Letter – Nicholas Walton to Richard Horne – 2 Feb 1759

To Richard Horne Esq.                           		Ravensworth Castle  February 2nd 1759



Sir

      We reced. from Mr Everest sometime ago a Draught of a Lead Mine Lease for the Quaker Company, which after we had examined we laid before Mr Stewart, together with a draught of a Land Lease to be prepared for printing after the Board had approved thereof.  And yesterday we gott both from Mr Stewart, & send you them inclosed, which be pleased to lay before the Board.  In regard to the Lead Mine Lease we think it so drawn as to answer the intention of all the Parties, & unless Mr Hussey shall see any defect in matter of Form we hope it will meet with approbation.  The Duty Ore has been hitherto delivered free & clear of all Taxes and other deductions, but the Covenant as it stood in the old Leases Extended only [next 5 words underlined] to all charges and deductions whatsoever which the Quaker Company have endeavoured to understand meaning not to include Taxes for which reason we have incerted the Words [next 3 words underlined]  Taxes & Assessments to make it clear & in that shape we begg leave to say it ought to stand as it has been the intention that we should receive for the Hospital the duty Ore free from all deductions.  We mention this particularly as the Quakers Agents here throw out that they expect to putt the payment of the poor Rates upon the Hospital.  We observe in Mr Everests draught that the Lead Mill is incerted as intended to be granted to the Quakers Company which was not the intention as it Reverts to the Hospital.  The Land Lease has undergone some alterations which we think necessary and besides it is intended to have an addition of a Provisoe for liberty to divide the Commons as you will observe by a separate Paper you will Receive with the Draught, but this we think long & wish it could be shortened either as a Provisoe or an Exception.  Many of the Tenants are so circumstanced as not to want this provision in their Leases so that if it comes in as a provisoe we propose leaving a Blank for it, but if it can be putt in as an Exception we think all may be printed leaving a Blank for the Name of the Common only.  When these Draughts have been examined & approved we should glad either to have them printed in London or here as soon as possible.  Here probably we may judge of the blank proper to be left the best, and if it is approved of they may be best filled up here & then sent to the Board for Execution, but this we submit to the Board and shall be glad to do that which is to them most agreeable.	

      We have had it under our consideration in regard to the appointment of young Mr Walton as Joint Receiver with Mr Boag & think it most convenient to have the new commision. take place the first of July next as it will prevent a break in the Account which must be settled to the time of Commencement of the new Commission.  But that we desire may be done in such way as is most agreeable to the Board.  We are 

      Yours etc

      N. Walton     H. Boag



P.S.   You’ll be pleased to observe that not above one Lead Mine can be granted in one Lease, as they must have Seperate determinations