ABSTRACT
The decision of Lord Stafford to sink £100,000 in a railway came as a surprise to most people. Even Lord Gower was not told until the bargain had been concluded. Eyre Lee, the canal representative, discovered the alarming news from the newspapers. For astonished enquirers, James Loch tersely verified the reports. He gave no elaborate explanations; it was a fait accompli and no justification was offered. Lord Derby was not immediately told of Lord Stafford's action and took umbrage at the ‘want of courtesy’. This was later given as the reason for Derby's continued opposition to the railway. 1
