340 IMPROVEMENT IN RAIL ROADS. 



road. By my method, the plates have a certain degree of 

 play, which is absolutely necessary to avoid that breakage, 

 •which too frequently takes place when they are fixed with 

 nails and plugs 



The plates which I send have been fixed in stone blocks, 

 and are nearly as rough as when taken from the sand. If I 

 am favoured with any mark of the society's approbation, 

 I shall hold myself bound to transmit such farther commu- 

 nications on this subject as may be required by them, or 

 any person desirous of adopting my plan. 



I am, Sir, 



Your most obedient Servant, 



CHARLES LE CAAN. 



Llanelli)^ Curm arthenshire y 

 May 12, 1806. 



SIR, 



Advantages of I HAVE considered the improvement made by you in the 

 them. specimen exhibited of a new design of a tram-plate, and 



am of opinion, that much advantage may be derived to tram 

 roads by the adoption of your plan, in preventing the temp- 

 tation of stealing the wrought iron nails, with which the 

 plates are usually fastened, and by facilitating the operation 

 of laying down new tram roads, and repairing of old ones. 



I am, Sir, 

 Your most humble Servant, 



J. VANCOUVER, 



Llangennech Pai'k, April 2, 1806. 

 To Mr. le Caan. 



SIR, 



Ad a taces ' SEVERAL tram-plates on your new method of fixing 

 without either nail or plug have been cast under my im- 

 mediate inspection, at Stradey furnace. The same may be 

 made with as much ease as any others now in use, and I 

 conceive they will obviate the many impediments that arise 

 2 ♦ from 



