1756
Page 16 of 23.
C: The Scheme page 4.
4 A SCHEME to make the
amount to 3700 Tons, 700 of which I have deducted, of which, tho' it may be consumed bear to this River, none perhaps will come upon it, and therefore must not be included in this Calculation; 1000 Tons thereof I have presumed may be landed at Frumbridge, to serve on both Sides the River in Places adjoining; and 2000 Tons may go up the River farther for the Supply of the Country betwixt that and Stroud, and in the Town. And, as we have very large Quantities of Coals now brought from Glocester, Coalpit-heath, and other Places, both by Waggons and Horses, thro' Sodbury, (which may probably come up to Wallbridge, when the River is rendered Navigable) I conclude that within a Space of Three Miles, describing an Half-circle, above and about Stroud, (which is the Center of this populous Country, and may be supposed to consume more than was before brought from Framiload and Wharfs adjacent) the Consumption may well be at least 2000 Tons more; and, by extending a Half-circle as far as a Waggon can come and go in a Day, (considering the Dearness of Coal in those Parts, and the Advantages they may receive from bringing Corn to Wallbridge, and taking Coal for Back-carriage, and thereby rendering it cheaper to the Consumers) I apprehend I cannot reckon less than 2000 Tons. It may be further considered, in respect to the last 2000 Tons,that, as it is very probable that at or near Wallbridge there may be a considerable Market for Corn, not only for the Supply of this populous Country, but for Bristol also, (for Exportation, Distilling, and Flour) and for other Places, (more especially when Corn runs cheap in Cotswold) the Corn-waggons will naturally load back with Coals, as this will be the cheapest Method of procuring them: So that I cannot but think I am within Compass in this Part of my Calculation.
" The Article of Corn comes next to be considered. It is well known that there are large Quantities of Corn, particularly Wheat, brought out of the Vale and part of Herefordshire, in order to mix with th lighter Corm that comes from the Hills; which, as it makes the best of Bread flour when manufactured, is not only consumed here, but is carried to other Markets: And this Trade, should the River be made Navigable, may greatly increase, for the Back-carriage of Coal may render the Hill-country Corn Five Shillings per Load cheaper.
" The Whole that I have reckoned for the Tonnage of Corn, Meal, and Malt, up and down the Water, is only 225l. per Ann. Mt Thomas Turner, of Ebley, situated near the River, a great Dealer in Corn, and allowed to be the most competent Judge of the Quantity that pay pro-
