Drowned Lives

Pipehill, Lichfield, Staffordshire. Tuesday 14th Jan. 1800.

To Reuben Wheeldon Esq., Warner Street, Ellesmere, Cheshire.

My dear friend,

God give me patience, but I have been in so uneasy a state of Mind as not to be fit to write. Things have happened lately of great Perplexity, and I walk about the room by the hour in great emotion. Would to Heaven that I had not taken up the cause of righteousness, but I do not count upon any Happiness in the present hour. Why am I to be thus insolently called to account? Am I not at liberty to please myself?

Though I entertain as high an opinion as any man can, both of N.’s knowledge and good sense, yet I am convinced that he is entirely wrong on this occasion, and I am persuaded that if he had seen the state of the Works he would not have decided as he has. He deservedly stands too high in the Public Esteem to be afraid to confess an error when he is advised of it. I sincerely hope I have converted at least some among the Proprietors — the very existence of the Canal now depends on their determination.

As for the Chief Engineer, the Committee wrote to him to insist that he allow nothing but the most pressing circumstances to call him away, which he promised he would do, but he has neglected his promise. I am most inclined to impute the failure generally to the want of the necessary diligence, though Danger and Difficulties are constant attendants on the Works, and credit and satisfaction are always Strangers. But I believe the Company behaved harshly in refusing arbitration over and over again and sticking to the letter of the contract in spite of inflation.

I am extremely sorry to have given you any uneasiness, but I will call on you tomorrow week. I hope also to bring you the documents of which I spoke.

Your friend,

Wm Buckley