Letter – Joseph Richmond to Walter Blackett – 17 Feb 1730

To Walter Blackett Esq. 		Newcastle February the 17 1729



Sr, Upon renewing the Lease of Weardale Mines with the late Bishop Crew in 1706, & putting in the late Sr Wm Blackett life, I find there was paid no more than 300 guineas besides the fees which came to about £30, Mr Allgood is of Opinion the present Bishop, will on the present Occasion insist on £1000 at least wch I am humbly of Opinion, concidering his Ldshps age, & the Declension of those groves from what they were at the time of the last Renewell, is too unreasonable to be Complyed with , at that time they Yeilded yearly towards 4000 bings of Oar, but now we Reckon half the quantity to be a good years work, Mr Allgood Says he will write to you Shortly on that head, he is now at Hexham, whence I do not know when he'd return, I do not hear of any further steps being taken on Mowbray affair, I acquainted Mr Allgood with your lre from Calverly desiring it might be referred but I presume he waits your previous directions.

I have had not advice from Mr Cook of the plate being come to his hand but there is no Doubt but he had received it, & waits your Directions what to do with it, as desired.

Winship tells me Surly is much better then when you left the Country but not quite clear of the Cough , he still deswades me from turning him out, I do not believe he has been twice hunted since you left Newcastle. The Dogs are in good Order, only on Sunday last one of the Pointers quarrelled with Singwell & has bit and Eye quite out of her head. I am  J Richmond