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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D3580/C/676 |
| Title | S Laing at London, Brighton and South Coast Railway London Terminus to William Longsdon |
| Date | 27 Nov 1854 |
| Description | No possible objection to Scott's offer being brought before Board if Longsdon thinks it advisable - marked letter `private' becuase writer really felt no title to interfere officially in case which they could know nothing about. Writer wrote to Mr Scott to this effect - told that if he wished investigation he must appeal to Longsdon. If he does so or if without appeal Longsdon thinks investigation desirable by all means let it be so but writer does not wish to appear as an accuser of Mr Brydges as in a matter in which he has no accurate knowledge of facts. It may turn out to be a spite of a discarded servant especially when no secret that Brydges has greatly mismanaged matters and that sooner all connection between him and Company is dissolved the better.
Writer has letter announcing quite unexpected appointment as a Director which he must take time to consider. Does not wish to be a Director if can be avoided. Writer would only take it if Directors in Canada thought it really necessary to restore confidence and rescue property from its critical position. If he does arrangements must give them in England real power as well as responsibility. Writer will write more fully when he has discussed matter with Messrs Smith, Gell and Buchanan.
Writer hopes Longsdon has recovered from his illness and will return to England uninjured by his arduous, and he fears, disagreeable mission.
Postcript Cause of late accident obvious to anyone of railway experience viz attempt to work a larger traffic with express trains at high speed and at night over a long single rail on which contractors still at work ballasting. Under such circumstance, safety is only possible with absolute perfection in all arrangements and signal men which is impossible, odds 100 to 1 that accidents must occur. Great pity line ever opened until it was thoroughly completed as adequate to rolling stock provided.
(Answered 21 Dec) |
| Extent | 1 item |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Archive Creator | Longsdon family of Little Longstone |
| Privacy Notice | Data Subjects in Archives Privacy Notice |
| Term | Letters (documents) |