Letter – Arthur Mowbray to Shute Barrington – 5 Dec 1798

      Sherburn 5th decr. 1798

My Lord,

      Scruton has (as I presume your Lordship will have observed in the Newcastle Paper) advertised the Weardale Meeting to hold on the 17th Instant. It is further to consider the Bill, to read the Case and Opinion, and to resolve as to the propriety of another opinion whether your Lordships Lessees or the Owner of the Soil is to pay the damage done by working of the Mine. I have with Scruton looked over the Bill. At present the Clause as to the Expense of Building the Chapel, the Curates Salary &c is blank. I wish it had been filled up. Would it not be better to have it done by Mr. Williamson?

      To the Bill on a General Reading I can see no objection. It does not get so rapidly forward as I could wish.

      Mr Tweddell and Others are I think rather officious altho friendly to the Cause and I doubt the Rector will prove tedious.

	I was last Friday at Ravensworth, and I have the pleasure to inform your Lordship that I found Sir Thomas Liddell friendly to the Blackburn fell Concern - he has allowed me to go at any time to any of his papers, and I hope by a little pains we may do some good. No attention having been paid to the Riding of the Boundary either by the Bishop of durham or by the Ravensworth Family for many years, makes it appear difficult, and the more so, as Sir John Eden has been riding constantly and taken in what appears pretty clear part of Blackburn Fell.

      I have rec’d. an Answer to my Letter from Mr Spofforth saying he cannot get the Leaseholding Land Tax in Howdenshire separated from the Freehold. - As of yet I have not got Mr. Buddle’s Report, nor have I got the Stockton Land Tax from Mr Castle. I am, My Lord

      Your Lordships very much obt. & most obd. hble. Servt.

      Arthur Mowbray



The Hble. & Rt. Revd. The Ld Bishop of durham