ARCHIVES OF THE BRITISH
GOVERNMENT HELD IN THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE RELATING TO THE BUILDINGS
AND WORKSHOPS ERECTED TO ACCOMMODATE CHARLES BABBAGE'S FIRST DIFFERENCE
ENGINE.
This has been compiled and copied from the following references
a) Public Record Office, Chancery Lane, London WC2.
Records of the Crown Estate Commissioners [then called the Office of Woods, Forests & Land Revenues]
Reference: CRES 6 "The Constat Books"
Volume 152 (or H7) pages 173-225
Volume 174 (or I7) pages 310-319
also Minutes of the Commissioners of the Office of Woods &c.
b) Public Record Office, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, SW London.
Records of the Government's Works and Public Buildings Department
Reference: WORK 12 Folder 62 Item 8
[Duplicates of the same
item held at both locations have not been recorded twice. See also
Babbage's Correspondence and Papers held in the British Library
Manuscript Department and Babbage Archives in the Public Record Office
(Treasury Papers).]
1. Office of Woods &c. to the Treasury, 30th April 1831
Mr Charles Babbage: Respecting the removal of the Calculating Engine from Lambeth to East Street
Office of Woods etc
30th April 1831
My Lords,
With reference to recent
Communications between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First
Commissioner of this Board on the subject of obtaining and appropriating
for the reception of the Calculating Engine &c, now being
constructed by Mr Babbage new and suitable accommodation in the
neighbourhood of the residence of Mr Babbage we directed Mr Decimus
Burton to confer with him thereon, and in Mr Burton's Report dated the
21st Inst of which a Copy is annexed hereto, he states that Mr Babbage
had produced to him Copies of the Documents which had been transmitted
to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and which relate to the proposed
removal of the Apparatus from Prospect Place Lambeth, where Mr Babbage
has been constructing the Engine -that Mr Burton has surveyed a Plot of
Ground and two Houses, &c, in East Street Marylebone belonging to Mr
Babbage & attached to his Residence in Dorset Street Manchester
Square and also Premises in the occupation of Mr Rice, Cowkeeper
immediately Northward of Mr Babbage's Garden, which are entered from
Paddington Street and had ascertained that there were no other Premises
contiguous to Mr Babbage's residence which could be so well adapted for
the proposed object -that Mr Burton had also surveyed the present
Workshops and Premises in Prospect Place for the purpose of making
himself acquainted with the extent of Ground and nature of the Buildings
which would be required in the new Situation that he found these
premises had become inappropiate & inadequate to their purpose
besides being inconveniently situated -that they are not fireproof -that
they contain the Original Drawings & Calculations from which the
Engine is being constructed and the various parts of the Machinery
hitherto prepared and are fitted up with Engines and Tools of the most
ingenious and expensive description & that the destruction of this
property would perhaps be irreparable that another and perhaps the
strongest argument in favour of the removal is the necessity which now
exists of erecting a Platform upon which to place permanently the Engine
for which the present Premises are neither sufficiently spacious nor
convenient -that it would therefore seem proper that a Fireproof Room
for the Engine with Workshops contiguous should be provided early and
that for obvious reasons they should be as much as possible under the
eye of Mr Babbage the advantages of which Mr Burton understands are
strongly pointed out by the Committee of Engineers appointed by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer -that a Communication from either of the
before mentioned sites near to Mr Babbage's Residence could be made
direct into his own Garden -that Mr Rice has declined to part with any
portion of his Premises which if they could be obtained Mr Burton thinks
would be more expensive than the before mentioned Premises belonging to
Mr Babbage -that these latter consist of a Tenement No. 30 in East
Street the Ground Floor of which is occupied as a Coachhouse and Passage
in front and a Six Stalls Stable behind -that there is one Room on each
of the three Stories over the Coachhouse, &c, and a roomy loft over
the Stable -that the Vacant Ground contains about 3750 Superficial feet
and is surrounded by a brick wall - that in reply to a Letter which Mr
Burton addressed to Mr Babbage on the 19th Inst enquiring whether he
would be willing to dispose of his Interest in the same to the Crown
& on what Terms he received from Mr Babbage a Letter (See Copy
annexed) in which he states that he is willing to dipose of his Interest
in the Premises No. 30 East Street and in the Plot of Ground adjoining
the Garden behind his House in Dorset Street as explained in the Plan
(Vide Copy annexed) forwarded by Mr Burton -that if it should be found
desirable for Government he would be willing to grant a Lease of either
on the terms mentioned in a Report of Messrs Jearrads deposited in the
Office of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or at such a rent as Mr
Burton or any competent person whom we might appoint should think to be
fair Value: and Mr Burton states that Messrs Jearrad's Valuation
referred to by Mr Babbage is as follows,
Reference Estimated
to Annual
Plan Rent
A. The Upper part of the House No. 30 East St 31 - 10 - 0
proposed to be made the residence of the Engineer.
B. The Six Stall Stable behind Do. 31 - 10 - 0
The Coach-house being Ground floor of house 12 - 0 - 0
C. The Vacant Plot of Ground 60 - 0 - 0
-------------
£135 - 0 - 0
-------------
-that Mr Babbage in
addition reserves a width of 10 feet 6 inches the whole length of the
Ground Story of the House as shown on the Plan as a Roadway to Stabling
he may hereafter erect also the fittings of the present Stable -that Mr
Babbage has a Term of about 55 Years unexpired - that in his Letter he
only states his willingness to grant a Lease of the Premises -that Mr
Burton is not aware whether there would be any objection to Government
taking a Lease from Mr Babbage -that Rent of £135 P. Ann set upon the
Premises by Messrs Jearrad does not appear to him to be more than Mr
Babbage could obtain if he thought it proper to let off the Premises to
Individuals. And Mr Burton submits the propriety of an arrangement being
made with Mr Babbage (in the event of Government's taking the Premises)
for reserving a right of Way for Carts, &c., up the Roadway from
East Street which Mr Babbage intends to retain -that in the present
stage of the business, Mr Burton has abstained from entering minutely
into the consideration of the new Buildings & alterations of the old
Premises which would be required but he thinks the whole might be
executed for about £2700 so as to afford all the necessary
accommodation.
In case your Lordships
should be pleased to adopt the Suggestions of this Report and to
sanction the Outlay & future annual Expenditure before mentioned for
the sake of the convenience of getting the Engine near to Mr Babbage's
present residence we submit to your Lordships whether it would not be
desirable that in the event of Mr Babbage's death or removal from his
present Residence His Majesty's Government should have the preemption of
his Interest in that Residence which we understand he holds under Mr
Portman on Lease for a term of which about 55 Years are now unexpired.
Having communicated to
your Lordships the aforegoing Particulars on this subject we shall wait
for such further Instructions as your Lordships shall be pleased to
direct to be given to us thereon.
We are,
My Lords,
Your Lordships
very humble Servants
Duncannon
Henry Dawkins
[To] The Right Honble
The Lord's Commissioners
of His Majesty's Treasury.
2. Copy of Mr. D Burton's Letter to the Office of Woods &c. dated 21st April 1831 and Plan of Site.
6 Spring Garden
21st April 1831
Sir,
With the view of
ascertaining particulars and reporting to the Board on the subject of
the premises proposed to be obtained by the Crown and appropiated for
the reception of the Calculating Engine, &c., now constructing by Mr
Babbage I beg to state I called with your Letter of Introduction upon
that Gentleman on the 15th Inst when he laid before me Copies of the
Documents which have been transmitted to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
and which relate to the proposed removal of the apparatus from Prospect
Place, Lambeth, where Mr Babbage's Operations have been hitherto
carried on. I then surveyed the Plot of Ground & two Houses,
&c., in East Street attached to the premises in Dorset Street &
subsequently the premises belonging to Mr Rice Cowkeeper abutting North
on Mr Babbage's Garden and which are entered from Paddington Street and I
ascertained that with the exception of the two Premises referred to,
there is no other Ground contiguous to Mr Babbage's residence which
could be so well adapted for the proposed object.
