Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 10 Jun 1768

To Sir Walter Blackett Baro[ne]t at Wallington                                   Newca[stle] 10th June 1768

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

Mr Forster & I waited upon Mr Wilson about your Minutes concerning the Exchange between Mr Errington & you; & find that the Arbitrators intend to award you 67 Acres of Mr Erringtons ground in the room of 45 of your’s – they have valued his 67 acres at 8s an Acre at a Medium: & one of them said he thought it was worth more. On the other hand they have valued your Wood land at 8s an Acre. Some pasture ground at 12s an Acre & the best ground at 16s an Acre; and in this way of proceeding they find the 67 acres to be an exact equivalent for the 45 a[cres] – whether they are mistaken, & have estimated Mr Erringtons ground too high & yours too low, I cannot judge - but they knew the intention was to accommodate him upon equal terms only. The Submission Deed expresses it so - & I think they could not avoid taking the adjacency of your ground to Hexham into Consideration 

Mr Wilson says his Errand to Durham to morrow is only to read over the Draught of the Award to the Arbitrators to be approved of or altered by them as they see proper, & that it is not to be executed till Saturday Se[ven]night; so that there will be an opportunity, if you please, any time the beginning of next week to talk the matter over with Mr Wilson previous to the Engrossing of the Award. Since the above was written Mr Wilson has sent me the inclosed copy of the valuation left with him by the Arbitrators.

P.S. Inclosed I return Mr Wilsons Letter. I am etc    HR