From Archibald McLachlan   Sunday 8th Oct - 1843

Sunday 8^th Oct – 1843 [York]¹

I have just received your last.² – I have read carefully all the pamphlet I spoke of:³ it is a clever and comprehensive bit of work, and I must say that on the subject handled in it, I never saw so much excellent matter before; it appears all through, to be drawn up with great talent and address, and evidently the work of Carbon⁴ – Sir R.P.⁵ is to have a copy previous to next session, he will use the arguments and facts when he introduces the Bill⁶ – In regard to a Town, there is no possible imaginable point, or question, which is not treated of in the pamphlet – And in making or drawing up the Report & Survey the R.E.⁷ officer is told to look on the district as if it were the property of One Prudent proprietor, anxious for the Health, Prosperity, income, production capabilities – and future well being of his property & his tenants – or Population.

I told you some of our old hands were getting up an address, and a piece of plate,⁸ to be presented to Cap. B.⁹ – When 2 or 3 called on him to know when it would be convenient, they would (they the deputation) come and present the address and Plate – he, C.B. hesitated, and said Acid¹⁰ is to dine with me today – I will speak of it to him – ‘You see I am a Soldier, doing my duty only – and my successor might expect a like address’ – and – ‘I am pleased to think we part in good feeling, & glad tho’ other divisions are complaining, this Div¹¹ seems to be contented. It would not be prudent in me to receive your address, without first consulting my superior & successor’ – !!! –

The consultation ended in this – ‘Owing to certain Military regulations, it would not be prudent in me to receive it, I have spoken with Acid – he says it would be imprudent owing to my position, therefore I cannot receive it – but I am just as well pleased as if I did receive it – and feel highly pleased that we part with mutual good feeling’ – !!!! –

Now you may see the hand of Acid here! –

C.B. would receive it, had it not been for Acid – Acid did not see the deep design of the Address, he did not see the design – but he foresaw how it might be turned against himself before long – and might cause an enquiry into the cause why one Div were congratulating and another Div complaining – besides he foresaw that Spec:¹² might get hold of this, and make it a 2 edged sword!! – Acid said to one of the deputation who is now going to Southampton¹³ – ‘that Cap B. could not receive the address &c owing to a military order – military men are subject to military regulations, but I am very glad that you are so well pleased with Captain B. I will mention the circumstances of such good feeling to Carbon’!! Och, The Liar –

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I could not use the facts in the Pamphlet – it will not be published before next session – i.e. it will be printed and circulated amongst members of Par:¹⁴ & no farther, at least I think it won’t go farther than the members, until the Bill is past¹⁵ – and then all parties may see it. I saw the Proof sheet – it was picked from other papers. I only saw it by stealth, no body in the Div: saw it but me & 2 or 3 of Windsor men. Should the facts be too freely used, he Acid, would at once know who the delinquents were – or he could point to the very individual through whom the information came!! – However we can use the facts in a negative kind of way, and escape suspicion – I am informed by some Windsor men!! that he heard Sir Delabash¹⁶ say to Acid, words, from which it may fairly be inferred – that there exists a good feeling or understanding between Carbon & Sir R.P. – ‘Carbon called on, or went to discourse with Sir R.P. on the Report’ – This report is (I believe) the Pamphlet and perhaps the Estimate – – Of this I am almost sure that the Survey of London is ‘Fore-ordained’ and will come to pass –

B.¹⁷

NB. Tell Mr Marquis to send me his address.

Sunday

You should note down the dates of all important circumstances

_________

Is the Master General’s name¹⁸ put on the Titles of your 3 chain plans?

__________

I think it would be well if somebody or body of persons – or a certain number, when you are all together in one room, each to take part in the speech – say in the drawing room, when the principal parties are present – 2 or 3 – or 4 all together ask Stanley about the Memorial.¹⁹ I dont think it would be wise for one person alone to do it, as he might afterwards be pointed at – You should see after it as soon as possible. Acid, if he can, will diddle you all of it. After hearing what Stanley says you can judge how to act –

B.

I would not like to advise – but I think you should see after it, the sooner the better – if Stanley is a good one, he could be spoken to in a friendly way – Acid is such a rogue, that no dependence whatever can be placed in him. Carbon was not so bad until enlightened by him. Carbon used to be a fair man to those on the 2 inch²⁰ – he sometimes gave a rise of 2/. per day – but those days are evaporated –

As you say; a slashing letter must appear. I will think on that point.

– B

Cost of Plan (6 inch)
Per Acre
Parish Trig Cal.	0.0.0.1/4	or 6 pence per acre. the calculation is based upon the fact that on an average a man plots, Draws, Surveys &c a certain number of acres – and that this man on an average receives 3/. per Diem –
Determining Boundaries	”.”.”.1/2
Surveying	”.”.2.1/2
Levelling	”.”.”.1/4
Content Plot	”.”.”.1/4
Plotting Plan	”.”.”.1/4
Tracing	”.”.”.1/4
Examination on Grounds	”.”.1.0
Drawing Plan	”.”.”.1/4
Names & Name Books	”.”.”.1/4
Calculation of Areas	”.”.”.1/4
	0.0.6.0

Now let us take a 6 inch plan²¹ and from the Index table or margin of the plan The area and cost would be strictly as follows – ‘Area 3891–’ Acres

	Shillings	or, one penny farthing per acre
Plotting the Plan	0.128.0
Tracing ” ”	18.0
Examining on the ground	108.0
Drawing	63.0
Writing	18.0
or shillings	3 35.0

To which we must add Surveying – Plotting Plot – B^d.²² remarks &c.

The cost would stand thus –	1 . ¼
and	4 . ½
per acre –	5 . ¾

I have tried the calculations upwards of a dozen ways and I always come to nearly the same conclusion – or Six pence per acre of course this does not include botching, patching repatching of Boundaries – Name Banks – or Re-surveying – Officers allowances & &c &c. It only covers actual first outlay – or what the different duties would cost were they correctly done in the first instance –

Approximation
Ordnance Expenditure from 1841 to 1846 inclusive,
or 5 whole years at =		50.000 a year
		5 £250.000
The Scotch Survey for the above period =		15.000
The Irish Do––––––––––––––––––––Do =		30.000
		£45.000
		205.000 Leaving for the English Survey 205.000 £ for 5 years.
Let us take it at 200.000 £ 20 4000.000
12
The pricing of one acre 6	48.000.000 pence 8.000.000 -	8.000.000 acres furnished in England in 5 years at a cost of 6 pence per acre!!!! -

I cannot get the Ordnance Estimates. My friend called in three places in London and could not make it out – And in the absence of the Estimates or Grants I have to judge from the nature of the thing, and recollection of what I have heard from different parties – From what I know & from what I have heard I think the above guess, may be taken for want of a better –

I have no means of judging correctly of the actual number of men employed, but I could give a very near guess, as to the gross number

On the Trig:23 –	50
Irish Contours –	50
Scotland –	50
Southampton –	70
In the N. of England	170
	390 or 400 –
Add to this about – 25 Engravers. on an average of 8/. a day –

Make allowance for instruments, Books &c. &c. And if you add the R.E. themselves you will find the annual grant vanishes like Jonah in the Whales Belly²⁴–

NB. The above may include the Boardsmen but it does not include Labourers (Chainmen).

RI MS JT/1/TYP/11/3803-3806

RI MS JT/8/1/4a