Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 25 Oct 1767

To Sir Wr Blackett Baro[ne]t at Wallington                          Newca[stle] Sunday 25th Octor 1767

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

Inclosed is a Copy of Messrs Peareth & Cookson’s Acco[un]t of your loss by Weardale Mines in the 16 yrs ending 31st Decemr 1765 and of your Gain by the two compositions in the same time. Robert Wilson who was recommended to you by Mr Cramlington for a Tideman’s place will be thankfull for a Boatmans, which he is very fit for, being used to the Water business, as a Shipwright; but Mr Sunderland is abroad and will be so till Tuesday that I cannot learn whether the places are vacant that are mentioned in Collinson’s petition.

Lawyer Wilson writes by this post to Sr Thos Wentworth, who is at Breton near Wakefield, about Mr Errington’s request; and says that if Sr Thos agrees then a plan of the ground is to be drawn, and Arbitration bonds enter’d into and the Matter settled by an Award and by Sr Thos covenanting that if he ever comes into possession he will confirm the exchange by suffering a recovery at Mr Errington’s expence. He says Mr Errington did not seem inclined to exchange the piece of ground adjoining Mr Harbottle’s house; and that he thought Mr Errington was for transacting the Matter with an Accuracy that was improper where a favour was to be conferred.

I acquainted Mr Mayor that you could not be in Town on Monday.

Nothing has passed between Mr Heron and me about Mr Bell since the Guild day; when he said he could never think of being Mr Ords deputy and accounting to him for the fees of the Courts – but talked as if he would be content to take the Deputy Clerks place and the Bailiffs together and give Mr Ord a certain sum annually. I tryed if he would offer two thirds of what the fees should be found to have amounted to annually but he said a half of them was enough and so the Matter was left till he saw Mr Bell and learnt what the Annual Average of them might be. I have not heard from Mr Bell nor had any talk with Mr Heron since that day but hoped something might have passed at Hexham. I am etc    HR