Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Radley – 3 Dec 1738

      Ravensworth Castle Dec.3. 1738

To Mr Wm Radley



Dear Sir

	As the Collonels Lead Mine Lease is now Executed, we hope will open a way for the poor Tennants Leases soon to follow. They have been in great agonie about them and many never expect to see one in this part of the world. However as we hope they will soon be convinced to the contrary, we think proper to order for their dispatch, to lay before you the following proposal, whereby we hope, the greatest dispatch will be made, & the greatest profits accrue to us all.

	We have been informed it has been proposed, to have all these Leases print’d, & to leave blanks for the Pcells, and different covenants, a thing which we can no way think practicable, for it is impossible to doe it unless all circumstances of Farmes were alike, which cannot be supposed to be the case in an Estate so very Extensive as the Derwentwater Estate is, for it is well known that even in Estates, even joyning one upon another the customs differ greatly. These are the Reasons we have to give against their being printed, & hope they are such as will joyn your sentiments in order to lay aside that scheme.

	This therefore being the case it remaines to consider in what way they can be best drawn, and engross’d, at the Easiest Expence & with the most Expedition,  Now in  order to this we think in the first place all the Draughts must be made here or at least the most of them, which must be transmitted to you, if they are Engrossed in London, which will take up a great deal of time, & give a great deal of trouble, and as you will we think haveno profit in the Engrossing of them, it seemsin all respects most convenient to have ‘em done here as they will be done at the following Expences. Drawing 5s engrossing 2 parts 8/4d & Parchment & Duty 5s, in all 18/4d a pair, nay we hope something may be saved in the Drawing as in some places Farmes will be equally circumstanced & no alteration but in the Pcells.

	We do not propose this Sir as a thing any way to interfere with your Interest, but as a thing of mutual benefit to us all who expect to have shares in the Profitts, & that the business may be dispatch’d with all the Expedition the Nature of the thing will allow. If we are mistaken in any thing, or that you think Mr Aireys prices too high, pray lett us know your sentiments, as we will be govern’d by you in anything which seems mutually advantagious.

       We have had in the letting of the Estate an intolerable deal of trouble & very great Expence, which the Hospitall have never made us any allowance for, which is a reason why we may expect more than a quarter part of the profits by these leases. It was originally intended to be between You, Mr Horne & us, but Mr Airey who is concerned in the Affair expecting a share will make it to us all of less Vallue, We hope for the reasons above we may be thought by you & Mr Horne not unreasonable in proposing the division of the Profitt to be into five parts, that is You, Mr Horne, Mr Airey and we two each one fifth, for besides the great trouble we have had, we shall yett have a great deal & be putt to Considerable Expence.

	It is a Custom in this Country that the Landlord & Tennant bear the Expence of Leases equally & the prices of ‘em are general two Guineas a pair, but whether that should be a standard for us or not we cannot tell, you will therefore consider it with Mr Horne & let us know your joynt thoughts. It should also be represented to the Hospitall that one half of the expence will be upon them, so as they may give Consent thereto, & prevent any misunderstanding about it hereafter.

	We will be glad to hear from you as soon as it is convenient in answer to this. Mr Airey joyns with us in complements to you & all friends at Greenwich & we are

      Sir Yours &c

      Walton & Boag