I transmit a general Plan
explanatory of the locality. I also examined the present Workshops and
Premises in Prospect Place for the purpose of making myself acquainted
with the extent of Ground and nature of the Buildings which would be
required in the new Situation. I find the present Premises have become
inappropiate & inadequate for their purpose, besides being
inconveniently situated. It appears they are not fire proof & they
contain the original drawings & calculations from which the Engine
is being constructed, as well as the various parts of the Machinery
hitherto prepared and the Workshops are fitted up with Engines and tools
of the most ingenious and expensive description and the destruction of
the property above enumerated would be perhaps irreparable; another and
perhaps the strongest argument alledged in favor of the removal of the
establishment is the necessity which now exists of erecting a platform
upon which to place permanently the Engine and for which the present
Premises and locality would neither be sufficiently spacious nor
convenient.
It would seem therefore
proper that a fire proof room for the Engine with Workshops contiguous
should be provided as early as possible and for obvious reasons they
should be as much as possible under the eye of Mr Babbage, -but, the
advantages which would be gained by having the constant superintendance
of Mr Babbage have already, I understand, been so strongly pointed out
by the Committee of Engineers appointed by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer it is unecessary for me to say more on the subject, excepting
to add, that a communication from either of the before mentioned Sites
near his Residence could be made direct into his own Garden. I find Mr
Rice's Premises to consist of a large Yard surrounded with Cow Houses,
&c., a private House & Gateway in Paddington Street is attached.
He is carrying on an extensive business there and has I understand
lately obtained a renewal of his Lease -but, as on my application to him
yesterday he stated verbally to my Clerk his absolute refusal to
dispose of any portion of the Premises in question and as the purchase
or rental, even if he could be induced to part with them would in
addition to good will compensations and alterations amount to more than
that of the Premises belonging to Mr Babbage I will restrict my
observations to the latter.
These consist of a
Tenement No. 30 in East Street, the Ground Floor of which is occupied by
a Coachhouse & passage in front and six stall Stable behind. There
is one living Room on each of the three Stories over the Coachhouse,
&c., and a roomy loft over the Stable. The vacant Ground contains
about 3750 superficial feet on the Ground Floor and is surrounded by a
Brick Wall. In reply to a Letter I addressed him on the 19th Instant
enquiring whether he would be willing to dispose of his Interest in the
same to the Crown and in that case on what Terms. I have received a
Letter from him a Copy of which I now enclose. It appears Mr Jearrad's
Valuation referred to by Mr Babbage is as follows, vizt
A. Rent for upper part of House No. 30 East Street proposed to be made the residence of the Engineer .......£31 - 10 - 0
B. Do.- Six Stall Stable behind do. ......... 31 - 10 - 0
Do.- Coachhouse being Ground Floor of House .... 12 - 0 - 0
C. Ground Rent for Vacant
Plot -written £50 in Mr Jearrad's Valuation but should be £60 as would
appear by his Cast £135 and by his Letter of explanation to Mr Babbage
dated this day
.......... 60 - 0 - 0
-----------
£135 - 0 - 0
-----------
Mr Babbage in addition
reserves a width of 10 feet 6 inches the whole length of the Ground
Story of the House as shown on the accompanying Plan, as a Roadway to
Stabling he may hereafter erect and he further wishes to reserve the
fittings of the present Stable.
I beg to add that Mr
Babbage has a Term of about 55 Years unexpired of his Lease and I
observe that in his Letter to me of the 19th Instant, he only states his
willingness to grant a Lease of the Premises in question. I am not
aware if the Commissioners would object to become his Tenants. The Rent
as valued by Mr Jearrad vizt One hundred and thirty five Pounds does not
appear to me more than Mr Babbage could obtain if he thought proper to
let off the Premises in question to individuals.
I beg to submit the
propriety of an arrangement being made with Mr Babbage in the event of
the Crown taking his Premises so as reserve a right of Way for Carts,
&c, up the Roadway which I understand he intends to retain from East
Street.
At the present stage of
the business I have abstained from entering minutely into the
Consideration of the new Buildings and alterations of the old Premises
which would be required; but I think the whole may be executed for about
£2700 so as to afford all the necessary accommodation.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedt and
humble Servant
Decimus Burton.
[To] Alexr. Milne Esq.
[Plan of Site included]
3. Copy of Letter from Charles Babbage to Decimus Burton dated 19th April 1831
Dorset Street
Manchester Square
19th April 1831
Sir,
In reply to your Letter of
this morning enquiring whether I am willing to dispose of my Interest
in the Premises No. 30 in East Street and in the Plot of Ground
adjoining the Garden behind my House in Dorset Street as explained in
the Plan forwarded by you I beg to state that if it shall be found
desirable for the Government I shall be willing to grant a Lease either
on the Terms mentioned in a Report of Messrs Jearrad which is in the
Office of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or that I shall be willing to
let it at such a Rent as yourself or any competent person whom the
Commissioners of His Majesty's Woods and Forests may think fit to
appoint shall think to be its fair Value.
I am,
Sir
Your obedt Servt.
C. Babbage.
[To] Decimus Burton Esq.
4. Treasury Authority to Office of Woods &c. for the purchase of premises in East Street dated 6th May 1831
Treasury Chambers
6th May 1831
My Lord and Gentlemen,
Having laid before the
Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury your Report of the 30th
Ulto on the subject of the proposed removal of Mr Babbage's Calcualting
Engine from Prospect Place Lambeth to East Street in the Vicinity of
Dorset Street Manchester Square his Present Residence. I have it in
command to acquaint you that my Lords approve of your entering into a
Treaty with Mr Babbage either for the Purchase of his Lease of the
Premises and Ground described in your Report or for obtaining a Lease
from him for the whole period of his Term which ever course of the two
may appear to you most advisable; and when the Premises and Ground shall
have been obtained by you, My Lords desire that a complete
specification of all the work necessary to be executed for the reception
of the calculating Machine and for the accommodation of the Engineer,
and for all other arrangements necessary to be made, may be carefully
prepared and transmitted to this Board, with an Estimate of the whole
expence of completing these arrangements so that no further Expence
beyond that Estimate may have to be incurred.
I am,
My Lord and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant
J. Stewart.
5. Copy of Letter from the Office of Woods to Decimus Burton dated 20th May 1831
Office of Woods, &c.
20th May 1831
Sir,
I am directed by the
Commissioners of His Majesty's Woods, Forests & Land Revenues to
acquaint you that they have laid before the Lords of His Majesty's
Treasury your Report of the 21st Ult rel: to the proposed removal of Mr.
Babbage's Calculating Engine, &c., from Prospect Place Lambeth to
East Street, in the Vicinity of Dorset Street Manchester Square where Mr
Babbage resides -and that their Lordships have been pleased to approve
of the said Commissioners entering into a Treaty either for the Purchase
of his Lease of the Premises and Ground described in your said Report
or for obtaining a Lease from him for the whole period of his Term which
ever course of the two may appear to be most advisable and their
Lordships have also been pleased to desire that when the said Premises
and ground shall have been obtained by this Board a complete
Specification of all the Work necessary to be executed for the reception
of the calculating Engine and for the accommodation of the Engineer and
for all other Arrangements necessary to be made may be carefully
prepared and transmitted to their Lordships with an Estimate of the
whole Expense of completing these arrangements so that no further
Expense beyond that Estimate may have to be incurred. And I am commanded
by the said Commissioners to desire that you will communicate with Mr.
Babbage upon this Subject and report to me for this Board's information
the terms and conditions upon which the Premises in question may be
obtained either upon a Lease for the whole of Mr. Babbage's term or by
purchase of his Entire Interest therein. And that you will also prepare
and transmit to me an exact Specification of all the Works necessary to
be effected for completing the proposed arrangements and an accurate
Estimate of the Costs of executing the same.
I am, &c.
(signed) A. Milne
(to) Decimus Burton Esq.
6. Copy of a letter from the Office of Woods to Decimus Burton dated 12th July 1831
Office of Woods, &c.
