Letter – Henry Richmond to William Darwin – 12 Dec 1775

Mr Darwin   No 47 Hatton Street                                                       Newcas  12th Decr 1775

          London



Sir

	Inclosed is the best Answer which Mr Bell Sir Walter’s Agent for Hexham Estate can give to your several Queries respecting Nubbuck Encroachments.  I think if you compare this answer with the State of the Case and the Answer which I sent you on the 24 April last to your several Queries then sent me you will be able to make a very full Case for Mr Wallace’s opinion; however it is the best we can make - In your Letter of the 7 instant you speak as if it had been Stated that the Encroachmt had been made for time immemorial and that the Rent or Acre money had been the same & never raised - now this is not at all the Case nor is it so stated so for it does not appear that any of the Encroachments at Nubbuck have been made sooner than 1680 & the Rent or Acre money till the Year 1744 has varied every Year - I am the more particular as to this point because it seems from your Letter as if Mr Wallace laid much Stress upon it & from the supposed Antiquity of the Inclosure & certainty of the Rent to apprehend a freehold is created.  What you say about my Brother I am sorry for - I told him that he had no certain method of getting a livelyhood but Business & desired him to leave off following Schemes and Inventions that will certainly disappoint him       I am etc   HR