Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 7 Oct 1820

Mrs Beaumont Allenheads				N[ew]Castle 7 Octr 1820



On my arrival yesterday at Durham from Allenheads; I had an interview with Mr Phillpotts respecting the Composition, in lieu of Tithe Ore, for the Parish of Stanhope. Mr Phillpotts repeated his Readiness to accept a Composition but requested an offer to be made for it, and hoped that  I was empowered to name the Sum that would be given. I replied that I was prepared upon two Conditions being conceded to offer him £3000 p[er]An[nu]m. Viz that the Agreement was to continue during the Bishop’s life, or possession of the See, provided he continued Rector as long, and that you were to be exempt from payment of Poor Rate, should a Rate be established in the Parish, making the Tithe Ore liable. – He did not object to an agreement for the Bishops life etc; but he waved the subject of the Poor Rate, <remarking> that it need not make a Condition in the Agreement and might be left, should a Rate ever be established, to legal decision. – Having now, He said received an offer, He would desire Mr Fenwick (of Dipton) to whom he should communicate his determination, to take an early opportunity to wait upon me for the purpose of endeavouring to conclude an Agreement. I do not entertain sanguine hopes that he will consent to exempt you from the liability to Poor Rates upon Tithe Ore, should a Rate ever be made to operate; but in urging it as a condition, it is something to concede, and may serve as a Lett-off, should he demand a larger Sum for a Composition, than what I have offered.

	I am etc  MM