Tue 7 Oct 1788
Meeting at Bull Inn, Fairford
Application to be made to Parliament to explain and amend their present act. Mr Chambers and Mr Black requested to acquaint Sir George Young and Mr Call with the company’s intentions and ask for their support.
A letter received dated Sept. 22nd 1788 signed by Robert Thompson as agent to the Right Honourable Henry, Earl Bathurst. As agents for and on behalf of the Right Honourable Henry Earl Bathurst, you are hereby required forthwith to satisfy and pay the said Earl for all the land now or late belonging to him taken set out or ascertained in making or maintaining your canal and collateral cut and other works thereto belonging or any of them and for which satisfaction hath not already been made and also to satisfy the said Earl for the damages done to his mills waters woods lands tenements hereditaments in making or maintaining the said canal and collateral cuts and works or any of them or otherwise in relation thereto.
Resolved that Henry Earl Bathurst be paid the residue of his money due for the land taken. Agents directed to measure.
Samuel Smith clerk to the works to pay the balance.
Samuel Smith to apply to the tenants of the earl for a ‘specific demand ‘ for claims of trespass committed by the servants, agents and workmen of this company that they may be laid before the committee of this company to be examined and discharged without unnecessary delay.
Samuel Smith to pay Earl Bathurst for such stone and clay raised by the servants of this company at the customary rate. Also, Mr Robert Thompson steward of the said Earl to deliver in a specific bill of demands for mills, water, woods, tenements and hereditaments. Or for any damage or trespass thereto.
Ordered that the gins used in making the tunnel of this navigation at Sapperton or so many as belong to this company be advertised to be sold in the Birmingham, Salisbury, and Winchester newspapers as soon as the tunnel is finished reserving one gin for company use .
Mr Colborne be paid the annual rent for Mrs Wallington’s land up to Lady Day last.
A cut to be made from the Thames to convey boats along on Dudgrove Meadow in the line which the land will pass, provided it is carried to Buscot.
That the tunnel of this navigation be finished and cleared, and the shafts closed and two plank stops put down at proper distances in the tunnel in order to fill the tunnel with water (so far as it be finished) as soon as the springs rise with the winter rains and it is ordered that such shafts that are left open at the top be walled round to prevent accidents .
That the water be got into every part of the canal which is finished as soon as possible.
The estate of Lord Coleraine to be paid six hundred & eighty-six pounds six shillings &1½ pence situated in Kempsford Parish.
Being informed that a plan is in agitation for the general improvement of the River Severn and as we are fully convinced of the great benefits which must accrue to the landed, commercial & manufacturing interests of this kingdom, this company will give it all it’s support.
Treasurer to borrow Five Thousand Pounds upon the security of the tolls, rates, & duties of the canal. Mr Chambers, Mr Chalie and Mr Black give bonds orents bearing interest of five % and each bond not to exceed £500.
A certain number of boats be provided by the company to navigate the canal with effect and to provide articles of commerce for the supply and consumption of the adjoining country.
A select committee to purchase and employ boats for doing the business upon the canal and to lay in for the supply of the public a quantity of coal. Sir Edward Littleton, Edward L Loveden, Mr John Carter, Mr James Perry, Mr William Jones, Mr Chris Chambers, Mr Lowbridge Bright, Mr Robert Bayard, Mr James Black, Mr John Chalie are empowered to borrow and expend for these actions. The company to reimburse all expenses, outgoings and losses they shall sustain upon the condition they do pay the residue or profits to the treasurer.
The select committee to use the boats named Thames, Littleton, Severn, Nancy, London, Ironsides, Fly and Swift.
