1756
Page 19 of 23.
C: The Scheme page 7.
River Stroudwater Navigable 7
present Scheme (and the Map which will serve to obviate this Circumstance) will sufficiently remove. And, whilst I am upon this Head, I must beg Leave just to mention a few certain Advantages which, according to my Judgement, may arise to them from the Execution of this Scheme.
Included in the 11 Acres of Land to be purchased before-mentioned is a Line-way, Six Feet wide, for a Path to hall up the Vessels. Now, as not above a Quarter of this Space will be trodden into a Path, the Remainder may produce Herbage for the Benefit of the Proprietor of the Land upon which it is designed to pass.
The Nooks, which must be purchased, are now many of them of little Value; and yet they will receive a good Price for them. And the Opening, Cleansing, and Sinking of the River will prevent untimely Floods, and help to drain the adjacent Lands. Besides, the Act of Parliament doth provide for the Encouragement of Agriculture by allowing all Kinds of Soil and Manure to pass Toll-free, that is for the Use of any Lands within Five Miles of it; (Page 26) and, as the ingenious Miller and Bradly have informed us that proper Manures on different Sorts of Lands produce a Double Crop, what an Advantage may this be to the Occupiers of Lands near it, as they may hereby procure such Soils as may be suitable to their Lands, and sometimes at a less Expence than out of their own Yards!
Some People have surmised that the Bargemen would corrupt the Country, disturb the Peace of the Neighbourhood, rob their Gardens, Henroosts, &c. for the principal Parts of which Objections there is a Clause provided on purpose in this Act, which obliges the Master or Owner of every Boat, Barge, or other Vessel to be answerable and responsible for any Damage or Mischief that shall be done by his Boat, Barge, or other Vessel, or any of the Crew, or his Boatmen, Bargemen, or Watermen, to any of the Bridges, Wears, Locks, Dams, or Engines, in, upon or near the same River, Streams, Cuts, or Water-courses; and for any Trespass or Damage that shall or may be done to the Owners or Possessors of any Lands or Tenements adjoining to the same or any of them, otherwise than is provided for and authorised by this Act: And the said Master or Owner of such Boat or Vessel shall and may be sued and prosecuted for the same in any Court of Record; and, if found guilty, or a Verdict pass against him upon Demurrer, the Plaintiff, in any such Case, shall not only recover his Damages thereby sustained, but full Costs of Suit. (Page 22.)
And for the former part of the Objection, "That the Bargemen will corrupt the Country, and disturb the Peace of the Neighbourhood,"
