Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 29 May 1741

      Ravensworth Castle. May 22d 1741

To Wm Corbett Esqr



Sir

      John Reid Esqr. to whom we lett the Colliery at high Green for one year commencing at Mayday

1741 had peaceable possession given him of the Pitt injoyed by James Dodds’s Widdow the late Tennant the <2d> Inst but Since has not only been put out of possession of it, but is refused the possession of the other part of the Coll[ier]ry [used] by other Freeholders; by one Mr Mattw Robson the Tenn[an]t of Greenhaugh Coll[ie]ry. This matter we have endeavoured to get Compromised, but have not been able to Affect it, nay, on the Contrary Mr Robson has taken the most Violent Methods by raising a Body of Men to prevent Mr Reids going on, threatening the persons who were present on behalfe of the Hospital, with little less than taking their Lives.  Mr Airey has been advised with in every Step that has been taken by us in this Affair, And by Lawyer Greys Advice and his we have moved in every P[ar]ticular, of which we desired Mr Airey to Send a full Accot. to Mr Radley which we make no doubt but he has done & to it we beg leave to refer, desiring the Board will be pleased to give their Orders to him or us what further Steps they wou’d be pleased to have taken .

      We are glad to hear from Greenwich that the Coales we sent prove to the liking of the Gent[leme]n there, we are endeavouring to get another  Ship, which will be sent of a less Size than the former if possible, & we woud be glad to know if the Board wou’d have us Continue to Send a further & what quant[it]y as this is the proper Season of the Yr not only to have proper Ships, but the dryest and best Coales. We are Sir Yours &c

      N:W H:B