Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to John Bell – 14 Feb 1801

Mr. Bell						Newcastle 14th. Feb.y 1801

Hexham Abbey



Dear Sir

      I received your Letter acknowledgeing the Receipt for the Check of £250 - - -

      In a Letter that I had from Mrs. Beaumont she desired to have my Opinion respecting Hexham Tithes, the Lease of which to Mr. Ruddock, Mr. Leadbitter and Mr. Gibson will expire at May next, I understand that they were let to these Persons for the purpose of accomodating the several Proprietors of Lands with the Tithe of their own Ground, which certainly must be a great Convenience to them, but it cannot be supposed that these Gentlemen would undertake the Trouble without some private Advantage to themselves, and as it is the Wish of Colonel, & Mrs. Beaumont that each Proprietor should have the Offer of his Tithe at a fair price, I would recommend that the Tithes be annually valued by a skilful Person (not of the Neighbourhood) at a fair and resonable Rate not too high, and that each Proprietor may have an Offer of his Tithe, and in Case of his Refusal, to offer it to his Neighbour or any other Person; this I have mentioned to Mrs. Beaumont and should you have any Objection to it, you will please to acquaint me.  

      I am &c. J.E.B.