1783-1822
Gloucestershire Archives TS/166
Minutes of General Meetings of Proprietors
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street London
All stone which pays tonnage of 2d per ton per mile be allowed a drawback viz;
Passing from Brimscombe Port and Chalford to Inglesham 2d per ton and all intermediate distances one half penny per ton per mile. Drawback only to be allowed on a Certificate being produced of 1000 tons having passed the canal in one year by any company or individual.
at No 217 Upper Thames Street
Report of the present state of the company to be approved and printed and signed by Mr Sills and sent to each proprietor, mortgagee and Bond creditor.
£2342.10s (2 per cent of the company debt of £104 425 due on mortgage and on £12,700 due on Bond amounting together £117,125) to be paid by J S Salt treasurer No. 80 Lombard Street to each mortgagee and Bond creditor on the 15th August next as interest.
Relinquishment of the carrying trade and disposition of the remainder of the trade underway
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street
Insufficient number of proprietors. Signed John R Denyer.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street London
Committee proceedings read and approved.
Tonnage upon grain brought from Lechlade to Cirencester reduced from 3d per ton per mile or 3s the whole distance to 2s the whole distance. Reduction to take place from the 10th.
Committee elected.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
At request of Thames Carriers, agreed to consolidate tonnage on all merchandise (excepting coal and grain) at 4s 6d per ton. Similarly, wharfage and houseage to be consolidated at 1s per ton.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street London
Insufficient number of proprietors.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street London
Edward Littleton Bart, Lowbridge Bright and James Perry authorised to execute the sale of Puck Mill and the adjoining land dated 26th and 27th March.
Committee elected.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street London
(Printed copy sent to all proprietors available in TS/263)
The sum of £2000 borrowed by the company for purchasing coal and secured by several subscribers by Bill of Sale dated 3rd October 1797 be paid off by a certain proportion of the same in each year. Order of payment to be by rotation determined by ballot. 1.Thomas Lane, 2. Assignees of W. Smith, 3. William Stevenson, 4. Matthew Chalie, 5. Admin of C. Chambers, 6. Lowbridge Bright, 7. Rev John Disney, 8. Admin. Of John Chalie, 9. John Lane, 10. Sir Edward Littleton.
Two per cent of the Company’s debt to be paid by John Stevenson Salt to each mortgagee and Bond creditor on the 13th August next.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Insufficient Proprietors. Signed Joseph Sills.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Committee business approved. Committee elected.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors
Meeting at the house of John Stevenson Salt, Lombard Street London.
Following bounties to be allowed out of the tonnage of coal passing along the canal from the 1st May to the 1st November. Viz;
Lechlade Wharf: On Bilston Coal proper certificates being produced of the same having been sold to Highworth, Farringdon, and other places not less than nine miles from the wharf and not being in the line of the canal. Two shillings per ton of 20cwt. On Newport Coal under the same regulations and to the same places; one shilling and sixpence per ton.
At Cricklade Wharf: On Bilston and Newport Coal proper certificates being produced of the same having been sold to any place less than six miles distance from the wharf and not being on the line of the canal; one shilling and six pence per ton.
The same allowance to be made to all importers or purchasers of coal at Brimscombe Port upon the production of the certificates required as above.
Committee elected.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street.
Insufficient proprietors
Meeting at the house of John Stevenson Salt, Lombard Street London
The past bounties to be continued until further notice.
Committee elected
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street
Insufficient proprietors in attendance. Signed Harry Harford
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street, London
Following bounties allowed out of the tonnage on coal from the 1st May to the 1st November.
Lechlade Wharf: With proper certificates on Bilston Coal having been sold to Highworth, Farringdon and other places not less than nine miles distance from the line of the canal two shillings upon a ton or 20cwt. On Newport coal under the same regulations one shilling and sixpence per ton.
Cricklade Wharf: On Bilston and Newport one shilling and sixpence per ton.
The same allowance to be made to all importers and purchasers of coal at Brimscombe Port upon the production of the proper certificates.
