Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 3 Apr 1768

To Sir Walter Blackett Baro[ne]t at Wallington                                    Newca[stle] 3d April 1768

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

Mr Smeaton is now in Cumberland attending the Election & the time of his being here is uncertain. Mr Nichs Walton says he believes his time is so set out that there is little probability of his going back to Hexham from this place & all that can be now done will be to write him of your desire of Meeting him there as soon as he can fix the day. but that he cannot do till the Election is over, so that there will scarce be time to give Notice to Mr Gott – Mr Walton has to write to him to day & has undertaken to get an answer from him by the return of the post as to the time he supposes he can be at Hexham.

It is rumoured that there is a great defection among Sir James’s voters in the county & that there is a probability that the Duke will make both Members. The Sailors at Shields are very ungovernable & threaten mischief if their Wages are not advanced. they have commited some violence such as taking provisions out of the Ships breaking Windows and entering even the house of one Master of a Ship that is obnoxious to them, but I hope they will subside as the Masters had a Meeting Yesterday & offered them every thing that was reasonable. I am etc    HR