12th July 1831
[Office of Works ref: In red Ink 'With 5995']
Sir,
With reference to your
Letter to me of the 1st Inst on the subject of the removal of Mr
Babbage's Calculating Engine from Prospect Place Lambeth to East Street
in the Vicinity of Dorset Street Manchester Square where Mr. Babbage
resides and wherein you mention that in a Letter which you had that day
received from Mr. Babbage he suggested the propriety of your naming that
he had not assented to granting the right of way for carts, &c.,
which in your Report on this subject of the 21st of April last you
recommended should be reserved to this Board up the Roadway under the
House No. 31 East Street I am commanded by the said Commissioners to
request that you will inform Mr. Babbage that the Commissioners consider
the reservation of the Right of Way for Carts, &c., so essential to
an advantageous occupation of the Premises that unless it is conceded
by Mr. Babbage they shall not feel themselves warranted in recommending
the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury to authorize the arrangement
proposed in your said Letter to be carried into effect.
I am to request that you
will ascertain and let me know for the Board's information Mr. Babbage's
determination on this point with your earliest Convenience.
I am, &c.
(signed) A. Milne
(to) Decimus Burton, Esq.
7. Office of Woods Report to the Treasury 29th July 1831
Office of Woods, &c.
29th July 1831
My Lords,
We received Mr Stewart's
Letter of the 6th May last acquainting us that you Lordships had had
under consideration our Report to your Lordships of the 30th of April
last on the subject of the proposed removal of Mr Babbage's calculating
Engine from Prospect Place Lambeth to East Street in the vicinity of
Dorset Street Manchester Square where Mr Babbage resides and that your
Lordships approved of our entering into a Treaty with Mr Babbage either
for the purchase of his Lease of the Premises and Ground described in
our said Report or of obtaining a Lease from him for the whole of his
Term, whichever course of the two might appear to be the most advisable.
And that your Lorships desired that when the Premises and Ground should
have been obtained by us a complete Specification of all the works
necessary to be executed for the reception of the Calculating Engine and
for the accommodation of the Engineer and for all other arrangements
necessary to be made might be carefully prepared and transmitted to Your
Lordships with an Estimate of the whole Expence of completing those
arrangements so that no further Expence beyond that Estimate might have
to be incurred.
And having accordingly
instructed Mr Decs. Burton to communicate with Mr Babbage upon this
subject and report to us the Terms and Conditions upon which the
Premises in question might be obtained either upon a Lease for the whole
of Mr Babbage's term or by purchase of his entire interest therein and
to prepare and transmit to us an exact specification of all the Works
necessary to be effected for completing the proposed arrangements and an
accurate Estimate of the Costs of executing those Works. We have
received from Mr Burton a Report dated 1st Inst in which he states that
he had communicated with Mr Babbage upon this subject and had received
from him the two Letters (dated respectively 19th of April and 1st Inst
and annexed to Mr Burton's Report) from which Letters it would appear
that Mr Babbage declines to sell his intire interest in the Premises but
is willing to grant a Lease of the Premises required at the yearly
Rent of £135 and upon the other Terms mentioned in the Report of
Messrs Jearrad referred to in our said Report which Mr Burton repeats
his opinion to be reasonable on the Ground that Mr Babbage might in his
judgment readily obtain that amount of Rent for the Premises if he
thought proper to let the same to the proprietors of the Surrounding
Houses and others but that Mr Babbage does not assent to the right of
Way for Carts, &c., which Mr Burton had recommended should be
reserved up the Roadway under the House No. 31 East Street. Mr Burton's
report is also accompanied by a Specification of the Works required and
four Drawings explanatory of the same and an Estimate of the Cost
amounting to £2934-13-0 of executing these works including an Apparatus
for warming the Engine Room and Sitting Room adjoining -the laying on
Pipes for conveying Gas for lighting the same, Architects Commission and
Clerk of Works Salary. Copies of Mr Burton's said Report and of the
Papers which accompanied the same are annexed hereto.
The reservation of the
right of Way for carts, &c., up the Roadway under the House No. 31
East Street recommended by Mr Burton but it seems objected to by Mr
Babbage appearing to us to be very essential to an advantageous
occupation of the Premises we directed Mr Burton to inform Mr Babbage
that unless he conceded the same we should feel ourselves called upon to
advise your Lordships not to sanction the proposed measure, and in
reply we have received a Letter dated 14th Inst from Mr Burton enclosing
a Letter of the same date from Mr Babbage (Copies of which are annexed
hereto) in which he states that he has no objection to grant the right
of way desired on Condition that it be exercised only between the hours
of 6 in the morning and 6 in the Evening and then only for Carriages to
the back Premises agreed to be taken by the Crown and that the way be
not used as the ordinary Entrance to those Premises for the Workmen for
whom a Passage is already provided in the Plan and in Mr Burton's Letter
he submits there will be no inconvenience experienced if these
conditions be acceded to.
We also transmit to your
Lordships herewith the above mentioned four explanatory Drawings which
we have received from Mr Burton and with reference to our Report to your
Lordships of the 30th of April last on this subject we beg leave to
report that if your Lordships shall be pleased to sanction the proposed
arangement it will be advisable to stipulate that in the event of Mr
Babbage's death or removal during the Term of the proposed Lease from
his present Residence which, it seems, he holds for a term of which
about 55 Years are unexpired the preemption of his Interest in the
Premises shall be secured to His Majesty's Government.
We are,
My Lords,
Your Lordships
very humble Servants
Duncannon
Wm. Dacres Adams
Henry Dawkins
[To] The Right Honbles
The Lords Commissioners
of His Majesty's Treasury
8. Decimus Burton to Alexander Milne of the Office of Woods, Forests &c. dated 1st July 1831
6 Spring Garden,
July 1st 1831
Sir,
According to the
directions of the Board communicated in your Letter of the 20th May last
that I should communicate with Mr Babbage upon the subject of the
disposal of his interest to the Crown of certain Premises in East Street
Manchester Square, for the purpose of a room for the reception of his
Calculating Engine, &c., being erected thereon. I beg leave to
report that I have received from him two letters on the business as
herewith transmitted in the former of which dated 19th April and of
which I had the honor to transmit to you a Copy on the 21st of that
month, he states his willingness to grant a Lease of the Premises in
question and as explained by the general Plan which accompanied my
Letter -on the terms mentioned in a Report of Messrs Jearrad's sent by
Mr Babbage to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or that he will be
willing to let the Premises at such a Rent as I or any competent person
whom the Commissioners of His Majesty's Woods, &c., may think fit to
appoint shall think its fair Value. In his Letter of this date he
states he is not willing to sell his interest in the said Premises.
I enclose the rent as
valued by Mr. Jearrad, vizt. one hundred and thirty five Pounds per
Annum and as detailed in my former Letter, is fair and reasonable on the
ground that Mr Babbage might readily in my Opinion obtain such amount
of rent for the premises if he thought proper to let the same to the
proprietors of the surrounding houses and others.
I should add that in
another Letter received from Mr Babbage to day, he suggests the
propriety of my naming that he had not assented to the right of way for
Carts, &c., which I recommended should be reserved by the
Commissioners up the Roadway under the House No. 31 East Street.
According to the further
commands of the Board transmitted in your same Letter I beg to submit
herewith Plans and Specification of the Buildings and Works required for
the proposed purposes, on the Site in question. Also, an Estimate at
which I consider the whole may be executed including an apparatus for
warming the Engine Room and Sitting Room adjoining -the laying on pipes
for conveying Gas for lighting the same, Architect's Commission, and
Clerk of Works Salary.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most obedient
and humble Servant
Decimus Burton
[to] Alexr. Milne Esq.
Estimate for Building proposed to be created in East Street Manchester Square to contain Mr Babbage's Calculating Engine.
£. s. d.
Digging and Carting 34 2 6
Bricklayer 963 6 6
Slater 19 7 6
Carpenter Joiner Smith & Glazier 798 4 0
Mason 84 17 6
Plasterer 130 0 0
Painter 80 0 0
Plumber 295 0 0
Warm Air Apparatus (Mr Price) 80 0 0
for Erecting the Stoke hole, &c.,for do. 80 0 0
Laying on the Gas 46 0 0
Stoves 12 0 0
Foundation for Engine, say 65 0 0
_____________
£2667 18 0
£10 per Cent Incidentals 267 15 0
_____________
£2934 13 0
Specification of the manner
of erecting a Building to contain Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine
with Forge Workshops, &c., and of additions and repairs to the
adjoining House in East Street Manchester Square, according with the
Drawings accompanying.
