George Stevenson Letter (January 19, 1763) - 2
have done, & he inclines to take it, but thinks £ 20 p Annum Rent
enough for it from a Stranger, who never had Labour'd on it, nor had
an Opportunity of purchasing; He also thinks that the Profits of the
Time that he has had it since it was clear'd is not nigh equal to his
Labours & Expence of building clearing & fencing (he having clear'd about 35a
& that £ 20 p Annum is above 10/u p Acre for every Acre of the clear
Land and therefore hopes you will give it him at [lesser] Rent.
Upon the whole Gentn I am of Opinion that 150a would not sell for
£ 500 more than any Man would have given for it the Day that John
Mitchel began to clear on it; and that if a German had Settled there instead
of John Ross's Son in Law, such German would have paid, at least Part
of it, before the Proprietarie's Orders, not to sell, arrived; and in the Case
Mr Penn would have lost it; but by John Mitchel's settling there, & not
a German; Mr Penn reaps the sole Benefit, & not John Mitchel.
This Disadvantage I am well persuaded, you cannot make up to Mitchel
but you can lease it to him some Years without Rent, or perhaps a larger
number of Years at about half the Rent another would give, and of
which Methods I think you will fall in with after considering
all Circumstances.
I beg you will excuse this long Letter, & believe me to be,
Gentn
Your most obedt
Hble Servt
Geo Stevenson
