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Document 74, p 4

170
employ the three following persons who he supposed wou’d
be readily approved of by the Justices – Vizt. Robert
and yet is
Thompson who then was ⁁ the County Surveyor of Bridges
and who had been employed in the Building of the
Bridge – Wm. Johnson a very eminent Bridge Builder
and who had built several Bridges for the County much
to the Satisfaction of the Justices – and Thomas Richley
(since deceased) a Master Builder of the first Character
in the Neighbourhood – that the sd. three persons on
1783
the 16th July ⁁ made their Report signed by them – that
by Order of the Dft Witnessat Michas Sessions 1783
delivered the sd. Report to the Justices – and was asked by
them if Dft wou’d give the Sum mentioned in such Report
to be released from his Contract – to which Witness
Answered that he had Authority to say the Dft woud
– that some of the Justices remarked that the persons
who made the Report were incompetent to the Task
and thereupon the plt Gawen Aynsley who was
Chairman asked Witness if Mr Smeaton had viewed
the Ruins and being answered in the Negative Witness
was ordered to withdraw and being called in again he
was told by sd. Gawen Aynsley that it was the Wish of
himself and the Bench that the Dft wou’d prevail upon
Mr Smeaton to make an Estimate of the then standing parts
of the Bridge and also of the fallen Materials and that
such Estimate shoud be delivered within 6 weeks to
some of the Justices or to the Clk of the peace, and that
the Dft shou’d also in Writing specify what Sum he wou’d
give to be released from his Contract –
That Witness communicated what passed at Sessions
to the Dft – who informed Witness that he had requested
Mr Smeaton to go to Hexham to make the Estimate –
and soon after, Witness recd a Letter from Mr Smeaton
informing Witness that he (Mr Smeaton) wou’d as soon as
his Health wou’d permit come to Hexham and make the
Estimate but that he was at that time very much
indisposed – upon which Witness wrote to the Clerk
of the peace informing him of Mr Smeatons Intention
and then want of Health – and received an Answer from
the Clerk of the peace that he was glad Mr. Smeaton had
consented to come over and make the Estimate as it wou’d
3

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Note: Draft proof of evidence, Mr Donkin, continued

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Transcribed by RMS and CTW