Meeting at Lombard Street, London
2 per cent of the Company’s debt of £104,425 due on mortgage and £12,700 due on Bond amounting to £117,125 to be paid to each Mortgage and Bond creditor on 26th August next on account of interest due to them respectively.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
The following bounties to be continued from the 1st November next.
At Leachlade Wharf: On Bilston and Newport coal proper certificates being produced of the same having been sold to Highworth, Farringdon and other places less than nine miles from the wharf not being in the line of the canal. Two shillings per ton of 20cwt.
At Cricklade Wharf: On Bilston and Newport coal two shillings per ton of 20cwt.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors.
Meeting at House of John Stevenson Salt, Lombard Street, London
Committee re-elected.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors.
Meeting at House of John Stevenson Salt, Lombard Street, London
Committee re-elected.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Committee proceedings read and approved.
Committee elected.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Agreed to circulate the Committee’s proposal that each proprietor should give up three-fourths of his shares so that each mortgagee and bond-holder could be given one share for every £100 of his principal claim.
Meeting at Globe Tavern, Fleet Street, London
Agreed that the Committee’s plan to reorganise the Company’s capital be carried into effect.
List of the Proprietors Mortgagees and Bond-Creditors of the Thames and Severn Canal Navigation showing names; No. of shares; Half shares; On Mortgage; On bond; Non subscribers and showing shares not paid for. With penned ticks against many names.
Note in pencil -‘signature of persons to Stafford Deed 16th October 1809 Marked (with a tick).
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street.
Insufficient proprietors
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street.
Committee proceedings read and approved.
Committee elected.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Bounties on coal sold at Cricklade and Lechlade wharfs to be discontinued from the 25th instant.
Meeting at house of John Stevenson Salt Lombard Street London
Petition to Parliament to enact the plan set out in 24th May 1808 report
Viz; Three several acts contain powers to make and maintain a navigable canal from the River Thames or Isis near Leachlade (Lechlade) to join the Stroudwater canal at Wallbridge near Stroud with a collateral cut near Siddington to Cirencester. The company were enabled to raise several sums of money amongst themselves which were directed to be divided into shares and were enabled to to borrow certain sums of money upon mortgage.
The company has proceeded to enact the acts and have raised the sums of money and have borrowed considerable sums of money upon mortgage which are still due and owing nor can the same be paid off unless the powers are enlarged or extended.
A bill is needed to extend and enlarge the powers granted by Parliament.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Bounties to be allowed on coal
Leachlade (Lechlade) Wharf: Bilston, Newport and Forest coal; proper certificates having been sold to Highworth or Farringdon and other places not less than nine miles distance from the wharf – 2s per ton of 20cwt; the same allowance to be made to all importers and purchasers of coal at Brimscombe Port.
Committee re-elected.
Printed letter sent to all proprietors: A deed had been prepared to implement the terms for reorganising the Company’s capital agreed in Jun 1808 and a Bill had already passed the House of Commons. Plan being implemented.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Reading and approval of proceedings
Re-election of the committee
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Bounties on coal allowed at Leachlade Wharf be discontinued except the bounties on such coal as may be taken down the River Thames to any distance on the said river not less than nine miles from Leachlade. The bounties on coal so taken down the River Thames to be continued till further notice.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Sir Edward Littleton, John Lane, John Disney, Francis Fladgate, have drawn up Articles of Agreement for uniting into one body the creditors and proprietors of the company upon them agreeing terms for legality: and have reported obtaining an Act of Parliament for the same effect.
The general committee of the company are empowered to pay the creditors the sums agreed upon and to create new shares and to do all necessary.
The sum of one thousand pounds to be placed at the disposal of the committee to enable them to carry on the Agreement.
Meeting at at 80 Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
The following bounties to continue from the 25th March last.
At Leachlade wharf: On Bilston, Newport and Forest coal of the same having been sold Highworth Farringdon and other places not less than nine miles distance from the wharf two shillings per ton of 20cwt. The same allowance to be made to importers and purchases of coal at Brimscombe Port.
