After passing the Christmas at Beriton, I returned to town about
three Weeks ago. The friendly part you have taken in my affairs,
would render me inexcusable, if I omitted to acquaint you with what
has been done, as well as to consult you in relation to what ought to
be done.
With regard to the Goslings I have paid them a full year's interest
to last November. Seven hundred and forty-seven Pounds is a severe
pull, and I told Clive in a jocose manner but with great truth, that
if he was tired of being my Landlord, I was most heartily so of being
his tenant.
[Sidenote: WAYS AND MEANS]
In my last I expressed an inclination of parting with Lenborough
rather than with Beriton, but in these complicated affairs, so many
opposite reasons combat each other that I now incline to execute, if
possible, the original plan. We always knew the Bucks to be a most
desirable Estate, but I am now convinced that it is a very improvable
one. My Lands are let at twenty-three per acre, those of Lord Verney
in the same parish and intermixed with mine let for nine & twenty.
See the difference. 23½, 29; £636, £785. And this account I had
too from John Harris, who seems frightened out of his Wits, for fear
I should raise the rents; which it is always in my power to do, as
the Tenants are only at will, and without any leases. But I shall
soon know things more exactly, as a very trusty and able man is sent
down to value the Estate.
The Hampshire Estate on the other hand receives a great drawback
from the Woods and Manour; the former produce no interest, nor can
I afford to wait the slowness of their growth; the latter, tho'
extremely valuable to a Sportsman and Country Gentleman, would be to
me only a source of vexation, expence, lawsuits, quarrels, &c. &c. &c.
In order then to proceed in that line, it was necessary to get all
those Writings, which old Southouse has kept these two years without
any receipt, that we might examine whether we had a good saleable
title. The old Gentleman has shewn a reluctance in the restoring
them which was very far from pleasing. The best and perhaps the true
motive is his carelessness of business, and frequent stay in the
Country, but even that was a sufficient reason for taking my business
out of his hands. I am strongly recommended by Mr. Porten and other
friends to employ Mr. Newton, a man of character and ability, who has
great experience in the branch of buying and selling Estates. I shall
not take that or any other step of consequence without your praevious
approbation, and in case you have not any person in view I should
directly employ Newton. Southouse refuses to deliver up the Copy
of our Deed of trust, which was designed for the trustees, without
your order. Would it be disagreable to you, to send us a line by the
return of the post, directing him to deliver up the Deed to your
brother Trustee?
As soon as I have put this business in train I shall return for some
time to Beriton, to compleat the surveys and other things begun
there. I say nothing of Mrs. G., as I presume you correspond with her.