Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 15 Jun 1766

To Sir W[alte]r Blackett B[arone]t at Wallington                             Newcas[tle] 15 June 1766

Hon[ou]rd Sir     The dra[f]t of the Lease for Unthank Coll[ie]ry was drawn & perused yesterday by Mr W[ilia]m Brown & also by Messrs Boram & Douglass who desire take it to Berwick for Mr Stow’s perusal & in the race week they are to be here & give a final answer. They expect to have the Land tax allowed, tho’ that is not usual in colliery leases; & also to have a steath above bridge near to Ord mill & another below bridge wch belongs to you & wch they say is in possession of one John Brown. As to the coals to be wrought, case is taken in the dra[f]t that the whole shall be sent you; signed by their Agent, of the quantity wro[ugh]t & your Agents are to have Liberty of inpecting the books & workings whenever you chuse. Also the Lessees are to fill up all unnecessary pitts & secure all the others by rails or otherwise; & they are to make satisfaction for spoil of ground. It wo[ul]d be well if Mr Robson co[ul]d any way ascertain the Limits, or number of acres, of the ground called the Boghill; where the stoney coal is to be wro[ugh]t at the rate of 10s per tenn. Mr Douglass is to fix what day in the race week they will be here; & if you please, it wo[ul]d then be right for Mr Robson  to be here, & when I know their day I will write to him.

I am in hopes Tom Hepple will be well enough in a few weeks to be weaned from the Doctor; & if against then Mr Robson co[ul]d provide lodging & a little work for him it might establish his health. I am etc     HR