Authorisation for Building Works

Public Record Office
Ruskin Avenue
Kew
SW London
Extracts from File Reference WORKS12/62 Item 8

1. Copy of letter from Treasury to Surveyor General
    of Works dated 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 witha Plan and Copy of Estimate of the Costs of the proposed Buildings and I am to desire that you will after communicating with the Commissioners 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
2. 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 th 13th instant of 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 onthis 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.
3. Copy of Letter from Office of Woods to the Surveyor General of Works dated 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, and 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 has 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 carr 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's 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, in in stated, sent to Sir B.C. Stephenson direct from the Treasury.]