I am sorry that I cannot give you more pleasing accounts of our
progress in the Putney affairs, but we find people very cool,
and tho' many applications are made, yet nobody as yet has spoke
seriously and to the point. We attribute this general slowness in a
great measure to the vague description of an Estate seven miles from
London, &c., and heartily wish you would allow us to particularize
place, name, &c. Boissier has been over to S.'s at Wimbleton. It
plainly appears that he wishes to buy, but to buy cheap, and that,
notwithstanding his polite professions, he will do all in his
power to keep off all other purchasers. Considering all these rubs,
we could very much wish that you would set about giving us the
particulars of the Hampshire Estates, that the summer may not steal
away upon us, without any things being done.
I am much concerned to hear from Mrs. Gibbon that your Operation
has not produced any good effects, tho' we could hardly expect any
alteration in so short a time. As soon as we see a little more
clearly into what can or cannot be done as to Putney, I propose
coming down, as I wish to see you and Mrs. Gibbon, and I am sure
London has now no charms for me.
I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly yours,
E. G.
We wish to know upon what terms your Putney Tenants who have no
leases (Bateman, I think, & Stewart) hold their land and what they
pay.
P.S.--If you think I can be of more service at Beriton than in
London, I will attend you as soon as our Militia meeting is over, for
till then I think I cannot decently be in Hampshire.
68.
_To his Stepmother._
London, June 22nd, 1769.