Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 3 Jun 1768

To Sir Walter Blackett Baro[ne]t at Matfin                                            Newca[stle] 3d June 1768

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

People continue here in a peaceable State; and the Mayor says there is not any public business that requires your coming to Newcastle at present and that he hopes to meet you at Blagdon. Mr Blackett, who came home on Thursday last, talks of seeing you to morrow at Matfin. As to private business I do not know any thing to occasion your coming to Town sooner than you would otherwise chuse.  Mr Coll. Forster is not yet returned from London: when he comes I will either see him here or, If I miss him, write him about Snowden’s demand. On the 27th April last Snowden paid me his last Martin[ma]s rent, at which time he spoke of this claim as a thing the Custom of the parish would give him But on telling him he could have no right under you but by the Article, which came no lower down than last Mayday, & asking whether the rent he apprehended that the rent he was paying was for Tithe already received, or for what was not yet due, he answered that it was for Tithe that he had got; and admitted it was not customary to pay tithe rents before the Tithe accrued became due. So that I thought he had dropped the Demand.

I have received a Letter from Mr Seymour that the Duke of Northumberland agrees to Mr Charleton’s resignation of Birtley Colliery to You & that the Matter will be further talked of at the next Audit. I am etc    HR