Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 3 Mar 1770

To Sir Wr. Blackett  Bt.  M.P.  in Half Moon Street                             Newcas.  3 March 1770

                           Piccadilly  London



Honrd Sir           I believe the Tenants of Unthank Colliery are not working as if they intended continuing their Lease & question even that they are working the Colliery as they ought to do, but I have desired Mr Wm. Brown, who is going into that Neighbourhood to view & make a Report of the State of the Colliery and Engine.  I have wrote to Mr Ra[lph] Forster, Mr Duffield and Mr Geo. Brown about the Works at Wallington and shall Endeavour to settle with them such a plan for lessening the Expense there  as may be most practicable and nearest your Intention.  & I have told  Mr Newton what you bid me.   Yesterday I sold 6000 ps. Lead being all your stock at Market at £14 a fother - the price is a good one being the last years price and higher than the other Marketts are at present but the Lead is not to be paid for till Midsumr.  My Bro. is now in London when he returns I will speak to him about borrowing £1000 upon your Lead.  but if you could do without it till the Woodcroft Money is paid you might have it out of that which will be better than borrowing any more, for I hope Dukesfield pay may be put off till I can get payment for the 3000 ps. of Lead sold as mentioned in my last letter - you will please therefore to let me know whether I am to speak to my Brother or no.  The Money for this 6000ps. will probably susbsist the Miners & and make the other ordinary payments till some of the new Stock can be got down, sold and paid for which will not be before October and then come the great pays again.

     Mr Wm. Hunter has sent me his fathers and his joint promissory Note to you for three hundred pounds.

     John Harrison your Clerk at Rookhope Mill has been superannuated for several years and his younger Son who was brought up under him has done the business for him, but he (the Son) is now dead and the Elder Bro. offers for the place who has been a Smelter for about two yrs. only having been brought up to some other business which he lately declined.  I am much affraid he will not be so skilfull a Mill Clerk as that Mill ought to have, most of your Lead being smelted at it.  I have not yet heard of any fit for it, as soon as I do I will acquaint you that you may make such appointment as you think proper.  The Salary is £20 a year.

    I am concerned to find you are not well & am convinced that less fatigue of Mind and more Exercise of Body than you can take in your present Situation would be of Service,

   My Family is well; I thank you for asking after it & am  etc     HR