Crossmaglen, July 1826

Dear Madam [1] ,

I am obliged to call now on the Tenantry for the Rent. I got your farm surveyed again since I saw you that I might ascertain the arable land, the spent bog and the Fuel Bog – I find that there are 29a-2r in your arable and you ere charged only for 20a-2r in the old lease – you will now be charged in the new lease for 29a-2r - & if you like to attach the spent bog – perhaps my Nephew may include it in the lease – but I can’t say – it contains 1a-1r-20p – so that I think if you pay the Landlord for 30 acres at 25 he may be satisfied & you then get 3a-20r over = If it was for my own child I would advise it - & therefore recommend it to you for Davy [2] . You will have to pay the guinea besides for the proportion of the Fuel Bog that you usually cut on , but he will not lease that – If you are satisfied at what I now say – I think your Rent will come to £37.10 yearly for the 30a & the Guia [guinea] will make it £38.12.9 – you paid me last Gale 17.11.2 & at that Rate there remains 21=2=6 to clear the years Rent – consult with your friends on this & let me know as soon as possible that I may let the Landlord know – but let me have what Rent you can for him as soon as you can as I am gathering up for a supply for him now without delay – I have the map which you can use if you send Davy for it, but to return it soon again. The Turf in measurement contains 2a 1r=10p but I think you have not all this – the ___ter Land is 1a-1r= making in all 34a1r3Vp= which the map will show you – I remain, Dr. Martin

your [____t]
Sam Ball.

[In pencil beneath this, the sums:]

£30.0.0
    2.10
    5.0
  37.10
.....2-9 [and one more line which is partially torn off and illegible to me]