Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 14 Aug 1737

To Wm Corbett Esqr

                                                                                  Ravensworth Castle  Augt 14th 1737

Sir

	We reced yours with the Boards Minutes of the 3d Inst which we duly observe; and the Board may depend upon our utmost care & frugality in excuting their commands.

	The necessary Repaires amounting to £1160. 8. 2 we are putting in Execution & we beg leave to observe that the Board have given no Orders for doing anything at Newlands & Whittenstall which is in great necessity.  In ours of the 20th Ulto we mentioned those Repaires & hoped that the Board would have given their Orders therein as we were in doubt whether they intended that we Shou’d proceed therein upon the Order of the Generall Court of the 26 Jany last.  If therefore they expect that we Should proceed upon that Order, we Should be Glad of their pleasure therein.

	We have Mr Maules Letter before us and in relation to the Keswick Rts we observe his Just Remarks upon it, & think the Question he has putt does not decide the Dispute for it is without all manner of Dispute certain that Such of the Tennants as have paid their last Rents have pd all Rents due from them to the late Mr Radcliffs Heirs, the Treasury & the Hospitall.  We cannot possibly Say Whether Lancet Penny enjoyed the full Crop or total produce of the Farme he Entered upon at Ladyday 1736 or whether John Fisher enjoyed a part, but be that as it will it does not Seem to make any difference for it is a Custom & a very Just one here that where a Tennant enters upon a Farm having a Crop at his Entrance he has no right to a Crop when he leaves it.  & on the Contrary where he enters upon no Crop he has a right to one at the Determination of his Farme so that whether Lancelot Penny entered upon a Crop or not he is obliged to pay his Rent from Ladyday 1736 to 1737.

	The Case Seems to be this, That the Derwentwater Estate being on the Death of the late Mr Radcliff forfeited to the Government all Rents thereof became due to the Treasury etc from Martinmas 1731 which to Ladyday last is 51/2 Years.  Now upon examining Miles Wilsons Receipts you will find that he entering upon his Farme at Ladyday 1731 pays 6 Years Rent to last Ladyday which is all that is realy due from him, 5 whereof has been paid to the Receivers & one to the late Mr Radcliffs Heirs, where as we apprehend only half a year should have been paid to the said Heirs.  The Question then Seems to be Was the halfe Years Rent ending at Ladyday 1732 & due the Marts 1731 preceeding by the Tenure of the Lease of Old Park due to the Treasury or Mr Radcliffs Heirs, he dying in December 1731.  If it is due to the latter then the Treasury and the Hospital together receive out of that Estate from the time of the Forfeiture only 5 Years rent to Ladyday last whereas in all other parts of the Estate they receive 51/2 Years Rent to last Ladyday.

	As to the £29. 4s. 83/4d laid out in Repaires at Meldon park & Hartburn Grange it is true it Exceeds the Boards Order had it been laid out on one Tenement, but as it was laid out on three which are occupied by more than 3 Tennants we apprehend it to be within what the Board were pleased to Command & hope they will think so and approve thereof.

	Inclosed is our Cash Accot on which remains a Ballance of £75. 8s. 4d in our favour.  The Accot of Wood and Bark Sold out of the Weedings this Season will Come in our next

                                              we are Sir Yours etc                Walton & Boag