Letter – Henry Richmond to Isaac Hunter – 15 Jan 1764

To Mr Isaac Hunter or Mr Isaac Hunter jun[io]r             Newcastle 15th Jan[ua]ry 1764                       

At Dukesfield



Sir      You will observe by the Newcastle papers that a Meeting is appointed (I don’t know by whom) to be held at Stanhope on the 25th inst for the Freeholders etc having right of Comon on the Moors in Stanhope Bailiwic to sign then consent to a bill to be presented to Parliam[en]t for inclosing and deciding the same. You know Sir W[alte]r Blackett is interested in sight of his Estate at Woodecroft & as this is within your district & Mr Robson is not stout enough at this time of year to attend or take a view of the Comon I must desire you will go and inform yourself of every particular. I guess from what Mr Westgarth mentioned to me sometime ago that they are preparing to give the B[isho]p of Durham 4d an acre yearly Rent, as in Hamsterly, for all they inclose whether the same be freehold Copyhold or Customary. if so, you are to consider whether the part of the moor wch adjoins to Woodcroft & wch  will of course fall to Sir Wm Blacketts can easily be made worth 5s.4d an Acre yearly. for you know it is usual to allow Lords of Manors 7 & 6th part for their consent to divide & the giving the by 4d an acre instead of 7 & 6 part comes to 5s.4d for the value of each acre. If therefore the Ground adjoining Woodcroft is bad Sir W[alte]r will get aquates no. of acres of it & consequently will have more to pay the B[isho]p, in proportion, than those that get better Ground. Another thing I want to know is who are to be Com[mission]n – surely as Sir W[alte]r is largely interested they will consult him in the appoint[en]t of them. Mr. Westgarth who I suppose is active in this matter did say he would let me know what was intended & that he expected to be in Newcastle & would then talk over the particulars but now they have the bill for signing without consulting Sir Walter. As they are so hasty it is incumbent upon you to inform yourself thoroughly of the plan they are going upon. & Mr Maughan if you send to him & show him this lre will join you & give you all the assistance in his power for I spoke to him sometime ago to do so as soon as there should be any Meetings. I think it highly reasonable that Sir W[alt]ers concurrence should be had & yet how can he give it unless he is fully & in due time informed of what is designed.

I beg therefore that you will put into writing every thing that occurs to you, at the meeting, you clash with Sir W[alte]rs inte[ntio]ns, & when he knows those things from his Agents they will stand acquitted; tho[ugh] he may according to his usual Generosity wave such considerations for the sake of public utility. I am he             HR