Proposal to complete the dam and bridge across the Yarra Yarra River Proposal to complete the dam and bridge across the Yarra Yarra River

To complete the Dam across the Yarra Yarra River at the falls in the Town of Melbourne, also to build a substantial Bridge over the same according to the plan sent herewith, also a Bridge over the River of Mill Stream. The condition or consideration that Govt will allow me to purchase at a reasonable ? price twenty acres of land on the Banks of the river opposite the Town of Melbourne commencing just above the falls where the race & Dam for mill stream will be constructed and running along the banks of the River below the falls to form a square of Twenty Acres - giving me the right of waste water for the Mill Power. I also agree to build up the Dam to a certain height, also to make the flood gates at the race according to a level to be given by Govt so as to allow the fresh water above the falls to be right at a certain height. All the above works which I propose to undertake shall be finished in a substantial manner, and subject to inspection of any one Your Honor may appoint - I have the Honor to be Sir Your subject (signed) Frederick Manton. (Bottom Corner) Mr Manton informed that Mr La Trobe considers that the character of the conditions which he proposes to Govt. renders the acceptance of his proposal out of the question 13 Dec/1839 C. J. L