Letter – Henry Hardinge to William Emm – 22 Jan 1805

Stanhope 22nd Jany 1805

Dear Sir,

      I think it proper to acquaint you that several of the principal Proprietors & Occupiers within Stanhope Parish have been persuaded (by a Person who is not in any degree interested in the Lead Mines) that the Bishop of Durham & Rector of Stanhope are respectively liable to be rated for the Lot & Tithe Ore, & that a demand may be effectively made for the last seven years, as Adventurers of Lead mines are exempted by Law from any charge to the Poor, it appears indeed, from the case of Rowls & Gells, cited in Burn’s Justice, that Proprietors of any Rents or Dues from Lead Mines are liable to be rated for such property; & therefore, it will probably be an important Question, whether or not the payment of the Rate can be recover’d of Col. Beaumont (although He accounts for the Land Tax on the Lot & Tithe ore) if the Parish should actually charge the Bishop of Durham & the Rector of Stanhope to the Poor for the Lot & Tithe Ore.

      I have discover’d a curious letter, I had in 1799, from Mr B---, a part of which may perhaps be of some service to his Lordship, viz: ‘Was the Bishop of Durham’s Lot ore to be advanced in the like proportion to what you expect for your tithe ore, I do declare that I should not hesitate in recommending it to C. B. that the Lot & Tithe Ore should be drawn, and that great part of the mines which are at present very poor be laid in, working only a small part that might yield some little profit, & to push forward his other Mines in Allendale which have lately a very promising appearance.’

      If Breconsike Mine was then very poor, it has since been exceedingly rich. This Mine was last year of immense value, according to general report in Weardale, & is at this time particularly productive.

      I am, Dear Sir, your most obedient Servant, 

      H. Hardinge



Wm. Emm Esq