RENNIE and Sir James MEEK (George, 1791-1866, Civil Engineer, Son of the Scottish Engineer John Rennie the Elder and brother of Sir John) and Sir James MEEK (1778-1856, Comptroller of Victualling and Transport at the Admiralty, JP in Devon)

Autograph Letter Signed from Sir James MEEK at Ilfracombe to William Stewart at the Courier Office promising to pay Stewart “as treasurer of the Courier Newspaper the sum of £243.0.8d a Balance as per account agreed on between that Paper and the New Times, and being the consideration for the separation of the two Papers...”, 1 side 4to., Courier Office, 29th August 1928, Rennie replies to Meek on the same piece of paper, saying that “On the other side you have your letter which Mr Stewart returned me on handing him the money agreed to be paid by us all. This I trust will complete the remainder of the enormous drafts required from us. I know not how far our hope may be realised, but if Talent, Industry & Nerve can do any thing for us our chance is a good one. It is to be regretted however that the period of trial is so short. A Committee consisting of A.F. McIntosh, my brother Matthew & myself has been formed to investigate the mode of carrying on the Courier concern & to see what saving may be made without injury...”, 1 sie 4to., Stamford Street, 15th November

On the death of his father in 1821 he entered into partnership with his younger brother John, as J. and G. Rennie, and for many years they were engaged in completing the vast undertakings originated by the elder Rennie. In 1825 the brothers were hired by the directors of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway as George Stephenson's original plan had been thrown out of Parliament due to inconsistent figures and measurements. This was however, a technicality, as the reason for the Bill's failure was the political pressure applied by Lord Derby and Lord Sefton, since the original route encroached on, or near, their estates on the outskirts of Liverpool. So a new route was required. However, the brothers were too busy with existing work, so they subcontracted the work to Charles Blacker Vignoles, and it was he who plotted and surveyed a new route, which was successful in its passage through Parliament, and it the route still used to this day.
The Courier was called that from April 1804, having been the Courier and Evening Gazette which started in the late 18th century, and continued until at least 1842. The New Times changed its name to the Morning Journal in October 1828. Rennie’s involvement with the Courier is not included in the notices of his many engineering achievements. This letter adds another facet to his many activities.

Item Date:  1828

Stock No:  41958      £775

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