Letters – Henry Richmond to Richard Ellis – 7 Mar 1755

To Mr Richd Ellis at Hexham

Newcastle 7 March 1755

Sir

My father is from home, but I rec[eiv]ed y[ou]r Lre [letetr] in relation to Mr Wm.Erringtons casting a Trench in Broomhaugh Gro[un]ds, in order as pretended to new win Sr Wr.Blacketts Coll[ie]ry & in answer thereto have sent you, inclosed herewith, a Copy of the Article (for I never heard that a Lease was executed) for letting the Coalmines in the Parish of St John Lee & Chapelry of St Oswald to Mr Errington for 21 y[ea]rs f[ro]m 25 Dec 1735. But whether he has a right to make the trench you mention to win the s[ai]d Coalmines & whether his view in doing it, at this time of his especially, may not more likely be to drain his own Colliery of Oakwood, you will as you know the situation of the s[ai]d Places & other Circumstances, be best able to judge. If the latter is his design he sho[ul]d not surely be allowed to proceed; for it is a usual Clause in all Coll[ie]ry Leases that the Lessee shall not make, or suffer to be made, any Watercourse thro[ugh] the demised premises for draining any other Coll[ie]ry without consent of the Lessor. But my father will write you further about this matter when he returns. I am etc  HR