Net proceeds of the canal ending on the 5th amounting to £5,084.6s.9d which will enable the company to pay a dividend of £1.10s.0d per share conforming to Articles of Agreement of 12th June 1809.
Viz; on 1111 New shares, holders entitled to the dividend
On 874 Original shares the holders of which subscribed half shares entitled to the dividend
On 426 Original shares the holders of which did not subscribe to half shares; the amount of whose dividend is to be retained.
On 39 Shares to be reserved for mortgagees and Bondholders who have not yet signed the articles - claims amounting to £4025 of which fraction to be paid off £125
Leaving £3900
Total 2450 shares
Treasurer to transfer the sum of £3675 on 5th June next being equal to £1.10s .0 to pay a dividend. Out of the £3675, £639 equal to £1.10s 0. Per share on the 426 original shares which is to be retained in an account in the names of John Disney, John Stevenson Salt, and Lancelot Chambers to be invested in Government securities until needed.
Treasurer to transfer to a separate account £845.5s.0d equal to 21 per cent on £4025 the amount of mortgages and bonds held by persons not having signed the Articles of Agreement.
Transfer of £36.5.10d being equal to 29 per cent on £125 to the last mentioned account of sums less than £100 in the said sum of £4025.
Out of £3675 £58.10s equal to £1.10s per share on 39 shares for persons not yet signed the the Articles of Agreement.
Treasurer to invest £845.5s , £36.5s, and £58.10s in the purchase of Exchequer Bills for the account of Mortgages and Bond holders of the said £4025 when they have signed the Articles of Agreement.
Meeting at Globe Tavern, Fleet Street, London
Communication from Wilts and Berks Canal concerning a Junction with the Thames and Severn. Lord Peterborough to respond to any concerns from Thames and Severn Company.
Report from Robert Whitworth Highworth June 23rd 1810: He had surveyed the country between the Wilts and Berks and Thames and Severn Canals and found that a Junction might be formed by means of a canal from and out of the Wilts and Berks near Wotton Bassett to the Thames and Severn near Yeoing which would be easy in its execution and well supplied with water that in the event of such Junction taking place it would be expedient for the Thames and Severn Company to alter their locks between their summit level and Brimscombe Port,- Resolved that it is the opinion of the meeting that this Junction would vey much promote the interests of both concerns and be highly beneficial to the public.
Resolved that no time should be lost in taking the necessary proceedings preparatory to an application to Parliament in the next session for powers to make such Junction canal and that Mr Crowdy and Mr Whitworth do give such notices and prepare such plans and books of reference as are required by the regulations of Parliament.
Resolved that the undertaking be called the Severn Junction Canal.
Resolved that as right of subscription to the amount of £20,000 in shares of £50 each towards making such canal be reserved for the landowners on the line; that the option of subscribing a further £20,000 in like shares be offered to the Proprietors of the Thames and Severn canal and that the respective Proprietors of shares in the Wilts and Berks be allowed the benefit of subscribing for one share of £50 for every 5 shares held in the Wilts and Berks canal. Those holding less than 5 shares be allowed to nominate subscribers.
Any person allowed to subscribe to pay £1.0s.0d deposit to Messrs Child and Co Bankers Abingdon, or to Messrs Williams and Co , Bankers 20 Birchin Lane London before 15th of August next.
Early answers from the Thames and Severn proprietors to making alterations to their locks and raise the subscription of £20,000 or any less sum and as well to inform Mr Disney that the proprietors of the Severn Junction Canal will bind themselves to return to the Thames and Severn Canal by a proper steam engine or other means all the water that they may draw from thence to supply their locks and that they will expect to be paid a reasonable price to be settled by their engineers for any additional supply that they may afford to the Thames and Severn which may be very considerable.
That it is the opinion of the meeting that the above propositions are not eligible to the Thames and Severn Canal, but that a junction with the Wilts and Berks canal from another point of the Thames and Severn canal at or near Inglesham to or near Hackham bridge on the Wilts and Berks canal would be more advantageous.
General committee to confer with the Wilts and Berks Company on the subject of the above line of junction.
