from Blackstone's Reports, and which may also be found in Borrow's
Reports, "Mansfield fob: 2594" rather more fully reported) the following Point
of Law is clearly established,

"That when a private Person or Persons erect a Bridge, that is of public
"Utility, the public, that is the County (or Riding) an bound to keep it in
"repair";

And your Memorialist being thoroughly satisfied, that they can,
by proper and sufficient Evidence, prove, that the Bridge lately fallen down
was of real public utility, and that since its being fallen down great
inconvenience has been occasioned by the want of it, and many Accidents
happened and some Lives nearly lost,

They humbly desire, that they may be permitted, at such time as
your Worships shall please to appoint, to attend your worships, and
produce Evidence of the said Facts, not doubting, but if it shall prove
satisfactory to your worships, that you will after due Presentment,
thereof, as the Law requires, declare the said Bridge to be a County Bridge
[..] Bench and amount the same
to be effectually rebuilt accordingly, out of the County rate.

But as your Memorialists apprehend, that as this is a new Case in
this County, your Worships may be rather doubtful whether it will be
proper to comply with this their Request, without a Determination in
a Court of Law on the Particular Case which must be attend with a
a very considerable Expense, both to the County and Them, and consume a
Sum of Money, that might (in their humble Apprehension) be much better
employed in rebuilding the bridge , They bag leave to Offer to your
Worships, that they will, on your worships declaring it a County Bridge,
and undertaking to rebuild it effectually, according to the Plan appears
or any other, as strong & substantial, contribute the whole of the subscription
(incidental expenses of this Application & a deducted) & which they will
find themselves shall not be less than two Hundred Pounds, towards
the Expense of it, or if your worships will order the Sum of one hundred
Pounds to be paid out of the County rate towards the rebuilding it and