From Archibald McLachlan   10th. April 1843.

25 Byron Street, Leeds | 10th. April 1843.

Dear Mr Tyndall,

I have delayed thus far in hopes to have something to say of the Act: for the S. of E.¹ passed in July 1841, but it has not arrived yet. Now Mr T. you have youth and energy on your side, as for me both are gone – worn out. Repeated disappointments and failures have super-induced a cautiousness amounting to apathy, I have often said, suppose I do it and no practical good results, I shall only blame myself, and perhaps others will do so too, for having prejudiced the cause by a weak abortive effort.

It must be done – and, old caution says, in such a manner as not only to cut, to wound pride, but also to intimidate indirectly, That they may fear more what has not been said, than what has been said – to appear to keep certain disclosures in reserve – that fear of this disclosure may cause a change of action – if their present course is still persevered in, then ‘Lay on Macduff’.² They themselves are to blame for the public damnation of their public character – In this view of the case, the College at Woolwich³ should not be touched nor the S of Ireland⁴ mentioned. Only beginning with the Survey of England and ending with the Tithe Maps.⁵

But if you think this course would not be a ‘good un’ then you must begin with the Survey of Ireland at 1824 – and a power of writing you will have! I fear much whether the N. paper⁶ would not tire of the yarn – yet, if it could be done, the public would have a better view of our machinery, tho’ perhaps it would not in the end have such a good effect on the Royal Engineers. – All must be done so that the writer or writers cannot be even conjectured. No phrase or technical term should escape or no expression used that could identify the writer with a certain locality. The pronoun I should not be used – You shall speak as a King or Editor!! and say, we assert this – we are informed &c. &c. - - - Perhaps it would be better not to use I or we – but write like a stately historian – ‘It has been affirmed’ ‘certain documents containing the following’. Be sure that nothing escapes you that may lead to a conjecture that some of the C.A.⁷ have been concerned or R.S. and M⁸ – that no clue – no analogy can be made – so they cannot tell what the D- -⁹ to make of it!!

Let me know whether you wish to begin with the S. of I. or merely with the S. of E. – You shall have a ‘full, true and particular account’ in a short time – You must re-arrange it, add good language and facts – and the ‘Lord speed you’. Did you note the words C.T.¹⁰ said to the gent:¹¹ how did he recommend him to proceed, did C.T. recommend any form of words to be used? Was it to the Board, or to Colonel C.¹² that the application¹³ was to be made. Note: What has become of Aldcliffe Township¹⁴ on 3 chain scale¹⁵ – has any faults been found with Standish¹⁶ areas, have the maps passed the Commissioner?¹⁷ No Field books were sent with them to the Tithe office. – Cap: Bailey¹⁸ up to a month ago (I got this from a Field man) surveyed all field work for 3 chain scale – this is annuled, they are now to survey with a view to 6 inch¹⁹ only except villages.

Are Meresmen²⁰ sworn? The Town of Windsor is to be done on 5 feet scale (special survey)²¹ two of the sappers left us on Saturday for that place. I spoke of a small pamphlet in my letter as being better calculated to induce ultimate success than Newspapers. I spoke to my printer, he says a pamphlet of this size &c. Type cost for printing £2.10.0 per sheet – i.e. 28 pages of a common Methodistical penny tract²² – A pamphlet of 40 pages printing, paper &c. 200 copies would cost here in Leeds something more than £4.0.0.

Think on this.

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The matter – or facts concerning the O.S.²³ which I have by me, were, so far as they go, arranged for Colonel C: and not for the public – So that considerable alteration must be made. – You will peradventure find it necessary to strike out many of the statements and substitute your own – I can pretend to give you only the raw material, you must apply your steam power on this – Do you know any steady old friend on the O.S. in some other division who could give you a private history &c. If a great deal is said of Lancashire and nothing of York it will look suspicious – I remember seeing some 3 chain scales sent from Preston to some other office, but could never find out whether they were ever used for Tithe maps &c. You must write before long

Yours truly | A. McLachlan

RI MS JT 1/11/3773–4