Letter – Nicholas Walton to Thomas Simpson – 15 Jun 1752

To Mr Thos. Simpson

Attorney at law in Penrith                       		Ravensworth Castle  June 15 th 1752



Dear Sir

      The Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital, for whom you and we have the honour to be concerned, hold the Tythes of Dilston and Lorbottle by Lease bearing the date the 23rd June 1741, which should have been renewed in the year 1748, when Mr Boag waited upon the Chapter at which time they were pleased to make a minute which they delivered to Mr Boag purporting that having been engaged in an expensive Suit about these Tythes they would not renew till the charges attending the same were paid.  That they expected a fresh indemnity in a Bond of £2000 against any further demands or any suit or trouble that might attend the same; and that they expected to be paid a Rent of 16s / 6d per Annum, and the Arrears thereof due to them from the Derwentwater Estate. The Law Bills which have come to our hands have been paid and one which they have a Demand for, we are ready to pay, together with the Rent of 16s / 6d per Annum and the Arrears thereof now due, upon the renewal of these Leases on the old Terms; But we are ordered to acquaint the Dean and Chapter that the Board of Directors for Greenwich Hospital do not think proper to give them any security more than has been usual in the Leases of these Tythes Sir John Webb having agreed to give no further trouble therein. 

      What we therefore desire is, that you will wait upon the Dean and Chapter and acquaint them with the above as also that the Leases must be made out in the names of Fras. Dansays, Peter Burrell, Wm. Baxter, Thomas Ripley Esqr., Dr David Cockburn, Wm. Allix & Wm. Young Esqr.  you have inclosed a Copy of the Minute the Dean and Chapter made when Mr Boag was with them, by which you see they agree to renew on the old Terms when the Points they insisted upon were complied with; and as every thing except the Indemnity is agreed to by the Commissioners we hope they will make no difficulty as there is a general Indemnity in the Leases.  Upon the last Renewal paid a Fine of £70 upon which Terms we hope you will obtain this renewal allowed for the time the Leases have over run Seven Years you will find a Rental will be required of Dilston Tythes which we cannot give as these Tythes have never been let.  Lorbottle Tythes are now let at £36 p Annum and the reserved Rent for them is £4 payable to the Chapter so that Dilston in proportion thereto should be £45 as the reserved Rent for Dilston is £5 payable to the Dean and Chapter what we mean by the Tythes of Dilston never having been let is they have never been separated from the Farms but go with them without distinction.  If you think it proper to go over to Carlisle before the Chapter day pray do so; and we hope nothing will prevent you from attending this thing your self in which we are assured you will do what is necessary to bring the matter to a Conclusion.  We beg our Compliments to the Chapter and desire you will acquaint them we would have waited upon them ourselves but that it is at this time very inconvenient; but our coming is very unnecessary as this affair will be transacted by you who is also concerned for the Hospital.  The money for the Fine will be ready on the least notice from you we will write to you soon in Relation to the Brief and are     

                                            Sir   Your most hble Sevts.

                                                  Nichos. Walton     Hugh Boag



P.S.    We have wrote two Lines to Mr Nicholson the Dean and Chapters Agent to acquaint him that you have power to treat with and will attend the Chapter, a Copy of our Letter you have inclosed