Letter – Nicholas Walton to Richard Horne – 10 Jul 1752

Mr Richd. Horne                                             	Ravensworth Castle  July 10 th 1752



Sir     

      I was at Hexham on Wednesday with some of the Commissioners of the Turnpike Road which passes through that Town who propose leaving the present Road in many places and intend to go through the Derwentwater Lands.  By the Act they have not power to do more than repair and widen the present Road, so that the Directors have it in their power to put a stop to their passing through their lands.  They at present desire to go through a part of Dilston in order to make a convenient Road to the Bridge over Dilston Water, which we think the Board should comply with being not above two hundred yards in length. But they would extend the Road after crossing Dilston Water through the park, which we think not reasonable as a Stable must be taken down for passage, and as it will take up a considerable quantity of Land, being a Mile in length.  We wrote you before that provided a satisfaction was made the Tenants we did not see any objection to the alteration of the Road, but on considering it since we do not think it right for the Board to comply with more than giving leave to go through the small part to the Bridge as above.  You will be pleased to consider where the Earl of Northumberland gave leave to pass through his lands on paying Damages, the Commissioners had a power to pass through those Lands by Act of Parliament as the Road is a new one where no old Road was, but the present case is, that of repairing an old Road only and where any Lands are taken in to make the Road of a convenient breadth or where Lands are granted to pass through; a Satisfaction is to be made by way of purchase, which the Commissioners of the Road are ready to comply with, be pleased to lay this before the Board whose Directions will be necessary for us to have before the 22nd Inst. as a General Meeting is then intended to settle these matters.  I am for Mr Boag and Self

      Sir      your most hble. Servt.

      Nichos. Walton