July 1st 1831.
The present South and East
Fence Walls of the open space of Ground to be taken down -the west Fence
Wall to be underpinned if found necessary.
The Yards and the Carriage Entrance to be gravelled.
All the new Walls to be
built of brickwork of the best quality - The external Work to be of
picked Stocks, neatly pointed - Three rods of brickwork and 50 feet Cube
of fir are included in the Estimate for any extra Work, which if not
required will be allowed for - The Timber and Deals to be from the
Baltic and of the best quality of their resective Sorts - The Oak to be
English.
The roofs to be covered
with lead except those of the Forge and of the additional part of
Dwellinghouse which are to be covered with the best Dutchess Slates,
Lead pipes, Vallies, Gullies and Flashings.
The Engine Room and
Calculating room to be fire proof -the roofs formed of brick arches and
Iron Springers with metal Turret lights in Iron frames and covered with
patent Slates -The North Wall of Engine Room is prepared for a Window
Opening in case it shall be found necessary.
The Floor of Engine Room to
be paved with 4" York Stone on brick pinning Walls, the Calculating
Room to have an 1½ deal Floor on Oak Joists and Sleepers.
The Walls of these two
Rooms to be battined, lathed, plastered and finished bastard Stucco
& painted and to have plain Cornices round -These Rooms to be heated
by a Warm Water Apparatus.
The doors to be 2" deal 4
panel molded, the remainder of the doors throughout to be Square framed.
The Workshop on Ground Floor and the Forge to be paved with Bricks on
Edge -the Passage for the Engineers from East Street to be paved with
York Stone.
All the other Floors to be 1½ deal laid folding.
A Deal Staircase to ascend to Dwellinghouse and deal steps in Workshops.
The Sashes throughout the Turret and Skylights to be metal glazed with second best Crown Glass.
The opening at the end of Workmen's Passage to have Iron Bars only.
The pantry to be enclosed with 1½ deal framed partition the upper panels filled in with fly wire.
The WaterCloset to Dwellinghouse to be filled up with a patent pan apparatus with deal seat riser and flap.
The Privy for the Workmen
to have a Staffordshire Ware hopper supplied with Water from the Cistern
over which is to contain 500 Gallons, a Cock in the Yard to be also
supplied from this Cistern.
A Cistern over the Watercloset to contain 250 Gallons.
The Walls of Kitchen Pantry Staircase and Passage to be plastered and colored and those of living Room papered.
A new pair of framed and
braced Carriage Gates at Entrance from East Street and a four panel
molded door adjoining with fan light over. This doorway to have Cement
pilasters and Entablature. Also a similar pair of Carriage Gates to the
Yard.
The whole of the Dwellinghouse in East Street to be completely repaired.
The Premises throughout to be made complete and left clear and fit for use and occupation.
9. Letter from C. Babbage to Decimus Burton, 19th April 1831
Sir,
In reply to your Letter of
this Morning enquiring whether I am willing to dispose of my interest
in the Premises No. 30 in East Street and in the Plot of Ground
adjoining the Garden behind my House in Dorset Street as explained in
the Plan forwarded by you I beg to state that if it shall be found
desirable for the Government I shall be willing to grant a Lease either
on the terms mentioned in a Report of Messrs Jearrad which is in the
Office of the Chancellor of the Exchequer or that I shall be willing to
let it at such a Rent as yourself or any competent person whom the
Commissioners of H.M. Woods & Forests may think fit to appoint shall
think to be its fair value.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedt Servt
C. Babbage
19 April 1831
Dorset Street
Manchester Square
To Decimus Burton Esq.
10. Letter from C. Babbage to Decimus Burton 1st July 1831
My Dear Sir,
In answer to your
application relative to the sale of the premises in East Street and the
Ground behind. I wish to state that I am not willing to sell my whole
term therein, but that I am quite willing to grant a lease during the
whole continuence of the term I possess as stated in my former letter.
I remain
My Dear Sir
Yours Faithfully
C. Babbage
Dorset Street
Manchr. Sqe.
1 July 1831
To Decimus Burton Esqre.
11. Decimus Burton to Alexander Milne, 14th July 1831
6 Spring Garden
14th July 1831
Sir,
I beg to acknowledge your
letter of the 12th Instant, on the subject of the right of way required
from Mr Babbage in East Street, and to state that I communicated to him
the determination of the Board expressed.
I have received from him
to day the enclosed letter, in which you will observe he consents to
grant the right of Way on condition that it shall be used between the
hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. only and as a carriage way and not as the
ordinary Footway for the Workmen to the Premises agreed to be leased to
the Crown.
I beg to submit there would be no inconvenience experienced if these conditions be acceded to.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedt Servant
Decimus Burton
[to] Alexr. Milne Esqre.
12. C. Babbage to Decimus Burton, 14th July 1831
Dear Sir
I beg to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of yesterday enclosing one from Mr Milne to you
of 12th Instant, in which he states the Commissioners of Woods shall not
feel themselves warranted in recommending to the Lords Commissioners of
H.M. Treasury to authorise the arrangements proposed as to the taking
my Ground near East Street unless I grant a right of way for Carts
&c. under No. 31 in East Street.
I beg to say I have no
objection to grant the right of way in question, on the following
conditions. viz., That it shall be used only between the hours of 6 am
& 6 p.m. and then only for Carriages to the back premises
agreed to be leased to the Crown, and that it shall not be used as the
ordinary entrance for the Workmen to those premises for whom a passage
is already provided in your plan.
I am Dear Sir
yours faithfully
C. Babbage
1 Dorset Street
Manchesr. Square
14 July 1831
To Decimus Burton Esqre.
13. J. Stewart, Secretary of H.M. Treasury, to the Commissioners of Wood and Forests, 19th August 1831
My Lord and Gentlemen,
Having laid before the
Lords &c. your Report of the 29th Ulto. transmitting with reference
to my letter of 6th May last on the subject of the proposed removal of
Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine from Prospect Place Lambeth to East
Street 4 Drawings explanatory of the Buildings proposed to be erected
for its reception with a Specification and Estimate of the cost of the
proposed arrangement for such removal, I have it in command to authorize
you to take a Lease of Mr. Babbage's Premises and vacant plot of Ground
in East Street at the yearly rent of £135 and upon the other terms
mentioned in the report of Messrs. Jearrad referred to in your report of
30th April last, and also [deleted: on] in your present Report. At the
same time I am to desire that you will stipulate that in the event of Mr
Babbage's death or removal during the Term of the proposed Lease from
his present Residence in Dorset Street Manchester Square the pre-emption
of his Interest in that residence should be secured to his Majesty's
Government.
I am further to acquaint
you that my Lords are by no means satisfied of the necessity of
incurring so large an Expense as £2934-13-0 in constructing Buildings
and Works for the Calculating Engine. They particularly remark that a
permanent Workshop upon a larger scale than would seem requisite when
the Engine is completed forms a part of the plan and it would appear
that a larger proportion of the Expense relates to other Buildings in
which the Machine is not to be placed.
My Lords desire that you
will report what proportion of the sum of £2934-13-0 forms the Estimated
Expence of the room in which the Engine is to be placed and They desire
to have an amended Plan & Estimate on a more oeconomical Scale in
which the Engine Room is distinguished from the rest of the Plan.
J. Stewart
19 August 1831.
14. Letter from the Office of Woods, &c. to Decimus Burton, 12th September 1831
[Office of Works reference no. in red ink: With 5995]
Office of Woods, &c.
12th Sept 1831
Sir,
I am commanded by the
Commissioners of His Majesty's Woods, Forests and Land Revenues to
acquaint you that they have laid before the Lords Commissioners of His
Majesty's Treasury your Letter to me of the 1st of July last with the
accompanying specification and Estimate of the Costs (amounting to
£2934-13-0) of the Buildings and Works required at the Premises in East
Street Manchester Square for the purpose of receiving and working Mr.
