Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 18 Apr 1769

To Sir Wr Blackett Baro[ne]t MP in Half Moon Street

Piccadilly London                                                                                Newca[stle] 18th April 1769

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

The <Nuts> & Wine & the Horses & Servants are all come.

Dukesfield pay, which comes to £4300, is to be made on the 27th of this Month; and the Rent day at Wallington will be the 9th of the next. I have rec[eiv]ed your Letter by this days post and will acquaint The Mayor Mr Blackett Mr Peareth & Mr Mosley of the reason of your not writing to them: which I am very sorry for, but hope your journey into the North will recover your Health, as it has usually done.

Mr Sunderland tells me the Wool Officer’s place is about Ninety pounds a Year, including all Fees – that he does not collect any duties – but keeps a Horse and within his district examines all Wool that passes, & signs permits for it – that it is a genteel place, & that Mr Cutht Lambert is well qualified for it. But he adds, that he saw Mr Marshall to day & thinks him a good deal better.

I will write to Dr Sharp next post about the papers.

Edward Evans is now out of Livery.

Mr Fawcett has now given me his opinion about the Suitors to Hexham & Anick grange Courts; but it is almost the reverse of what he gave me verbally; and it is similar to Mr Wilsons, that they are only liable to Suit, as being within the Leet. These two opinions are so opposite to Mr Rivets, who was also singular in his former opinion about the Freeholds of those Manors, that I asked Mr Darwin particularly after him, who gives him the Character of a good Lawyer.

I am glad you have met with £30000; for the last Arch of Hexham Bridge, on which depends the payment of £1200, has been a Troublesome Idea to me. I am etc    HR