Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 21 Feb 1766

To Sir W[alte]r Blackett B[arone]t MP in halfmoon Street

Piccadilly  London                                                          Newcas[tle] 21st Febr[uar]y 1766            

Hon[ou]rd Sir      Inclosed is Bell and Cos bill on Vere and co for £1300 and Peareth & Sorbies bill on Freeman & Stainbanks for £500 together Eighteen hundred pounds; which please to advise the receipt of. As all the Lead at market and all that can be brought down this year, if it can be sold, will do little more than make the great pays about mich[aelma]s and keep down the int[e]r[es]t, good husbandry grows more necessary than ever especially as upon the best judgement that can as yet be made Weardale Leadminers will not clear themselves this year, and Allanheads and Coalcleugh will each want about £2000 more than the ore they are expected to produce will be worth.

Mr Westgarth will not take Prydale nor Mr Varsie Hackford as I apprehend in the usual way of so much a Bing, and you to have all the ore; but only mean to offer you 1/5th part of it as a Duty. It should be well considered before you submit to let your mines in that way; for as you have Leadmills & Agents and workmen it would be encourageing other manufacturers of Lead to your prejudice. As to trying Prydale, or working Hackford much further yourself at present, the principal mines are so expensive that it would be prudent to postpone these tryals even if they were hopeful.

Mr Wilson has not replyed to the last Letter I wrote him about Kenton, by your direction.

Inclosed is a Rental of Ord Estate with the names of the Tenants. As to Woodcroft Copyhold, I can only say at present as I did in my last Letter, that Mr Darwin who has the deeds can tell, by the former admittances, whether any and what Fine is payable for It. Mr Stokoe of St John Lee died on the 19th instant.

Mr Baker was this morning chosen Alderman, is sworn in and since set out for London with Mr Colpitts. He refused the office on Tuesday as Mr Mayor wrote you but sent him word by Mr Gibson on Thursday that he had changed his mind, & would accept it, if it was not too late.

You are so good as to ask after my health; it would add chearfulness to it to know you preserve your’s: for it is rumourd here that you are not well. P.S. Mr Peareth was not at the Election; but he says he will write you to night upon that subject. I am etc.       HR   



No 15843  £1300         Newcastle 18th Febr[uar]y 1766

Twenty five days after date pay to the order of Mr Henry Richmond, Thirteen hundred pounds

                                                                                                                                 Value received

To Messrs Vere Glyn & Hallifax                            For Bell Cookson Carr Airey & Self Jos Saint                

London                                        Pay the contents to S[i]r W[alte]r Blackett B[arone]t

                                                    Or order value in Account

                                                                  Hen Richmond



Newcastle 18th Febr[uar]y 1766     £500.0.0

Twenty Eight days after date pay Mr Henry Richmond or order Five hundred pounds the value in acco[un]t with S[i]r Walter Blackett, place the same to acco[un]t as by advice from 

                                                                                                          Peareth & Sorsbie

To Messrs Freeman & Stainbanks

In London                                      Pay the contents to S[i]r W[alte]r Blackett B[arone]t

                                                       Or order value in account

                                                                            Hen Richmond