Letter – Thomas Bernard to Shute Barrington – 28 Sep 1797

      Foundling 28 Sep 1797

My Lord,

      As far as appears from the papers, the principles that Mr. M. has adopted seem to be fair between the Parties, & to be intitled to a general approb[atio]n as a ground of Treaty: so far I shd. wish yr Lp’s Approb[atio]n to extend. I presume it will be sufficient for you to say at present that, from what has been stated, you conceive the proposed inclosure will be both a general benefit to the Country, & an advantage individually to the Proprietors of Land within Weardale: that it therefore has your intire approbation. That as to the Line between the Parties, you wish Mr Mowbray & them to consider it first among themselves, & examine how it can be drawn most beneficially and fairly for all the Parties concerned. That in that, or in any other plan, conformable to general Practice in similar Inclosures, yr Lp will be ready to give your assent & assistance as far as you conceive you can with Propriety.

      This with a few words added, expresses of your Confidence in Mr M, I submit to your Lp as the Sketch of your letter. It seems to be as far as you can prudentially go at present, & probably is as much as is wished. In a sep: letter to Mr M I should request you wod. desire him to state to you, as near as he can by Conjecture at present,



1st. How many of the 70,400 Acres of the open Land will, upon the principle laid out by him, be subject to an Allotment of a 16th part to your Lp: 2nd. How much of them is ring fenced with the Stinting ascertained: _ 3rd. How much (remaining open and uninclosed) has been, for a certain number of Years back, subject to a lim[ite]d Stint; & why (as to these 2 last & particularly the uninclosed part) is your Lp to be excluded from any Allotm[en]t as Lord? _ 4th. What will be (by Conjecture) the Annual Average Value per Acre of the Land to be Allotted? _ 5th. the respective proportions of Freehold, Customary Freehold; Copyhold & Leasehold; & the calculated proportion of the Lord’s Interest in each of the 3 last Tenures? - as in Copyhold at Time uncertain, when the Lord’s Interest is worth 1/5th of the whole; there (to give an Example & supposing the Fee simple worth 27 1/2 Years Purchase) the Copyholders’ Interest is worth 22 Years, & the Lord’s Interest 5 1/2 Years Purchase. 6th. What is the imagined Value of the Mines in Weardale compared with that of the Soil.



      My Object is to ascertain your Lps Int[ere]st in the Premises, & wh[ethe]r any other Outline can be proposed that will make the Inclosure more profitable to the Proprietors & at the same time better for the Bishop. I do not return Mr. M’s Papers till I have your direction; as you may want some thing more said on them before they are returned.

      I called on Mr. Atkinson, He seemed <much> pleased with the Task proposed for him. As soon as he has consulted Mr. Wyatt I am to see him about it. _ I have been today at Mr Wollaston’s noble Mill at Chislehurst, which is working away, & in full business. _ I am happy to find the Accounts of the Admiral continue so favourable. _ This is a sad rheumatic season, & has been more wet in the South than in the North. We felt very little <Molestation> from it at Auckland._ I should there Continue a question of Buxton being wanted, I hope you will give it fair time.

      Our best wishes & respects attend your Lordship & Mrs Barrington. I remain most truly

Your Lordships obliged & faithful

      Tho Bernard



The Lord Bp of Durham



I <trouble> your Lordship with a Note to accompany your first Letter to Mr Emm.