Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 13 Dec 1808

Mrs Beaumont   Bretton					Newcastle 13th December 1808



      In consequence of your letter of the 10th instant I have consulted with Mr Thomas on the Proposal of Mr Baker to purchase his Farm & 50 Acres of Oak Wood situated near Shotley Bridge. We are both of opinion that the only object in making this Purchase would be the Wood; for the Land in this district is cold & unproductive, and laying so distant from any part of your Property, it cannot of itself, be deserving of your attention; nor do we think that the Wood (if coupled with the Land) an adequate inducement entertaining as we do, no fear of a supply while the known Security & promptness of your Payments continue. 

	We cannot conceive in the property of Mr Baker’s recommendation, of his Agent and Mr Thomas to value the Land, they to choose <Purvis> to value the Wood, and to call in a third, if necessary, or in other words an Umpire. If you are disposed to treat with Mr Baker, he ought to fix a Price, and on the requisite information being obtained, you will then make such an offer as under all circumstance, may be judged advisable. Provided Mr Baker had been applied to for this Estate, his proposition would have be liberal, but surely in making an offer to you, it appears unreasonable to deprive you of the <direction> of disposing of your own money. On the whole Madam I do not consider so small & so remote a place a desirable Purchase. I beg to enclose J Mulcaster’s Report, which in substance is Correct. 

      & am etc  MM