Memorandum – Isaac Basire to Isaac Basire – 12 Aug 1667

Dr Basire’s account of The Success of a Cause concerning Tythe of Lead Ore



Blessed be God who helpeth them to Right that suffer wrong: whose Providence has put a Period to a most vexatious Suit for Tythe Ore of Lead in the Parish of Stanhope with a cunning Lawyer and Moor Master there and six and twenty other Owners of Lead Mines whom He had stirred up and did maintain in the Suit against me the Parson at the Assizes at Durham on the 12th. of August 1667.  I have obtained a full Verdict both for myself and my Successors with the Allowance as of the Arrears so of the Costs of Suit of this Verdict I do intend God willing to obtain a Decree for perpetuity this next Term.   The hearing of the Cause lasted 17 Hours (A Singular Evidence of the Impartial Justice and Longanimity of the worthy Judge Baron Turner)  There lay at the Stake no less than 300£ a year with the Right of Succession <to> Boot never tried before this.   To preserve this chiefly and to prove the Custome I undertook this great Suit to a vast Expence being engaged in five several Courts.  Howbeit to settle the Right of Succession I the present Parson shall loose 50£ a year during my Life having been persuaded by the Judge to let a Lease of it for my Life to this Moormaster at 250£ a year whereas before the determination of the Suit <H> offered me 300£ a year for my Life if I would let succession alone.  Magna est Veritas est (sic) prevalebit: But Non nobis domine, non nobis Sed nomini Tuo da Gloriam (Great is the truth and it shall prevail: but not to us Lord, not to us, but to thy name let the glory be given)