Letter – Nicholas Walton to Thomas Stephenson – 7 Feb 1758

Mr Stephenson                        		Ravensworth Castle   February 7th   1758



      Mr Teasdale would Acquaint the Parishioners of Alston Moor with the purport of the Attorney General’s opinion which we showed him when he was last at Newcastle, but as he said it would be a Satisfaction to the Parishioners to have a Copy, we send you one Inclosed, which I desire you will shew to any that Desire it.  Indeed I think it would be best that a Vestry Meeting be called where you may produce it, & if they chuse it let them take a Copy.   You will observe that we state it, that the Duty Ore never pay’d Poor Rate, which I have been told is matter of Fact, but I now understand it is pretended to be proved that the Duty Ore has pay’d, a thing which I would have those who pretend to know it to consider whether it was, or was not so. Probably the Mines might Pay (but even that’s not Clear) & if so it is Proveing what we say that the Duty Ore did not pay as a Separate Commodity.  But be that as it will the Case is not at all altered, as you will observe the Attorney General lays no Stress upon it, but gives his Opinion upon the 43d of Q. Elizabeth, & fixes the payment of Poors Rate upon the Occupier.  I mention this for your Government & desire you will take notice to such as may object to our Allegation that the Duty Ore never pay’d, that no stress is laid upon it nor has it any weight in this Case.  You will not part with this Letter, nor the Copy I send you, but you may let the Parishioners take a Copy of the Copy I herein send you.  I am Sir 

                                     Yours etc        Nichos. Walton