Not recorded in Minute Book, but printed report was distributed to Proprietors
Meeting at Globe Tavern Fleet Street, London
Rules, byelaws and orders passed on the 7th April 1789 beginning ‘That all boats passing the five locks below the summit pond’ be revoked and repealed.
Also, rules, orders and byelaws passed on the 8th December 1789 be revoked and repealed.
The following rules and orders be made byelaws accordingly.
1. That no boat of less burthen than sixty tons shall use this canal or pass through the locks between Brimscombe Port and Inglesham Lock between the first day of April and the first day of December in every year except the same be loaded with salt and of the length of sixty feet and of the width of twelve feet. And that from the first day of December and the first day of April no boat of of less than 40 tons burthen do pass any lock of this canal between Brimscombe Port and Inglesham Lock without permission of the company agent at Brimscombe Port or at Siddington and every bargeman, waterman, boatman or other person offending against this byelaw for every such offence forfeit five pound.
2. That no shaft or pole exceeding fourteen feet in length or which has not a knob of wood of six inches diameter at least affixed at the end of it be used in managing any boat or vessel or vessel navigating this canal - And that every bargeman, waterman, boatman or other persons navigating such boat or vessel who shall use or have on board for the purpose of using
Any shaft or pole shod with iron or with a cross bar of wood at the end, or use any rope, or line wrapped or twisted round the shaft or pole to turn or stop any boat or vessels or shall use or have on board for the purpose of using any shaft or pole of any other dimensions or description than that first is described shall for every such offence forfeit the sume of twenty shillings.
3. That no boat or vessel shall be navigated upon this canal with the stern foremost or without a rudder at the stern, or without three efficient men at least able to work it nor shall any boat or vessel whether loaded or unloaded be haled along the canal without a person at the helm to guide the same nor without the haling line being affixed to the mast to prevent the boat running or beating against the bridges, banks or other parts of the canal; and the bargemen, watermen and boatmen or other person belonging to such a boat or vessel offending against this byelaw for every such offence forfeit the sum of twenty shillings.
4. For every empty boat or vessel passing upon this canal shall give way to every loaded boat or vessel until the loaded boat or vessel has cleared the empty boat or vessel and that every loaded boat or vessel going from Cirencester or Siddington in each line of this canal shall give way in manner as aforesaid to every loaded boat coming towards Cirencester or Siddington and the bargeman or waterman or any other person belonging to such boat or vessel will forfeit forty shilling for each offence.
5. That no boat shall pass any lock stop gate, tunnel on this canal when it shall appear that there are not two clear inches of water between the bottom of the boat and the sill of such lock, stop gate or tunnel. Offending against this will forfeit forty shillings.
6. That all coals, goods, merchandize, and other things which shall be unloaded upon any wharf shall be placed at least five feet from the water edge and in such part of the wharf as the wharfinger shall direct and order. Offenders will forfeit forty shillings.
7. That where stone timber or other things whatsoever are put on board any boat or vessel not at a wharf belonging to the company notice thereof shall be given to the company’s wharfinger at the nearest wharf to such place of loading and a permit conformable to the regulation of the Act 23 Geo 3- 33 there taken out before such boat or vessel shall proceed on her passage. Offending forfeit forty shillings.
8. Every loaded boat coming up to any wharf belonging to this company shall be unloaded as soon as may be without delay. Forfeit for offending is five pounds.
9. That every loaded boat or vessel when arrived at any wharf, which is not ‘Bona Fide’ loading or unloading and also every boat or vessel which has been loaded or unloaded at any such wharf shall be removed and make way for every other boat or vessel coming up to the wharf and every bargeman waterman boatman or other belonging to such boat or vessel firstly or secondly above mentioned offending against this bye law shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of forty shillings.
10. That if any bargeman, waterman, boatman or other person shall take into or discharge out of any boat or vessel the whole or any part of the loading of any boat or vessel upon the bank or banks of any aqueduct on this canal or shall unload or discharge any loading upon the bank of any lock without permission of the company’s agent at Brimscombe Port or Siddington (and having obtained such permission are liable to pay the same wharfage as at any regular wharf) or forfeit forty shillings.
