Letter – Henry Richmond to William Darwin – 6 Aug 1771

To   Mr Darwin    Greys Inn                                          Newcas.   6 Augst.  1771

      London



Sir      Sir Walter Blackett has promised the Town of Hexham a Set of Standard Weights & Measures; which he supposed might have been obtained from this Town, under the Stat. 11 Henr. 7. cap. 4  -  But our Corporation are very deficient themselves in this Article & have never marked or ascertained the Weights and Measures of other Towns in Northumberland as that Law desires.  So Sir Walter is determined to have them from the Exchequer; not only Standard, but properly Authenticated to be such by the Frank of That Office.  The Articles wanted you have below & Sir Walter desires you will Enquire how and when they can be had & that you will order them to be made and sent down by Sea directed to his Office in Newcastle.  He desires to know who you leave behind you in London during your Vacation to transact any business he may have occasion to write about



Weights and Measures for Hexham.  -

A Four Stone Weight  -  half a hund[re]d W[eigh]t

A One Stone Weight  -  or 14 po[un] ds Avoirdupois

half a Stone Weight

A Gallon Wine Measure   to be marked accordingly

A Gallon Ale Measure  

A pint of each Measure                          d[itt]o

An Eighth of a Pint Wine Measure       d[itt]o

A yard Wand properly graduated



PS.   We had so little Law Business here at our assizes that Mr Wallace slipt away before I had an Opportunity of giving him his general Retainer.  When he comes to London I desire you will give it him.  As Mr Weatherburn does not now come the Circuit I wish you wo[ul]d  consider who is proposed to retain in his room.                     I am etc    HR