Letter – Martin Morrison to Thomas Faber – 21 Jul 1826

      Newcastle 21 July 1826

TH Faber Esqr Durham



I acknowledge the favor of your Letter of the 20th inst, and in reply beg to inform you that I am prepared to treat with my Lord B[isho]p of Durham’s Agent for a Compo[sitio]n in money to be paid to him for his Lot Ore of the Weardale Mines. It is obviously most important to Col Beaumont that in an Agreement with the Bishop, an Agreement at the same time should also be made with the Rector of Stanhope for his Tythe Ore; for to be bound to his Lordship in the fixed annual  payment of a sum so large, and during his Incumbency, whilst Dr Phillpotts is at liberty to exact his full Tythe, would be a measure of great hazard and possibly injury. It is an acknowledged fact that these Mines cannot be wrought to the extent they have been, but under payments of a Composition in lieu of Lot and Tythe Ore; - for to exact the full duty in kind would in the end prove disadvantageous, both to the Lessors and Lessee, and also the ruin of the district, by the necessity induced, of discharging from their employment, a great portion of the industrious population. I beg however to observe that I am at liberty to treat with his Lordship alone, and am ready to wait upon you for that purpose and day – Tuesday next excepted – that you may be pleased to appoint. – I am etc	MM