Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 7 Aug 1764

To Sir Walter Blackett B[arone]t at Hexham                         Newcas[tle] 7 Aug[u]st 1764



Hon[ou]rd Sir    There has been so much intrest made among the Freemen within these few days in favour of Messrs Jobling & Whitby; & so great an Animosity is raised against Mr Ord that I am told all the Companies except the merchants Hostmen & Mariners have joined in petitioning the Mayor for the Corporation to assist them; giving chiefly this for reason, that the Rights of the Corporation are attacked by Mr Ord & that it is hard for private persons to defend them. Mr Mayor tells me they are to wait upon him this Evening with the petition & that he certainly shall call a Comon Council on Monday next to consider of this point & that he does verily believe it will be carried in the Comon Council in favour of the def[endan]ts Whitby & Jobling. For if current at present sets so strong that way that many of the better sort are hurried down with it. He does not know that I have this opportunity of writing to you; but I thought it right to apprise you of the present ferment; that you may alter the Rout you have laid down in case you should judge it necessary to be at the Comon Council that morning. I am etc H R