Letter – Nicholas Walton to Richard Horne – 16 Nov 1740

      Ravensworth Castle Nov. 16 1740

To Mr Horne



Dr Sir

      We reced. yours of the 6th Nov Inst & likewise the Boards Minutes of the 5th of Same in which we observe Mr Simon Warners proposal for Lock Vein, Fourshield burn Vein, Cocklake, ½ Windy Brow & the East side of Clargill Cleugh head; upon which proposal we beg leave to observe

      That there is No such Vein as Lock Vein in Alston Manner, That there is no Such Vein as Fourshields burn, & that we apprehend the Hosp.s  Moiety of Windybrow is already Demised  to Geo. Liddell Esq. & P.tners. It appears to us that Lock Vein is the same of Lough Vein which is now wrought by the Execu.s of Geo. Liddell Esq. & Ptners & we are apt to think Mr Warner means to take his Lease length upon that Vein, where the present one granted to and Enjoyed by the Execu.s of George Liddell  Esq. & Ptners terminates, to the South; so that if Mr Warner amend his proposal & Say Lough Vein, the Directors may Safely grant a Lease length with this general proviso that the same does not Extend into or Interfere with any former Lease length Granted by the Comiss.rs or Govern.s of Greenwich Hospital .  There is a place in Alston moor called Forestshield burns, but none called Fourshieldburn, but we apprehend it may be the same place which Mr Warner means, Altho’ no mines have been wrought there that we know of, the Hospital will therefore Consider whether this shd not be granted as an unopen Mine;   we think it may & can see no Objection. As to Clargill Cleugh head it appears to us to be the Same proposed for by Mattw. Cousen & Robert Raw, to whom the Comiss.rs we presume will think proper to grant as they offer a  Fifth Duty; but Nevertheless we advise that Mr Warner may have a grant Also of a lease Length with the aboive provisos. But you must observe that in this Case Mattw. Cousen & Robt. Raw must have their grant Dated previous to Mr Warner And in his likewise as in all other  Leases whiuch the Comiss.rs shall have occasion to grant they are to take Care that this general Proviso is never to be omitted.

      We are Yrs &c 

      Nich. Walton Hugh Boag



PS Please to deliver to Mr Corbitt our Cash Accot. for last Monbth by which you will see thgere is a Bal.ce in our hands of £242:7:11 ¾