Letter – John Bell to Nicholas Ruddock – 2 Dec 1791

Mr Nics Ruddock  Hexham                                          Hexham Abbey 4th Decemr 1791

	I have read over both Mr Walton’s Letters and that of Mr Fryer of as carefully and attentively as I can and assure Mr Ruddock that it is not [struck out: through any apprehension  the fear] through Fear of condescending to Mr Walton nor is it that I crave Sir Thomas Blacketts Intimation of being willing to divide the Ground in Dispute with the Greenwich Hospital to come through me only but it is the apprehension less Sir Thomas Blackett should meet with such another Insulte as he received from the Hospital Agents in return for his Civility in the Matter of Langley Barony Corn Tithe the History of which I gave you and which I am willing to verify in the most Solemn manner when properly called upon and therefore till I have some Intimation under Mr Walton’s own Hand that the Comms of G. Hospital are willing to divide the Disputed Ground equally upon Application by Sir Thos Blackett or some of his Agents for that purpose I will not trouble Sir Thomas upon the Subject to what End to have his application rejected and treated with Contempt.  From an Expression in Mr Waltons Letterof the 19th of Novemr I wish you may not have said more on this Business as coming from me than I had any Authority for because all that I heard Sir Thomas say about the disputed Ground when Riding the Boundary was’ Had it not better be divided or halved’ or Words to that Effect  Mr Walton in his Letter of the 25th of Novr is not decisive he as to the Division of the Commons is still at Liberty for he only Says ‘ provided the Terms upon which the such Division may be proposed to be carried into Execution Shall be found for the Interests of the Hospital