Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Ibbetson – 11 Feb 1778

      Farnacres 11 February 1778

To John Ibbetson Esquire



Sir

      I take the first opportunity of acquainting you that I have sent the Advertizement for the General Letting of the Derwentwater Estate, to the Printing Offices in Newcastle, to be inserted in all the Papers there, and have got Printed, a number of Forms for Proposals, same as inclosed, which I hope will afford a convenience to the Proposers, and be found of use in  Bringing the Proposals before the Board with more regularity as to form than might otherwise happen; and they shall be distributed amongst the Bailiffs to deliver to all such Persons as may be inclined to use them. 

      The Draft of the Lease for the Farms in the Derwentwater Estate as new Modelled is now finished, and will be laid before Mr Fawcett without delay, and a Copy thereof sent to the Board, as also to Mr Everest, as soon as possible.  After being finally settled, I beg leave to recommend that a short abstract be made and a number of Copies Printed off, to be  distributed in the several parts of the Country where the Farms lye, by which means, all Persons may know the Terms, and be the better enabled to make biddings; and I would further recommend, that Plans, on Parchment, be annexed to the Leases and Counterparts, describing  the several Fields, with the Names of each, and Quantities in Acres Roods & Perches contained therein, together with a Scale of Chains, and a Compass on each Plan; all which may be got done, taking the Large Farms & Small together for Ten Shillings and Six pence each Farm, the Hospital finding Parchment; and that will only amount to 18d or Two Shillings more.  The Board will be pleased to give directions herein with all convenient dispatch, as in case this proposition is approved, the work should be set about immediately. I am for Mr Turner & Self

      Sir Yours etc

      NW Junior



PS I am not enabled to give you any further account about the Corbridge Division having been

much engaged since I wrote you last