Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 12 Jun 1768

To Sr Wr Blackett Bt at Wallington                                                        Newcastle 12th June 1768

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

I was at Durham yesterday with Mr Wilson & the Arbitrators. Mr Bullock was there & begun with remonstrating abo[u]t the Quarry w[hi]ch the Arbitrators said they had not set off any Ground in lieu of having no power to do so. So they proposed a review w[hi]ch Mr Jephson said was the more necessary on acco[un]t of a doubt that had been raised in his mind of the Justness of their Survey. A Review therefore was resolved on and new bonds with a longer time & power to take the Quarry into Consideration are to be made. Mr Wilson the took occasion to recommend to the Arbitrators a carefull examination on their review of the value of the Grounds in the Neighbourhood of the parcels to be Exchanged as well as the Situation of the same in respect of Markets & upon the whole to Award You such an Allotment as would without expence or loss of time let for the same rent as the ground you were to part with to accommodate Mr Errington could now be let for. They hearkened to this with temper & owned they had not made any Enquiry how the adjoining grounds were let but wo[ul]d do so on their going again & it is agreed that your plan of Ryal w[hi]ch is at Wallington & the Articles for your two farms there, w[hi]ch I have, shall be sent to Mr Bell to be shewn them along with the Lease of Mr Harbottles farm when they come to Hexham. Mr Bullock is to let them see the Leases of Wallington & they are to make such further Enquiries as they judge proper. Mr F. Swinburne desires his Complim[en]ts to you – he hears that Mr Cass & you are going So[uth]wards & desires you will give him a Call at Durham & let him have as much notice as you can. Mrs Byne sent the inclosed this morning with a Message desiring I wo[ul]d give it to you. I am etc    HR