Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Radley – 22 May 1741

      Ravensworth Castle. 22d May 1741

To Mr Wm Radley



Sir

      We reced. your favour of the 14th Inst And as to the Draughts of Throckley & Scremerston Colllierys. The former we have not yet got from the Tenants Attorney who has had it perusing & the latter you have inclosed this day to Mr Corbett. & The Draught for Brockenhaugh Colliery you Surely had but we will Send you fresh Instructions as soon as we can as its Mislaid.

      As to Bidding for the Wood we have Endevoured  As much as possable to Raise it to the Value but belives will not be able to bring the bidders up to it. However there will be a further bidding by Stephen Elleringham & Ptners and also by Mr Cuth: Hunter as we are well Informed for the Northumberland  Wood. but as for the Cumberland Wood we are afraid you will have no more bidders but Mr Spedding & Company, it Seems  to be to great A bargain for any other Wood Mongers in that Country.

      We have taken all pains we could to bring the wood Up to its value & are of Opinion the Northumberland Wood will be sold Nearer the Vallue  then the Cumberland wood The season for this Y[ea]rs Cutting is lost & as it is would not long think the time of Conformation be of Service to the Sale.

      We are Suprised [sic] at what you Mention one of the Clarks of the Exch[eque]r told you that people Cutting down p[ar]t of the Comberland Wood, and we do assure you there is no such thing going forward to our knowledge. Nor has there been any Cutt down Since the Numbering of the Trees, even for the Necessary Repairs of Houses, hedges boot, & plow boot but offall stuff. Those that have been blown down by Wind we have ordered them to remain upon thge Ground for the Purchasers. The Tenants of Thornthwait by order of the Board Sometime since were to have Wood for the Repair of their Houses Plow & Hedgeboot, which were sett out for them & they have cutt down more then they had Liberty to do, of this we acquainted the Board  of the 24th Apl. last & we have Since Restraind  them from Cutting any they made so ill use of the liberty they had given them before; but Consider S[i]r this Wood Stands upon the Arbitrary Estate which the Tenants you know has always pretended a Right to (And not upon the Demain Lands) and was not Numberd nor is it in the Valuation of that for sale.

      We are Sr. Your most Hble Servts

      Nichos. Walton  Hugh Boag