Letter – Shute Barrington to Thomas Bernard – 6 Dec 1797

      Mongewell Dec: 6th 1797

My Dear Sir,

      I feel in its full extent the difficulty of adjusting a fair compensation for the Tythes of Stanhope, from the magnitude of the inclosure and the singularity of its nature. You wish to know my sentiments as to the modes which you have suggested.

      1.If it be certain that money has attained its summit of depreciation (of which question I acknowledge myself to be an incompetent judge) I shall then agree with you that there can be no objection to a pecuniary payment as a part of the Equivalent. A corn rent, if money may still lose its value, is preferable, as fluctuating in price with that necessary of life, and is therefore a better standard of the value of the relinquished Tythes.

      2. In the case of Common Inclosures I confess myself an enemy to the whole compensation being made in land, for reasons, which, I persuade myself, I have stated you in conversations on the subject. But in the case of Stanhope those reasons do not apply in their full force, and indeed without demisable land an adequate compensation cannot be made and it must be the least exceptionable to the proprietors of any. The great point to be attended to here is the Covenants to which the Tenant is to be subjected, to prevent under such a tenure, the impoverishment of the land.

      3. In a parish like Stanhope, especially in its present state, and till its population be increased, Villages built, and other consequences of an improved Agriculture take place, the proportion of demesne land should be large.

      In the proportions which you assign in the proposed divisions I am much inclined to concur with you. It has occurred to me as a matter deserving consideration, whether, as the advantages to the Rector of Stanhope will so greatly exceed all common bounds, some of the other <onora> should not be thrown upon him. Should not a certain proportion of his improved income be appropriated, perhaps for a limited term, to the erecting Churches, Parsonage houses and towards the maintenance of the Ministers of these Churches? I wish you turn this in your thoughts.

      Will in not be advisable to draw an outline of the Gen[era]l Plan, not only that you and I may weigh all its parts and bearings, but that the opinion of others may be taken, so that the whole may be shaped into the most unexceptionable form before it is submitted to parliament? On all the various branches of this uncommon measure I wish to have an opportunity of conversing with you during my short stay in London in the week after next. I purpose being there on Monday the 10th. and returning hither on Friday the 29th. unless there is a meeting of our Committee on that day which you think I should attend.

      Can you condescend to partake of such a dinner as my housemaid can <chefs>,  either on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Much may be done in a quiet tete a tete. I will endeavour to write tomorrow, and  return your paper on beggars.

      I am &tc

      SD



Thos. Bernard Esqr.