legal opinion – Chambers Slaughter – 1 Jun 1720

To the Honourable the Commissioners & Trustees for Sale of Forfeited Estates etc



       In Obedience to Your Order of reference to me Yesterday touching the Damages and grievances sustained by the Purchaser of Jeffreys Grove etc I humbly beg leave to Observe that with other advantages specified in the Lease of the late lessees they in particular had full power of making water Courses, driving drifts, sinking shafts Erecting Engines and other Conveniencys etc also full authority with a priviledge of way Leave in over and along the Grounds and Lands of Blanchland with Horses, Wains, Carts and other Carriages for the leading as well as laying, washing, smelting Carrying and Conveying of Oar etc. Likewise the boundary as specified in the above mentioned Lease together with power to Digg any quantity of peat Turf Soile etc within the Contents and limits of One thousand Yards Square of any part of the Common or Moore whereon or wherein the said Grove lyes in order to be burnt for the smelting of Oar etc.

       The late Lesses were by Covenants in the said Lease during the residue of the terme to worke the said Groves and Mines fairly orderly and effectually according to the usuall method courses and means of working of Lead mines etc.

       I have perused Mr Maughans and William Stoddarts their joint letter where I find that the whole property of Blanchland is like to be disputed by the Bishops of Durham’s Agents contrary to the priviledges granted to Lessees under William Foster Esq. 

       I also found that by the said Letter that Mr Wetherley Agent of Mr Grey have wrought and still continue to work the said Mines tho’ the Lease be expired & carry of[f] the Oar from the premises without accounting for the dues contrary to the Covenant in the Lease & that Complaint is made of their ill usage by said Wetherleys Servants in their inspection of said Grove by your Order. It is therefore Humbly proposed to have the aforesaid Gentlemen with their Accounts Covenants & Conveyances together with the Boundar Book of Blanchland which is said to be in the hands of Mr Edw[ar]d Grey called for & examined before the Board in order to find out rectisfy & recover the Boundary priviledges abuses & dues that it may be for the Purchasers advantage to have possession delivered in order to prevent any further abuses.



       Chambers Slaughter

London June 1st 1720