Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 15 Mar 1769

To Sir Wr Blackett Baro[ne]t MP in Half Moon street

Piccadilly London                                                                                Newca[stle] 15 March 1769

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

Mr Forster of Cambo says that Marshall & Turner have paid 50s; being the half of the penalty due to the poor; & that by Mr Wards desire it is lodged in his (Mr Forster’s) hands till you come down – he has given 50s, as you ordered to John Shafto and placed it to your Acco[un]t. He has been at Lucker and valued the farm & will send you his valuation. Mr Bell went with him & has settled the Acco[un]t with Mr Thos Forster about the Tithe of the Moor, but could get no more of him than £63 10s 0d, to the Year 1763 inclusive: for he alledges that when he gave £80 a year for the farm in 1764 he was to have all the Tithe: & a loose Article of Mr Robson’s, compared with his valuations, favours that Allegation. however the Acco[un]t is settled so as not to preclude your Judgement of the Matter.

Mr Douglass writes that Mr Ord will not take any Thing for the Gravel, but says you are welcome to it, & that he is sorry he pulled down the Bridge: & yet he cannot be reconciled to the plank way.

Your Grove Stewards have been down for Money within these few days. Mr Maughan says he has nothing good in Weardale but Langtihead. Coalcleugh contines as last Year, to yield ore to pay the Expence but not for profit – more time being necessary to increase the workings in the several Sills. Allanheads wears a better countenance – they have got a good deal of Ore in the Sun vein at the East End at 20s a Bing & expect more. but the particular State of That Grove will be better known, after Mr Westgarths view, which he will make in a little Time. & as soon as a person fit for that Stewardship occurs to him he will let you know.

I do not find by Mr C. Hunter that there is much foundation for James Oliver’s Charge against Robert Allgood for monopolizing etc – he has two farms of Mr Hopper’s adjoining yours at Redburn, & one at Slaley, w[hi]ch are all grazing farms & taken as he took your’s, upon a preference of him to the old Tenants. I cannot find that Oliver has been turned off Work – about two Year’s ago he gave up a Bargain because he could not make Wages & has since been employed in Labourer’s Work by the bargainers as they have occasion. Mr Allgood says he never took upon him to turn any Man off Work.

I find there is not now any intention here to follow the Example of Essex in addressing the King; what you & Mr Ridley wrote having met with the Approbation of the Magistracy. The Mayor says there is no body here can give An Acco[un]t of the Quantity of Coals sent from London to Henley & upwards, & that the likeliest person to do it is Mr George of Billingsgate.

Mr Rivet’s opinion is clear that the Sands people & the hospital Tenants are liable to do Suit & Service, but it will probably be very expensive to compel them and the benefit to you trifling when obtained; so that if the Trust Estate cannot some how be made chargeable with the Costs of Suit I do not know what to say to it.

I shall write to Mr Maughan to morrow about the Temple Sowerby bill. My Brother has met with one Mrs Browell that will lend £1500 on your bond at 4 p[er]Cent[u]m on the 24th of May next; if you agree to it please to let me know by return of the post, that it may be fixed. I have not seen Mr Bell since I heard of this Money; but as I understood him this time will suit him very well. He mentioned  that you might have a Sum of the Bank, if you had occasion; but I found 5 p[er]Cent[u]m was to be the rate which is too high. I wish you a good Journey & am etc    HR