Letter – Henry Richmond to Ralph Forster – 26 Feb 1775

Mr Ralph Forster at Cambo                                                                 Newcas 26th Febry 1775



Sir

	In Answer to your Letter of the 16th instant desiring to know how you are to come at the Tithe of wool & Lamb of Shotton when the Stock is sold off the Prem[is]es which you say the farmer is for doing at Whitsuntide - The Answer is - You cannot stop the Sheep for the Tithe - perhaps as Whitsuntide does not fall till June this Year the Sheep will all have lamb’d & the Wool may be shorn before the Sale; consequently the Tithe thereof will become due to Sr Wr Blackett & he will have his remedy at Law against the Farmer but if the Sheep have neither lamb’d nor are shorn & the Farmer does not compound with you for the Tithe of the Wool you must get Mr Coll Forster to sue him for the Tithe of ajistment of the Sheep in Shotton as unprofitable Cattle depastured in Shotton with respect to their Wool: & as to the Tithe of Lambs if that is not paid the farmer must be sued either in the Ecclesiastical Court or at Law; only you cannot Stop the Sheep for the Tithe as there does not appear to be any imputation of fraud in the Case you stated - You were desired to buy some Oats for these Stables - this was the time, so you may buy a hundred Bolls but do it directly or I must.  Mr Duffield ordered some Boxes to be made here but he should have told me of them without which they cannot be done.            I am etc   HR