Letter – Nicholas Walton to George Birkett – 14 Aug 1737

To Mr Birkett

                                                                                  Ravensworth Castle  August 14th 1737

Sir

	We reced yours of the 16 June last, which would have been answered Sooner but that we were prevented by Busyness of Conquence.

[In the margin:]  Sent Mr Simpson a Copy of this the 25th May 1740

	As to what You Seem to Charge Mr Pearson with, we are Strangers in it and more Particularly so as it was at a time when we were no way concerned.  At the time of the Commission of Enquiry it would have been proper to have laid these (if they are fact) Charges against him and had they been so and made, appear to have been fact we don’t apprehend he would have been continued in the Hospitals Service.  We have a better Opinion of him than to believe him guilty of any Injustice & till it appears otherwise we must Support him in executing what he is Commanded to do.

	We are not yet Informed that you have any right to Cutt Wood & if you do it without our Consent it may be of ill Consequence, therefore to prevent any further Inconvenience it will by no means be prudent to doe anything of that kind.  We are farr from hindering You or anybody from having all the Priviledges You have right to, but till those things appear to be your right You will excuse us in doing what we believe to be Justice to the Hospital & we are

                                                                 Sir Yours etc Walton & Boag