Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - The official opening of the docks . . .

It had arrived at a degree of prosperity which he trusted was not its apex, but which certainly placed it amongst the most successful of railway undertakings in the kingdom. It was only a few years ago that he heard a merchant in London ask, where was Cardiff; but by this time, he had no doubt, such a question would not need to be asked by any merchant, not only in England, but anywhere in Europe. Indeed hardly could it be asked in Asia, Africa, or America without the interrogated party being able at once to tell where Cardiff was, and what it was. He attributed the great success of the Taff Vale railway to its avoidance of the error of many other companies - it had strictly confined itself to its own district and locality, and had been content to develop the legitimate traffic of that district, instead of diverting east and west, right and left in the pursuit of chimerical objects and questionable advances. The Taff Vale Railway Company were formerly under the obligation, by Act of Parliament, to make a tidal harbour on Ely river. They were bound to this to Mr. Clive, in a penalty of £60,000, if they failed to carry it out.

The company had to pass through great pecuniary difficulties, their capital was expanded, their credit exhausted, their railway unfinished, and no one to depend on but themselves. They made an arrangement with Lord Bute, which was of vital importance to them at this period, but which they could not have made but for the consent of Mr. Clive to release them from their obligation to him, which he valued as a means of developing the resources of his family estates. It was, therefore, a most disinterested act on the part of Mr. Clive to release the company from their obligation to construct a tidal harbour at Ely. But with the noble generosity which characterised him, Mr. Clive, with the approval of this family, did make the sacrifice, and allowed the company to abandon the idea of making the harbour, and to make arrangements with Lord Bute.

The arrangement thus made with Lord Bute had, and ever would, maintain honourably in its integrity, whether it were profitable or otherwise. Meanwhile, the other parties took the project of an Ely tidal harbour, and obtained parliamentary powers for it, and subsequently for a dock. The result was the great work which had opened to-day - a plan nobly conceived, admirably, scientifically, and majestically carried out. (cheers.)

The noble lady beside him (Lady Clive) must feel particularly gratified with the completion of this work, knowing the interest her late husband felt in it, and having doubtless often regretted that Providence should have removed him before he could have the consolation of seeing his wishes carried out.