Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 8 Jan 1740

      Ravensworth Castle  January 8th 1739/40

To Wm Corbett Esqr. Pay Office



Sir

	In Obedience to the order of the Board of the 28 Novr. last we wrote to the Rever<en>d Mr Thos. Jefferson of Cockermouth , & acquainted him that unless he would make Satisfaction for the wood he had cutt down, in the Manour of Thornthwaite, & pay the charges of the prosecution begun against him the s.d prosecution would be carryed on; & we reced. the Enclosed of the 27 December last for answer from him at our Return the 6 Inst from a West Country journey, where we had been Rec<eivin>g 

pt of the D[erwentwater] Rents & settling with several Ten.ts at the Close of last Year.

	We believe Mr Jefferson’s submission, will putt an End to the other Tenants pretended Notion of their having a Right to Cutt wood upon the arbitrary estate. The value of the Birch & Alder Trees he sold of his Customary Arbitrary Estate to Wm. Miles of Keswick in the Year 1735 was £6:12:6. What the value of the oak or other wood cutt down since we have not yet been able to Certain but believe it was of no very great value but as he has submitted to pay the value as soon as it can be a Certained, we hope the Board will be favourable as to the Charges of prosecution.

	There are several other Ten.ts within the manour that have Cutt down some wood within the same time, & we intend to call upon them also to pay the Hospital the value thereof, if the Board approve of it.

	The Ten.ts of Thornthwaite Claim a Right to have wood for Repairing their Housing, & aldo hedge & plow Boot (as you may please to observe by Mr Jeffersons Letter inclosed) which has we believe been the Custom, & we think should not be Deny’d them, when they apply properly for it  & w<ha>tever is granted them at any time for these uses, should be approv’d of & sett out by the Bayliff.

	We reced. the 54 Leases & Counterpts. safe & we  hope they will all be Executed in abt 10 days time. The Carryer that brought them would not De;iver them under £2:2:6 for their carriage, wch we pd. him & hope the Board will Approve of it, if no Bargain was made with him when they were Delivered him for a Lesser Sume & 

      we are &c N.W., H.B.  



A Coppy of Mr. Jeffersons Letter sent Messrs Walton & Boag. The Original sent Wm. Corbett Esqr.

the 8 jan 1739/40

[This letter is given separately, dated 27 Dec 1739]