It appears to the undersigned, by the report of a Committee of the House of Commons of last session, and by their own experience and observation, that the system of road making, introduced by Mr. MᶜAdam, has already been of great public benefit, as it facilitates the communications of the country, and affords useful and universal employment to the labouring class, with sufficient funds already provided.
The undersigned are of opinion, that as Mr. MᶜAdam obtained the information necessary to perfect his system of road making, entirely at his own expense, and with the labour of many years; and afterwards, by his exertions and those of his family, reduced the system to actual practice, and has now put the public in complete possession of his plans, Mr. MᶜAdam has a claim on the country for remuneration.
They are further of opinion, that it will be a great means of encouraging the general adoption of this improved system of road management, if Government shall be pleased to bestow this mark of their approbation on Mr. MᶜAdam.
Chichester, De Laware, Hardwicke, Macclesfield, Salisbury, Beaufort, G. Clerk, Wm. Rea, Thomas G. Estcourt, Wm. Dickinson, N. Calvert, W. H. Ashurst, J. Fane, J. N. Fazakerley, Carrington, G. Doveton, Dacre, Daniel Giles, Wm. Lamb, George Shee, W. Freemantle, Warren Bulkeley, Grenville, Folkestone, R. Spencer, R. M. Davis.
Appendix (K.)
Letter of Postmaster General to the Lords of the Treasury, on Petition of Mr. MᶜAdam for payment of Balance due to him on account of services stated to have been rendered by him in the improvement of the Public Roads.
My Lords,
Mr. John Loudon MᶜAdam having addressed to us a memorial, relative to certain claims on account of the services which he states to have been rendered by him in the improvement of the public Roads of the kingdom, we have the honour to transmit the same to your lordships for such consideration as it may appear to you to deserve; and we have to state, that the favourable opinions which we entertained and expressed in our former reports upon this subject, have been confirmed by experience; and that by employing Mr. MᶜAdam to survey the roads in Lancashire, the most beneficial results are likely to follow.
We are, my Lords, with great respect,
Your Lordships most obedient servants,