Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 16 Feb 1772

To Sir Walter Blackett Bt  MP in Half Moon Street                  Newcas Sunday 16 Febry 1772  



Honrd Sir

	The Recorder Mr Simpson Mr Peareth Mr Mosley & Mr Blackett are all of Opinion that your coming down at this time will be of no Service, but rather a Delay of Business; unless a petition for the Common Council to sign to Parliamt. is necessary in any respect for carrying the Agreement abot. repairing the Bridge into Execution.  It is to be expected that after such Reparation Those that had Houses on the Bridge will think they have a right to rebuild them, & I am told they are preparing a petition for Allowance or Relief in that case - 

The Aldn. & Commonrs. are to meet to morrow forenoon to have the several Letters respecting the Conclusion come to about this Bridge laid before them  & the same day the Aldn. dine with Mr. Mosley, when they will write you their Sentiments - wch. seem to be not to meddle at all with the Reparation till the Bishop is fully satisfied that he is obliged to join in it.  If his Lordship should be long in determining on this Point or Messrs. Milne & Wooler should not find the Repairing the Bridge so practical as some imagine then the Sessions may be lost wch. Mr Peareth & Mr Simpson do not think it will be any great Loss, as during the Summer more Knowledge may be gained & a cooler & better Judgement may be formed by many that are now misled by a heated Spirit of Contradiction   In the mean time the Dr & his fraternity here together with those of Gateshead are exulting as on a victory.  But all impartial Men are sorry at the Measures you have been forced into, & convinced nothing better could have been obtained, nor any assistance had from parliament, unless Unanimity had strength’ned the Application

	Mr Lambert the Attorney has bought part of the Old Houses that adjoin That wch. Mr Harvey lived in for £250 wch is very dear; but he says the Owner could have had that sum at least for it from another hand.

	I have sent a Kit of Salmon in the Michael James Richardson Mar.  If you wod. chuse to have  any Hams & Hogs Cheeks from Mr Hill this year Mr Darwin had best write for them without delay, as he is acquainted with Mr Hill.

	I have paid Mr Ellison of Whelpington the hundred pounds you ordered for the Addition to the Vicarage House.                       I am etc                                       HR