Heytesbury House

Aug. 21.st 1825.

 

My dear William,

     I met Benett yesterday & he has made me a specific offer for his small wood adjoining Southleigh.  He is in no hurry for an answer & you will have ample time to consider the matter before you give an opinion on the subject.  The wood in question bounds the N: E: corner of your wood – consists of not more than 14 & I believe only 12 acres – has no large timber and is in the parish of Longbridge Deverill.  He has the modesty to ask 1000 Guineas for it.  The outside value of the land & underwood I should conceive to be 30£ an acre of 420£; & as Benett only values the young timber at 200£, 6 or at most 700£ would, I am told, be the proper valuation.  I do not care to go to the expense of having it surveyed regularly, until I know whether it would suit you.  Were it in the Parish of Heytesbury I should say buy it, even at the price demanded, in order to prevent the possibility of the erection of cottages, which by increasing the population might most seriously injure the rest of your Heytesbury Estate: - for the same reason I should say never part with one inch of Southleigh on any terms; but as the wood is in Deverill Parish & could only be of advantage to you as a preserve for the Game of Southleigh, I really do not think that it is worth your while to make any sacrifice for it.  You however will best know you own interests; & if you wish for an accurate valuation of the wood & timber, let me know & it shall be done forthwith & be sent out to you.

    If Giles would sell his little freehold in Heytesbury I think you would do well to purchase it.  It is adjoining Corton; and as Mr. Mortimer has now set to in earnest to build a large manufactory at Foresthill & as a branch thereof, has made a most advantageous offer to Benett for his Boyton mill, which he will accept, Giles’ heirs may take it into their heads to build upon his freehold & increase your poor rates confoundedly.

    In the course of conversation Benett let out to me in confidence his expectation of an entire dislocation of the Foresthill property on old Farquhar’s death & his determination in such case to strain every nerve to purchase that portion of which is in Tisbury Parish & which adjoins his property.  It would require a very large sum to do this; & would oblige him to dispose first, of his Enford Estates; & possibly (to make up the sum,) of the  ……. farm of Norton, lately occupied by Pocock.  If he should do so, he will give you the first offer of the property; which certainly if at all at a fair price, would be a most magnificent addition to your estate.  It is a farm of about 800 or 850£ a year and worth I should think some 20,000£ or perhaps 25,000£.It might be mortgaged for nearly the full amount of the purchase money.  However as Benett puts an if in the case, the probability is he will not sell, tho’ I believe he is sadly distressed for money; so much so, that he has just purchased an Estate upon which I have a mortgage, not having a single shilling to pay for it; which will of course oblige me to withhold the title deeds.  He is an arrant Jew to deal with.

    I have written a long letter to Edward, to which I refer you for all the information I have been able to pick up as to John Everett’s affairs.  I hear he has ……   ……    

     I shall be glad to hear how your pointers suit you as I am breeding up two most beautiful puppies, which will be fit for your service when you return to England.  Our breeding season has been good & as John Everett will want no more pheasants, I hope to have an abundant excess of them.  Our kindest regards to Maria.  I am rearing a lovely little black spaniel to keep her monkies in order.

Believe me your affectionate Brother

C: A: à Court

 

I have satisfactorily arranged my differences with Chandler.