[ The English agricultural crisis of 1816, 'the year without a summer'. ] Corrected manuscript copy of letter from unnamed Irish landowner (peer?) to the future Sir Robert Bateson, describing the agricultural crisis affecting his English estates.

2pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly-aged, folded into packet. 34 lines of text. He begins by expressing his pleasure on Bateson's 'kind attention in naming me one of the God Fathers to your little Boy' [the future Conservative MP Robert Bateson (1816-1843)]. He next turns to the agricultural crisis: 'The accot. you give me of the state of the North of Ireland is very distressing under these circumstances. I feel no inclination to witness it by visiting my Estate there this Summer. I assure you there has been much distress also in this Country few Gentlemen indeed have been paid the whole of their Rent & some of my friends have been obliged to occupy their Farms themselves, but within the last fortnight from what cause I cant say theh Price of Wheat has risen considerably & our Farmers begin to smile & enquire about Farms to let & I trust in less than a Twelve Month all will be well again'. He reports that the 'Price of Landed Estates has fallen with us from the Scarcity of Money'. He wonders how things stand in Ireland: 'I thought with you about the Property Tax, but I feel the comfort now of its being repeal'd perhaps'. He has observed 'the Inquisitorial & insufferable tendeny of its being a Commission', and hopes 'Ministers will never be driven to adopt it again'. He reports that his son Robert has 'gone on a sporting excursion to Scotland', adding 'He has not the same itch for travel thaht I had at his age'. He asks after 'the Dunns' and 'the Hamills, and asks to be remembered to 'yr Uncle William & with my best regards to Mrs. Bateson'.