Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 11 Apr 1746

Sir                                 					Ravensworth Castle  April 11  1746



      We are informed that upon a search at Cap Heaton in Northumb’d in the House of Sir John Swinburn a Roman Catholic Gentm’n for Arms Etc some large boxes were found with Writings which belong to the Derwentwater Estate.  Sir William Middleton was present when this search was made & the Boxes above mentioned were removed by him to his House at Belsay where they now are & will be kept safe.  Mr Airey sent his Clerk to Lady Middleton (Sir William being in Scotland with the Duke of Cumberland) who shew’d the Boxes to him.  We therefore desire you will lay this before the Board & give us directions what they wou’d have done in this Affair for as there may be many valluable papers as well as Writings they sh’d be looked into & taken proper Care of & it is not unlikely but some useful things may be found in regard to the Ovingham Estate now in dispute.  Mr Airey & we think a Schedule shou’d be made of all that is found in the presence of some persons who Sir John Swinburn may appoint, but in that the Board will doe as they judge proper & whatever directions they think fitt to give us shall be punctually observed by 

      Sir yours etc

      Walton & Boag



P.S.  Inclosed you have Extracts of what News we have tho’ suppose it will have reached you before this comes to your hand.  The Transports from London are lying in the Humber.