Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 3 Jun 1737

To William Corbett Esqr

	                                                                            Ravensworth Castle  June 3d 1737

Sir

	We reced Yours with the Boards Minutes of the 25th May last & a Copy of Mr Maule Letter dated the Same day, all wch we duely Observe

	Included in the Acct Stated between Mr Blackett & the Hospitall  as we Apprehended it <Stated>, by wch there Appears to be due at Martinms 1734 for Accot of Sums <Stand> £6  whereas the Extract is for no more than £4

	The Reason why we desired the article of £9.14.101/2 wch Accrued in holding the Courts of Newlands &c to be Allowed us was that we never Understood any Expence of Courtkeeping Save any Courtkeepers Salareys to be upon us, & as we believe Such Expence is always born by the Lords of Mannors all over England we hoped the Board would allow the Same to us.  But as we desire nothing but what they think a reasonable thing, & as it is an Expence that will accrue only once a Year we humble Submitt it to the Boards pleasure whether they will allow it or not

	We Observe Mr Maules Letter in answer to which the Late receers were only Concerned in the Rect of the Derwentwater Rents from Marts 1731.  That they Sold the Dues of Lead Oare for 1732 & 1733 for 43s & 43/6 per Bing being all Bouse Oare, & that they Sold the Dues in the Year 1734 for 37/6d for Bouse & 32/6d for Cutting Oare by wch Mr Maule might have Observed a difference of 5s per Bing, as the Moor Master Assures us there always was in the time he has been concern’d in the D-er Family

	How farr we are Impowered to Sell the Dues of Lead Oare by our Commission, the Directors themselves are best able to Judge but we begg leave to Observe that we have not presumed to Sell any Dues without the Boards Particular Command, to which we refer in their Minute of the 4th Febridy 1735/6 for the sale of the Dues for 1735 & 1736 & to their Minute of the 4th May last for the Sale of those for 1737

	We never thought our Selves Exempt from any Rules the Directors have thought fit to prescribe to us but have in all aspects conformed thereto as Near as we could;  This however we are Certaine of that we have always acted with Justice to the Hospital, & no longer than we do Soe do we desire their Countenance and favour.

	We are so Farr from taking upon our Selves any Authority or from doing a thing that may be any way displeasing to the Board; that we have no desire to Correspond with them abt the Lead Mines, but we humbly think it is greatly Lessening to our Credit & making our Authority less regarded in the Management of their other Affairs; & that need not be done As the Remains of the Derwentwater Family, find ill natured Persons Sufficient to Oppose the Interest of the Hospital when ever they have it in their Power

	We hope these Answers will be Satisfactory to the Board & that they have Conceived no ill Opinion of us from any Represention that has been made to them & we are

      Sr  Your most Obedt Servts

            	Nichos Walton

                        	Hugh Boag



P.S.  Please to return the Original Agreems wth Mr Abram Watson for the Dues for 1735 & 1736 as we cannot Settle wth him without it