Letter – Edward Blackett to William Lowes – 3 Apr 1710

honest Will								April 3. 1710



      I Recd. yours of the 28. You make up your Lettrs in such a little Room that I believe not one in three comes to my hand. I perceive you mett with a Wood monger, and is near Agreeing with him for 160 Trees, whereof 140 are old decayd Trees, You neither write me the man’s name where he lives nor when he offers to pay his money, and what more he’ll have in taking away the Wood, all these things are very requisite to be known wch. aqct. me by the next post, and if you think they be no more worth than fourscore pounds, provided he’ll pay his moneys in a little time shall give him my Bond for his peaceable taking away the Wood, and to take it away in a moderate time, I design to send up a Man from Bladon, with Mewburne to View and Value All the Woods that I have and he does not question but to help me to severall Chapmen that will take Each a quantity. Acqt. me whether any Wood Ever has been Cutt at Whitshields any time, Excepting a little that was cutt for Fallowfield Lead mill, Acqt. me by the first post what you Judge the Value of the Wood may be, When the Wood man comes from Bladon with Mewburne I would have you Will Armstrong & Mewburne shew him all the Wood that I have, and he will sett what Valuation he judges tis worth against.

      Am very sorry for Mr Charleton’s sons misfortune of killing Mr. Witherington. I cannot imagine what service any Justice of the Peace can do him till the Assizes that he’ll come upon his Trial and then they may give an Acct. to the Judge & Jury of his former behaviour, if the Coroners inquest brought it in Man Slaughter he’s bailable, but if was brought in Murder no Justice a Peace can bail him, however, inclosd is a Lettr, to my Bro Midford, which lett Mr Charlton peruse & Seal, give my Service to him & tell him I’ll write to all the friends I have to do his son all the service in their power at the Assizes.

      I wish you could get 3 or 4 Chapmen for Wood and if I cannot sell it to one person will fell it & parcell it out after tis felled, Lett me know what you Judge the wood at <Brerton> bank to be worth, if you think fitt you may take Will Armstrongs Advice in Valuing <them both> Shall Expect to hear from you the very first post after this Lettr, comes to your hand. 

      I am your Ass[ured] friend



Mr Wm. Lowes