Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 12 May 1738

To Wm Corbett Esqr.						Ravensworth Castle  May the 12. 1738



Sr

	Some time agoe the Board of Directors for Greenwich Hospitall were pleased to Order an Action to be brought against one Carrick for taking away by force a cow which had been Levyd and taken away from him by the Bayliff of Alston Manor and sold by him to one Furnace from whom the cow was taken by Carrick.

	Carricks pretence for taking away the cow, was that she was taken without the manor, and therefore Mr Simpson thought it proper to use means to procure a Release from him to Wm Lee the Bayliff  and then to proceed against him for takeing away the cow which he accordingly did, during which Transaction Furnace Dyd, and Mr Simpson being unwilling to Proceed in the name of his Exe[cu]tors without having Councills Opinion, we Agreed that he should take an Opinion upon it, and During that time Carrick has brought Actions Against the persons in Company with the Bayliff when he Levyd. I had a Ltter the 5th Instant from Mr Simpson on this Affair which I send you Inclosed with a Copy of the Opinion he took, and as the Establishing of the Court seems intirely to Depend upon our success in making an Example of this offender, I gave Mr Simpson for answer that the Defend[an]t should be justifyd which I hope the Board will approve off.

	As Mr Boag can inform you, the Winter Floods has Done a good Deal of Damage amongst the Wears at Fourstones and the Damage is greatly increased by a very great Flood we had last week. I have had it viewed by John Bell who is a very juditious man , and he acquaints me it will cost at least £60 to repair it I have also seen it my self and think it will scarce be done for that sum. However there is a Necessity for the Breach being made good, the sooner the Board are pleased to give their direction the better, for it will Daily grow worse.

	I am like to be tore in peices by the Derwentwater Ten[an]ts for want of their Housing being put forward to repair, and least the season should be left for cutting down wood for those repairs, so as the Bark shoud be lost I beg leave to put you in mind of it, That the Directors may Consider it, and while Mr Boag is in Town, give such Orders as they think necessary and convenient relating thereto. The Bark in 10 or 14 days time will be lost as the sap will be gone in that time, so that unless I have your orders by Sunday the 21st it will be of no service.

	Inclosed I send you my Cash accot. for last month on which remains a Balance in my hand anounting to £1000 – 9 – 11 ½  in Favour of the Hospittall, which sum I reserve in my hand to pay Lord Peters and Lady Cath. Radcliffe in full to Lady Day last  which I hope the Board will approve off. 

	I was in hopes before this time to have heard that the Derwentwater Bill had passed the House of Lords but I perceive it has been prevented by Spanish Deprada[tions] being in that house. I hope that this post will bring me agreeable News on that head, and am 

      Sr &c N.W.