Letter – Thomas Wentworth Beaumont to Diana Beaumont – 19 Oct 1819

							Blagdon. Oct 19. 1819 –

My dear Mother,

      Although I have not yet received Mr. Wilson’s letter, Horsington’s affords sufficient ground for enquiry into the circumstances attending the pulling down the workhouse at Whibsey. Does not it appear to you very <singular>, that he should never have thought of touching it until it was so near being <c….d> in, that if he delayed a single day, you would have no longer had the power of doing so, <and> by his own statement lost a <point> of your right?

      This shews great neglect of your interest – He ought to have objected to the erection of it at the commencement – It is however extremely <impracticable> that the <trustees> would <undertake> to do anything which might subject them to such conduct, and it is much more likely that they spoke to Horsington upon the subject before the building was begun. It will be important to ascertain whether they had any communication with him and what was his answer – If he had any, and expressed his dissent he ought not to have allowed them to proceed at all – Of course he would be much more culpable if he said anything, which implied a willingness to accede – The only other view is, that he did not know what was going on, which as he states the other freeholders considered it unalarming [2 words illegible] I cannot help at present <doubting>, for they most likely <know his> readiness to assert his rights and would be too happy to take the earliest opportunity of <putting> him in possession of the circumstances.

      It will also be very material to know his reasons for taking the step so suddenly, as he might perhaps have some cause to be offended with the trustees on some other account & take this method of retaliation -  It is however too important an occurrence not to immediately & strictly enquired into; for as the character of Horsington <..> has employed <will> suffer, it would be as well that the <blame> should be when it is deserved, & you would find it, I should think advisable, to <disavow> having authorised the transaction – I do not much like asking any of the Tenants to buy <Cutch> either for you or me; if they purchased <any> for themselves at the same terms they could not be expected to select the best for you, and it would be giving good <less> opening <for> a job – we had much better desire Thomas to commission some person to make the purchase you want, as he must be acquainted with many well qualified for it - <Raine> should enclose a note to him with the exact description of the sort of <parts> you want – The <St. Luke> fair is on the 26th or 27th of this Month.

      I do not think I shall be able to leave the North before the <9th> of Nov[embe]r, I intend making up for the shortness of my stay with you at that time by a longer residence at Christmas – The valuation of the Timber at Bywell is going on <superbly>; it is expected to fall considerably short of <Hudson’s> estimate, <Rickworth> & his hand - <tiles> are not worth your notice – With best love to my Father & Sisters, I am 

      My dear Mother

      <Your affect[ionat]e> son  TW Beaumont.