Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 7 Apr 1770

To Sir Wr. Blackett  Bt.  M.P.  in Half Moon Street                             Newcas.  7th  April 1770

                           Piccadilly  London



Honrd Sir     Since my last letter I have been at Wallington & do find that after 10 days or a fortnight Mr Duffield and Wm. Boult will not have Employment for above half a dozen Men each; which they say will be Sufficient to keep the gardens & plantations all in order.  The building and walling that is to be done will cost above £300 & after that the Number of Masons will be reduced.  the Number of Carpenters will be lessened directly.  Mr Ralph Forster will consider against the Rent day, which will be in May, which of the old Labourers will need an allowance.  he says your old shooting Galloway is unserviceable & desires to know if he is to dispose of it.  Philip and William Hall will be employed in the Season to preserve the Game and Fish as much as possible.

    Mr Wm. Brown has viewed Unthank Colliery and says the workings in general are pretty regular, but the Colliery not carried on with that Spirit that might be wished - he thinks the Lessees will not, from their Situation and what he has said to them, venture to give up this Colliery at the End of the five years.

   I have received your second Letter  and Advertisement about the Anonymous Letter; but shall wait your Answer to what I wrote on the 4th Instant before I insert anything in the papers.  I am etc    HR