That the data published by the Commissioners were often wrong, and in some cases led to the reverse of their conclusions.
That greater economy was proved on the broad gauge.
That the broad gauge was superior in the points of safety, speed, and conveyance of troops.
That the experiments made in the presence of the Commissioners had demonstrated beyond all controversy the complete success of the broad-gauge system.
For these and other reasons, a strong protest was made against any legislative interference with the broad-gauge system.
A reply was published to these arguments; and during the controversy a large number of pamphlets, articles, and other publications appeared on both sides.
Mr. Brunel’s views on the whole question, about this time, are concisely expressed in the following letter, written to a friend in France, who asked for information on the subject of the broad gauge:—
August 4, 1845.
I am just off for Italy, but write a few hasty lines in reply to Mons. ——’s queries, and which you must scold him for not addressing direct to me. Nobody can answer such questions but myself, and I am compelled to be very brief.
In answer to the first, I send a drawing.