Letter from Francis Mewburn, 22 Craven Street to Leonard Raisbeck, Stockton

I road with lord Shaftesbury last night. He objects most decidedly to the merchantdize exemption clause, and will not allow it to pass, as he considers it his duty to protect the public

When I go to the house I will look at Tennant’s Plan but I do really think it shall endanger the fate of our Bill if we take any step against him, we are popular here and altho we shall be powerfully opposed by two great lords, we shall, I think, succeed if we get into a committee. The [illegible] Bill is unpopular, at the Liberals don’t like the idea of a tax upon shipping – they want the present rates reduced such is what I hear. The wisest course for your Party to adopt is, to reduce your dues and trade will pour in. you must expect to expend 6 or 8000 t[£] if you hope to succeed.

Yours faithfully

Fra Mewburn

I have thought it right to give you early information of Lord Shaftsbury’s objection - if you committee thinks proper to send two or three influential [illegible] sent to [illegible] I could accompany them to his Lordship but I think it right to state that all the members to whom I have mentioned the clause have expressed their dislike to it and will not support the bid if it stands part of it.