Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 21 Dec 1768

To Sr Wr Blackett Bt MP in Half Moon Street

Piccadilly London                                                                              Newca[stle] 21st Decem 1768

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

Mrs Jurin has agreed to execute the Articles for the purchase of the Ferry boat, with the Alteration of the Words “and finished” as proposed; in confidence, as she expresses herself, that you will not let her tenant be a Sufferer by the Temporary bridge, so I have send the Dra[ugh]t to Mr Heron to be engrossed and when the parties here have executed, will send the Deed to Mr Darwin for the others.

I have a long Letter and rather an Angry one, from Mr Wilson of Leeds about the Alterations proposed to be made in the Conveyance of East Kenton. Copy of which Letter and the proposed Alterations I have sent to Mr Darwin by this post. As Mr Wilson says he has been in London and seen You, and has left it to Mr Banks and Mr Darwin to settle the matter, I suppose there will soon be an End of it.

Mr Bell says he has let Matthew Bells farm at £70 a year for 21 year’s from Mayd[a]y next, if you approve of it; which is £10 a Year advance. I shall see Mr Bell this week and will consider with him what Assistance may be necessary for the Support of the Old people.

Mr Fewster Teasdale was with me Yesterday about the Interruption given to Genl Claverings Tenant at Ridlem hope. There may very likely be some Evidence in the Courts at Hexham to support him in the Enjoyment of the Common as formerly. so I shall desire Mr Bell to search and then let him know what it amounts to. There is a large Tract of Ground which has immemorially been in Dispute between the owners of Hexham and Blanchland Manors & last Summer Dr Sharp and some others of the Trustees of Lord Crews Estate of w[hi]ch Blanchland is a part rode their Boundary there and made fresh Inroads, in which they included part of the Common on w[hi]ch a right is claimed for Ridlem hope, but they were formally discharged & so their perambulation amounts to nothing. but their Tenants seem to be for obtaining an Enjoyment according to the new riding. And yet I do not believe their pretensions even to the ground in dispute, antiently, can be Supported; as I understand you receive the Tithes thereof. The Fitters are unanimous in refusing the Keelmen’s request & consider it as a measure that wo[ul]d answer no good purpose till the Men are all of one Mind about it, which they are far from being at present – and it is feared that till the sanction of Parliam[en]t is obtained such a Reservation of their Money would prove a fund for Mischief rather than for the plausible Good they set forth. An attempt was made for a Stop of the Keels yesterday, but it failed. & Mr Mosley expects his men will bind this Evening. Mr Blackett desires me to acquaint you that he will postpone answering your Letter till Friday, when he will be able to write more particularly.

The Ship with the Servants boxes sailed this Morning, as I hear, & not before: the wind having continued Easterly till yesterday. I am etc    HR