Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Edward Willoughby – 3 Oct 1776

Mr Willoby  Town Clerk  Berwick upon Tweed                        Newcas.  3rd Octor.  1776



Sir   I am now to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter of the 28th Ulto. to Sir Walter Blackett with his Thanks to you for the very particular Accot. you have given him of the Encroachment made by Mr Pratt’s Tenants to the detriment of his (Sir Walter’s) Fishery at Needle Eye and to inform you that Sir Walter is very willing to allow Mr Pratt a reasonable time to enquire into this Matter but begs it may not sleep and Sir Walter says he will certainly not permit Mr Pratt to use or enjoy any other Sort of <Bat> or Erection than he formerly had which must be on the same Site and of the same Dimensions as to Height and Length as the old one _ perhaps Mr Pratt may not have a Right to build his Old <Bat> now as he has raised the Foundations of it seeing it was not destroyed by the Act of God _ As to his Right to repair it when decayed or when damaged by a Flood that I apprehend to be very different.   I am etc      J E B