Letter – Martin Morrison to Robert Stagg – 28 Jul 1826

      N[ew]castle 28 July 1826

Rt Stagg Esqr – Middleton House

near Barnard Castle. –



I have this morning rec[eiv]ed your favor of the 26th, - a pleasure I have for some time been expecting in consequence of the subjoined communication from Mr Dolphin contained in a Letter to him from Dr Phillpotts, - and also of his having rec[eive]d the D[octo]rs directions to apply to your Company upon the subject.-

							

							Stanhope 17 June 1826

I have only to say that my resolution is taken, I am ready to negotiate with each party for whatever may become due from that party; but I will not Let one negotiate for the other. If Mr Morrison refuses to acquiesce in this course I am sorry for it; but his refusal will have no effect on my determination – As to the whole being included in one Lease from the Bishop of Durham, that may for aught I know, be a good argument to use with the Bishop, but it has nothing whatever to do with me who am no party to that Lease. I think it would be well for you to take an early opportunity of communicating to the Lead Company my readiness to treat with them for the Tythe of their Ore raised in the Bishops Royalty in this parish –

				I am etc	Hy Phillpotts’



Our negotiations with the Doctor remains in Statu Quo, nor do I see how We can prevent him drawing his Tythe if he persists in the determination to do so. – Our Ore Bargains continue suspended; the only measure to bring the Dr to reason, next to discontinuing the employment of our present establishment of Men, which must be done if he adheres to his immoderate demands. – In stating this I am not desirous to influence the course your Company may think proper to adopt, for if they choose to make a Bargain with the Dr for his Tythe I am not aware of any right Col Beaumont has, to object to their doing so. – It is but justice to the B[isho]p of Durham to state, that his L[or]dship appears disposed to act with fairness, and with whom an Agreem[en]t w[oul]d now have been concluded, were it not to leave Us still more to the mercy of the Doctor. – I am etc	MM