Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Ibbetson – 3 Sep 1795

John Ibbetson Esqr						Farnarces 3rd Septemr 1795



Sir

	By the Post of Thursday last, we reced from Mr Dyer, a Letter which had been sent to you by Edwd Coats relative to the taking of Hay from the Woodlands of Greenwich Hospital. It is certainly a fact, that, since the Stealing of young Trees in the Hospitals Woods has taken place, the Grass in all parts where it was likely to hurt the young Plants, has, by our Direction, been permitted to be cut with Sickles, by Persons whom, it could be depended upon would rather encourage the growth of, than injure the young Trees, and this was determined upon, after due consideration, and after finding that the Expence of cutting and removing the Grass or Hay would cost the Hospital more Money than the Hay would sell for, the Persons, therefore, who have been permitted to cut the Grass, have been permitted to do it and to remove it and the Hay at times when they found themselves at liberty, and we are perfectly satisfied that it will be proper to go on in the same way, and for those, who cut the Grass as above mentioned, to have it for their trouble, as they have hitherto had, as by Experience we find it to have been the best and cheapest mode, and that the Plantations have received great Benefit by the Gras being so removed: but as to Woodhall Mill Dean, we do not think it necessary or proper that any Grass should be cut there, the young Trees being sufficiently above it, neither do we think that Edward Coats would prove to be an efficient Tenant, as we do not find that after various applications to discharge his Arrears of £7:1: Heardley Acre he is at all able to pay any part of the Debt Money

	Sir Your most obedt Servt

		Walton & Turner



PS Edwd Coats’s Letter is returned herewith





      July 18th 1795

Sr

	I beg Leve to Let you know How Affairs in the North is Going on there is Rogery caryed Two a hight in the Wood Land. Their is Many Pound worth of hay Cut and Carry out of the Wood Land, Sr there is A peace of Wood Land known by the Name of the Woodhall Mill Dean if you Will Let Me Have It I will give you a guinea for What I can Nick out amongst the bushes. If it be With more I will give it you When I have taken it Up. Sr I will let you know About a great maney Other things that is Carryed on

	Sr I am your Svt

		Edwd Coats



Haydon Bridge