Letter – Henry Richmond to William Darwin – 26 May 1764

To Mr Darwin Grays Inn                                                  Newcas[tle] 26th May 1764

London



Sir    I hope Mr Revett is right in his Opinion about the Mines in the Freeholds in Hexhamshire. If there is any doubt about it there should be further consultation; for I fear a Rich Leadmine called Hackford which Sir W[alte]r Blackett has won lately in the neighbourhood of some freehold Estates in the Regality of Hexham belonging to Greenwich Hospital and which their Agents have within this Fortnight been tracing into those estates will engage Sir Walter either to support this point or give it up intirely. If you look into the Grant of the Regality of Hexham you will see a very full Conveyance of all the Mines of Coal & Lead to Harboard etc & from them to John Fenwick under whom Sir W[alte]r claims.

What Title the Hospital have,their own Agents here do not know : they only go upon the Comon, & what by Mr Ellis I find is a, modern presumption that every Freeholder is intitled to the Mines within his Freehold. If Sir Walter is still in London I desire you will take his directions in this matter.

I was to let you know if I would learn any thing from Mr Ellis concerning a Tryal with one Mr Hall about the Toll travers; but he says he never heard of any but one & that was about the year 1710 with a Scotch man whose name he has forgot but which by the Time must have been the same which I gave Sir Walter an Acco[un]t of. I am etc                               H R