JOHN FLEMING GIVES UP HIS LEASE

The following letter explains itself. The letter is preserved with the original lease of Leggs, which is preserved in the Collection of Leases belonging to the Duke of Argyl:

Campbeltown 12th March 1821

Sir,
       As John Fleming has fully determined on going to America this summer and as he has a wish to assign his Lease of Laggs in favor of my nephew John Paterson. – It will be obliging me much if you will have the goodness to accept of him as Tenant for the residue of the Lease of Laggs, and I bind and oblige myself to see you paid for the rent of the said posession of Fifty Pounds Sterling yearly besides fulfilling all other presentations encumbent on the said John Fleming by the said Lease, and I am with much respect, Sir
Your ob.Servant (signed) Margrat Ferguson

Limecraigs 23 March 1821

       John Fleming has not adhibited his consent to the above signed in the event that he has no objection, as deeming Mrs. Ferguson's security sufficient I shall on part of my constituents agree therefore upon John Fleming's and John Paterson's corroborating security or signature thereto. Ints.D.S. (Duncan Stewart)

Campbeltown 26th March 1821

Sir, I beg leave to mention that I feel exceedingly gratified in your having accepted of John Paterson in my stead as Tenant of the farm of Laggs in consequence of which I hereby renounce and assign my Lease in his favour from and after the term of Whitsunday next Eighteen Hundred and Twenty-one, and I am with much respect, Sir,
Your ob. Servant, (signed) John Fleming

I accept the farm aggreeably to these Missives and become bound to pay John Fleming's waygoing rent due at Martinmas 18 as well as the subsequent rents of Laggs.

(Signed) John Paterson
To: Duncan Stewart, Esq. Chamberlain of Kintyre

Margrat Ferguson was John Fleming's half-sister. John Paterson was the son of his other half-sister Janet.