Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 15 Mar 1767

To S[i]r Wr Blackett Bt MP in Half Moon Street                                      Newcastle 15 Mar 1767

Piccadilly London

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

Mr James Smith tells me that he & Mr Newton were with Mr Robson the day before he died when the following terms were agreed upon for Hawick, tho not put into writing: but he is willing to stand to them till he knows (by the return of the post) that you approve of them & will call upon me to morrow se[ven]night for an answer – the terms were – that you should pay him £3300 for the Estate – should allow him the dwelling house to live in for one year from Mayday next & also two Cows grass for that time – the latter part of these terms I think you had best be clear of or that if he is to have a house & the Cows grass that he have it some where off the Estate. If you determine on buying this estate you will please to consider how the money is to be raised: for as I have sold no Lead I cannot do anything towards it.

Josh[u]a Burn will not stay on his farm longer than Mayd[a]y so you will please to direct whe[the]r it is to be kept in hand or to be let. Mr Laidler thinks he can let it to a Stock Master. At the new Coll[ie]ry No[rth] of Rothley park there are two pitts down, & the drift for comunication between them will be finished in a day or two. & then this colliery may lye still till a new Agent is appointed. Mr Rd Brown says you agreed that he should be quit of Ryal Quarries at Mayd[a]y next w[hi]ch I sho[ul]d be glad to know & he desires now to be clear at Mayday of the Limestone quarries in Wallington & Leighton Estates & of the ground w[hi]ch Mr Robson held for the conveniency of his Kilns at Cambo. Nothing can be done in the Examination of Mr Robsons papers till the Will is proved & the Administrat[io]n granted to somebody during Mr Browns Minority. I am etc  HR

ps Mr Robson was buried at Kirkharle.