Letter – Michael Bell to Thomas Wentworth Beaumont – 7 Jul 1823

       We the undersigned Freeholders of the Town of Hexham in Conson of our own feelings and those of the town at large have taken the liberty of petitioning you with every feeling of respect begging your kind remonstrance with the Trustees of the Hexham Turnpike in deviating from the line of Road pointed out by their Act of Parliament and projecting on across Seal bisecting the public walks at two points.

       We and our Ancestors having enjoyed these walks unimpeded by any obstruction form time immemorial do declare that should the line projected by the Trustees be adopted it will almost universally be objectionable to the Inhabitants.

       We should not have presumed to address you had we not been informed that some one or more of the Trustees had declared themselves determined at all events to carry it through the Seal and that whatever objection the Town may feel to this line it must be settled between them and yourself. We cannot therefore for a moment suppose after your kind expressions for our Interest and welfare on a former occasion that if you intend to qualify as a commissioner on this road and attend the meeting on the 9th August when the line will be finally determined you will not only advise and recommend the Trustees not to pass so unpopular a measure but in no way give it you support.

       The objection to a public Road passing through pleasure grounds, public and private walks is a feeling not only peculiar to the Rich but it is the feeling of nature why then are not we and the poorer classes of this Town to experience it and exert all our Interest and the power we may possess to prevent it.

       When we consider the distance saved by the Seal line but poor fifty seven yards at an expense of £150 we cannot suppose the public Traveller would reflect against the Trustees nor yet their own conscience disturb them for not taking the shortest line when the same scruple did not exist extending the line of Road above sixty yards with an addtl expense of £100 by deviating from the Act of Parliament line about two miles distant from this town at the suggestion of one or two of the Trustees.

       Is it too much to ask the public and those commissioners to travel the wearisome distance of fifty seven yards and not interfere with our walks and change the character of the Seal so much admired and visited by strangers who appreciate our unobstructed privileges as highly as we ourselves value them.

       Though an unfortunate and ever to be lamented event has prevented you from residing amongst us still we do not doubt that upon all occasions you are alive to our Interest and wishes with confidence in the Relief and with every respect we subscribe ourselves

       Your devoted Constituents

       

Michael Bell	Wm Bell snr	Philip Jefferson		James Charlton		Ambrose Maddison

George Cox	Joseph Parkin	Gaiven Maddison	Robt Rowell	Thos Weathill	Joseph Robinson	John Gibson sadler	Robert Dickinson	Richd Bulman	John Grant 

Thomas Cole	Thomas Dobson	Christ. Bell	John Bell	George Shedholm Bambrough	John Stobart	John Batey	John Midford	Wm Hindmarsh		John Parkin	Francis Scott	Thomas Lunn	Wm Charlton	John Farbridge	Robert Bell	Ralf Little	Wm Errington	Willm Wilson	Michl Elliot	Robt Robson	Perc.l Bambrough	Jno Middleton	Wm Smith	Jos Charlton	Mattw Coulson		Wm Mole	Mattw Lee	George Lee	Edw. Nicholson		George Pears	Joshua Bright	Henry Ridley	Peter Keir	John Davison	John Watson	Wm Armstrong		James Tweddle		James Graham		Thos Yarrow	John Dodd	Richd Robson	John Forster	Joseph Elliott	James Miles	John Hall	Willm Carbin	Robt Lorraine	James Anderson