Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 5 Feb 1771

 To Sir Wr Blackett  Bart.  M.P.  in Half Moon Street                      Newcas.   5 Febry 1771

              Piccadilly, London



Honrd. Sir     I hope you are well after your Journey.

     Since you left this place I have been Considering, as well as I can, what offer you can in prudence make the new Rector for a Lease of his Tithe Ore: & am convinced the old Composition of Three hundred Guineas a Year, is the utmost.  The Bishop of Ely can tell him, if he pleases, that after drawing the Tithe Ore in 1741, 1742 & 1743 he found no more could be made of it.  The mines now are much more Expensive, & the Leases shorter than they were then.  Consequently the least additional Load must occasion a Reduction of the Works & a disruption of Numbers of the people from their Employments.  If the Rector does not accept this offer he may require Time; &. if he has a Certain person in his Council, an Acct.! as to the former, it will be necessary as soon as any Ore is ready, & the Season allows for the removal of it to the Mills, that He appoint an Agent or Agents to take his Tithe.  & as to the latter it should be avoided by all means. for you are sensible it had no good Effect with the Bp. of D. when “Sit pro ratione voluntas” demonstration will not convince.  If the Rector does accept of your Offer, I think the Agreement should be made for the joint lives of the Bishop of Durham (& his Continuance in the See) & yourself; provided the Rector lives and Continues so long in the Benefice.

    Inclosed is An Acct. of the Ship in which the Servants Boxes are sent.  Inclosed also is Captn. Roddam’s Letter.                 I am etc    HR