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The Robert Stephenson Trust based in Newcastle Upon Tyne plans to publish details of the famous engineers time spent with the Columbian Mining Association between 1824 and 1827. During this time the Association employed Cornish miners and we would like to hear from or talk to a mining historian who might be able to give us an idea of the difficulties and conditions facing the workers. We have been attempting without success for some time to secure some mining experts interest and wondered if through this forum we might be able to make contact. Two years ago the Robert Stephenson Trust (RST) purchased copies of 115 letters written by Rbt. to his manager Illingworth between 1824-7 which are held in the Lilly Library of Indiana University so that we could examine the development of his character in this crucial period of his life (born in 1803). Also purchased from the Lilly library were copies of 15 watercolours painted by Charles Empson, who was Roberts companion in Columbia. We feel that the story is too one-sided (Robert is fairly critical of the Cornish miners) without some balancing comment. J. Michael Taylor MBE, CEng, MICE, FCIHT Woodlands, Prestwick Village, Ponteland, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE20 9TX 01661 824017 07777 650871 [log in to unmask] If you need to leave the list, send the following message to [log in to unmask] - leave mining-history ---------