Letter – Arthur Mowbray to Shute Barrington – 6 Jan 1799

      Sherburn, 6th Jany. 1799

My Lord,

      I saw Mr. Scruton yesterday after his attending in Weardale with the Bill. He tells me the Meetings were numerous and from the Appearance of Things in General he has every Reason to suppose at the Reading on the 14th the Majority of the Owners of the Fells and Stinted pastures will be for a Division, but he doubts the Commons on Acct. of a Number of small Land owners, Claimants, having almost lived by Surcharge. I presume your Lordship will consent to a General Inclosure, and after a Tryal as to the Majority consenting your Lordship may consent or withhold as the Case may appear, to the Inclosing a part. The Rector, Mr Scruton says, objects at present to consent to any compensation in Lieu of Tithes, but he thinks he would have no Objection to a Clause giving power to Commissioners to sell without his Consent Tithes after the Inclosure, and to invest the Money in Lands.

      I enclose your Lordship a Letter I have just received from Mr. Scruton.

      I have wrote Mr. Bramwell to prepare the Bedlington Deeds against I come to London _ and I wrote Buddle last Friday very fully as to his loosing no Time in receiving your Lordships Collieries.

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

      Arthur Mowbray



The Hble. & Rt. Revd. The Lord Bishop of durham