Henry Lascelles, 2nd Earl of Harewood, presents himself as a reasonable landlord 1834

 

This carefully worded, reasonable letter written by the second Earl of Harewood (1767-1841) to his principal managing agent in London, relates to properties he owned at Upton (including Upton House) and Datchet,  both located just  north of Eton College and Windsor Castle and, less glamorously, close to Slough. Harewood was very wealthy and in the near future was to become, in cash terms, even wealthier: under the British government’s 1830s compensation scheme he was able to claim £26,307 for the loss of 1,277 enslaved people in Barbados and Jamaica. The government took out a loan to pay for this scheme which was not fially repaid until 2015. Harewood's compensation was equivalent to about £2,600,000 in 2026 (Bank of England calculator).

The Second Earl of Harewood 

Transcription

Addressed to: J. W. Nelson Esq   Crutched Friars   London [“Crutched Friars” is a street in the city of London and still exists]

Endorsed: Leeds thirtieth Dec 1834    Harewood

Datelined: Harewood House 29^th Dec 1834

Postmarked LEEDS DE30 1834, London receiver mark 31 DE 1831

Dear Sir

It is difficult to give a general answer to the expectations of the Tenants of Upton, and Datchet with regard to a reduction of Rents. I am quite aware that the price of wheat is low, but I am also aware that the low price is occasioned principally by an abundant stock of the Article, I never wish to exclude the consideration of any special cases of misfortune that may overtake a Tenant, but at the same time I do not wish to open the door for the introduction of a principle, that the Landlord is to be liable to the common casualties arising from unfavourable seasons. You mention Mr Jennings’s case as particularly deserving of attention. I shall be ready to hear it, when we meet or shall be glad to see him upon the subject when I come to Town. His Rent you will remember was reduced. I am far from saying that every demand for reduction of rent is unjust, but I have daily experience of discontent of Tenants whose want of exertion and management occasion tenfold more difficulties than the amount of rent. I do not mean to apply this observation to Upton and Datchet in particular but to use it generally.

Yours sincerely

Harewood

References

Wikipedia: Henry Lascelles, Second Earl of Harewood

Legacies of British Slavery: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/search/