Babbage's calculating Engine about to be placed in those Premises. And
that the Commissioners have received from their Lordships a Letter dated
19th Ult. wherein it is stated their Lordships are by no means
satisfied of the necessity of incurring so large an Expence as
£2934-13-0 in constructing Buildings and Works for the Calculating
Engine: that their Lordships particularly remark that a permanent
workshop upon a larger Scale than would seem requisite when the Engine
is completed forms a part of the Plan and it would appear that a large
proportion of the Expence relates to other Buildings in which the
Machine is not to be placed and that their Lordships therefore desire
that they may be informed what proportion of the Sum of £2934-13-0 forms
the estimated Expence of the room in which the Engine is to be placed
and to be furnished with an amended Plan and Estimate on a more
oeconomical Scale in which the Engine Room is distinguished from the
rest of the Plan.
And I am to desire that
you will with the least possible delay furnish me for this Board's
information with a Report containing the information required by their
Lordships accompanied by the desired amended Plan and Estimate.
I am &c.
(signed) A. Milne
(to) D. Burton Esq.
P.S. It may be advisable that before you make your Estimate you should communicate with Mr. Babbage.
15. Letter from the Office of Woods and Forests to the Lords Commissioners of H.M. Treasury, 13th October 1831
Office of Woods &c.
13th October 1831
My Lords
By Mr Stewart's Letter of
the 19th Augt last on the subject of the proposed removal of Mr
Babbage's Calculating Engine from Prospect Place Lambeth to East Street
in the Vicinity of Dorset St. Manchester Square, we were informed that
your Lordships were pleased to authorize us to take a lease of Mr
Babbage's premises and vacant plot ground in East Street at the yearly
rent of #135 and upon the other terms mentioned in the Report of Messrs
Jearrad referred to in our Reports to your Lordships of the 30th April
and 29th of July last respectively and desiring that we would stipulate
that in the event of Mr Babbage's death or removal during the term of
the proposed Lease from his present residence in Dorset Street
Manchester Square, the preemtion of his Interest in that Residence
should be secured to His Majesty's Government -and stating that your
Lordship's are by no means satisfied of the necessity of incurring so
large an Expenditure as £2934-13-0 (the amount of Mr Decimus Burton's
Estimate) in constructing Buildings and works for the Calculating
Engine, and that your Lordships particularly remark that a permanent
Workshop upon a larger Scale than would seem requisite when the Engine
is completed forms a part of the Plan and it would appear that a large
proportion of the Expence relates to other Buildings in which the
Machine is not to be placed. And that your Lordships therefore desire us
to report what proportion of the said sum of £2934-13-0 forms the
Estimated Expence of the Room in which the Engine is to be placed and to
furnish your Lordships with an amended Plan and Estimate on a more
oeconomical Scale in which the Engine room is to be distinguished from
the rest of the Plan.
We accordingly acquainted
Mr Decimus Burton with the purport of Mr Stewarts said letter and
instructed him to communicate with Mr Babbage thereon, and to furnish us
with a report containing the information required by your Lordships
accompanied by the desired amended Plan and Estimate.
We have received from Mr
Burton a Report dated 24th Ulto with an amended Plan Section Elevation
and Estimate and a Letter dated 16th Ulto from Mr Babbage to Mr Burton
with a narrative of Mr Babbage's reasons for thinking that the workshops
necessary for the Calculating Engine should be permanent instead of
temporary -the above mentioned Plan Section and Elevation we transmit to
your Lordships herewith -and copies of Mr Burtons said Report and
Estimate and of Mr Babbage's said letter and narrative are annexed
hereto for your Lordships information.
In Mr Burtons said report
he states that he has communicated with Mr Babbage on the subject and
pointed out to him the Commands he (Mr Burton) had received to furnish
Plans on a more oeconomical Scale that Mr Babbage had furnished him with
the before mentioned narrative of his Opinions regarding the
constructing of the Workshops in a durable or in a temporary manner -and
suggesting the omission of the separate Building for a Forge as the
only alteration which appeared to him consistent with the objects in
view and that even this alteration would cause some inconvenience, and
Mr Burton adds that Mr Babbage having so fully entered into the
Circumstances of the case he does not feel that he need offer further
observations, that he has carefully reconsidered the Plans
Specifications and Estimates with a view to the lessening of the Cost
and finds that by the omission of the Forge House altogether, and by
lowering and building the workshops in a less substantial manner a
saving of £336-12-0 may be effected as explained in the aforementioned
Plan Section and Statement of the separate Estimate of each Building
that the Cost of the Buildings would then remain at £2380-5-0 exclusive
of the amount of the Estimated cost of Stoves Warming Apparatus and Gas
fittings amounting to £198 and of Architects Commission and Clerk of
Works Salary under the head of contingencies amounting to £19-16-0 which
last mentioned two sums being added to the said Sum of £2380-5-0 make a
total of £2598-1-0 as the Amount of the Reduced Estimate, being as
before mentioned £336-12-0 less than the former Estimate.
We would suggest to your
Lordship that in arranging with Mr Babbage for securing to the Crown the
preemtion of his Interest in his present Residence in Dorset Street
Manchester Square in the events before mentioned it should be stipulated
that in case there should be any difference of opinion as to the amount
of the sum to be paid for this Interest (if purchased) the same should
be determined by a Reference to Arbitrators or an Umpire as usual in
such cases.
We are
my Lords
Your Lordships
very humble Servants
Duncannon
Wm. Dacres Adams
Henry Dawkins
To the Right Honbls
The Lord Commissioners
of His Majesty's Treasury
16. Decimus Burton to Alexr Milne of the Office of Woods, &c., 24th September 1831
6 Spring Garden
September 24 1831
Sir
I beg to acknowledge your
letter of the 12th Inst in which you inform me that the Lords of His
Majesty's Treasury are by no means satisfied of the necessity of
incurring so large an expence as £2934-13-0 in constructing Buildings
and Works in East Street Manchester Square for the purpose of receiving
and working Mr Babbage's Calculating Engine, that their Lordships
particularly remark that a permanent Workshop upon a larger scale than
would seem requisite when the Engine is completed forms a part of the plan,
and it appearing that a large proportion of the Expence relates to
other Buildings in which the machine is not to be placed. Their
Lordships desire to be informed what proportion of the sum £2934-13-0
forms the Estimated expence of the Engine Room and to be furnished with
an amended Plan and Estimate on a more oeconomical Scale distinguishing
this room from the rest of the plan.
Accordingly I beg to state
I have communicated with Mr Babbage on this subject pointing out the
commands I have received to furnish plans on a more oeconomical scale.
He has favored me with the
accompanying statement of his opinions regarding the propriety of
constructing the Workshops in a durable or temporary manner, and
suggesting the omission of the separate building for a forge as the only
alteration which appears to him consistent with the objects in view,
and even this it appears would cause some inconvenience.
Mr Babbage having so fully
entered into the circumstances of the case I do not feel I need offer
further observations but to add I have carefully reconsidered the plans
specifications and Estimates with a view to the lessening of the cost
and I beg leave to report that by the omission of the Forge House
altogether, and by lowering and building in a less substantial manner
the Workshops a saving may be effected of £336-12-0 according to the
accompanying Plans and Sections with annexed statement of the separate
Estimate of each building.
The cost of the Building
would then remain at £2380-5-0 exclusive of Stoves Warming apparatus and
Gas Fittings for which and for the Architects Commission Clerk of Works
Salary under head of contingencies I subjoin distinct Estimates on the
annexed statement. The amount of these added to the above would make a
total of £2598-1-0.
I have the honor to be
Sir
your most obedient
and humble servant
Decimus Burton
[to] Alexr. Milne Esqre.
Statement of the separate
Estimated costs of the respective Buildings proposed to be erected for
Mr Babbage's Calculating Engine.
