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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,
and market for raw materials and
finished goods – This the nearest Spot attainable
(accompanied with the preceding advantages) after
Battersea Rise.
{Properties required by the Acts 19. G. 3. C. 74, & 34 Geo. 3.
Ch. 84, or by the Reports of the Committees.}
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 encreased
alarm and 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, &c. as recommended by the
Committees.
VIII. Vicinity of Building Materials – Sand
dug, bricks and Lime made, on the spot.
Reasons
alledged contrà
with
Answers.
I. Pleasantness of the Spot –
Answers.
1. See this in the list of Reasons pro
No 5. N.B. 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 can not accrue.
II. Repugnance on the part of
Proprietors –
Answers.
I. 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 and 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 and cattle. – Fences, either
wanting, or originally insufficient, and those run
to ruin – Parts, are 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 – As the place last before proposed,
one unwilling consenter: 28 Co-proprietors
who might any or all of them, have been repugnant,
besides Lessees 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" [§ 10] but grubbing up.
III. Offers to purchase refused -
Answer.
Power to accept wanting. Estate in Settlement⊞
⊞ Reasons contrà with Answers, continued,
and concluded.
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 and the Singing Water: and after a three
years consideration, I beg to be excused from searching for it.
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