Samuel March Phillipps to Charles Lyell and Faraday   7 October 1844

Whitehall 7th October 1844

Gentlemen

Secy. Sir J. Graham directs me to inform you, he has learned with great satisfact[ion] that you will be able to undertake the business of being present at the Coroners Inquests now being holden at Haswell in the County of Durham for inquiring into the deaths occasioned by the recent fatal explosion in a Colliery, and is particularly glad that you can make make arrangements for leaving London tomorrow morning to proceed to Haswell.

Sir J. Graham is persuaded that your attendance on this occasion will be satisfactory as well to the Coroner and the Jury as to the several Parties more immediately interested and also to the Public at large.

I enclose for your information a copy of the letter which Sir J. Graham has addressed to the Coroner¹ on the subject of your attendance at the Inquest².

I am directed to add that if you find it necessary to employ in your investigations any Gentleman of practical knowledge and experience in the working or management of Mines, Sir J. Graham authorizes you to select the person whom you consider most competent.

I am &c | (signed) S.M. Phillipps

Charles Lyell Esq | Michael Faraday Esq