Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 10 Apr 1741

      Ravensworth Castle. April 10  1741

To William Corbett Esqr.



Sir

      As next Wednesday is we apprehend the day upon which the Sale of the Derwentwater Woods are to be Confirmed, we presume to acquaint you that Since our last we have not had a prospect of `any further proposals for the Woods in Northumberland, but from what we before wrote you we hope proposals are lodged at upwards of £5000.

      The Sale of the Cumberland Woods will be attended with a good deal of difficulty, as we find most of the Wood Mongers in that County, are in a Sort of Partnership or Combination with Mr Speedings against whom it is verry difficult to gett any other person to bid it:-We should be sorry to see these woods Sold under £4800 and are of oppinion if they are postponed another year  that we shall be able to break the above Gentlemens Schemes & come at the value. We believe this post will bring a fresh proposal for £4000 & that may probably put Mr Speedings upon bidding afresh but if he should not, we begg leave to recomend the Sale being putt off Unless other pro[pos]alls come to £4800 or near it. We have wrote to Mr Radley to the same purpose this day & are  Sir

      Yrs &c

      N. Walton  H. Boag