Wed 29 Jan 1783
AGM
Meeting about the canal from Wallbridge to Lechlade in pursuance of the the public notice in the Gloucester Journal and circular letters to the Proprietors.
The Committee are authorised to send deputies to London or elsewhere to agree measures to be approved by the Proprietors of the intended canal and of the Stroudwater.
Green Glass should bear as much tonnage as coals and all valuable goods to pay more than others.
As the subscribers paper is differently worded from the prices proposed for the Stroud canal we are apprehensive that the new Proprietors mean to take the rates mentioned in the subscription and oblige the Stroud to take less. We think it highly reasonable we should have the same rates per mile they mean to take.
If the Stroud Proprietors join with measures proposed with the coals above Wallbridge they expect it shall not take place until both ends of the canal are finished to the tunnel and a railed way made over Sapperton Hill.
It appears that if their proposal of 2s 3d per ton on coals to be laid on them above Wallbridge after our 1s received is agreed to, it will still be prejudicial to the Stroud canal for the following reasons viz:
If delivered at Bowbridge, which is by the canal from Wallbridge half a mile; Bowbridge is so contiguous to the upper part of the town of Stroud and less ascent than from Wallbridge, coals will be fetched from thence into Stroud which is now served from Wallbridge and Brimscombe lies nearly the same although one mile further on than Bowbridge.
For these reasons the Stroud Proprietors wish to serve so far and will very readily agree to the Proposal of the new Proprietors from Brimscombe to Sapperton.
That a clause should be inserted in the Bill that neither Companies should become traders or merchants in coals or any other commodities in their corporate capacity, but individually as they please.
They should be informed that the Stroud now receives 2s 3d upon all coals at Cirencester or any distance short of Leachlade, be the distance ever so near to that place.
It is proposed to join hand in hand in framing a bill to act in unison and good fellowship.
The Committee shall have liberty to appoint deputies to attend the business in London when required, and if any material differences arise a Special General meeting be called.
To propose in the act that vessels that pass the canals shall be obliged to have gauges fixed, and that all vessels coming into the Stroud Canal intended for the upper canal shall not be suffered to unload except by permission of the Stroud Proprietors.
No coals or other goods carried from Brimscombe to the Tunnel on any pretence whatever shall be suffered to return down again to take advantage of the low tonnage.
The following Gentlemen are requested to attend during the passing of the new Bill in Parliament - Messrs Wathen, Hollings, Winchcombe, and Colborne.’
At a General Meeting of the Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation held by Special appointment at the George Inn in Stroud on Wednesday the 29^th January 1783 in pursuance of a Publick Notice in the Glocester Journal and Circular Letters to the Proprietors for the at purpose
Thomas Hayes in the Chair.
This Meeting being Convened to Consider the Terms proposed by the Proprietors of the intended new Canal to be made from Walbridge to Lechlade. The following considerations We recommend to the Committee who are hereby Authorised to send Deputy's to London or elsewere to consult and agree to such measures as shall be approved by the Proprietors of the aforesaid intended Canal and of the Stroudwater. ~~ We think that Green Glass should bear as much Tonnage as Coals and all Valuable Goods to pay more than others. As the Subscribers Paper is differently worded from the prices proposed for the Stroud Canal; We are apprehensive that the new Proprietors mean to take the Rates mentioned in the Subscription, and Oblige the Stroud to take less. We think it highly reasonable _we_ should have the same Rates per Mile _they_ mean to take.
If the Stroud Proprietors come into the measures proposed relative to Coals above Walbridge; They expect it shall not take place untill both ends of the Canal are finished to the Tunnell and a Railed way made over Sapperton Hill.
It appears that if their proposal relative to the 2/3 per Ton on Coals to be laid on by them above Walbridge (after our one Shilling received is agreed to) it will still be prejudicial to the Stroud Canal for the following Reasons viz: If delivered at Bowbridge, which is by Canal from Walbridge half a Mile; Bowbridge is so contiguous to the upper part of the Town of Stroud, and less ascent than from Walbridge; Coals will be fetch'd from thence into Stroud, which is now served from Walbridge. And Brimscombe lies nearly the same altho' one Mile further on than Bowbridge; for these Reasons the Stroud Proprietors wish to serve so far, and will very reasily agree to the proposal of the new Proprietors from Brimscombe to Sapperton.
That a Clause should be inserted in the Bill that neither Company should be Traders or Merchants in Coals or any other Commodities in their Corporate Capacity, but Individualy as they please.
They should be inform'd that the Stroud now receives 2/3 per Ton upon all Coals at Cirencester, or any distance short of Lechlade be the distance ever so near to that place.
It is proposed to Join hand in hand in framing the Bill to Act in Unison and good fellowship.
It is agreed at this General Meeting that the Committee shall have liberty to appoint Deputies to attend the Business in London when required, and if any material Differences arise, a Special General Meeting to be call'd.
To propose in the Act that all Vessells that Pass the Canal shall be Obliged to have Guages fixt, and that all Vessells coming into the Stroud Canal intended for the upper Canal shall not be suffered to unload except by Permission of the Stroud Proprietors.
No Coals or other Goods carried from Brimscombe to the Tunnel on any pretence whatever shall be suffered to return down again to take advantage of the low Tonnage.
The following Gentlemen are requested to attend during the passing of the new Bill in Parliament: Mess^rs Wathen, Hollings, Winchcombe & Colborne & in case no two of the above mentioned can attend, that the Committee shall appoint others who are not interested in the new undertaking.
