Letter – Ralph Heron to John Bell – 24 Feb 1792

Dear Sir

	I wish the Petition had been permitted to remain as at first ingrossed in general terms, but that is now over,

	You have favoured me with the Amount of Mr Straceys Bill to wit £302.19s.10d in Henshaw and Melkridge Business, which has induced me to look at Mr White in Acomb Divn which I find to be £229.16s.10d the Difference is £73.3s.-  I paid all the Printers Bills etc, which I suppose in the former was discharged by the Commrs - but no Inference can be drawn in either Case as to the Expence of obtaining the present Act, nor can the payment to Mr Fawcett be any Guide, I think he deserved to be shabbily treated for becoming a Solicitor which he actually did,

	Mr Walton has just left me, he fears the Catton Townfields will occasion Objections on the part of the Hospital, and indeed it appears to me a very improper Measure - do the proprietors of these Town fields mean that the Lord shoud have 1/16th of them for his Consent or is the Division of them to be solely amongst the proprietors.  are they to be combined with the Commons as to the paymt for Damages in working Mines or how otherwise, if the Clauses respecting them are to be entirely unconnected and distinct from the other purposes of the Act, they will certainly be considered as a distinct Act, but it is only my Business to pursue the Intentions of the Parties, and I can alter the Drat to take in the extra Matter

	Be so good as to send me a particular of the respective ecclesiastical Dues intended to be extinguished and in whom vested that I may set them forth, it must either be compulsory or optional on both parties - and I think the former will be most salutary, but only say which way I am to make it

	I presume there is no Alteration in the Mode of naming the third Comrs - I have made it so that Bates & Fryer are to name him, agreeable to what we thought the best place where we met

	It will be impossible to have the consent Bill ready to be signed on the 8th - observe, we are to meet on the 2d to examine the rough Drat, no doubt many Amendments will be suggested and adopted - 2d and 3d will barely be sufficient for that purpose - then the fair Copy for Consent Bill must be made, but before that the Draft must be settled by Mr Wilson which cannot be expected to be done very hastily - Our Friend Ruddock shoud remember the old Adage no more haste than good Speed  if he will come and help me I will thank him, I have not lost a Moment of time                                      Yrs    Ralph Heron

                                                                                       Newcastle 24 Feb 1792