Letter – Henry Richmond to John Bell – 22 Apr 1764

To Mr John Bell at Mr Ellis’s in                                               Newcas[tle]   22nd April  1764

Hexham                



Sir                   I do not think it would be right for Sir W[alte]r Blackett to satisfy the Owners of the Soil for damages to be done by any of his Lessees of Coalmines; because it may make such Lessees very careless of their Workings in that respect, & therefore unless <MaldCan> will take Hexham Fell Colliery liable to damages  it had better lye still for the present. But tho[ugh] it may not be right for Sir W[alte]r to Covenant to pay for such damages he will certainly in all cases interfere & support his Tenants against unreasonable demands for them.

You will let Mr Widdrington & Co have the Names of such of the Def[endan]ts to the Bill for supporting the Custom of Hexham Mills as refuse to sign the subscription ; after you have tried as far as you can.

It will certainly be right to cut at Anickgrange the Wood you want for Piles for the Wears; if, as you say, there is Wood there fit for little use. Only whenMr Thomas Lee, or such other Workmen of judgem[en]t as you shall take with you to view the same, has marked or fixed upon the Wood, I desire a Valuation may be put upon it by him & sent to me, that I may have some acco[un]t how the  Wood has been disposed of. I am etc                H R         

  

 P.S. If any body brings you a description of a parcel of Copyhold Ground belonging to Sir John Eden or Mr Heron; which is intended to be appropriated as a Yard to Ninebanks Chapel you will be so good as prepare the form of a Surrender for the same to such uses that it may be sent to Sir John’s Attorney to prepare a Letter of Attorney :& if there is to be any thing particular in the form of such Letter I should be glad to know it.That no time may be lost, as Sir Walter is desirous of having this Matter dispatched as soon as possible.                H R