Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 9 Apr 1771

To Sir Wr Blackett  Bt.  M.P.  in half Moon Street                       Newcas.   9th   April 1771

  Piccadilly, London



Honrd. Sir      The inclosed hand Bill was distributed early Yesterday Morning: nevertheless the Guild was neither numerous nor noisy  -  A Motion was made by Mr Smith the Surgeon & seconded by Captn. Maud, to thank the Lord Mayor of London & Aldern. Oliver: but it was cooly received & their request for the Guild hall refused by the Mayor.  but to day they have been endeavouring to get the Companies to meet at their Halls  -  the Surgeons and Brewers met.  but I have not yet learnt what passed; but its very likely Thanks will be voted by the Companies that meet; as few but the patriots attend.  Mr Sunderland says there is a vacancy at South Shields, which is in the Co. of Durham, by the Superannuation of one Bulmer a Boatman, & that he expects there will be another soon by the putting Geo. Collinson a Boatman at Howdoen Pans, in Northumberland upon the Superannuation List.  these two places are in the Gift of the Comissioners of the Customs.  

    Ralph Robson, the Butcher, who has been at Sea & William Thowburn a Shipwright are the fittest of any, in the List, for such places  -  but I am not certain whether Robson has not got a place  -  if I can learn before post time I will add a postscript.

    I delivered your Message to Mr Mayor Yesterday  & to day he says he wrote you after his Company left him.        I am etc    HR

   PS.   Ra Robson got a boatmans place at No. Shields, sometime ago,