Folios 210-211. An anonymous letter addressed to 'My Lord' [John Stuart, Earl of...

Folios 210-211. An anonymous letter addressed to 'My Lord' [John Stuart, Earl of Bute] concerning 'the seeming present differences between the Earl [of Verney] and your Lordship's now son in law, Sir James Lowther, relative to a rich colliery in Cumberland now in the possession of Sir James under a bare contract with the Widow Salkeld for the absolute purchase thereof, her title thereto with other estates (as being a papist) hath been called into question and of late by bill in Chancery through the Earl's assistance in favour of one Thomas Salkeld, a distant relation, but next male heir under some old settlement. The point being whether a papist (all that succeeded thereto being such) could cut off the entail. If not Sir James Lowther, will not only be deprived of the colliery' but probably also liable for waste. The writer also appears to be suggesting that Lord Mount Stuart [the Earl of Bute's heir] might marry the Earl of Verne's niece who is the Earl's heir presumptive to an estate of £350,000.