Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 12 Nov 1770

To Sr Wr. Blackett  Bt. MP. in half Moon Street                     Newcas.   12th  Novemr 1770

Piccadilly   London



Honrd. Sir      There are few Things can give me greater Satisfaction than the knowledge that you are well after your return to England will do.   Your Letter of the 4 instant from Paris, which I have received today, gives me hope that I shall receive such an Acct.  Your horses were taken in from grass about ten days ago; in about three weeks time I understand they will be fit for a London Journey & not sooner.

    Mr Wm. Watsons Eldest Son, who lately married a daughter of Mr Bells near the Barras bridge, has, on Mr Ridleys Letter to Lord North got the Landwaiters place I mentioned.

    Mr Ridley set out this morning for London.

    Mr Reed of Chipchase died on Tuesday last of a Boil in his Neck, & an Inflammation the Consequence I suppose of a bad habit - The Doe has been divided between Mrs Bell and Mr Scott; & each of them had a couple of pine Apples with their moiety - they desire their Compliments.  Lady Eden is not come to assist Mrs Bell yet, her Elder Daughter who was married to Dr Moore being lately brought to Bed of a Son & I hear does not recover well.    There has been another Meeting, very lately at Cornhill about the fishings but it has not produced any good - for Mr Blake and the Scotch Gentlemen would not depart from their unreasonable demand of having the fishing cease every Week on Saturday at Noon and begin again on Sunday at Midnight the offer of leaving off at 8 o’clock on Saturday Evening was repeated but would not satisfy them & I am told they have entered into a Subscription to oppose the Bill in the house of Comons whenever it is brought in - whether that is to be undertaken this Session I do not yet know.

   Mr Gibson says Sir Thos. Clavering has allowed the Turnpike road West of Haltwhistle to be made thro his ground & has desisted from his demand of damages for it.  The Ball at Hexham was very brilliant they say, but the Weather was the Wettest & the worst that Night (the 7th) & the day following that I remember it.     Your Grove Stewards are reckoning with the people for a pay which I am almost prepared to make for all your Mines; tho I believe it will be the largest, yet not the most profitable, you have made hitherto - but the particulars are not yet come to my knowledge.     I am etc    HR