Reasons for Altering the Method Used at Present in Letting Church and College Leases, Address'd to a Member of Parliament

Reasons For Altering The Method Used At Present In Letting Church And College Leases, Address'D To A Member Of Parliament by John Colbatch. This is a historical legal-political tract surveying how church, cathedral, and college land is leased in England, arguing that the current practice yields rents far below real value and generates burdensome fines on lessees. Colbatch analyzes the prevailing method (often a lease for long terms or lives with periodic renewals and penalties), and critiques the Enabling and other Statutes (notably 32 Hen. VIII, 13 Eliz., and related provisions) that have permitted undervalued rents and perpetual renewals. He compares ecclesiastical and civil law, cites classical and medieval precedents, and discusses the consequences for ecclesiastical endowments, universities, the poor, and the public patrimony. He also proposes remedies to restore true value and prevent dilapidation of endowments, urging Parliament to reform leasing practices so rents reflect real profits and endowments serve the common good of religion, learning, and the nation.