From Archibald McLachlan   15th Mar: 1844

45 Swann Street, York 15^th Mar: 1844.

D^r M^r T.¹

I am glad to find that you are still in existence and have determined to quit this land of starvation² – I am certain you will succeed on the other side of the ‘salt sea’. 4 of my old O.S.³ acquaintances went in 1829 – at first – and for a few years they had all to work hard, as Book-Keepers &c – and each has now sufficient of worldly comforts – and a provision made for old age. But lest I should forget, here follows their address:–

(Joseph Workman)⁴ Workman, Brothers & C^o. Toronto – (William Workman)⁵ ‘Frothingham and Workman’ Montreal – Besides 2 brothers Henry⁶ and John Mulhalland⁷ – the Workmans will tell you where they are – Should you pass near them on your journey, they would be very glad to give an old O.S. man every information you may require, on the best method likely to secure success –

– On the other matters, you must recollect that I am at present in ‘pretty considerable fix’ all letters coming to any of us, are by mistake, or design, taken to the R.E.⁸ office, even those sent to our private address are taken by the postman to the office – even your last letter⁹ passed through the inspection of the District office!!!! I am determined should this be persevered in, to write to the Post Mast Gen:¹⁰ on the subject –

I am of opinion that a pamphlet¹¹ is the best method, it would be too late to be of any use in debating on the ordnance estimates, but it would be in good time to check the proposed S.¹² of London, when that is brought forward; I think that S. Crawford¹³ would have a good opportunity of handling the subject when London is proposed, and I think that the C.¹⁴ proffession have an interest in opposing that S. being done by the R.E. – and not at all unlikely, they have by this time given the subject some consideration, and perhaps have instructed some member to bring the claims of the civil proffession before the Ho:¹⁵ I think it very unlikely that they should have read Spectators letters,¹⁶ and yet remain indifferent or unprepared to oppose the Ordnance claims to S. London –

At all events it too late now to write or print anything with a view to the estimates – the principal Item has been passed by the Ho: 140 or 150.000 has been granted¹⁷ ‘for the Ordnance Surveys’ – and before you could print the pamphlet, all the estimates will be passed. It would be necessary to print all Specs: letters; that any member who should speak on the subject should first be well informed, should have a good view of the past as well as of the present – S. Crawford is an Irish land owner, he knows his estates were surveyed twice by the O.S – he knows also of many other Estates being twice surveyed, he knows these facts and the dates also – and these are public facts – But a very great deal more is still wanting to enable M^r S. C. to make a good stand in the House – a long cool letter stating a number of the practical details – such as the pay of a man, the quantity of work he does – then showing the acreage price, the expenses of Ch: Survey,¹⁸ plotting, Drawing, Calculating &c – The Recommendation sheet should be introduced – A proposition should be made, that the men should receive an acreage price, that the men should be paid for work done, not for time spent – officers should have an acreage price also – he should be instructed to call for a return of all the individuals Employed, their date of joining the S – their rates of pay, and the nature of the duty employed on – In fact to be prepared for opposition M^r S.¹⁹ should be well informed, for he would be stiffly opposed, and unless he were master of a great many of O.S details, he would come to the wall in a debate – Now all this requires time, caution, cool reflection – it would be impossible to do justice to the subject in less than a week or two, at least – but a pamphlet could be ready before London comes on, for I don’t think it will come on before the Easter weeks – –

Could you convince M^r T.²⁰ of the necessity of giving a great deal of the O.S details? I can furnish him with a good deal; all the essentials – Could you convince him of the necessity of doing the work himself – to have communication with no parties – not more than 2 persons at the utmost – & his communication should relate to the collecting of money, a trusty person could collect a few shillings under the pretence of assisting a poor brother O. surveyor, or the like – I could with ease collect £2 – perhaps more – There is a spirit of dissatisfaction – a desire to have things put to right &c but we are deficient in coolness, in steadiness, which will make sad work should our communications not be restricted to one or two individuals – If the P.O.²¹ at Preston is not watched so narrowly as at York I can safely send letters to M^r T – but his to me would be very unsafe – and should his be peeped into and the handwriting known, the consequence would perhaps, be his discharge, he would naturally blame me for a want of caution and silence &c – I shall send him all the essentials, he can work them up – the letters which he sends to me must be well secured under an envelope & written in a Female hand!! – (i.e. the address of the letter) – – I don’t make the least doubt of it, before London comes on the pamphlet will be circulated – –

I wish much for the pamphlet, it will circulate and preserve Spectators letters – they will be read & studied by parties who never look at Newspapers – –

There has appeared a letter in the London times Newspaper in favour of good maps &c – and blaming the Government for the niggardly grant this year – it is the first of a series – the author is unknown – I have not seen the paper, but must be on the watch in future – should he continue the series I shall conclude his intention is to do away with the effects of Specs: letter – if I find this to be his object, I must meet him!! and in a London paper too – Meet him by simply stating the plain facts of the case, in a plain way –

On Monday or tuesday you shall have another letter²² – I did not observe that my paper was so nearly scribbled up – I hope you are in good spirits, in my next I will say something of sea sickness

Yours very sinly | A M^cLachlan

M^r J Tyndall | Leighlin Bridge | – Ireland – | P.P

RI MS JT/1/TYP/11/3830

RI MS JT/8/1/4a