Letter – Joseph Richmond to John Armstrong – 16 May 1734

To Mr Armstrong							Newcastle 16th May 1734



I have just now rec.d yours of the 9th setting forth the Practice of applying to other uses the choicest of the wood bought for the Use of the Groves only. I am sensible of the ill Consequences that may attend it, I therefore desire & take upon me to commission you for the future, not to suffer any Person whatsoever to cut or meddle w[i]th any wood intended for the Groves till he produce you an order in writing from Mr Blackett, Mr Allgood or myself setting (forth) the Quantities, & for what Uses, & even then it must be under your direction what Trees [struck out: ‘to have’]  they are to have, for the Wood bought for the groves is solely under your Management & you must account for the application of it. It has been all along all charged to the Groves & if so much of the choicest & longest wood has been put to other Uses without leave, or any Acco[un]t given of it, its what’s quite wrong, & I call it your fault for suffering it, therefore hope you’l prevent it for the future. If you have any Acco[un] of it pray let me know what quantities of wood have been taken for the Mills, farm houses etc for 4 or 5 years past & the value of it, as particularly as you can. I am

							Yrs etc J.R.