Letter – William Blackett to John Erasmus Blackett – 15 Dec 1804

My Dear Sir

      Since I wrote to you I have this morn recd a letter from Mr Stead: the purchase of Ryal is now concluded; I am to give him £20,000 for it £10,000 of which to be paid next May & the other £10,000 the May following & pay any interest for the latter sum. I should be glad to know if Mr Bates tenant for the South Farm has had notice to quit at next May, if he has not had notice he will stay another year at the same rent at six months notice <. be> necessary.

      I will be glad if you would have the goodness to ask Mr Williamson if any paper is to be drawn up for me to sign & he can do it <....>. I should be glad if he would look over the Title Deeds of the Estate – My reason for purchasing Ryal is, it will add to this estate for my eldest Son, & as <he hall ….> prospect of another he will have the Yorkshire & Durham Estates.

      Mr Coutts has been very <kind> <Hands> me great part of the money or I should not have been able to have made the purchase.

      We think of setting out on Wednesday or Thursday in next week. All here join me in kind love to yourself, Mrs Collingwood etc.

		believe me  yours very affectly

			Wm Blackett

Tuesday Morn.