11. That no bargeman, waterman, boatman or other person be permitted to steer more than one boat at a time or have any boat in tow, nor shall any person under eighteen years of age attempt to steer or take the management of any other boat or use the locks upon this navigation. Offenders will forfeit twenty shillings.
12. Every bargeman, waterman, boatman or other person belonging to a boat shall when the same is not navigating the canal haul the boat to the side of the canal and there moor and fasten her at both ends and keep her there so moored as not to incommode the passage of the canal or towing paths or loading or unloading of any boat. Offending against this byelaw forfeit forty shillings.
13. That if any boatman, waterman, shall willfully unmoor any boat and leave the same adrift or shall float any planks or timber along the canal will forfeit twenty shillings.
14. That if any boatman, waterman, bargeman or other person shall throw stone or other rubbish into the canal or wash sheep or bathe therein or turn horses, cattle, sheep or swine loose upon the towing path of this canal or throw or send in any way dog or other animal into the canal shall forfeit twenty shillings.
15. If any bargeman, boatman, waterman, or other person navigating any boat leave any gate or gates, bridge or bridges open longer than is necessary for the horse or person haling (hauling) for the boat or person to pass through shall forfeit twenty shillings.
16. That boats going through the tunnel from Daneway shall enter the Sapperton end thereof at twelve o’clock at noon and at twelve o’clock at night and at no other time. And boats going through the tunnel from Thames Head shall enter the Coatsfield end thereof at Seven o’clock in the morning and at seven o’clock at night and no other time and every bargeman, waterman, boatman offending shall forfeit the sum of five pounds.
17. That the watchman at Daneway shall keep the paddles of the Daneway Upper Lock always padlocked except at the times when any boat or vessel be actually passing. And that he do not suffer any water to be drawn from the summit level at Daneway Lock in any dry season when there shall be a scarcity of water till six hours after the last boat entered that end of the tunnel except for the purpose of letting down such boats as may then be waiting above Daneway upper lock to go downwards.
18. That if any Bargeman, waterman, boatman or other person shall hale (haul) an empty boat or other vessel on this canal with more than one horse or shall hale any loaded boat with more than two horses will forfeit forty shillings.
19. Any bargeman, waterman, boatman or other person shall use the towing path for any purpose than as a towing path without written leave from the company agent at Brimscombe Port or at Siddington. For every offence forfeit forty shillings.
20. That every bargeman, waterman, boatman who shall obstruct, oppose or hinder any agent or other servant of the company in the execution of their duty in carrying these byelaws into full and complete effect shall forfeit five pounds.
Signed John Disney Chairman Witnessed by Harry Harford.
Agreement between the Thames and Severn and the Wilts and Berks companies confirmed and approved. Committee at liberty to vary the agreement made at Abingdon if necessary. Some respectable and large proprietors unable to attend this meeting have signified their wish that a survey of the best point for a junction be made by some other able surveyor as well as Mr Black. Some other engineer of eminence to be requested to survey the best point of union for the Thames and Severn canal.
Committee re-elected.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Bounties allowed on coal sold at Leachlade (Lechlade) Wharf discontinued from 1st November till the 1st April next except the bounties on coal that may be taken in boats down the River Thames to any distance not less than nine miles from Leachlade. The bounties on coal so taken down the river Thames to be continued till further orders.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors present.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Net proceeds of the canal for year ending the 5th instant - £3601.2s.7d
Dividend of £1.10s.0d on each share.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Tonnage on paving stone raised in the Forest of Dean and passing the whole length of the Thames and Severn canal shall be reduced to one shilling per ton for the whole length. These reductions to start on the 24th last and to continue till 24th June 1812.
Tonnage on all block stone raised in the Forest of Dean and passing the whole length of the Thames and Severn canal shall be reduced to one shilling per ton for the whole length.
Tonnage on the following goods going on the Thames and Severn canal to and from the following places carried by Richard Miller, John Baker, Joseph Brookings and Lawrence Wyatt and Robert Wyatt shall be reduced two shillings below the present rate of tonnage so long as they shall carry the same at or under the rates herein mentioned agreeable to a paper signed by them bearing date, Brimscombe Port July 26th 1811.
