Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 18 Feb 1771

To Sir Walter Blackett  Bt.  M.P.  in half Moon Street                Newcas.   18th  Febry 1771

 Piccadilly, London



Honrd. Sir      Inclosed is Jos. Lowry’s Agreement for the house at Cambo on behalf of George <Pougfer> , who called upon me on Tuesday last on his return from viewing what was taken for him - he wanted to see the Article, which as he desired I read to him, & asked him if he had any Objection to signing it - he said he had met you on the road & did not intend signing till he saw you again in London:  when he would do it in Case you would agree to some Things he wanted to be done at the house and which Mr Forster was to send you an Account of this Week - the Things he named to me were such as I told him I thought you would have no objection to : such as cieling the Garrets, making a partition off the Kitchen for a Bar - making a hog Sty - altering the range of the Chimney, so as he could put up a Smoke Jack - and granting him a longer Term - all these I agreed to add to the Article Subject to your Approbation; but he said he expected you would find him the Brewing Vessels, namely, a Boiler, Mash Tub, Cooler & Vat sufficient for a hogshead which I also agreed to provided he would pay you interest for the Money they should Cost.   he replyed he chose to see you & if you would not find them for him he would buy them himself - so, not being able to make any more of him, I have sent up the Article.  to which should be added a Clause in Case you let him a longer Term, that he shall not assign the premises - for I find if he comes hither it will be on his Wife’s Acct. & if any Thing should happen her he would be glad to get clear of the farm.

  Mr Bell had Letters from Hexham last Night that Mr Rumney the Curate and Schoolmaster there died on Saturday last of the Gout in his Stomach after a very short Illness - the value of the Curacy is now above Eighty pounds a year.  Mr Fawcett has not yet given me his Opinion whether you should urge Greenwich Hospital to proceed to a Suit at Law for the Tithes of Wallington  - nor have I yet got the particulars of the Things ordered to be done at Wallington and Hexham.  I hope you are better of your Cold.  P.S. Mr Maughan will be here to morrow Se’night, against which time you may perhaps be able to let me know the Rector of Stanhope’s Sentiments     & am etc    HR