Letter – Henry Richmond to Thomas Duffield – 26 Oct 1769

To Mr Thos Duffield at Wallington                                                    Newca[stle] 26th Octor 1769

Sir

A Man who travels the Country with Earthen Ware, has offered about Ten Stone of Tippings of Sheet Lead to sale, to one of our Glaziers here; who brought him to me, as he had said he bought it of Sir Wr Blacketts Gardiner at Wallington. What he has signed and declared also before our Magistrates, is that he bought the whole quantity on Tuesday the 24th instant of Mrs Duffield and gave Earthen Ware in Exchange for it. His Acco[un]t is so suspicious that he is under Confinement till the Truth is learnt. & therefore it will be necessary for Mrs Duffield & You, if it can be done with Convenience, to come to town to morrow morning, to clear up the Matter; that the Man may either be set at Liberty or punished according to Law. I give you the trouble of this, at the request of our Magistrates, who say they cannot release him nor tell what to do in the Case till you come. I am etc    HR