Letter – Arthur Mowbray to Bishop of Durham – 13 Nov 1797

My Lord,

      Your Lordship’s Favour of 30th Octr- reached me in the North, I deferred writing in Answer until I returned Home Yesterday;  My last Letter to your Lordship of the 30th Octobr. will show that the People in Weardale continue anxious for a Division, and I think they ought to be attended to whilst in the Humour; the Stints as I observed are I imagine held in exclusive severalty because there are several Owners, as I have been told, that have Stints <who> have no Inland, and that it is usual and customary to buy and sell Stints which are conveyed by separate Deeds that have no Relation to the Parcels of Inland nor are in any way dependant or connected with the Owners thereof: Your Lordship’s Apportionment of the Quantities are I dare say carefully taken <from> my former Letters, but as your Lordship observes must be subject to Alteration, when more and better Information on the Subject can be obtained _ however I think they stand fair enough in their present State as a Ground for Your Lordship’s separate Enquiries. _

      The first as to your Lordships having any Allotments out of the limited Stint; Having explained the Usage in this and my former Letters, I should like well to have Mr Bernard’s Opinion as to the legal Right but subject nonetheless to my making Terms as advantageous as I can for Your Lordship, and the general Benefit. _

      2nd. As to the first general Object, no Doubt but a Division in the Mode I formerly pointed out will ensure a general Improvement & Benefit to the Country and a Profit to the See of Durham: Your Lordship’s Leasehold Estates are sufficiently permanent to encourage the Improvement of the Allotments; if in any of the interior Parts they are not found so, Modes for their Improvements will easily be found, as those Parcels will under Your Lordship’s Direction; And thirdly, as to a Provision for Chapels Ministers Houses &tc; No doubt but a Provision may be made, I have touched a little upon it, and I think the Proprietors will agree to make reasonable Provisions, However they complain much as to the Management of the present Schools. Should not something more be done about that at Westgate? I doubt it is at present very much neglected; those Matters may be more fully digested after the Information that may be expected to be gained at the first Meeting; _ _ _ Shall be obliged by any further Observations on this Subject it being a Matter I am very desirous should be fully and deliberately weighed, as I hope if the Object can be obtained upon fair Grounds Your Lordship may expect much Satisfaction.

      It would be a great thing to have the Lands about to be inclosed exempt by a Compensation for the Payment of Tithes; should be obliged for a Hint from Your Lordship whether it would be better to propose Land or a Money Payment certain, or a Money payment to rise and fall with the Necessaries of Life.

      I am sorry to say that I have not obtained Buddles Opinion as to the Bedlington Coals; I think he has given over Answering Mr Emm’s Letters or mine; I do not know what to do:

      The Half Years Interest to Mr <Tew> & Lawson will become due on 22nd Inst. should I draw upon your Lordships Bankers; as the Half Years Rent due at the same time will not in the Course of receiving Rents, be received until about 12 Feby. or rather later.

      I have recd. Mr Cleaver’s Answer and forwarded it to Mr Emm, he does not seem to be so explicit as I could have wished, however Mr Emm will forward it to your Lordship with his Observations.

      I used every Endeavour to have the Papers ready for the Attorney General sooner. I hope they would be in Time; I should have a Pleasure in hearing how the Matter has turned.

      I am My Lord,	Your Lordships very much obld. & most obedt. Hble. Servt.

      Arthur Mowbray



The Honble. & Rt. Revd. the Lord Bishop of Durham