[Mrs M. A. Cranstoun of Friars Haugh.] Autograph Letter Signed to Charles Erskine of Erskine & Curle, Writers, Melrose, regarding a dispute with neighbour Mr Usher regarding right of way and 'the taking of Gravel'.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, with red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Charles Erskine Esqre. | Melrose'. Docketted: '7 May 1821 | Mrs Cranstown [sic] | About Mr Usher preventing the taking of Gravel'. A well-written letter, and a nice piece of social history. She lays out her case extremely clearly: 'I trouble you with this letter on the following account. Having occasion for some Gravel to beautify our Court, I employed a man to bring it from the river on Friday last. Mr Usher objected to his doing so, the man answered, "have not they a right? I think they have,["] Mr Usher said not without his leave. I imagined that we had full privilege of going thro' the Haugh cross the Tweed and so to Melrose or elsewhere without applying to any Tenant of the Meadow for leave, I believed this on Mr Cranstouns information which I understood him was told to him by you and that we ought to be careful not to relinquish the right, which we have accordingly exercised ever since we came here and which was never questioned till now'. The Cranstons 'still want some Stones from the Water', but she has 'stopped the Workman till I know my ground, for Mr Cranstoun is one of the last persons in the world to encroach on the right of his Neighbour, and is equally averse from giving up his own. I did not therefore chuse to ask as a favor what we perhaps possess as a right, and I shall wait your answer'.