Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 15 Mar 1771

 To Sir Wr Blackett  Bt.  M.P. half Moon Street  in                Newcas.   15th  March 1771

  Piccadilly, London



Honrd. Sir      Inclosed are Copies of what I have received from Mr Maughan in answer to Mr Ricardson’s Charge about Thos. Thompson by which it appears That Thompson had 1/8th in the Grant of the Tack.  - that this Tack was nothing more than a memorandum made in your Books without mentioning any length of time  -  that this Tack has often been forfeited, by not working -  that Mr Maughan did not avail himself of these <proprietors>, but, on Mr Wilson’s telling him in 1761 that he had bought all the Shares but Archer’s, he directly let him etc on his word the Grove till the year 1767 when Wilson said he had bought Archer’s too; and being a Substantial Man was allowed to work in his own Name.   that some time after Wilson applied for an Advance price per Bing & was promised it in Case he brought up a Low Level to the Grove at his own Expense.  - that he then declared he had no partners, particularly that Thos. Thompson had no share  - that afterwards he took Thos. Watson in for ¼ th  & they two have wrought the Grove ever since, at a Considerable Expence.  - that Thompson once applyed to Mr Maughan about his Share of the Grove who told him he had no right at all in her and referred him to Mr Wilson  - that since that Wilson and he have had much wrangling and at last a Reference with an Award <   ed> which Mr Ricardson says is of no force - thus the Matter stands  -  & <you>  seem no  <way    …ed> in the dispute  -  for Thos. Thompson’s share in the Original Grant, such as it was, was forfeited by not  working  -  Thompson has done nothing in the Grove since Wilson wrought there & either by forfeiture or  sale  has given up his Interest in the original Tack.   Mr Ricardson is a Justice of Peace & of a very particular Character .  By Mr Westgarths Accot.  he has a very bad one.  The Sailors at Shields have made  another stand for more Wages that they got on the former, & are committing outrages as before; but I understand you have more authentic Accounts of particulars that I can obtain.  Inclosed is a Letter that came today from one Lawson with a desire that I would direct it to you.

    I have received this afternoon the Duke of Northumberland’s Subscription to Hexham Bridge.  Mr Bell is still at Hexham, so I have not heard any Thing about the School further than in my last letter.  Mr Blackett will speak to Mr Ward about Mr Busby’s affectation: thinking the mention of it will come best from him.

    P.S. I have just now received the inclosed Letter from Mr Ralph Forster desiring your directions whether he is to receive the next Rent of the Deanham Tenants or they are to pay it to Mr Willm. Loraine.     I am etc    HR