870 Improvement in Mail Roads . 
which the plates are usually fastened, and by facilitating 
the operation of laying down new tram roads, and re- 
pairing of old ones. I am, &c. 
J. Vancouver. 
To Mr. Le Caan. 
Llangennech Park , April £, 1806* 
Sir— Several tram-plates on your new method of fix- 
ing without either nail or plug have been cast under my 
immediate 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 impedi- 
ments that arise from the irregularity of driving the nails, 
I have no doubt from my observation of yours, but that 
they will answer extremely well, and prove less expen- 
sive. I am, &c. 
J. Lewis. 
To Mr. Le Caan. 
Stradey Furnace , April 18, 1806. 
Certificates were also received from Mr. R. Jones 
of Swansea, agent to general Ward’s colliery; from Mr* 
James Barnes, who formed the Myther and Carmarthen- 
shire rail road ; and Mr. Edward Martin, of Morristen, 
an eminent colliery, surveyor and planner of rail roads, 
all testifying the advantage of Mr. Le Caan’s invention. 
Reference to the Engraving . Plate 11, Fig. 7, 8, 9, 10 
The tram-plates, fig. 7 and 8, are fastened by means 
of a tenon and mortice AB, each having a correspondent 
bevel, just sufficient to keep the end from rising up, so 
that the head of one plate confines the end of the other ; 