==========
As originally Estimated
--------
£ s d
Building for the Calculating Engine 964-12- 3
The Workshops 932- 5- 3
Fitting up and altering
No.30 in East Street to contain the Entrance to the Establishment and
House over it for the resident Engineer. 419- 0- 0
The Forge House 154- 0- 0
---------
2469-17- 6
Add 10 per cent for Contingencies 246-19- 6
[Total] 2716-17- 0
Proposed reductions
----------
Omit Forge and add to Fence walls 131- 0- 0
Reduce height of workshops substitute slated roof for lead flat lessen thickness of walls and omit brick paving.
175- 0- 0
---------
306- 0- 0
Add 10 per cent for Contingencies to be allowed in Estimate
30-12- 0
---------
[Subtotal] 336-12- 0
Reduced Estimate 2380- 5- 0
[Ms here says this figure is carried and brought forward]
Add if Warming Apparatus be applied 140- 0- 0
Add if Gas be laid on 46- 0- 0
Add for Stoves 12- 0- 0
---------
198- 0- 0
Add 10 per cent for Contingencies 19-16- 0
----------
[Subtotal] 217-16- 0
----------
Total 2598- 1- 0
----------
17. C. Babbage to Decimus Burton, 16th September 1831
Dear Sir,
In reference to our
conversation this morning and to Mr Milne's letter to you of the 12th
Instant respecting the making such alteration in the buildings required
for the Calculating Engine as shall lead to a diminished expence in
their construction, and particularly with reference to those necessary
for the Workshops. I beg to state that the accompanying paper explains
the grounds on which it appears to me to be inexpedient to make the
buildings intended for the Workshops of a temporary nature.
The only alteration which
appears to me to be consistent with the object in view is altogether to
omit the room for a forge and to substitute a portable forge in the
lower floor of the Workshop. In these circumstances the larger Iron work
must be sent out to be executed, which might not be attended with any
very considerable inconvenience.
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours faithfully
C.Babbage
Dorset St
Manchester Square
16 Sept 1831
To Decimus Burton Esqre.
Reasons for making the Workshops necessary for the Calculating Engine, permanent instead of temporary.
The proposed workshops consist of two floors each of about 50 feet long, one being insufficient.
It is essential for the
perfection of the work that the Lathes and tools should be fixed in a
very firm manner so as to avoid all shake, consequently the floor must be of great strength and the walls which support it be proportionably strong.
The difference of expence
between a temporary and a permanent building can therefore only arise
from the nature of the roof, for the front which is almost entirely of
glass is already as little expensive as the case admits.
When the Engine is
completed, but a small part of these workshops will be required for any
repairs or alterations. It is however possible that the remainder may be
found convenient for one or more of the following reasons.
The produce of the Engine
will be Engraved Copper Plates -the tables used by the Public will be
printed from them. Government may think it right themselves to print the
tables in which case the remainder of the Workshops would be requisite
for Copper plate presses, for storing up the plates and paper, both
printed and to be printed.
An objection may be urged
against the policy of this, on the ground, that individuals can always
manufacture an article at a cheaper rate than the Public. There are
however exceptions to this principle.
Government have lately
built extensive mills for manufacturing corn into biscuits, and it
appears that the expence of verifying the goodness of purchased biscuit
adds so much to their cost that it is cheaper for the Government to
manufacture them.
In the production of an
article already manufactured well and cheaply Government may not be able
to compete with individuals, but in improving machinery for the purpose
of reducing the cost of the production of an article Government may do
so sucessfully. Mr Brunel was paid for the contrivance of the Block
Machinery by (I believe) one third of the saving it produced in the
first year.
The expence of Copper
plate printing is much greater than that of Letter press printing, and
as it is obviously the interest of Government that the tables shall be
sold to the Public at the cheapest possible price, it might perhaps be
thought advisable (when the Engine is completed) to direct some
experiments to be instituted to ascertain whether the species of
Copper-plate printing requisite for tables might not be altogether
excuted by machinery as letter press printing is.
From an examination I have
made into the subject I do not think this result improbable or the
trial likely to be very expensive.
2. The Building might also be required for another purpose.
The numbers which are to be
placed in the Engine in order to direct it as to the nature of the
table it is to produce must be prepared by computers; and it is perhaps
not impossible that at some future period computing clerks may be
employed under the direction of some skilful mathematician who may also
have the direction of the Nautical Almanac and thus reduce considerably
the expence of its calculation.
3. After the ordinary and
more generally useful tables have been calculated and printed I am not
without hope that the Government may be induced to let the Engine
undertake some very extensive logarithmic and trigonometric tables,
which whilst they will compensate by the importance of their service
when employed for the diminished frequentcy of their use, shall be
worthy of being esteemed a National Work.
Such a set of tables were
computed about 30 years ago by order of the French Government but owing
to the expence of printing, have never yet been published.
4. Finally, even though
these or other unexpected uses which cannot now be foreseen should not
occur to render more space desireable, it appears to me that the
additional expence of rendering the Workshops permanent would soon be
repaid as they might when not wanted for the Engine be let to advantage,
more particularly as they abut on seven different houses in East Street
and Dorset Street from any of which, entrances might be made should it
be required.
C. Babbage
Dorset Street
Manchester Square
31 Augt 1831
18. Copy of letter from Treasury to Surveyor General of Works, 31st Oct 1831
[Registration No.] 20002
[Meeting dated] 25/10
6th Division
[Office of Works Registration No. [In Red Ink]: with 5995]
Treasury Chambers
31st Oct 1831
Sir,
I am commanded by the
Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to transmit herewith copy
of a Report from the Commissioners of Woods dated 13th Inst. relative to
the proposed arrangements for the removal of Mr. Babbage's Calculating
Engine to East Street, near Dorset Street Manchester Square, together
with a Plan and Copy of Estimate of the Costs of the proposed Buildings,
and I am to desire that you will, after communicating with the
Commissoners of Woods, adopt the necessary measures for erecting the
proposed Buildings, taking care that the said Works do not Exceed the
sum of £2,598-1-0 -the amount of the reduced Estimate.
I am Sir
Your obedt Servant
J. Stewart
[to] The Surveyor General of Works
19. Copy of Letter from Treasury to Office of Woods, &c. dated 31st October 1831
[Registration No.] 20002
[Date of Meeting:] 25/10
[Office of Works Registration No. 5995 [in red ink]: with 5995]
Treasury Chambers
31st October 1831
My Lord and Gentlemen
The Lords Commissioners of
His Majesty's Treasury having had under their consideration your Report
of the 13th instant on the subject of the removal of Mr Charles
Babbage's Calculating Engine to East Street in the vicinity of Dorset
Street Manchester Square I am commanded to acquaint you that their
Lordships have directed the Surveyor General of Works to communicate
with you for the purpose of erecting the proposed Buildings taking care
that the said works do not exceed the Sum of £2598-1-0 the Amount of the
reduced Estimate, and I am to desire that you will furnish him with
such further information as may be deemed necessary on this Subject; I
am also directed to acquaint you that their Lordship's Warrant
authorizing you to take a Lease of Mr Babbage's Premises will be
forwarded to you when complete.
I am
My Lord & Gent.
Your obed Servt
J.Stewart
[to] Commissioners of Woods, &c.
Note in Margin:
Entered in the Office of Land Revenue Records and Imoluments the 27th day of January 1843.
T.R. Fearnside, Keeper of the Records
The Warrant [added later]:
After our Hearty Commendations.
Having considered your
Reports dated respectively 30th April, 29th July and 13th October 1831
and approving thereof. These are to authorize and require you under the
power of the Act 10th George 4th Cap 50 to take a Lease of Mr Charles
Babbage's Premises and Vacant Plot of Ground in East Street, more
particularly mentioned in your said Reports, upon the Terms and
Conditions therein stated and at the yearly rent of One Hundred and
Thirty five Pounds. For which this shall be your Warrant. Whitehall
Treasury Chambers this 9th of November 1831
R. Vernon Smith
Geo: Ponsonby
F. Baring.
To the Commissioners of His Majesty's
Woods Forests and Land Revenues.
20. Copy of Letter from Office of Woods to the Surveyor General of Works, 15th Nov 1831
[Office of Works Registration No. [in red ink]: 5995]
Office of Woods, &c.
