"He held the position of general surveyor of the Bristol turnpike roads, at a salary, first year £400, and each subsequent year of £500, but, taking into account that the annual salary was £200 for expenses 'incident' to the office, the remaining £300 was not more than adequate payment for the constant and laborious duties attached to the situation."
Under date of November 8, 1823, there is a list of Royal mails and post-coaches despatched from and arriving at the Bush Tavern, Corn Street, Bristol:—"London, daily, 4.0 p.m.; and at reduced fares by the 'Regent' at 9.0 p.m.; Milford and Waterford, via Cardiff and Swansea, 10.30 a.m. daily; Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, every evening at 7.0; Oxford, daily, at 7.0 a.m.; Portsmouth and Southampton, every afternoon, at 4.0; Plymouth and Exeter, every morning, at 8; Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, daily, at 6.0 a.m.; Portsmouth and Southampton, by the 'Rocket,' at 7.0 a.m.; Gloster, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and Holyhead leaves Bristol each day at 7.0 a.m."
On July 1, 1826, the "Hero" coach is quoted as performing the journey from Bristol to Birmingham in twelve hours.
[From "Stage Coach and Mail." By permission of Mr. C.G. Harper.
HOW THE MAILS WERE CONVEYED TO BRISTOL IN THE DAYS OF KING GEORGE THE FOURTH.
On January 21, 1826:—"From Wood's Office, Bell Yard, Thomas Street, Bristol. Coaches. The 'London Shamrock,' light post-coach, five o'clock every evening; arrives in London at half-past seven next morning. Runs to the Spread Eagle Inn, Gracechurch Street, and Bull Inn, Aldgate.
"'London Chronometer.' Cheap coach. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, twelve o'clock. Fare: inside, 21s.; outside, 10s. 6d. Runs to Gerrard's Hall, Basing Lane, Cheapside.
"Exeter, Plymouth, Devonport, Totnes, Newton-Bushel, Ashburton, Tiverton, Wellington, Taunton, and Bridgwater. 'Royal Devon' Coach, every afternoon at four o'clock.
"Bath. Every morning, at eight, ten, and twelve o'clock, and at five in the evening."
January 21, 1826:—"Plume of Feathers, General Coach Office, Wine Street, Bristol. W. Clift takes the present opportunity to return his sincere thanks to the public for the preference they have given to his coaches; and begs to inform them that the 'Traveller' coach, to Exeter, is this day removed from Congdon's Hotel to the Old London Inn, and leaves there for Bristol every evening, at half-past five, and arrives at Bristol at half-past five in the morning, in time for the coaches to Gloucester, Cheltenham, Worcester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Holyhead, and all parts of the North; leaves Bristol at seven every morning, proceeds through Bridgwater, Taunton and Tiverton, and arrives at Exeter at six the same evening.