Letter – Henry Richmond to William Darwin – 15 Mar 1768

To Mr Darwin Greys Inn London                                                      Newca[stle] 15th March 1768

Sir

Sir Walter bids me write in Answer to your Letter to him of the 3d instant about his granting a deputation to the take the Examination and Surrender’s of such of the parties, to the deed for the Conveyances of Hexham E[as]t Ferry boat to Him, as are under coverture; which I cannot better do than by inclosing you a Copy of Mr Wilson’s opinion, who is the Steward of Hexham Courts, & a Copy of Mr Fawcett’s Letter to Sir Walter proposing an expedient which you see Mr Wilson does not approve of. By this opinion Sir Walter thinks he must abide; as nothing satisfactory has yet been offered to determine him to a deviation from the ancient usage of the Manor in these Cases.

Sir Walter tells me a young man in York spoke to him about Mrs Idle’s £1700 and said he had wrote to you about it but had not received any answer. Sir Walter would pay off this Money, & desires you will give Notice accordingly & settle the time and place, & advise me of it that I may make a Remittance for the purpose in due time. Sir Walter desires you will pay Mr Ridsdale the inclosed bill of £31 1s 0d for candles and place it to his Account – to which also you will place such of the Subscriptions to Hexham bridge as you have rec[eive]d and I should be glad to know which they are, as I keep that Account.

Our Election I suppose will be on Monday next and Sir Walter rechosen – after which when you have occasion to write to me & have no franks, you may direct to Sir Walter Blackett Baro[ne]t at Newcastle upon Tyne & write the word Free under the word Tyne. Sir Walter desires you will send Mr Porter or somebody to pay his Subscriptions at White’s Boodle’s and the Cocoatree according to the inclosed order. I am etc    HR