country, where a considerable trade already existed, to a line where there was then but little or no commerce, and only of thin population, determined to prosecute their measure, notwithstanding the other project should be undertaken.

The advantages to be attained by the railway or tramroad, as stated in the first act, were "by facilitating the conveyance of coal, iron, lime, corn, and other commodities from the interior of the county of Durham, to the town of Darlington, and the town and port of Stockton, and towards and into the north riding of the county of York; and also the conveyance of merchandise, and other commodities from the said town and port of Stockton to the said town of Darlington, and into the interior of the said county of Durham, which will materially assist the agricultural interest, as well as the general traffic of that part of the country, and tend to the improvement of the estates in the vicinity of the said railways or tramroads."

The act for authorising the construction of a railway, or tramroad, passed in April, 1821; and two subsequent acts for varying and improving the line, and making additional branches, have since been obtained; the one in May, 1823, and the other in May, 1824.

The railway was opened for public accommodation in September, 1825, and is now in full operation. The increase of the trade of the port, which may fairly be attributed to the measures above noticed, exceeds all calculation. Some idea of it may be formed by comparing the returns at the Custom-house, at the present period, with those for 1802, and the previous years.

During the progress of these successful measures another plan was in operation, (which had not the same ter

mination) to effect the same beneficial purposes by a more northern line of direction. In the session of 1819 an act was applied for, but the bill withdrawn. In the session of 1824 the application was renewed, but the bill was again withdrawn in consequence of the orders of the House of Commons not having been complied with. In the session of 1825 the application was repeated, but meeting with a strong opposition, the success was no better than before.

The Stockton and Darlington Railway extends from the town of Stockton to Witton Park colliery, by or near Darlington, with several branches, near 30 miles in length. The Tees and Weardale Railway was intended to commence about four miles below Stockton, at Haverton Hill, near the mouth of the Tees, and to run inland about 26 miles to Willington, which is in the vale of the Wear between Durham and Wolsingham. Nearly the same commodities would be supplied by both. The latter measure having been attended with much labour, and at an expense of not less than £7,000, it seems desirable, that, though unsuccessful, it should not be forgotten, as constituting one of the means intended to promote the trade of Stockton and its vicinity. The plans were lodged in 1824, both in the clerk of the peace's office at Durham, and in the private bill office, London, with explanatory books of reference,

Should this scheme, or any other for connecting the more northern parts of the coal field with the river Tees, ever be resumed, the particulars may thus be recovered. The particulars of the plans for the canal, and the railway of 1819, may also be recovered from the same source. The object which the projectors of this scheme had in view

was the establishment of an extensive export trade for coals from the river Tees, and, amongst various contingent advantages, the incalculable improvement of a barren country, through which the line was intended to be carried.

Documents of Reference-" Report relative to the opening a communication by a canal, or a rail or tram way, from Stockton, by Darlington, to the collieries. Stockton printed by T. Eeles, 1818."

"Observations on the proposed railway or tram-road from Stockton to the collieries, by way of Darlington. Durham: printed by Francis Humble and Co., 1818."

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Proposed railroad from the collieries in the western part of the county of Durham, by Darlington, to Stockton-upon-Tees, and communicating by branches with Yarm and the north riding of Yorkshire." Single sheet, with a coloured plan.

"Reports of George Leather, Esq., coal-engineer, with other documents relative to a project for a canal from the river Tees to the coal district contiguous to West Auckland, presented to a meeting of the inhabitants of Stockton, on the ninth of July, 1818, by C. Tennant, Esq., and published by a committee appointed at that meeting. Stockton printed by Christopher and Jennett, 1818."*

"A further report from George Leather, Esq., of the Stockton and Auckland canal, with the result of a survey of the working collieries on the line and vicinity of the canal, and an estimate of the qualities of the coal by Messrs. Buddle, Steel, and Fenwick. Stockton: printed by Christopher and Jennett, 1818."

An address of thanks was signed and presented to Mr. Tennant for his great exertion.

CHAPTER XX.

Of the Port of Stockton-Shipping Companies-
Further Improvements proposed.

URING the period of improvements recorded in the two preceding chapters, other plans of great importance, tending to advance the trade of the port, were carried into execution. In January, 1803, a shipping company was formed under the style or firm of "The Maritime Company," which provided a set of vessels of heavy burthen to be employed, as well on the home as the foreign trade, but principally the latter; with a capital which admitted of their purchasing cargoes to be imported and exported for sale. In the year 1806 another company was formed, under the title of " The Merchants' Shipping Company," for the purpose of conveying goods and merchandise to and from London more especially; but also subject to be occasionally engaged in trading to other ports. This company established a set of eight vessels, of from 105 to 120 tons measure, peculiarly adapted to the London trade, under such regulations as to induce one sailing at the end of every week from each of the ports of London and Stockton, and thus to obviate the delay before complained of, and which had occasioned the merchants to import and export at other places. The success which

this company experienced, induced those who were concerned in the company which had previously subsisted under the firm of "The United Shipping Company" to dissolve itself, and form another under the firm of " The Stockton Shipping Company" and upon a basis and regulations corresponding with those of the Merchants' Shipping Company; and thus a competition and a degree of activity were excited, which both tended greatly to benefit the port by bringing an accession of trade.

At the commencement of the present year (1827) a new company was formed for promoting the coal trade of the port, which promises to be successful and to be of considerable advantage to the town. They have already purchased seven ships, which are kept constantly employed in the trade, and have introduced the Tees Coal at various ports, both at home and abroad; and, in consequence, numerous vessels now resort to the Tees for that article.

With the design of still further improving the navigation of the river, and to afford every additional facility to the trade of the port, the Tees Navigation Company caused a survey of the river between Stockton and the sea to be made in the year 1824, at a considerable expense [see Mr. Price's Report] and in the autumn of 1825, with the same object, Mr. Price, at the suggestion of Mr. Raisbeck, was engaged to make a survey as to the practicability of both shortening the distance between Stockton and the sea, and avoiding the impediments and obstructions in the intermediate channel of the river by making a canal through Mr. Hustler's holme, opposite the east end of the cut, and proceeding by Newport to Cargo-fleet, and he made his Report in favour of the un