Letter – Henry Richmond to William Darwin – 8 Jun 1764

To Mr Darwin Grays Inn                                                     Newcas[tle] 8 June 1764

London



Sir        Sir Walter Blackett got here on Wednesday and is very well. He desires you will look into the Grant of Hexham Manor for the two clauses relating to the mines of Coal & Lead, whereof the inclosed is a Copy: for he would gladly know whether the words “in Omnibus Locis” are to be looked upon as restraining in any measure the former part of these clauses. And if you think the point of any difficulty, he would have you lay the clauses, or the Grant, before the Council, that now have the case about the Freeholder’s, will probably stand stiffly to their opinion that the Mines belong to them; Sir Walter would have every doubt about his Right to them removed before he engages in a dispute of so much consequence.

He also would have the Query about the Game stated a little more particularly to the Lawyers, that he may know whether he has a right to appoint a Gamekeeper for the whole Regality : and whether this Gamekeeper could act, for instance, in the two Estates that have been sold by the deeds of which I sent you Copies lately.

In perusing the Grant of the Manor of Hexham you will observe that two Leases to John Fenwick of the mines within the Regality are referred to. And also that in the Clause about the Tolls there is a reference to a Lease granted to one Gilbert Parkinson as containing a more particular description of the premes. Now Sir Walter thinks it will be advisable to learn what these Leases do contain and desires you will direct a Search to be made for them in the proper office & let me have copies of them if they can be found – the two first were probably let not many years before the Grant of the Manor in 1632 to Sir John Fenwick, but the  Lease to Parkinson must be of an older date, for I find these Tolls were in the Tenure of one Gilfred Parkinson in the 1st of Edw[ar]d 6th. Sir Walter is desirous of having the Opinions and particularly that about the Tolls from the Council as soon as possible, for he cannot proceed or come to any resolution till he has them. So that you may give his Complim[ent]s and tell them he hopes they will favour him with them soon. I am etc                                        H R