Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 29 Mar 1737

Wm Corbett Esqr

      Ravensworth Castle  March 29 1737

Sr

	We reced the Boards Minutes of the 23 March Inst wth the Petition of Mrs Ann Clavering of Scremerston.

	The method of trying for Coale in these parts is not according to the Success; but is by boring at a Stipulated price, according to the deepness of such boring. & it is common to make Tryall in two or three places.  We propose to try in three places each 30 fathams or 60 Yards the Expence whereof you have as followeth Viz



Boring the first 10 fathams at 5s per fatham £2.10.-

   the next 5 fathams at 10s per fatham      £2.10.-

   the next 5 fathams at 15s per fatham      £3.15.-

   the next 5 fathams at 20s per fatham       5. -.-

   the next 5 fathams at 25s per fatham       6. 5.-

             Boring 30 fathams              £20. -.-

             Two places more                 40. -.-

             Ropes, Rolls, Carriage etc abt   5. -.-

                                  Total     £65. -.-



	As to Mrs Ann Claverings complaint, it is so farr true, that she has tore out a quantity of Land, without Liberty from the Hospitall, or (as we believe) without having a power by her Lease to doe so.  That Lease has been sometime expired, but as we never were admitted to a Sight of it, we knew not what it contains, but we apprehend the Same that is contained in the Leases of the Neighbouring Estates of the late Earl of Derwentwater, in which is a Covenant, that no ground Shall be tore out, in the last three years of the Lease.  Whether this ground lately tore out, was laid down to Grass as a Convenience for a Dairey we cannot Judge, but we apprehend if it was so that a greater quantity was at that time tore out and in Lieu thereof & if it was a Convenience to Mrs Clavering to have it in grass as a Convenience for a Dairey, She must allow it Surely must be a Convenience to the entering Tennant to want it

	We have no other View in discharging Mrs Clavering from Sowing down this land but that of doing Justice to the Entering Tennant & our directing her to leave one quarter part of her Tillage Land is intended to do the Hospitall Justice, as it is a very bad custome to leave only a fifth, or fallow only a fifth part annually.  It woud do well if the Hospitall coud oblige Mrs Clavering to Shew her Lease & whatever by it appears to be her right She will undoubted have, which may put an end to any differences  We are Sir Yr most obedt Servts

      Nichos Walton     Hugh Boag