Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 25 Oct 1820

Mrs Beaumont	 Bretton				Newcastle 25th October 1820

		

Madam 

I herewith transmit copy of a letter to & from Mr Phillpotts. His rejection of the offer of £4000, & the manner of doing it, leaves no room for hope, I fear, that a further offer of £500 more would induce him to enter into an Agreement; rather on the contrary induce him to be more tenacious in adhering to his most unreasonable demand; and which if acceded to by you, will be used as a precedent in future Agreements for the Lot & Tythe Ore. Mr Phillpotts’s remarks respecting his eights, compared with those of the Bishops, are so obscure, that to me they are unintelligible; but it is quite clear that he presumes upon your engagement with his Lordship, as an important circumstance in aid of attaining his ends. – From the late period of the year, it is evident that the Tythe Ore cannot in any great quantity be drawn before the months of May and June next, and the consideration which this circumstance suggests, is, whether it would not best promote the object of influencing the mind of Mr Phillpotts to moderation – to adopt at once with firmness a temporary plan of Reduction in working the Mines; &  throw upon him the deserved odium, of all the distress which must necessarily ensue throughout the district. – The adoption of this measure will undoubtedly be productive of great calamity; but no candid person can impute blame to you, after the liberal offer made to Mr Phillpotts for his Tythe. – You will have to participate largely in the injury that this measure must occasion during the Bishop’s life; but it is only anticipating what will happen on his demise, who from his great age cannot be expected to live long. - The late agitated question of the Poor Rate on Tythe Ore will again be resumed and I see no end to the mischief that Mr Phillpotts’ conduct is calculated to produce. - You have by your unfortunate situation in the Weardale Mines, nothing but a choice of Evils, and to act in a manner so as to avoid the greatest and choose the least, is indeed, a matter of great difficulty

	I am etc MM