The first act of parliament was obtained in 1821, by a number of persons who are thereby incorporated by the name of "The Stockton and Darlington Railway Company," and is entitled, 'An Act for making and maintaining a Railway or Tramroad, from the River Tees, at Stockton, to Witton Park Colliery, with several Branches therefrom, all in the county of Durham.' By this act the company is authorized to raise amongst themselves, the sum of £82,000, in shares of £100 each; and, if necessary, a further sum of £20,000, either amongst themselves, or by the creation of new shares, or they may borrow any portion of the said sums either by optional notes, or by mortgage of the tolls and rates.
The affairs of the company are to be managed by a committee, who are to be under the control of the general assemblies; and the act authorizes them to take the following
TONNAGE RATES.
| For all Lime-stone, Materials for the Repair of Turnpike-Roads or Highways, and all Dung, Compost and all Sorts of Manure, except Lime | 0s 4d per Ton, per Mile. |
| For all Coal, Coke, Culm, Cinders, Stone, Marl, Sand, Lime, Clay, Iron-stone and other Minerals, Building-stone, Pitching and Paving-stone, Bricks, Tiles, Slates and all Gross and Unmanufactured Articles and Building Materials | 0s 4d ditto. ditto. |
| For all Lead in Pigs or Sheets, Bar-iron, Waggon-tire, Timber, Staves and Deals, and all other Goods, Wares and Merchandize | 0s 6d ditto. ditto. |
| And for all Articles, Matters and Things, above enumerated to pay Tonnage, which shall pass the Inclined Planes upon this Railway | 1s 0d ditto. |
| For all Coal which shall be shipped on Board any Vessel in the Port of Stockton-upon-Tees, for the Purpose of Exportation | 0s ½d ditto. ditto. |
Fractions of a Ton and of a Mile to be taken as the Quarters therein, and of a Quarter as a Quarter.
Owners and occupiers of land, within five miles of the railway, may lay down branches, communicating with the main line; and lords of manors and owners of land on the line may erect wharfs and warehouses, and take the following
WHARFAGE RATES.
| For all Coals, Culm, Lime, Lime-stone, Clay, Iron, Iron-stone, Lead-ore or any other Ore, Timber, Stone, Bricks, Tiles, Slates, Gravel or other Things, left for Forty eight Hours | 1d per Ton. |
| For Warehousing any Package not exceeding Fifty-six Pounds | 2d each. |
| For ditto above Three Hundred Pounds and not exceeding Six Hundred | 4d ditto. |
| For ditto exceeding One Thousand Pounds | 6d per Ton. |