List of goods upon which the carriers will reduce their freight so long as the Thames and Severn canal can reduce their tonnage;
Pig, bar and sheet iron, lead tin and tin plate, anchors, nails, ironware, shovels, copper, anchor palms, brass, and spelter, mahogany, fresh provisions, dye wood, pekin? Tar, turpentine, ivory black, deals, yellow oker (ochre) red ochre, iron hoop, steel, bath, shot, salt petre stone, tallow, madder, sulphur, pottery in crates, hides, seal skins, allum, woad, All at 40 shillings per ton from Cardiff, Newport, River Wye, Bristol, Lydney, Gatcombe, Newnham, Oxford, Abingdon, Wallingford, Pangbourn, Reading, Henley, Temple, Marlow, Maidenhead, Windsor, Staines, Chertsey, London.
All at 45/- per ton: Sail cloth, linen rags, soap, gunstocks, wire, beeswax, boxes, glass, bales of linens, verdigrease, leather pimento, ginger, rice, sugar, coffee, pins, perry and cider, varnish, pearl and pot ashes, butter, oil, whalebone, scythes, hay and chaff, knives, indigo, skin, lath, hair, hemp and flax, drugs, starch.
We the undersigned do hereby agree to carry the before mentioned goods to and from the before mentioned places so long as the Thames and Severn Company shall allow a reduction in their tonnage of 2s per ton under the present rate. 26th July 1811. Richard Miller, John Baker, Joseph Brooking, Lawrence Wyatt.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Insufficient numbers of proprietors.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Election of committee.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
General Assembly meeting to be held on the 7th January 1812 at the Globe Tavern, Fleet Street London to discuss forming a junction with the Wilts and Berks canal.
Meeting at Globe Tavern Fleet Street London
Resolved to cooperate with the commissioners of the River Thames in making every practical improvement in navigation thereof from Lechlade to London - that from observation of very expensive works recently and judiciously made at Culham from information of others equally important actually ordered at Clifton Hampden intended to be executed with all possible dispatch; and from reliance on the further appearances given by the commissioners that the whole river within their jurisdiction should be forthwith made an effectual navigation. The proprietors of the Thames and Severn canal do not at present perceive any necessity for a junction with the Wilts and Berks at Latton and therefore judge it now not expedient to consent thereto.
Meeting at the Globe Tavern Fleet Street London
Meeting agreed with cooperation with the Thames Commissioners and a bill to be introduced to parliament for the improvement of navigation of the Thames above Abingdon. Time limit for the introduction of private bills to the House of Commons had expired so no bill had been presented. So the expectation on which the company adopted that resolution has not been realized. The works made at Culham and Clifton being below Abingdon are of remote advantage to this company and after a conference held with the Thames commissioners on the 21st February no works had been ordered for above Abingdon. Past works had only been partially wanting but are of vital importance to the Thames and Severn Canal. Resolved therefore that the Severn Junction canal from or near Latton to or near Swindon will be a measure highly beneficial to the Thames and Severn Company by affording a canal navigation to Abingdon in aid of the River Thames, which will be extremely useful when the natural river floods or may not be passable and affording a more western navigation from Latton. All steps to be taken to revive and promote the Severn Junction Canal and negotiations with the Wilts and Berks to proceed for an equitable result.
Application to be made to the commissioners of the Thames Navigation to lay out a sum of money for improving the river above Abingdon.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Committee elected .
Proceeds up to the 6th April amount to £2388.
A dividend of £1.10s.0d per share be made on each new share and a dividend of 10s per share paid on each original share.
The sum of £1335.9s.4d and £13 being the surplus of the dividends of the present and prior years be transferred to an account in the names of John Disney, John Stevenson Salt, and Lancelot Chambers to be invested in Government securities until wanted by this canal.
Newspapers in London and Gloucester to carry advertisements about the up coming special general assembly.
