Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 6 Apr 1771

To Sir Wr Blackett  Bt.  M.P.  in half Moon Street                       Newcas.   6th  April 1771

  Piccadilly, London



Honrd. Sir      Mr Bell will Enquire at Hexham next Week into the Grounds of the Complaint about the increase of the Quarterage for Scholars inat the School there, & will write You the particulars.  Mr Busby, whom I have acquainted of the Complaint says he has heard <th..> by the Institution, it was only 4d a quar[ter] but now 5s .0d - however <… having> to postpone considering the Matter till you come into the Country.  You pay Mr Simpson & Mrs <Byres> Ext[ecut]ors 4 &  ½ p Centm. but it may be better, if you approve of it, to put off giving Notice to any of your Bond Crs Cr[editors] till you see a Certainty of Mrs Gordons Money.

     I have acquainted Mr Mosley and he is much obliged to you for your Attention to the Bill for dividing Great & Little <Heck>.

     I have not seen Mr Sunderland to day; but he is under promise to tell me as soon as any Vacancy happens in tidesmen or Boatmen’s places - I will speak to him again the first opportunity and then write further.  The Mayor is out of Town, but will be back on Monday, which is the Guild-day; when I will deliver the Message to him.  I do not find there is any Expectation of much Bustle among the patriots on That day.   The prospect the Corn bears in the Counties of Durham and Northumberland is a very bad One; Worse, many people of Experience tell me, than they ever knew - I mean as to Wheat.  What is sown is thin and sickly from the Alternate frosty & open Weather in the Winter, and the quantity sown is above a third less than usual  -  besides the Stock in hand is much diminished Yields poorly and a great deal of it unsound - the Medium price in the Market this day was 11s the Winchester Boll,  As to Rye which the lower Sort of people in this Country live much upon it is become very scarce.  Oats and Barley are now Sowing & the Season favourable.

    Please to accept my thanks for your Inquiry after my Family.  we are very well. Etc.  It is a great Satisfaction to your friends that you preserve your health amidst the trouble & confusion of the times.  I hope it will long be preserved.     I am etc    HR

___________________________________________________________________________