Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 18 Apr 1770

To Sir Wr. Blackett  Bt.  M.P.  in Half Moon Street                             Newcas.  18 April 1770

                           Piccadilly  London



Honrd Sir    The Merchant in Rotterdam that you Enquire after, must be Mr. Chas. Allan; who has been several times here.  & whom you must have seen.  His Father Mr Lyonel Allan, who married a Sister of Lady Tankerville’s , was employed in Mr Wilkinson’s Executorship to sell the IBL Lead in Rotterdam, that is the Mark at this day of your refined Lead.  This Gentleman deals in it and I have lately sold a quantity of it to Mr Ralph Carr and Co. at £14 10s 0d a fother, which I believe was for him.  His Father and Brother died several years ago - but his Mother and Sister, who I think is called Rogers, are still living.  it is said he is for leaving off business and coming with his Wife & Family to live in England-  at Beverley in Yorkshire having acquired a very handsome fortune.

    So little is said about the Water, or Mr Tytlers’s Experiments, that no Judgement can be made of people’s sentiments about it.  I have heard him reckoned an Excellent Chymist, much Superior to Dr Rotherham; & think the Dr’s report of the Water will have Credit daily.

    Mr Blackett is very well, & says he will write a few Lines by this post.  All is very quiet here at present, & I hope will continue so when Evening comes, as the Magistrates have given proper Orders to the Constables and other peace officers.     I am etc    HR