Vol. II.] 
duftion of all that- advantage, all that 
happinefs, which we may hope is referved 
for. the prefent age to commence the dif 
nfation of ! 
The different deferiptions of Tithes 
are tceo well kriown to acquire particular 
explanation; but there is zo defcription 
but what is capable of valuation: And 
whatever may be fairly valued, may be 
Sairly bought and annihilated for ever. 
The caleulation, whatever it fhall hap- 
pen, will be no difficult tafk for perfons 
of common capacity and skill in the value 
of land. Of fuch men, in the prefent 
ftate of agricultural knowledge, enough 
may be fele&ted in this country to value 
twenty times the quantity required to be 
valued. I would thererore propote the 
following outline of a plan, to be pre- 
fented to Parliament, as the bafis of a 
general att, for the purpofe aforefaid : 
1. That a law be paffed, to authorife 
and compel the owners of all titheable 
dJands and property throughout the realm 
to purchafe the Tithe of the fame, on a 
fair valuation, within a time to be li- 
mited. ae 
2. That by fuch law, the gentlemen 
land-owners in each county to be aticm- 
bled at the quarter feflions, or in fome 
other public manner, be required to no- 
minate a fuitable number of perfons, con- 
fidered as the moft fkilful in the value of 
lands in their refpedtive diftricts, to be 
returned as fuch to parliament ona given 
day, out of which perfons a proper num- 
ber to be felected and appointed as com- 
siifoners, for eftimating the value of the 
~Tithes ofeach county or diftrift. In the 
proceedings of fuch perfons to value, the 
perfon immediately interefted in the valu- 
ation and purchafe, to have the liberty, if 
he fhall fo chufe, of appointing fome one 
gr more perfon or perfons, according to a 
certain rule or proportion, to act with, and 
afhitt fuch parliamentary commilfioners in 
determining the value. 
_ 3. That the perfons appointed be re- 
quired to proceed in their office, under the 
ufaal qualification of an oath, or afirma- 
tion, to do juftice according to the beft of 
their knowledge and belief, without fa- 
vour or affection. And this judicial teft, 
upon which matters of ftill greater confe- 
quence, even perfonal liberty, lite and 
death, are made to depend, will doubt- 
lefs be deemed fufficient.---The. majority 
to determine the value in queftion, _ 
4. That every valuation fhall be laid 
before the quarter feflions, or fuch county 
‘mectinig as fhall be {pecially appointed 
Plan far the Abolition of Tithes. 
for that end, previous to its being res 
turned to parliament; at which quarter 
feflions, or county or other meeting, any 
perfon may have a right of appeal, for 
amendment of the valuation, if in the 
opinion of three or more reputable land- 
owners of the diftrict, he.can thew reafon- 
able caufe of diffatistaGtion.---And the 
meeting to have full power of altering any 
valuation which it may think erroneous ; 
but if it fhall appear to them that the 
complaint is illtounded, their decitien, in 
favour of the valuation, to be final. 
5. Lhat returns be made to parliament 
of the amount and particulars of the ya- 
luation in each diftrict or county within 
one year, or within eighteen months next 
after the paiiing of the act, and ali Tithes 
and out-goings to ceale at a ftated time, 
only fufficiently diftant from the day of 
parliamentary ratification to admit of the 
purchafer’s completing his title. 
_6. That the amount of fales of the 
Tithes appertaining to laymen (however 
originally acquired) being now legally 
velied in them, and their heirs, execu- 
tors, adminifirators, or affigns, be taken 
by the owners, without dedu€tion, whe- 
ther thofe owners be individuals or truf- 
tees for particular ules ; but if the latter, 
that they be bound forthwith to veft the 
money in government fecurities, the inte- 
reft to be applied from time to time, to the 
ends of the original. appointment ; jave 
and except in inftances where parliament, 
after mature deliberation, fhail deem the 
ebject fuperititious or unworthy,---And 
in fach cates parliament to have the power 
of. abrogation, and of applying fuck 
money either to the founding of fome cha- 
rity, mot congenial to the circumftances 
of the diftrict, or towards the lefiening the 
debt cf the nation. Agee 
_7, That the purpofes to which the faid 
income fhail be for ever applied, thali, be, 
1. The maintenance of the whole clergy 
of the national church; 2. The building 
and reparation of houfes for their dwell- 
ing; 3. The occafional reparation or 
building of the places of worthip apper- 
* taining to the eftablifhment. 
The foregoing objects firuck me as 
proper for the application of the ag- 
gregate income; and 1 have. extended 
them to the number fet down,. becaufe 
they feem to be naturally connected, and 
parts, altho’ not all the parts, of the ori- 
ginal appropriation of tithes in this 
country. I havevalfo fo. far extended 
them, becaufe E have no doubt it will 
be found, that the income from the fund, 
dah to 
$53, 

