledge, both Davidson and Mitchell having an interest in the Panama Canal.