Letter – Edward Blackett to William Lowes – 20 Feb 1710

Honest Will         							Febry 20



      I hope this will find you well at home, I wonder you did not write me from North Allerton whether you got the horse again or not, I design to make a Pay about the beginning of March so be sure you fail not to make up what moneys you can of them that are indebted to you against that time,   I hope you are mindfull to inquire where the very best slates are to be had, & that you bargain for the Winning of as many as will do Fallowfield house Barn Byers stables etc.   you know they will take a Very Long time in Winning  So you must not neglect making a bargain with them betimes, so that the slates be led the beginning of May, and then they will have the summer before them for the finishing their Work,  I am informed there are very good Slates about Hexham and in many other places in North’b’ld but above all must be inquir’d where the very best of Slates may be had for such I will have & no other, upon Rect. of this fail not to give me a line & acqt. me what progress you have made in it   I am yr Assrd friend 

      Let me know what part of Northumb’land the best Slates are, & how many miles from Fallowfield, which any Slater in Hexham can inform you



Mr William Lowes att Ridley Hall nigh Hexham