Letter – Arthur Mowbray to Bishop of Durham – 12 Dec 1798

      Sherburn, 12th decr. 1798

My Lord,

      I believe I informed your Lordship of the Weardale Meeting next Monday. Scruton produced a Letter he had received from Weardale yesterday, which shews that two young Men in the Law at Wolsingham have been canvassing several of the proprietors as to their being appointed Solicitors, under a promise from Mr Castle that in Case they produced a Request from a competent Number of Land Owners, he will join them in opposition to Scruton. I called upon Castle last Night, and he pretty much informed what I had heard. He seems hurt at your Lordships not making a point of his being Solicitor on that Acct. he considers himself at Liberty to oppose Scruton, which in Course must, and I told him would, in all probability effect the Measure and thwart your Lordships Views.

      It appears by the Letter Scruton received, that Castle has wrote to some of the Land Owners with an Intent to Check the proceedings, and he is there accused of saying your Lordship considered them a Set of wild Beings, and that it is your Lordships Wish to have them humanized and christianized, which has irritated them. Castle, on the other Hand says that Scruton said so among the proprietors at a Meeting. I am sorry for the proceeding. On this Acct. I will attend the Meeting, and endeavour to cool the Minds of the Parties. Castle seems resolved that he is doing what is right. 

      I shall go to Mrs. Pearsons on Sunday, and from thence on Monday to the Meeting, after which I hope to write to your Lordship a more favourable Acct. or to furnish the real State of the Case. I write this to London, if it meet your Lordship there I may by Sundays post receive directions in my Way to Weardale.

      I am, My Lord Your Lordships very mch. obld. & most obdt. hble. Serve.

      Arthur Mowbray



The Honble. & Right Revd.The Lord Bishop of Durham