Letter – Nicholas Walton to Joseph Pearson – 22 May 1741

      Ravensworth Castle. 22d May 1741

To Mr Joseph Pearson



Sir

      We have had an Accot. from the Exchequer that some persons are Cutting down wood as fast as possable upon the Derwentwater Estate in Cumberland. If you have Suffer’d any such thing to be done you ought to be laid in Irons for it, for many times we have discharged you from Suffering any such practice, & if this be true its the last time ever youl have any thing to do with the Estate besides we hope the Court of Exchequer will take hold of your Estate & Reimburse themselves of the Damage you have sufferd to be done.

      We again discharge you & all Tenants whatsoever from Cutting or Carrying off any kind of wood Whatsoever or for any purpose whatsoever, but lett the wood quite alone for the purchasers. We also Charge you (if you have much Understanding left) to go to all the Tenants at Keswick Thornthwaite & see if they have Cutt any & give us an Accot. of there Name & what Cutt And also discharge them from Cutting or Medling with the least stick that grows upon there grownd 

      we are Your Hble servts

      Nichos. Walton Hugh Boag