Faraday and Charles Lyell to Samuel March Phillipps   21 October 1844

London | 21 October 1844

Sir

In reply to your letter of Saturday night¹, we beg to submit to Sir James Graham our opinion, that we do not expect a personal examination of the Coxlodge Colliery² now, would much enlarge our views or add to our knowledge; inasmuch as the facts already before the public harmonize perfectly with the view we have taken of the general cause of these accidents, and help much to confirm & strengthen our confidence in what we have already drawn up and intend immediately to send in. Further, it would be exceedingly inconvenient, and almost impossible, for either of us to proceed to the North at this time.

Let us hope we may not be thought presumptuous if, also, in regard to the second question, of a general examination of the principal collieries, we express an opinion, that, however important it may be hereafter it is not expedient at this moment. We think that we see the cause of nearly all the explosions in coal mines; and we think that the means which we propose for their avoidance are practically & immediately available. We would therefore hope, if our report³ should meet the approbation of Sir James Graham & those competent to judge of its correctness & utility, that it would be immediately put into the possession of the coal owners and all concerned in coal mines; and we further hope that it would shortly gain a test of its merits by a trial of its principles. If that should be the case the information which might then be gathered together and brought to bear upon the subject of coal mine accidents would probably be far more direct and valuable than it could be if collected now.

We have the honor to be | Sir | Your Very Obedient Humble Servants | M. Faraday | Cha Lyell

S.M. Phillipps Esq | &c &c &c