Document 35, p 6
| considering the extent of the Subject, but the only mode in which a Bridge | ||||
| could be executed on such a kind of foundation, as was then generally | ||||
| supposed, at any moderate Expence, and with a reasonable prospect of | ||||
| safety. | ||||
| Thus considered Mr Smeaton acquainted Mr Donkin that he was | ||||
| willing to examine the situation; and if he found it competent, so that | ||||
| he could hazard his Credit as an Artist upon it he would be willing to | ||||
| give Mr. Errington an estimate. The tryal was made assisted by Mr | ||||
| Pickernel; who on this Occasion recounted the principal part of what is | ||||
| above stated, so far as he was concerned; The Estimate was made pre- | ||||
| -sented and accepted, the Bridge undertaken built and suffered the | ||||
| fatal overthrow that has occasioned the present Litigation. | ||||
| The preceeding narrative will sufficiently shew, that none of the | ||||
| parties pressed themselves into this Unfortunate this ill fated Business | ||||
| or proceeded in it from any interested motives. | ||||
| Respecting Mr Errington he neither professed nor could ever have any | ||||
| view of profit from the Undertaking; the contingent benefit that it might | ||||
| in that situation, be to his Estate, being the sole motive to the pains and | ||||
| trouble that must necessarily attend it. | ||||
| Respecting Mr Smeaton he neither asked, expected, sought, or | ||||
| received more than his accustomed daily hire, and he trusts, that it | ||||
| will not be supposed, that he could wish to undertake this Business | ||||
| for want of Employ, and in respect of Mr Pickernel, if he wanted employ, | ||||
| he would have been much more likely to have met with it by the Bridge | ||||
| being proceeded with, if he had reported a good Gravel to an unfathomable | ||||
| depth, knowing or believing there was a quicksand, at 9 or 10 feet under | ||||
| it, than he could expect from reporting a Quicksand at 9 or 10 feet under | ||||
| the Surface of the Gravel, knowing or believing it was Gravel unfathomable | ||||
| because being then not at all acquainted with Mr Smeaton’s Ideas of the | ||||
| 6 proper | ||||
Note: Mr Smeaton's Memorial concerning Hexham Bridge, p 6
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| An entry outlined like this has a note which may be seen by hovering over it. |
Transcribed by CTW and TB