386 SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 



my emolument, as I must receive 18s. for every 2s. they get, 

 but the whole of the unpopularity of the measure must rest 

 on their shoulders. 



"Thus much for my tenants: for the lands I hold in 

 hand, I have no objection, if the Commissioners choose to 

 rate me so, to pay at the value fixed upon it by the quality 

 men; they acted under parliamentary sanction, and upon 

 their oaths; they are persons over whom I have no kind of 

 influence, and if I had, I should have urged them to value as 

 high as possible, because in that case I should get the greater 

 share of the Fen to be divided. I have, however, entirely 

 acquiesced in their valuation, and have received my share of 

 Wildmore Fen at their rate ; am I therefore to receive under 

 the sanction of one Act of Parliament at a low rate, and to 

 be taxed under another Act at a high one ? English policy 

 does not admit such an idea, and I doubt whether it would 

 be well received in Turkey or in Barbary; besides, no increase 

 in the value of stock has taken place since this valuation was 

 made. 



"I thank you much for having provided me with a pony. 

 I can do without it till I come to Revesby: you will by that 

 time be perfectly acquainted with its qualities. Perfect sure- 

 footedness is my great object. I am weak; and if a horse 

 should fall under me, I cannot hold myself upon him. 



"You were right in telling the Fen Commissioners, that 

 if they do not allow to the soke their just rights over the 

 Fodder Fen, I must seek justice elsewhere. The Fodder 

 Dike is so strong an argument, and the constant usage, that 

 it would be in truth a crying injustice to be blind, as they 

 seem to wish to be, to a right so substantially established. 



" If you wish for further instructions on the subject of the 

 surcharges, be good enough to write to me, and state what 

 your opinion is, and what other people think. I could easily 

 fill another sheet of paper, for I am sure that Government 

 never meant a surcharge on property let honestly and fairly, 

 however low that rent might be; all they sought for was to 

 check collusion and other kinds of cheating. 



( Your sure friend, 



"Jos. BANKS." 



