Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 28 Dec 1768

To Sr Wr Blackett Baro[ne]t M.P.in Half Moon Street

Piccadilly London                                                                             Newca[stle] 28th Decem 1768

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

I have acquainted Mr Bell & Mr Forster with the Contents of your Letters of the 10th 22d & 24th instt; & they have made Minutes and will inform themselves of every Thing relating to the Fisheries & the proposed bill: & allso inquire into and endeavour with Mr Greys assistance to settle the Matter about the Bridge, which I think may easily be done, if Mr Ord is a reasonable  Man. For first it must be admitted that the building the Bridge without his Consent, was wrong, & that he had a right to pull it down: but after that admission I hope he will for a moderate sum, let you have a right to an Abutment upon his Ground for the same uses as the plank was for: If he will not the plank must be laid down and maintained. I expect the picture will come by the Cart on Friday & then I will send it by the Waggon on Saturday for the Sea is not so safe at this season. Major Carr is abroad, but I will see him on his return. Mr Errington has paid Mr Heron’s bill, & I hear he intends to satisfy Mr Wilson; and then it is believed his Expence will exceed your’s: but I have given Mr Bell an Acco[un]t of your disbursements, & he will communicate it to Mr Kirsop; with an Intimation of your desire to pay half the Charge attending this Exchange: which is Consonant to what I told Mr Bullock by your direction. It seems to be the Sense of people here that the petitions against the Oxford Canal should be presented, notwithstanding the Want of Support from the City and the Ministry; being perswaded it will be found prejudicial to the Marine Navigation, if those Coals ever can be brought to London or its Neighbourhood.

The Fitters remain firm in their refusal of the clause proposed by the Keelmen & seem to think the men will soon agree to bind in the Old Way – a Majority of them I am told are already bound; but then much of this Majority is composed of Men that live up the River and have no Opinion of Mr Harvey nor inclination to the Scheme. I wish you many happy returns of to Morrow & am etc    HR

P.S. It seems by the Abstract of the patent Mr Darwin has sent me that you are proprietor of the Tithes of Rothly by purchase under the Crown which will, if it can be made out, be a better Title than claiming them under an Exempt order of Monks. I shall write Mr Darwin about this in a post or two.