Letters – Joseph Richmond to Richard Ellis – 1 Jul 1755

To Mr Rd.Ellis at Hexham

1st July 1755

Sir

	I rec[eiv]ed yo[u]r Lre of the 26 ult. & have deliverd Mr Walton Sr W.Blackett's Claim for the Feefarm rents due out of the derwentwater estate.

	The farmers of the corn & hay tithes you say are willing to take a new Lease for 3 y[ea]rs at £70 a yr if they may have an allow[an]ce for the Gardens, if not recovered, & have the advantage of w[ha]t can be recovered at Sr W's expence for the time past : I sho[ul]d be glad to know w[ha]t allow[an]ce they expect, if nothing shall be recovered; & for how long a time past they expect the advantage of w[ha]t may be recoverd, wch I shall lay before Sr W[alte]r for his consideracon & answer. Mr Scott is to be employd in carrying on this affair ag[ain]st the Gardeners & as I apprehend they are all foreigners I imagine it may be full as well to let the suit be carried on in Sr W[alte]r's own name; therefore desire you will send me all their names & whatever else you think necessary on this occasion, that proper notice may be given them before a siuit is actually comenced. And as to the corn & hay tithes I desire to know if yo[u]r Serj[ean]t Oliphant or some other friend cannot be got to draw them for one y[ea]r, but if that cannot be done the best way is to let them for 2 or 3 y[ea]rs as well as you can, free f[ro]m allow[an]ces on acco[unt] of the Gardeners &c  If you think otherwise of the matter I desire you will give me yo[ur] thoughts thereon  I am etc  JR