John Lane of Goldsmiths Hall to be appointed clerk to the company with a salary of fifty pounds per annum.
Clerk to give security to the company for the due execution of his office by bond of himself and one sufficient surety in the penalty of £500.
Resolutions made on the 18th March last to be passed to Mr Moreland at Abingdon and Mr Crowdy at Highworth for the information of the Wilts and Berks.
Meeting at Lombard Street
Meeting adjourned by John Lane
Meeting at Ram Inn Cirencester
The company agreed to the following terms with the Wilts and Berks canal.
‘Boats to pass the Thames and Severn on paying for a loading of 20tons or more if the loading be more; and on their return not to pay for more than they can carry so that they always pay for 20 tons at least going one way.
Coals passing from Thames and Severn along the North Wilts Canal and entering the Wilts and Berks canal and not returning into the North Wilts Canal to have such drawback as will reduce the tonnage to be taken by the Thames and Severn Company to 2s 6d per ton.
A post to be fixed on the North Wilts Canal midway between the Thames and Severn canal and the Wilts and Berks and a compensation tonnage as hereafter to be agreed on to be paid to the Wilts and Berks for all coals passing this post from the Thames and Severn Canal to Swindon in lieu of paying to the Wilts and Berks Company a tonnage per mile for passing on that canal to those places and the same amount of compensation to be paid to the Thames and Severn for all coals passing from the Wilts and Berks Canal.
Committee elected.
Committee to be empowered and directed to carry into effect the proposed junction and support the North Wilts canal in pursuance of the above resolutions.
The spring half yearly general meeting be held at the Globe Tavern in Fleet Street London and that the company do always dine together on that day.
(Note: After this meeting was over Mr Loveden came to the table took the book out of my hands and struck his name out saying he would not have his name appear when he did not agree the resolution. J.L.)
Not recorded in minutes. Printed letter advertising that the promoters of the North Wilts Canal had opened a subscription and appointed a Committee, and encouraging T&S Canal supporters to add their names.
Meeting at Globe Tavern Fleet Street London
As the Thames and Severn company judge that the North Wilts Canal will be advantageous to the trade along the Thames and Severn Canal, a sum of money not exceeding five thousand pounds be subscribed for the same from the common funds of this company.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors attending.
Meeting at Globe Tavern Fleet Street London
Election of committee.
Net proceeds of this canal £2292.15.3
Dividend of £1.10s per share be made on each new share and a dividend of 8s per share be made on each original share .
A bill before Parliament entitled a Bill for altering and amending an Act made in the 23rd year of the reign of his present Majesty for making and maintaining the Thames and Severn Canal Navigation and the several provisions therein contained being read.
The committee are hereby directed to proceed.
Meeting at Lombard Street London
The company to forward £5000 towards the making and maintaining the canal intended to be made from Swindon to join the Thames and Severn Canal at or near Latton (to be called The North Wilts Canal).
Meeting at Brimscombe Port
The following bye-laws made and passed at a General assembly meeting on 2nd October 1810 to be revoked and repealed. Clause 2, 5 and 10.
The following rules and regulations be made in lieu thereof :
‘That any bargeman, waterman, boatman or other person navigating any boat or vessel on this canal who shall carry any rope or line wrapped or twisted round the shaft or pole to turn or stop any boat or vessel shall forfeit twenty shillings.’
‘That in order to prevent the great injuries and obstructions done to the navigation of the canal by boats and other vessels being overloaded it is hereby ordered that in future no boat, barge or other vessel shall be suffered to pass on this canal loaded to a greater depth than shall be allowed from time to time by the company’s agent at Brimscombe and Siddington respectively. And at no time shall any boat be permitted to pass on any part of this canal so loaded that any part thereof shall draw a greater depth than three feet six inches. Forfeit five pounds.’
‘That no boat or barge whether loaded or unloaded shall be suffered to stop or remain in any part of the canal without lawful and reasonable cause. Forfeit ten shillings for every hour the boat is stopped.’
‘That any bargeman, waterman boatman or other person drawing up or letting down the paddle or paddles of any lock a handlass shall forfeit twenty shillings.’
