To John Tyndall, Snr   Friday Night

Preston, Friday night

My dear Father

I had no time last night¹ to give you an idea of our present position. It is a fact universally admitted on the Survey that the aim of those into whose hands it has fallen is not to raise their men to a position equivalent to their merits, but to induce on their part a spirit of the most slavish submission to the mandates of their taskmasters – to crush at its first appearance the bud of honest independence – and thus enable themselves to lord it without control over their prostrate vassals. You are by no means to judge of the character of the engineer officers on the English Survey by the specimen afforded you in Mr Wynne. He was a gentleman, and could appreciate the feelings which have an existence in the breast of a man of sensibility. He would not think of stooping to acts of petty tyranny which are of every day occurrence here. With one exception, the Superintendents of the English Survey would grace the character of slave drivers. That exception is our Division Officer² – a son of the Bishop of Norwich.³ But he is young, and has no power. If he had, things would change. I cannot think that all the other officers are inherently bad. It’s a kind of reflected tyranny which they exercise, the source of which is the person by whom we were dismissed, namely Captain Tucker. He is the senior officer on the Survey and has the control of everything connected with it. From speaking to this man you would imagine that he was of the most lamblike disposition, but this insinuating exterior shades a heart impervious to the beams of charity or the appeals of misfortune. You have by this time read our Memorial.⁴ That document was not the offspring of a momentary impulse. It contained a statement of grievances and a record of feelings which had an existence long prior to the circumstances which called them openly forth.

I told you we had written to the Master General.⁵ It would be most absurd to submit silently to the stroke inflicted by Captain Tucker. Our cause is a just one, and while ever there remains a means of asserting its justice we shall do so. In the order which contained our dismissal⁶ it is said that notice was given last June. This is an attempt to stop our mouths on this score. Captain T. in justification of his hasty proceeding will no doubt allege that we had been warned last June – a copy of that warning lies beside me, I may as well give it to you:–

‘Preston, 7th, June, 1843

‘The Division Officers will warn the C. Assistants⁷ that a further reduction will be made and will forward names of 25 of the least useful or efficient men who are to be discharged’.

This warning refers to a certain class of individuals – to the inefficient men. Can it be said that we got notice – we, who have ever ranked among the best men on the Survey? Are men who have spent from 5 to 16 years on this employment, with unblemished characters, to be thus treated, merely because they had sufficient honesty to state what they felt in an open and respectful manner? In our letter to the Master General this was stated. We went into a detail of our proceedings from the first – showed how the Memorial originated, forwarded specimens to prove that we could not be ranked as inefficient men, and stated that if further proof were required we could lay before him testimonials of the strongest nature both as to ability and integrity. We begged for an investigation of our case prior to the 21st., feeling assured that it would result in a manner creditable to us and satisfactory to him. I can form no idea of the reception which the letter will receive. I fear he is prejudiced against us, and to remove whatever prejudices may exist, it is deemed necessary to send a delegate to London. I have been pitched upon, and to London I will go and carry the matter to its utmost limit – I’ll leave no means untried – I’ll endeavour as far as in me lies to find whether Captain Tucker can exercise such an irresponsible sway. Emma⁸ knows Mr Martin, we drank tea at his place one evening. He has been connected with the Survey from its commencement. 16 years of his life have been devoted to this employment and he has proved himself trustworthy and efficient in all the duties of his situation. He is now discharged and deprived of the means of support for a wife and helpless family. Think not however that in pleading our cause before the Master General i.e. Sir R. Peel⁹ that I will be actuated by personal animosity to Captain Tucker. I know such a proceeding would be a deathblow to our interests. I go there to enquire into the justice of the principle on which Capt T. has acted. I go without spleen or acrimony – fully persuaded of the justice of my cause, and supported by the hope that I will be able to make that justice apparent. I intend to apply to some of the London Engineers for employment. I will have a very good opportunity of doing so. Has not Mr John Alexander a brother bound to an Engineer in London? I wish you would get a letter of introduction for me from Mr John. It would be of great service, for though the Engineer to whom his brother is bound might not have employment for me himself, still there is a probability of his being able to direct me where I would find employment. Apply to Mr John without delay. Every moment is precious, as waiting for your reply is the only thing which keeps me here. I hope the Col¹⁰ will give you, or has given you the testimonial.

Ginty has been discharged. Emma knows Mr Latimer,¹¹ he goes too – all first rate men. I shall require the printed form of recommendation along with your reply – don't neglect this.

Your affectionate son | John.

RI MS JT/1/TYP/10/3304-3305

LT Transcript Only