Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 14 May 1742

To William Corbett Esqr.					Ravensworth Castle May 14 1742



Sir

	Mr Bunting the 1st of May Inst detected Severall People the Inhabitants of Hexham taking away a Tree from High Wood in part of the Derwentwater Estate to sett up in the Town of Hexham as a May Pole & with some assistance took it from them & secured it with a Wheel Carriage it was upon in one of the Tennants houses; but afterwards the Mob Increasing, broke open the door & took the Whole away, threatening to burn the housing; Mr Bunting upon this Call’d the Constables who with himself recd. very great abuse, and were obliged to retire, leaving a resolute mob to doe with the Tree what they thought proper, and then Complain’d to Sir Edwd. Blackett to whose gates the Mobb pursued with Clubbs and Stones, so that Mr Bunting and the Constables were in danger of their Lives, and after some time assembling together woud not disperse till Sir Edward Blackett read the King’s proclamation which dispers’d them. Sir Edward Blackett has been exceedingly Active  & Kind in this affair, has taken severall Informations against some offenders and has bound them over to appear at the next Session and we are endeavouring to get more to Strengthen the Evidence in order to make examples which we hope the Board will approve of.

	We have this day Sent Mr Wood the Treasurer’s deputy Bills for £500 --- & We are Sir ,

      Yours &c

      Walton & Boag