15th November 1831
Sir,
The Lords of His Majesty's
Treasury having by Letter, dated 31st Ulto, from Mr Stewart, caused the
Commissioners of His Majesty's Woods, Forests, & Land Revenues to
be informed, that their Lordships had been pleased to direct you to
communicate with the said commissioners, for the purpose of erecting
certain Buildings, and executing sundry other works in East Street, in
the vicinity of Dorset Street, Manchester Square, for purposes connected
with Mr Charles Babbage's Calculating Engine; taking care that the Cost
of the said Buildings and Works do not exceed the sum of £2598-1- 0 the
amount of the reduced Estimate, which had been made of the cost thereof
and that their Lordships desired, that the said Commissioners would
furnish you with such further information as may be deemed necessary on
this subject. I am commanded by the said Commissioners to transmit to
you the enclosed Copies of the several papers (of which a list is
subjoined) on this subject, for your information, and to enable you to
carry into effect the directions above mentioned to have been given to
you by their Lordships.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant
A. Milne
[to] Major General Sir C.B.[B.C.] Stephenson K.G.H.
Documents referred to in preceding Letter
1831 April 19 Mr Babbage's Letter to Mr Burton
21 Mr Burton'd Report and Plan
30 Commissioners of Woods, &c. Report to Treasury
May 6 Treasury Letter
20 Letter to Mr Burton
July 1 Mr Burtons Report and Enclosures
12 Letter to Mr Burton
14 Letter from Mr Burton
14 Letter from Mr Babbage
29 Commissioners of Woods, &c. Report to Treasury
and 4 Plans which accompanied Ditto *
August 19 Treasury Letter
Septr 12 Letter to Mr Burton
24 Letter and Enclosures from Mr Burton
Oct 13 Commissioners of Woods, &c. Report to Treasury
31 Treasury Letter
[in pencil: * The Plan referred to in this Report was, it is stated, sent to Sir B.C. Stephenson direct from the Treasury.]
21. Letter from William and Lewis Cubitt to Works and Buildings Dept.
[Work Dept Ref No. in red ink : With 5995]
Gray's Inn Road
30th November 1831
Gentn.
We are willing to Erect
and Finish the New Buildings for Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine in
East Street Manchester Square Agreeably to the Drawings and
Specification for the Sum of Eighteen Hundred and ninety Pounds.
We are Gentn
Your obedient Servants
William and Lewis Cubitt
---------
£1890-0-0
---------
Accepted (signed) B.C. Stephenson
22. Letter from Decimus Burton to Works Dept
[Works Department Ref. No. in red ink: In 6099]
6 Spring Garden
February [del: 2nd] 6th 1832
I hereby certify that
Messrs Cubitt, having completed two thirds of their Contract for the
Building now erecting to contain Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine,
workshops, Dwelling rooms, &c. in East Street, Manchester Square,
are entitled to receive the first Instalment on the same amounting to
one thousand pounds.
[Signed] Decimus Burton
£1000------
============
23. Letter from Decimus Burton to Sir B.C. Stephenson, 6th February 1832
[Works Dept Ref No. in red ink: No. 6099]
6 Spring Garden
6th February 1832
Sir,
I beg leave to acquaint
you, that Messrs Cubitt, having performed two thirds of the works under
their Contract dated 30th November last, for erecting Buildings for the
reception of Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine, &c., and by which
they become entitled to receive the Sum of One thousand pounds (£1000)
on account -request me to forward to you my certificate to that effect. I
beg leave accordingly to transmit the same herewith, and to add, that
in consequence of the urgent representations which were made by Mr.
Babbage &c. of the importance of having the works completed with all
possible dispatch, I therefore directed Messrs Cubitt to use every
exertion in forwarding the Buildings, and which they have now covered
in.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant
Decimus Burton
To Genl Sir B. Stephenson
Surveyor General
[In file at this point is a slip of paper bearing these words:
Plan/6
Note however Decimus Burton's plans for the buildings are missing from the collection.]
24. Commissioners of Woods &c. to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, 13th April 1832
Office of Woods &c.
13th April 1832
My Lords
With reference to your
Lordships Authority of the 31st October last to the Surveyor General of
the late Office of Works &c. for erecting Buildings in East Street
Manchester Square to contain Mr Babbage's Calculating Engine at an
Expence not exceeding Two Thousand Five hundred and Ninety eight pounds
and one shilling [in margin: £2598-1-0] the amount of the Estimate of Mr
Decimus Burton, the Architect employed for those Buildings, and also
referring to the circumstance of One Thousand pounds [in margin:
£1000-0-0] having been already issued by your Lordships to the Cashier
of the late Office of Works &c to enable him to pay the same to the
Contractor for the Works upon the Certificate of the Architect
transmitted to your Lordships by the Surveyor General of the late Office
of Works on 6th February last. We have now to state that the following
further sums amounting together to Six Hundred and Eighty three pounds
and nine shillings [in margin: £683-9-0] are certified to be at present
due as shown by the enclosed Statement recieved from the Architect, and
we beg leave to suggest to your Lordships that if you are pleased to
give the necessary authority the same may be paid out of the funds of
the Woods Forests &c. to be repaid to those Funds from the Grant of
Parliament for this service in the present year, when the whole of the
Works are completed and the exact expence ascertained.
Statement of the Sums now due
----------
A Second Instalment to Messrs W & L Cubitt the Contractors for the Buildings (at the Sum of £1890)
--------- 500- 0- 0
Messrs W & L Cubitt for Works for Warming the Building
--------- 140- 0- 0
----------
Total now proposed to be paid to Messrs W & L Cubitt
£640- 0- 0
Mr D.D. Neeve the Clerk of Works for Superintending the erection of the Building --------- 43- 9- 0
-----------
Total now proposed to be Authorized --------- £683- 9- 0
We have the honor to be
your Lordships
Obedient and Humble Servants
Duncannon
W.D. Adams
B.C. Stephenson
[to] The Lords Commissrs
of His Majesty's Treasury
Treasury to Commissioners of Woods &c.
25. Letter from the Treasury to the Office of Woods, &c., 9th May 1832
Treasury Chambers
9th May 1832
My Lord and Gentlemen
Having laid before the
Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury your Report of the 13th
Ulto enclosing a Statement of the further sums now due for the Erection
of Buildings in East Street Manchester Square to contain Mr Babbage's
Calculating Engine (in pursuance of Their Lordships Authority to the
Surveyor General of the late Office of Works of 31 October last)
amounting together to Six Hundred and Eighty three pounds and nine
shillings [in margin: £683-9-0] I have it in command to convey to you
the Authority of this Board for paying that Sum out of the Funds of your
Office in conformity with the request contained in your said Report.
I am
My Lord & Gentlemen
Edward Ellice
[to] Commissioners of Woods &c.
26. Commissioners of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues
Report to the Treasury of the Terms of the Underlease thereof held by the Crown, 22nd November 1842
[Minute No.] 4560 8/11/42
22nd November 1842 Office of Woods etc
My Lords,
We received Sir George
Clerk's Letter of the 7th Inst desiring that we would inform your
Lordships of the Terms of the Lease which was taken by this Board under
the Authority of your Lordships Warrant [Vide volume H7 page
222] of the 9th of November 1831 of Mr. Babbage's Premises and a Plot of
Ground in East Street St. Marylebone at a yearly Rent of #135 for the
purpose of erecting a Building thereon for the reception of Mr Babbage's
calculating Machine and more particularly as to whether any Power was
reserved to the Crown of giving up the possession of the Premises before
the expiration of the whole Term of the Lease.
And we beg leave to
acquaint your Lordships that the premises in question are held by an
Underlease granted on the 31st of December 1831 to a Trustee for the
Crown for a term of 110 days & 57 years from the day of the date
thereof at the Rent of £9-5-0 for the first 25 days and at the clear
yearly Rent of £135 for the remainder of the Term and that this
Underlease reserved to the Crown in certain events the preemption at a
price to be ascertained as therein mentioned of certain adjoining
Premises held by Mr. Babbage for the remainder of a term of 99 years
from Lady day 1789, in case he should during the term granted by the
Underlease die or remove from his then present Residence called Dorset
House adjoining to the Premises comprized in the Underlease, and situate
on the North side of Dorset Street, being part of the Premises held for
the remainder of the said Term of 99 years. The Underlease however does
not reserve to the Crown any power of giving up the possession
of the Premises before the expiration of the whole term of the
Underlease.
