Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 17 Jan 1775

Sir Walter Blackett Bt  M.P  Half moon Street                                     Newcas 17th Janry 1775

      Piccadilly   London



Honrd Sir

	The Opinion which Mr Thurloe sent you about Leadmines paying poor Cess I think was not left with me nor do I know whether he looked upon himself or you as most interested in the Answer to the Case which I suppose had been Stated by the parish of Stanhope: but I see by the Rules of the Court of Kings Bench that the Judges were so clear that Leadmines were intended by the Legislature to be exempt from poor Cess that they would not give the Council the trouble to reply.  And Lawyer Fawcett is very Clear no rate can be justified in respect of the Rents or Compositions you pay either the Bishop or Rector

	The paper of the Additions you intended to the Servants Wages I did not receive.

	I expect a months time will enable me to settle such Accounts as the Conclusion of the Year, & the Pays make immediately necessary: & then I will apply to the making out such an Account of your Affairs as you described & will communicate the same to Mr Blackett

	A proposal has been made to the Magistrates by several Farmers & Butchers to have a Weekly markett for Cattle in this Town as in Morpeth etc if a proper place would be agreed upon & it is to be taken into consideration on Thursday.  Four middling pine Apples which the Gardner cut on Saturday were sent with your Compts to the Mayor  as the Guild was yesterday.  I do not hear of any thing material that passed at it but a Demand made by Mr Smith & Mr Gibson to have some resolutions of the Burgesses ( as they called themselves) at the former Guilds now ent[e]red in the Guild Book & to have Mr Mosley censored for refusing them Their Guildhall - all which the Mayor answered with propriety & a becoming Spirit                                                      I am etc    HR