Charles Lyell and Faraday to Samuel March Phillipps   14 October 1844

London, 14 Oct. 1844

Sir

We have the honor to report to you for the information of the Right Honble Sir James Graham that, in accordance with the instructions which we jointly received from you, we left London and reached Durham on Tuesday last¹, attended the inquest at Haswell Colliery during the days of Wednesday and Friday following, descended into and examined the Haswell Little Pit Coal Mine for eight hours on the Thursday, and returned to Town on the Saturday. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death, and we most fully agree with that verdict, and in exonerating the Owners and Managers of the Colliery from all blame on the present occasion.

In accordance with the authority given us we called in the aid of Mr Stutchbury, a gentleman experienced in the Coal mines of Gloucestershire, and a Viewer of the Duchy of Cornwall and other Mines in that neighbourhood; who also has no connexion with the mines of the north of England, or with the parties interested in them. He assisted us in our inspection of the Mine. We called him in at the inquest, and left him proceeding to the neighbourhood of Newcastle, where he will be occupied for a few days in collecting various other facts in the Collieries for our further information and guidance.

With regard to the considerations which arise out of this case respecting the cause of this and similar accidents, and the practical means of obviating or guarding against them in future, we propose shortly after Mr. Stutchbury's return, to submit such thoughts as occur to us in the form of a Report² more complete than we could draw up at the present time[.]

We have the honor to remain, Sir | Your obedient humble Servants | Cha Lyell | M. Faraday

S.M. Phillip[p]s Esq | Under Secretary | &c &c &c &c | Home Office

Endorsed: a/15