Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 22 Jul 1737

Wm Corbett Esqr

                                                                                  Ravensworth Castle  July 22d 1737

Sir

	As the Hospitall are to have Tryall (with the Persons Claiming Haydon Town Farme on an old Lease) at the next Assizes at NCastle which begins the 8 August next, we begg leave to putt you in mind of it, tho we hope Mr Airey has taken proper care to inform you or Mr Radley so as to prepare what is necessary for Tryall.

	The Quakers company’s Agent having Offered 46s per Bing for Bouse & 41 per Bing for Cutting Oare & Geo Liddell Esqr & Compy having offered the same & one Guinea & half over.  we have agreed with the latter as best bidders, for all the Dues of Lead Oare arising within the Manor of Aldstone Moore from Christmas last to Christms next to be paid in April next which we hope the Board will approve of   This price for Lead Oare is we believe the highest that has been known in that Country, the reason for which we apprehend to be this, that the Quakers having a Lead Mill ready erected are distressed for want of Oare to keep her going, by reason of the poverty of the Lead Mines in & about Aldston Moore, & not onely that But Sevl other Mills are lying for want of Oare & this Scarcity <still…& will,> or as <….> the price by that Mill wth Coll Liddell Parts are Erectg in Aldston <mre> where for some time the whole quantity to be raised will not be Sufficient to keep the Mill going.

	We are Sorry to in forme you that at Tarret burn in the Manour of Wark, where a Lead Mine has formerly been wrought, & where Geo Liddell Esqr & Partners had begun further Tryall the Royaltys are claimed by Severall who have given the Workmen a discharge, upon which Accot that work is at present Stop’d.  Wee have allways believed the Royaltys in that part belonged to the Hospitall & we doubt not but it will appear to be so, yet least we should run the Hospitall into vexatious Suite, we have thought it more proper to desist than proceed in working, till a particular enquiry is made into the Affair.  Wee are to be at Hexham next Monday & thro the Estates of that Neighbourhd.  the remaining part of the week so that as we Shall not only wait upon the persons who Claim, but make all the enquiry we can in that part of the Country, we hope to give you a particular Accot by next Frydays post of the whole affair  We are Sir   Yr most obedt & most Hble Servts

      N Walton   Hugh Boag