Letter – Thomas Wentworth Beaumont to Diana Beaumont – 17 Jul 1819

							Scarborough. July 17. 1819.



My dear Mother,

      I have heard this morning from Thomas that the sum asked for the Bywell estate is one hundred & Twenty thousand Pounds, excluding the Timber, the value of which is proposed to be fixed by two indifferent persons – He adds ‘I do not think this price very extravagant, but I think it may be bought for five or six thousand Pounds less on immediate payment of the Purchase Money. I cannot help considering this an object worthy of your attention’ – This is his opinion of it and is not very different from the information I have been able to procure from other sources – I have understood that the timber may be worth from twenty to thirty thousand Pounds. The whole estate might I think be had for a hundred & forty thousand Pounds. Hodson has at present no idea that we have any thought of it so that, if you do not think that price too extravagant, it would be right perhaps to instruct Thomas what he might offer – I am rather apprehensive that the Greys are thinking of it for their Nephew Mr. Payne, & he is under <age> & has a considerable Sum of Money to be laid out in the purchase of Land, but this had better not be taken notice of to any one.

	Although the House is certainly ill situated from its proximity to the water, which however Thomas is of opinion might in a great measure be remedied, I should like very much to have Bywell – It is a most desirable residence for The Member for the County, being at a very convenient distance from every considerable Town, & in this respect it would certainly be preferable to Beaufront, which is too near Corbridge & Hexham. It is besides the most beautiful place in the County, and has an estate of about 4,000 acres of very good land adjoining the House, besides being very well stocked with <farms>. It is also not very far from my own estate at <Hilton> & <Fenwick Shield>, so that upon the whole I do not think there is a more eligible place within the County –

	I hope to have a line from you before you leave Rokeby to give me your Opinion about it. 

	I have written to thank <Morritt> for his invitation & to decline it upon this occasion.

As you have not told me [page torn; nearly 2 lines missing] of the <Duke’s> having put <you off> a few days, I am anxious to hear if you continue in the intention of going directly to L[or]d <Stewarts>. You will easily be able to amuse yourself for a few days longer before you go to Dunkeld & perhaps you w[oul]d do well to see a little more of the lakes before you go there –

      With best love to my Sisters,

      I remain, my dear Mother, Your aff[ectiona]te Son

      TW Beaumont



[Addressed:] care of Rokeby Castle, Greta Bridge