Letter – Henry Richmond to Thomas Maughan – 6 Mar 1771

To  Mr Thos. Maughan at Newhouse                                           Newcas.   6th  March 1771

                in Weardale



Sir      Mr Ricardson of Nunwick near <Penreth> in Cumberland has wrote to Sir Wr. Blackett about a Leadmine called Dryside in Burnhope in Weardale which was leased by you to William Archer Nichs. Walton and John Thompson.  Archer had a half  Walton & Thompson the other half as he says.  And then he goes on telling Sir Walter  that “Sometime after the granting this Tack Note    Archer sold to one Thos. Thompson (in whose behalf he writes) a fourth Share and gave him a proper Instrument to install him thereto - That the said Archer Walton and John Thompson, the original Lessees, not being able to carry on The Mine quitted and released severally all their rights and Title thereto to the said Thos. Thompson who thereupon became Sole Owner - that the said  Thos. Thompson in order to carry the Work better on happened unluckily to let Will Wilson a scheming person, to a Share, who had applied to him for that purpose and that he the said T Thompson admitted this Wilson to have an Eighth share of this Grove & there is now ten years of this old Tack Note yet to come & unexpired - that Wilson having thus got 1/8 of this Grove from T Thompson made application underhand to Mr Maughan who took upon him to grant this Wilson and one Watson a new Tack of this Grove called Drysike and they together have intirely robbed poor Thompson of his right.  There never was (he assures Sir Walter) a more wicked and infamous Act of Injustice done to any Man & blames Mr Maughan for it whom he says he has written to in a most friendly & complaisant manner in behalf of poor Thompson but has not been favoured with an Answer.  therefore he applies to Sr Wr. for redress.  requires an Answer from him & assures him that if nothing can be done, the poor Man Thompson must apply to the Court of Chancery”  Thus far Mr Ricardson.  Now Sir Walter desires me to communicate the Contents of this Letter to you & that you will send me a State of the particular Transactions of the Case complained of, as soon as you can; that he may know what answer to give Mr Ricardson.   I hear nothing more about your new Rector.      I am etc    HR