Letter – Arthur Mowbray to Shute Barrington – 15 Feb 1798

							Sherburn, 15th Feby. 1798.



My Lord.

      I dare say Coln Beaumont has wrote North for Information.	I think it very probable that his Agents will advise him not to come freely forward, however if he keep back for Self Interest, it will be ungrateful, and very injurious to some hundreds of Families, and their Successors. Some of the Colns Agents in Weardale are old, born on the Spot and, (I have been told) think it best to keep that part of the Country where their chief Mines are as much in darkness as possible and also to prevent the Inhabitants from turning themselves to Agriculture, but continue <in> as many of them now are little if any better than Slaves and dependents. I should think the Advantages the Coln. receives from your Lordship would awaken a Sense of Feeling, joined with Humanity to his Fellow Creatures, would cause him to come freely and generously forward, and prevent him being biased by any selfish Views.

      I have wrote to Buddle again by this post as to the Coal etc at Bedlington and to know if there is any Thing that has occurred to him in the Wayleave, of StaithRoom necessary to be granted to benefit the Coliery Working, and I have said that in Case he cannot give an Answer from his plan and Notes, that I will meet him at an early day to take a View. This done, I will give the directions to Mr, Brumwell, as your Lordship has pointed out.

      The Season is now at Hand for Marking and Selling Wood about four or five hundred pounds Worth may be sold at Frankland, and about one hundred or one hundred and fifty pounds Worth at Bedburn, if your Lordship think right, Neither of the parcels will improve, but the prices for Timber are now very low, 

      I go in a day or two to view an Estate out of Lease at Howden, and then, I will see how Lockwood is proceeding with his Improvements at Walkington, look over the Staiths etc etc at Howden.

      I am	My Lord,	Your Lordships very much obld. & most obdt. hble Servt

      Arthur Mowbray



The Honble. & Right Revd The Lord Bishop of Durham