Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 28 Mar 1762

To Sir Wr. Blackett Bt. M.P. at the Cocoa tree in Pall Mall London      Newcastle 28th March 1762

Hon[ou]rd Sir        

I have been told today that Sir Robt. Bewicke has determined upon accepting Kirkheaton Estate upon the Terms wch Mr. Collingwood, Mr Coll[ingwoo]d Forster & Mr Widdrington talked over one day last week; & left with Sir Robt for his consideration. The substance of wch, I understand, is that Sir <Ro..> & Mr Craster are to give bonds of indemnity , are to allow all your costs <……> are to dismiss the bill filed against you, & to please the tenants, if the giving them Their discharge for all rent & arr[ea]rs to May day last & returning them all the money wch they have paid, excepting the costs, will please them so that Sir Robt. is to enter upon the Estate as from May day last, & the ten[an]ts are, on receiving his bonds of indemnity to give you up yours & the receipts given them for rent paid to you. But by this adjustment the money wch you will have to pay Sir Robt. or else to repay the tenants immediately will amount to above £600 which is so large a sum as will retard the payment of Weardale Miners a little, because we did not expect this draught upon us on such a sudden. However, if you are inclined to be now clear of this affair in the manner which Mr Forster proposes, it will be proper, if you please, by the return of the post to signify your approbation of our paying to Sir Robt, or refunding to the tenants, all or such part of the rents, which they have paid to you, as Mr Coll[ingwoo]d Forster shall settle. P.S. The affair is proposed to be transacted at Wallington if it is agreeable to you, on Monday the 12th of next month      I am etc  HR