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18 Aug: 1796.
Reasons
in favour of
the spot near Woolwich
as a site for the
Penitentiary House
I.Vicinity to the River. - Distance,
less than 500 yards. N.B. Without
communication with the river, immediate
or by a cut the Contract
not executable.
II. Elevation rising to about
100 feet - thence
III.- Healthfulness -
IV. Vicinity to the Metropolis- (the
seat of inspection, & market for
raw materials & finished goods -)
This the nearest spot attainable, (accompanied
with the preceeding
advantages) after Battersae Rise.
V. Pleasantness -
-1. Inviting to the inspecting
class
-2. Inviting to those who may
reap benefit from the example
-3. Inviting to future Governors
in respect of constancy of residence
-4. Communicating the enjoyment
of the spot to thousands,
instead of confining it to one.
VI. Security 1. The strength
of the Dock Yard within
call.
2. That of the
Barracks distant not above 1/2
a Mile summonable by signals.
VII. Vicinity to the present station
of the Convicts - Distance,
not 600 yards - Hence,
1. Saving the Establishment from
the increased alarm & disgust that
would pursue it to any new place.
2. Faculty of employing the Convicts
in the digging of the Cut,and the
erection of the Building &c &cas
recommended by the committees
VIII. Vicinity of Building Materials
Land dug, Bricks & Lime
made, on the spot.
Properties required by the Acts 19 Geo 3. c. 74 & 34 Geo 3- ch. S4.
or by the reports of the committees.
---page break---
Reasons
Alledged contra,
with Answers.
I. Pleasantness of the Spot -
Answers.
1. See this in the list of reasons pro, NoV.NB.
Pleasantness inseparable from the conjunction
of Elevation with Vicinity to the River
- thence
from Healthfulness.
2. This no objection, any farther than as inducing
a suspicion of a tendency to seek the gratification
of private taste to the prejudice of the public service:
a prejudice which here cannot accrue.
II. Repugnance on the part of Proprietors -
Answers.
1 The very existence of opposition is sufficient to
demonstrate a certain degree of repugnance -
Reasons for not presuming any greater -
1.A great part (perhaps half) of the elevation leased
out & carried away: therefore little attachment
to the elevation
2.Seventeen acres, of the Wood contiguous to the
elevation, lately leased out and grubbed up: therefore
little attachment to the Wood.
3. The whole left exposed to the inroads of men
& cattle. Fences, either wanting or originally
inefficient, & those run to ruin. Parts, an
habitual bog for the populace, neighbouring
and itinerant - therefore little regard for the
general appearance of the place. NB - The
ground in front of the Mansion (a mile off)
neatly kept.
II. The repugnance confined to one proprietor -
impossible to have less any where: scarce possible
not to have many times as much - At the place
last before proposed, one unwilling consenter:
2d Co-proprietors, who might, any or all of them,
have been repugnants: Besides Lessus who
certainly would.
N.B. The Acts have declared the only cases in which
the plea of repugnance ought to be admitted -
This not in the number =This "Wood" not "planted"
[SS.10] but grubbing up.
III. Offers to purchase refused -
Answer -
1. Power to accept wanting - Estate in strict settlement.
2. The refusal, if voluntary, no evidence of particular
repugnance, derived from attachment to the spot.
Aversion to dismemberment, a general concomitant
to great landed opulence.
Conclusion - A fit site, obtainable for such a
purpose, without a dissentient voice, is the site of
the Golden Tree & the Singing Water: &, after a three year's
consideration, I beg to be excused from searching for it.
J.B.
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