Letter – Nicholas Walton to Thomas Simpson – 5 Apr 1741

      Ravensworth Castle. April 5  1741

To Mr Thos. Simpson



Dear Sir

      I Reced. the favour of your Letter of the 30 March last & thank you for the Care you have taken of what I wrote in relation to the Derwentwater Woods but am sorry to find the Cumb[erland] Woodmongers are so well Skil[le]d in Combination. Surely these practices are not often mett with in that County in the Comon runn of Business. The Sale of the whole woods is offered by proper Affadavit setting forth their being Sold much Under their Value & Since they were so offered we have an Actual offer of £1000 more for the Woods in Northumberland & £100 more for those in Cumberland. The former we Apprehend to be near the value but the latter must yett Advance at least £600 before Mr Speedings are Confirmed the best bidders if it does not come up to what we are Assured Should be its Value it will not be sold this Year, & if so we are of opinion it will be referred down to us to sell it together or in P[ar]cells, the latter as you will observe will undoubtedly raise the most money. The Above Termes for the Cumberland Woods (which for the whole will be £4800) I coud wish were Communicated to Mr Speedings & I desire you will do it as from Your Self, for as it will save us a great deal of trouble to Sell all together, we rather coud wish Mr Speedings woud bid at once to the Value & that he coud put it in our power to recomend him as a person who has bid to the value. Pray Charge Postage of these letters to Sir 

      Yrs &c

      N. Walton