An Extract [Vide
page 312 in document] of the Underlease with a Plan of the Premises
comprized in it is transmitted herewith for your Lordship's information.
We are
My Lords
Your Lordships'
very humble Servts
Lincoln
A. Milne.
To the Right Honorable
The Lords Commissioners
of Her Majesty's Treasury
27. Treasury Letter
requesting to be informed of the particulars of the Lease of the House
in East Street for Mr. Babbage's Calculating Machine. 7th November 1842
Treasury Chambers 7th November 1842
My Lord and Gentlemen,
With reference to the
Letter from this Board of the 31st of October 1831 authorising you to
take a Lease of Mr Babbage's Premises and a Plot of Ground in East
Street Marylebone at a yearly Rent of £135, for the purpose of erecting
thereon a Building for the reception of Mr Babbage's Calculating
Machine, I have it in command from the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to request that you will at your earliest convenience
inform their Lordships of the terms of such Lease; and more
particularly as to whether any power was reserved to the Crown of giving
up possession of the Premises in question before the expiration of the
whole term of the Lease
I have the honor to be
My Lord and Gentlemen
Your most obedt Servt
G. Clerk
[to] Commissioners of Woods etc
28. Extract of Underlease held by the Crown of Mr Babbage's Premises. 1st Dec 1831
Extract of Underlease of
1st Dec 1831 from Charles Babbage Esq to a Trustee for the Crown of
certain Premises in East Street St. Marylebone.
Indenture of Underlease
between Charles Babbage of Dorset Street in the Parish of St Marylebone
Co. Middx Esq. of the 1st part The Right Honble John William Ponsonby
commonly called Viscount Duncannon William Dawes Adams and Henry Dawkins
Esquires the Commissioners of His Majesty's Woods Forests & Land
Revenues [deleted: Works and Buildings] of the 2nd part Alexander Milne
of Whitehall within the City and Liberty of Westminster Esq of the 3rd
part and the King's Most Excellent Majesty of the 4th part Reciting the
Art 10 George 4th Cap 50 Sec 47.49 (authorizing the Commissioners of
Woods etc to take or purchase Leases). And that the said Commissioners
had with the consent of the Lords of the Treasury testified in writing
by their Warrant dated 9th November then last (1831) treated and agreed
with the said Charles Babbage to take a Lease of the Ground Messuages
and Premises therein after described and demised for the Term, at the
Rent and subject to the Covenants and Agreements thereinafter reserved
and contained. And that in obedience to the provisions of the said Act
the said Commissioners had thought proper and it had been agreed between
all the parties thereto that the said Lease should be granted to the
Alexander Milne as a Trustee for His Majesty His Heirs and Successors as
thereinafter mentioned. It is witnessed that for the consideration
therein mentioned the said Charles Babbage (at the nomination and by the
appointment of the said Commissioners testified as therein mentioned
did demise and lease unto the said Alexander Milne his Executors
Administrators and Assigns.
A piece of Ground situate
on the East side of East Street in the Parish of St. Marylebone the
abuttals and dimensions whereof are particularly described therein and
in the plan in the margin Together with the Messuage or Building on the
North side of the said Ground and in the said Plan marked A being No. 30
in East Street aforesaid and part of another Building then or lately a
six stalled stable also standing on the North side of the said Ground
and in the said Plan marked B and all other Buildings (if any) upon the
said Ground together with a right of Road or Carriage Way of 10 feet 6
inches in width 13 feet in height (in front) passing through the Site of
the said six Stalled Stable and leading from East Street aforesaid as
well to the Premises thereby demised as also to the Premises of the said
Charles Babbage on the east side of the thereby demised premises and
passing under the said Messuage No. 30 in East Street and to be made by
the said Commissioners and to pass through or under the said Stable, and
through and over and upon the Ground, marked on the said Plan as open
yard, of the said Charles Babbage in the direction and on the line of
the said Roadway as particularly described on the said Plan with full
and free liberty for the said Alexander Milne his Executors
Administrators and Assigns and the Commissioners for the time being of
His Majesty's Woods etc with Carts Waggons Carriages and Horses to drive
side pass and repass in through upon and along the said Way or Road at
all times between the hours of 6 o'clock in the Morning and 6 o'clock in
the Evening of each and every day with all privileges and advantages
thereunto belonging and all ways etc To hold to the said Alexander Milne
his Executors Administrators and Assigns from the day of the date
thereof for 57 years & 110 days next ensuing In trust nevertheless
for the King's Majesty His Heirs and Successors At the Rent of £9 . 5 . 0
for the first 25 days ending on the 25th December 1831 and at the clear
yearly Rent of £135 for the remainder of the said Term payable as
therein mentioned. And at the monthly Rent of £50 payable therein
mentioned in case the Trades or Businesses therein specified or any
noisome or offensive Art Trade or Business whatsoever should be executed
or carried on upon the Premises without the consent in writing of the
said Charles Babbage his Executors Administrators or Assigns first
obtained.
Covenants by the said
Alexander Milne for the due payment of the respective Rents thereby
reserved. For keeping the Premises in repair and for yielding them up in
good repair at the end or sooner determination of the Term. And other
usual Covenants.
And it is further
witnessed and the said Charles Babbage did thereby for himself his Heirs
Executors and Admons covenant to pay the Rents and perform the
Covenants reserved and contained in the therein cited Lease of the 2nd
September 1790 under which the said Charles Babbage there held the
thereby demised Premises with the other Premises.
It is also witnessed and
the said Charles Babbage did thereby for himself his Heirs Executors and
Administrators further covenant that in case he should die or remove
from his then present Residence called Dorset House (which formed part
of the said Lease of the 2nd September 1790 before the expiration of the
Term therein granted it should be lawful for the Commissioners for the
time being of His Majesty's Woods Forests etc on behalf of His Majesty
His Heirs or Successors in the events therein mentioned to purchase from
the said Charles Babbage his Executors etc the said Messuage and the
Premises called Dorset House and the whole of the Hereditaments and
Premises comprized in said Lease of the 2nd Septr 1790 and not thereby
demised to Alexander Milne his Executors etc aforesaid for the residue
of the Term of 99 years from Lady day 1789 by the said Lease of the 2nd
Septr 1790 granted at such price as should be ascertained and determined
as therein mentioned.
29. Treasury Letter
Instructions for moving Mr Babbage's Calculating Machine from Premises
in East Street and for reletting the same. 21st December 1842
Treasury Chambers 21st December 1842
My Lord and Gentlemen,
Mr. Babbage having been
informed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that in the opinion of Sir
Robert Peel and himself the expense which would be required in order to
render his Calculating Machine generally useful, so far exceeded what
they would feel justified in inuring on the part of the Public the
Government had no alternative but to abandon its completion. I have it
in command from the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury to
acquaint you with reference to your Report of the 22nd Ult, stating that
no power was reserved in the Lease taken by you of Mr. Babbage's
Premises and a Plot of ground in East Street St Marylebone for the
reception of the Calculating Machine, of giving up possession of the
said Premises before the expiration of the whole term of the Lease, that
My Lords are of opinion that the best course to pursue will be that the
Machine should be removed from the Premises in East Street and
deposited in any place of security you may be able to provide, until my
Lords shall determine as to the final disposal of it.
The Premises in East
Street being thus at the disposal of this Board subject to the Covenant
of the Lease granted by Mr Babbage my Lords request that you will give
directions for reletting them if possible at a Rent of £135 a year,
offering Mr Babbage preemption. In the event however of any Offer being
made for the Premises at a Rent lower than that now paid by the Crown,
My Lords desire that it may be submitted to them for their
consideration.
I have the honor to be
My Lord and Gentlemen
Your obedt Servt
G.J. Pennington
To the Commissioners of Woods etc.
References
The National Archives Browse repositories
Kew, Richmond, England, TW9 4DU
Volume H7 | The National Archives
