Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 8 Sep 1741

      Ravensworth Castle Sep  8.  1741

To William Corbett Esq.



	In obedience to the Boards Command we wrote to Thomas Stephenson the Tennant of Hartside Colliery  & therein Acquainted him that the Board would not allow him anything towards the winning that colliery & that they they [sic] thought his demand a most Extraordinary one, but as we apprehend a small part of his demand would content him, if he would let us know what his Expectations really were, we would venture to lay them before our principles again; & to this he has given the answer Inclosed which we beg leave to refer you to; & also to recomend  the Boards Compassion as we are sensible he has been a great Sufferer . You will please to observe that there is yet to lay out £35 – whats we take to be necessary & beg leave to recomend  that Sum to be allowd him, & Ten guineas for what is past,  but  humbly submit it to the Boards Consideration.

	Inclosed you likewise receive a letter from A Roberts Esq. of Hexham proposing to take to farme Wooley hall Mill : the Hosp[ita]l being at the Expence of Building housing & putting the mill into Repaire & he to pay 10 pct for the money laid out upon a Lease for 21 Years. Mr Roberts has been acquainted that we apprehended the Hospital would not be unwilling to lay out any money in Building new or repairing this mill, which has been untenanted for many years, but that we did not know but they would Lett upon Reasonable Termes if he would take upon him the whole repaire at his Entering & during the 21 Years. And as we do not apprehend these Erections will cost less than £70 or £80 we humbly think unless Mr Roberts will be at the Expence him self, the Hospital should not goe into it & we are Sirs

      Yours &c

      Walton & Boag