‘That if any bargeman, waterman, boatman or other person mooring or fastening any rope or line belonging to any vessel to the handrail of a lock gate shall forfeit twenty shillings.’
‘That if any bargeman, waterman, boatman take into or discharge out of any boat the whole or any part of the loading upon the bank of any aqueduct or other work on the canal without permission of the company’s agent at Brimscombe or Siddington shall be liable to pay the same wharfage as on the regular wharfs of the canal. Forfeit forty shillings.’
From and after the 29th September, the wharfage upon coal shall be advanced one penny per ton.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Insufficient Proprietors.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Election of committee
W. Disney appointed as proxy of the company in respect of their shares in the North Wilts Canal company and to attend the meetings of that company where necessary.
Bill from W. Jones for his attendance at the House of Commons and Lords and for making plans £60. 5s. 6d. To be paid.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Insufficient proprietors.
Meeting at Globe Tavern, Fleet Street, London
Election of committee
Dividend of £1. 4s. 6d to be paid on each new share.
£3.18s.11d surplus from dividends to be invested in government securities.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London
Common seal to be affixed to the following
‘Know all men by these presents that we the Company of Proprietors of the Thames and Severn Canal Navigation proprietors of two hundred shares in the North Wilts Navigation do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint John Disney of Lincolns Inn in the county of Middlesex to be our proxy and in our name to vote and to give our assent or dissent to any business matter or thing relating to the North Wilts Navigation or undertaking which shall be mentioned and proposed at any meeting ……. According to his opinion and judgement.
(Seal attached.)
Ordered that all orders, resolutions and regulations respecting rates and duties payable for housage, wharfage or cranage upon iron, iron stone, coals lime or other goods are repealed and revoked. The rates to be demanded are shown in the attached table..
The rates for wharfage exclude a person to take account of the goods, otherwise the rates for housage will be charged. If goods remain in a warehouse or on a wharf belonging to the company for more than seven days, the same rate of housage and wharfage will be charged for the whole week if entered upon. Goods and merchandize weighing 30 cwt or more shall be charged in addition for cranage 1 penny for every 1cwt above 30 cwt and under 50 cwt and if 50 or more, two pence per cwt for every cwt above 30.
The company is not responsible for any loss or damage to merchandize or damage to vessels by the breaking of a crane.
Ordered that all rates and duties payable to and drawback on the following be repealed and revoked; Coal, iron, salt ores, salt rock, limestone, chalk, crates of pottery, crates of black glass, timber, flint, brick, stone, clay, copper, brass, and tin, and tin, plates, lead, spelter, and pot metal, window glass, and plate glass
That all grain flour, malt, beans and peas going westward and passing a distance of twelve miles or less shall be liable to pay the full tonnage rate of three pence per ton per mile and if passing more than twelve miles shall pay three shillings per ton and no more for the whole distance provided that any grain, flour, malt, beans and peas passing from Cirencester to Bristol shall pay two shillings per ton and no more.
That all wall stone being the produce of the quarries on the summit level passing Siddington Lock to the eastward shall pay one penny per ton per mile only when the water is higher than three feet three inches on Siddington Stop sill.
That a drawback of two shillings per ton shall be allowed on all Anchors, anchor palms, allum, brass, brass shruff, Barilla, box wood copper copperas, colours raw, dye woods uncut, deals, deals, hides raw, bar and pig iron, iron ware, ivory black, lead pig and sheet,mahogany, molasses, ochre yellow and red, oil, pitch, pottery in crates, spades and shovels, spelter, stone, saltpetre raw, sulphur raw, spurnac, sugars raw, tin and tinplate, tar turpentine, tallow, timber solid and converted, woad, wine going to or coming from Bristol, Cardiff, Gatcombe, Lydney, Newport, Newnham, or the River Wye, to or from any place below Abingdon on the River Thames, respectively and passing the whole length .
That a drawback of two shillings per ton shall be allowed upon all pig and bar iron going from Stourport to Reading or any place below the on the River Thames and passing the whole length of the canal.
