Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 25 Aug 1770

A Mr   Mr. Le Cher  Blackett  Seigneur Anglois          Newcas.   25th  Augst.  1770

  Chez  Mr Vanderclooster a Bruxelles   pr  Ostende



Honrd. Sir      The Agreement for Letting the Tithes of Dotland Comon is cancelled, and the proprietors will have them, according to your order, for two years longer, at the Acknowledgement,

      I reckon I shall be able to make the first quarterly remittance of £600 at Michs. next if you direct me to do so.

      Teasdale White’s affair is over.  he submitted just when the Cause was to be brought before the Court, which prevented any opening of the Matter.  he has given his Bond to you for £162 - for the Debt and Interest and Costs.  At the Consultation Mr Wallace, Mr Wedderburn, Mr Fawcett Mr Wilson and Mr Eden who were your Council, were apprehensive there would be no relief for you at Law, but that you must go into Chancery to seek it,  The Man that robbed the Newcastle Mail, & he that was taken up here for diminishing the Granaries are both condemned, the one at Durham  & the other here but reprieved for a Month.  The Duke of Northumberland had a long trial here with Sir Henry Gray about a Wreck; which the Jury decided in favour of Sir Henry; contrary to the Expectation of the Gentlemen of the Law.  The Duke has not sent any answer yet about Lucker.   The Judges desire their Compliments & are obliged to you for thinking of them; Judge Aston took a Bed at the Abbey on Thursday Night & <  > but Judge Perrot was to go quite thro’ to Carlisle Yesterday.  The venison and fruit were sent to the Mayor and the High Sherif; but none of your Pine Apples were ripe.   I acquainted Sir Edwd. Blackett  of your desire that he would spend a Week at Wallington  but he has not resolved upon it yet.  He and Lady Blackett and their Son & Daughter were at your house here for the week.   Mr Carr of Etal who desires his Compliments to you, found it more Convenient to Lodge at Major Carr’s.  Mr Ord of Morpeth is very well and desires his Compliments as does Mr Wilson, who is obliged for your Enquiry after him.  

The Mayor, the Recorder, Mr Ridley & Mr Blackett all propose writing to you by this post, so you will have a better Account of Corporation Affairs than I can procure.  But I hear it was agreed at the Meeting yesterday at the Mayor’s that Mr Peareth shod. be excused serving the Office of Mayor as he had made that the condition of his coming into the Magistrage. Mr Simpson was then proposed with every Argument that Mr Ridley & the others could offer, but in vain.  Mr Bell was next, but he having positively refused coming the Meeting & declared he would not be a Stalking horse to Mr P, & Mr S. - it was then Mr Ridley’s turn, who said he could not decline the Office if others did, tho his want of Health might be as good a plea as theirs, & therefore if it was put to him he would serve.  But this Matter is to be further discussed on Monday Se’night at <Winds>.

     Mr Silvertop has shown a deed to Mr Fawcett, which is no way Satisfactory.  So a Meeting was held this Week & he is to be told that except he shows a better title before the next term, a Bill will be filed.

     Mr Brown has a Letter from the Duchess Dowager of Portland and I understand the Game is to be processed as you desire.

     No report is yet come from Dr Black, or the Gentleman in London, about Coxlodge Water.  Dr Hall has printed his Lecture,  Whether Dr Rotherham will print also is not certain.

     The Cause between the Corporation and Mr Anderson is postponed till next Year.    Nothing has passed at the Assizes either at York Durham or this place about remonstrating  - but by an Anonymous Advertisement the freeholders of Yorkshire are invited to meet on 26 inst. to consider a petition and remonstrance.

     There has not any thing particular happened in your own Affairs since my Last.  Mr Forster has been fortunate enough to get the Hay well in at Wallington& says everything thereabouts looks very well.   Your venison is much commended - I wish you may not think you pay too dearly for that Commendation in the Consumption of 9 or 10 Bucks.  For besides the Mayor, High Sheriff, Sir Edwd. & Mr  Blackett & Mr Scott there is Mr Carr of Etal, Sr. L. Allgood the Bp. of  Chester - Sir Wm Loraine, who is at Age, together with the Recorder. Mr Ward Mr Ord of Morpeth, Messrs Peareth and Cookson & your many other Friends, who altogether can divide that Number easily among them.  I have made free to taste a shoulder & can join in the general Applause & thankfulness.  The High Sheriff desires his Compliments & expressed himself very much obliged to You for the Assistance in venison  fruit and other things which you had afforded him - he looked very well and Youthfull in that office and not at all unable to execute the other he has refused.  I say nothing of the Acknowledgements of the Mayor, Sir Edw. Blackett the Recorder & Mr Blackett because they propose writing.

     Mr Fuller was here about six weeks ago, but had no Meeting with any Gentlemen in the Coal trade further than in dining with Mr Ridley Mr Mosley and Mr Waters.  I hear he examined Keels carefully & owned the Scheme he had formed would not answer.  since he was here the Treasury have sent down two Inspectors to examine the Measure.  Your Letters that give a good Acct. of your Health give me great Satisfaction.  I heartily wish a Continuance of it & am etc   P.S. Mr Blackett desires his Compliments & says he will put off writing till after Monday Senight.                       HR