Letter – Richard Scruton to Shute Barrington – 9 Apr 1799

      Durham 9th April 1799

My Lord,

      Mr Mowbray has this moment inquired of me whether some material Alterations are not made in the Weardale Bill; in Answer to which I have barely time to save the Post to say that the only Changes of any Importance are the omission of Bollihope & Stanhope Commons, & the Insertion of Clauses allowing your Lordship’s Lessee to work the Lead mines without paying damages, & in Consequence of the omission of Bollihope & Stanhope it became absolutely necessary to strike out also the Clause for the enfranchising, which was done on the particular suggestion of Mr Williamson on the Part of your Lordship (as will appear by his Notes on the Draft of the Bill) for these Commons being struck out there remained Nothing upon which the Clause could operate, the only Leaseholds being those which had a Right on such Commons:- In every other Respect, my Lord, the Bill stands as it was originally settled with infinite care by Mr Williamson.

      I hope to set out for Town tomorrow morning, I will hope for Permission to lay the original Draft before your Lordship.

      As the Bill now stands it has received the Approbation of almost every Proprietor; I ought indeed to except a Mr Wallis of Westgate, who, it is probable, may not be wholly unknown to your Lordship, & who being disappointed in not being appointed a Commissioner under the Bill, I am led to guess may have been troubling your Lordship with Mine presentations, of which I cannot avoid saying he is very capable, as Mr Mowbray well knows.

      I am, my Lord, Your Lordships most Obliged and devoted Serv[an]t

      R: Scruton