Letter – Henry Richmond to John Bell – 11 Dec 1768

To Mr John Bell at Mr Ellis’s Hexham                                               Newca[stle] 11 Decem 1768

Sir

I am sorry Sir Walter is to be so great a Loser by Mrs Bell and also the distress that the Seizure must occasion to so large a family I am sorry for that too but cannot tell how to depart from the positive directions that Sir Walter gave before he went to London in this Matter. You who are upon the Spot and see all the Circumstances of the Case and know Sir Wrs goodness in so many others must form the best Judgement you can of what is to be done. It certainly is to be wished that that family so numerous & so infirm was off the farm but the manner and the time of their removal is a difficulty that would require Sir Wrs direction if was to be had in time. As it cannot it must be left to your discretion to proceed in the business as you think he will approve of. I am etc    HR