Letter – Henry Hildyard to Rowland Burdon – 4 Apr 1799

      <Wil…h> 4th April 1799

Dear Sir,

      I am just returned from Newcastle where I signed the Consent Bill for the Division of part of Stanhope stinted Pastures and Moors. I was sorry to find Bollihope omitted in the s[ai]d Bill, & I was informed that Mr Harvey, & some others, had now declared that had they known that the Bishop of Landaff had made an offer to purchase 1000 a[cre]s of the worst Land they would never have opposed it. I was also concerned to find another clause omitted in the Bill, which was inscribed in the Draft at first, & I also understood very handsomely originated with the Bishop of Durham himself, the enfranchising of the Copyhold & Leasehold Estates, & the accepting a compensation for the small out-rents. In answer to this last omission I was informed that Mr H Williamson had given it as his opinion that it cou’d not be inserted in this Bill without making it a double one, & that it wou’d be better for his Lordship to bring in a short Bill next year himself for that purpose, & that his Lordship generously intended doing it. We therefore in that Particular cast upon his Lordship’s honour, & as the Proposal first of all originated with his Lordship there can be no doubt of his carrying it into effect.

      I told Mr Scruton they were very late in getting the Bill before the House, & had they not had such a very active Man as yourself to assist them I much feared the Session would be closing before the 3rd reading, & consequently all the expences incurred thrown away.

From the severity of the weather we had a dismal journey home via Sunderland, Hartlepool etc & I am sorry to say that we found the Road almost impassible between Newcastle & Sunderland, from there very good. 

      I hope Mrs Burdon is perfectly recovered from her late Indisposition, & remain, Dear Sir, Yours very sincerely,

      H Hildyard



I was also informed that the B[isho]p of Landaff had made the same Proposal for Whesterhope, as He had for Bollihope, which would be a great relief to the Proprietors in the expence of the Bill & also a great advantage in future from the shelter his Plantations woul’d afford, as his Intention was to plant all he bought.



[addressed on the reverse:]

Rowland Burdon Esq MP

Harley Street

London