Having as a Committee, accomplished in the best way we are able, what was originally intrusted to our care, (except deviating from a Canal to a Rail-way;) we now beg leave to lay the subject before the public, not doubting but that public will duly appreciate its utility, and also recommend to the Noblemen and Gentlemen who have estates on the line, to give it such a consideration as a work of this magnitude deserves, either as regards its importance, by the employment it will afford to the partially employed labouring poor, during the time the work is in progress, but more particularly during all the time hereafter; so long as one ton of lead, or stone may be found near the higher end of the line; or the river Nidd flow in its present course; or the neighbourhood of Selby or Howden continue to produce more corn than is sufficient for its population; or as may regard its importance in an agricultural view, a sight of which should never be lost, nor whatever can promote its advancement, be treated with disdain or neglect, but quite the contrary; for upon the best, the cheapest, and most skilful method of causing the earth to bring forth abundantly, depends in a great measure our national prosperity; it gives a plentiful supply at home, will tend to reduce our alarming pauperism, and hence promote peace, the welcome inhabitant of every breast; of every cottage; of every mansion; of every state; and the safest rampart of every throne; for while we consider the soil only as an agent, let us not forget it is one of an incorruptible class; and whatever is skilfully committed to its care is generally repaid tenfold; then it should not be forgotten what was the state of the high-roads in this country eighty years ago, they were chiefly composed of clay; and now contrast that period, with the present, and say how much their improvement hath, or hath not, contributed to the advancement of that ancient, useful, respectable, and princely profession, of agriculture; if this is not denied, then contrast the present highways of the district through which the adopted line will pass, remembering the many steep and rugged hills, with the present much improved Rail-ways where the uniformity of ascent and descent is maintained as a principal object, and permit it to come within your calculating powers to show, what benefit it may contribute to the perfection of a science on which so much wealth and public benefit depend.