Letters – Joseph Richmond to Walter Blackett – 2 Mar 1733

To Wr. Blackett Esqr.                     Newcastle March 2nd 1732/3

Hon[ou]rd Sir,

      All Salaries are included in the £18432 which I compute to have been the outgoings in three y[ea]rs. There is now owing to Mines, & Mills 26t. £3500 but the greatest part is due to the Milns which have not been paid since Lady day 1731. I was in hopes to have paid them about Lady day, but I find money cant be rais’d to do it till the ways mend, & Lead can be got down to market, I think that when wee have saved about £3000 more, then wee shall be able to make half yearlys pays, & you may receive the clear profits of the Estate without straightning your affairs, but its my h[u]mble opinion you cant now exceed 3 or £4000 a year at most, without Lengthening your payments to the mines which will be certainly to your own Loss, I hope you wont take a miss my telling you what I take to be the reall truth, & conducive to your sole Intrest for I am sure I have none other in Veiw.

      I expect to receive what Writings Mr. Allgood has relating to your Lady’s Estate this Evening, which I shall forward by the Carrier tomorrow, & give you a particular acco[un]t of.

      Mr Reay, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Rudstone, Mr. Fenwick, & most of the people are so nettled at Mr. Mayors bold stroke in bringing in his Son, that if the Spirit it has rais’d be not laid before Mickas, it seems will be in His power to get him made Mayor. 

      I am etc  JR