Item 59 - Letter from Mr Ponder to Dr French

1 item, paper

Letter from Mr Nathaniel Ponder to Dr French.
At the request of Mr Calvert, relative to the college estates in London, he has to inform him that Mr Sparrow, the college under-tenant of he No.6 and No.7 Ludgate Hill now on lease to Mr C G Cooke has its the consent of his landlord, the said C G Cooke positively refused to pay the last years rent of £6 2s due to Jesus College last Michaelmas, even though he has applied for it several times in the usual manner.
The alleged cause is that an application has been by the city solicitor for £12 10s arising out of a quit rent of 8s per annum. For the last 30 years this is now demanded of Mr Sparrow. Repeated applications have been made to the college on its authorised agents in London, but without effect.
Mr Ponder is not aware that he has been either written to or called upon in respect of this demand, nor has Mr Winter.
Mr Sparrow's solicitor is of the opinion that the college is liable but Mr Winter is of a contrary opinion.
He therefore wants to know how to act, and asks that Dr French elevate the matter by reference of some of your old papers and as to whether you have ever paid or allowed this claim.
He is of the opinion that he very much doubts the liability lies with the tenant. He has attached copies of 2 receipts for similar rates, changeable on the same premises and paid by Mr Blades who occupies a part of these premises situated in Stone Cutter Street. He believes that Mr Blades holds under Mr Cooke and he thinks it probably that some new arrangements respecting this rate might have taken effect at the time in lieu of that now claimed and that principle in which this was adopted may have been forgotten.

On the opposite page are hand-written copies of two receipts.
Copies of receipts in the hands of Mr John Blades, Ludgate Hill.
"Received the 24th day of October 1821 of John Blades. £1 1s, due at Michaelmas 1821 for one years rent to the major commonality of citizens of the city of London for premises in Stone Cutter Street. John Bond."
"Received of the 24th day of October 1821 of Mr William Harrison the sum of 1s for one years rent due at Michaelmas 1821 to the major commonality of citizens of the city of London for premises in Stone Cutter Street. John Bond."