Letter – Arthur Mowbray to Shute Barrington – 16 Jan 1799

							Sherburn, 16th Jany 1799



My Lord,

      On the 14th.  at Stanhope the Meeting was well attended, Mr Tweddell in the Chair,  and he took a very active part. Mr Williamson also attended, and gave the measure the fullest Support. Not any Thing on that day was done with the Rector as to the Tithe, save fixing a Committee on Behalf of the proprietors to propose Terms (a Copy of their proposal I send herewith). The Rector came to durham today in hopes to have met Mr. W: at the quarter Sessions, but he has been disappointed, In Consequence I have made a Copy of the proposal, which he has sent to Mr W. for his Advice. He continues stubborn and I think advised by every One he meets. The Number of proprietors I believe are about 212. Mr. Scruton has just returned and obtained the Signatures to the Petition of about Forty, and expects many more before Saturday. He thinks all will do well, and the division will go on in whole or in part. Nothing was done on the part of Coln Beaumont, Mr Heron having sent a Message to desire that the Agents wd. not say one Word on Behalf of the Coln. wch.  caused them to say nothing either on the Coln. Behalf or their own & which in Course damped the Meeting.  I have wrote Mr. Blackett. I send your Lordship a Copy. Before the Meeting I consulted with two experienced Commissioners, and we proposed to survey, divide, allot, plan etc all the Lands that are proposed to be allotted at the Rate of 2s. p Acre, and all the Lands that are to be stinted at 1s. p Acre; This had a very good Effect, and Scruton proposed that the Law Expences should not cost more than 1s. p Acre, but he believed it would be considerably less, and he would lay his Bill before Mr. Williamson or any other Gentleman to be taxed. All this gave new Life to the Cause & by one Thing or other, I think we will struggle thro’. It is the Opinion of Mr. Williamson that your Lordship cannot extend the Clause to enfranchise more Lands than those that are about to be divided, without almost a Certainty of double fees & he submits to your Lordships Consideration that of having another Bill which may be Short & little, if any more Expence, for the Purpose. He presumes in it more districts may be included, & probably other Matter.

      I have not recd. the Income Act, nor the New Land Tax Act. Has your Lordship come to any Resolution as to purchasing the Land Tax charged on the Estates that belong to the See? The Petition to Parliament for the dividing <Charelaw & findon hill>Commons will be sent to Town by tomorrow’s post.

      I propose setting out for London on the 28 Inst. 

      I am, My Lord, Your Lordships very much obld. & mt obd hble Servt.

      Arthur Mowbray



The honble. & Right Revd -  The Lord Bishop of durham