Letters – Joseph Richmond to Walter Blackett – 14 Dec 1754

To Sir Wa.Blackett Bt. MP. at his house in Curzon Street London

14th Dec 1754

Hon[oure]d Sir

	As Mr Liddel's ballast vessels occasiond a great deduction f[ro]m the Income of Mr Hall the late deputy water bailiff he gave the Corporation notice abo[ut] a month ago, that he wo[ul]d give up his place & according to the late regulation he has been paid 666.13.4 being 5/6 of £800 th[a]t he p[ai]d for it. Under the present situation of affairs nobody will chuse to purchase it therefore the Corporation intend to fix a Man in the Station at an annual salary of £60 or £70 a y[ea]r. Mr Hall continues to act till the Common council shall  fix on a proper p[er]son, there are sev[era]l Candidates for the post, but none th[a]t are lookd upon  to be qualified for it but Hehem[iah] Blaigdon of Shields & Cap[tai]n Chas.Liddle. I am told by Mr Mayor & Mr Peareth th[a]t the former is recomended as being the properest p[er]son, but he was never a friend of yours  for both he and his Bro[the]r voted for Mr Ridley & Mr Carr at the contested Election in 1741, as to Capn.Liddle the objection that they make to him is th[a]t he is rather indolent & of too fiery a temper w[hi]ch may lead him to do some imprudent Action & his Wife's keeping a Shop & selling many sorts of Goods w[hi]ch the Ma[ste]rs of Ships will want is another thing they dislike, as she wo[ul]d probably remove Down to Shields if he succeeds in his Application. These all may be reasons w[i]th some to oppose him, & do not doubt but there may be as strong ones ag[ain]st his Competitor, if his Character was fairly scrutinized, but I know nothing at all of him further than above mencond. I do not think Mr Mayor will place anybody till he hear from you: & I do think Capn. Liddle is best intitled to your favours, if you think it proper to move in the Matter.

	I intend  to send you all the bills I can procure in ten days time & hope to make them up £2000 before Ladyday, w[hi]ch is all th[a]t I believe can be in my power to do.

	I am sorry to find you are indisposd with a Cold, but hope this will find you much better, w[hi]ch I shall be extremely glad to hear.

I am etc   JR