Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 27 Feb 1769

To Sir Wr Blackett Baro[ne]t MP in Half Moon Street

Piccadilly London                                                                               Newca[stle] 27th Febry 1769

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

Inclosed is a Case about the Tithes of Wallington and your other Estates in Hartburn parish; which as the comissioners will want an Answer soon, an opinion should be taken on, after Mr Darwin has made any Alterations or Additions, that he thinks proper; especially with regard to Rothley, which he is of Opinion you hold with the tithes thereof by purchase of the Grantee of the Crown. Mr Thos Davison of Beamish was seized last week at Parker’s, with a sort of convulsion fit & got better of it; but to day I hear he is bad again.

Conviction seems the safest way of obtaining half the penalty from Marshall and Turner; so I have not contradicted what I wrote on Saturday to Mr Forster, in pursuance of your Letter from the house of Commons, to take John Shafto (& Mr Wilson’s opinion) to Mr Ward of Morpeth.

Mr Towers paid Mr Cuthbertson for receiving & remitting his feefarm rents, but I cannot learn what – the common Allowance in such Employments is 12d in the pound which will be about £11 13s 0d a Year. I think Mr Towers will not get it done for less than £10 a Year & that his appointing and paying an Agent, tho’ one of your’s, cannot make the family liable to the remittance. If Mr Heron has any Chance for this Agency I would not wish for it, If not, & Mr Towers proposes my doing it, & you approve of it, I shall do it as reasonably as any body. I am obliged to you for the mention of it. P.S. My Brother has not yet heard of any money. I am etc    HR