Letters – Joseph Richmond to Walter Blackett – 20 Oct 1732

To Wr Blackett Esq.				Newcastle 20th Octobr 1732



Honrd Sir, 

This day senight wee finished the Pay at Allenheads , when Mr Grindale resign'd & Mr Walton was put in possession of the Chappell, We had a smart skirmish at parting between Mr Grindale & Jn Armstrong, but without any Loss of the ill blood that is betwixt them – Grindale has given in an accot of about £70 he insists he has been wronged off in the last 6 Years, by Jn Armstrong's refusing to secure it for him from the People, who on the other hand affirms the accot to be false in every Article & that he has paid him every farthing of his dues, to reconsile wch difference I ordered all the Reckon[in]g Bookes down to Newcastle to be examined, & I believe it will appear the Parson has not had justice done him, but I also believe he does not want so much as he says he does. Dr Nobles house is published to be lett, & Jn Armstrongs Son had a refusall of it. The three Colts were cut three weeks ago, & are all past danger, Winship has entered this Season seven couples of young Dogs, five couple of wch he thinks will prove very good, Robson tells me that Jn has never been at home since you left this Place & that he hears he's some w[h]ere about Haggerston, has taken no Care of any Dog but Bumpier wch he is making up for Markett, The <Latchams> men have <had> has discovered something of a Vein near Hexham, & Mr Allgood has sent in 2 <pds> of the ore to be tried, if she is likely to prove a grove, I will Imediately let you know, Jn Armstrong tells me Moohope grove he thinks will hold good to the <[ho]Rison> but that she proves dead down the field, Mr Fenwick declares he will stand Candidate at the next Occasion, but Mr Ridley keeps himself close yet is observed to be more Complaisant than is usual for him to be, if you coul'd serve the Man I wrote to you about <forgiveing his L…> discharge without Expence or much trouble it will be of some service, tho[ugh] I hope your Intrest is as good as you need desire, Mr Allgood has bid one seven pounds a year for the small apartment on the left side into Fenwk Lamberts house, wch is 40 s more a year more than Ive been offered by any other, pray do you approve of only letting it him, I cannot yet meet with a Tenant for the great House without laying out more money for it than I think proper for me to do, till you see it & give directions, Gunnerton Collry is taken into your own hands & Potts discharged from being any way concerned in her, Winship has now in the House the Black Horse, Matchim, & great Gelding, I desire your directions whether young swallow Mr Swinburns horse, Mr Coulsons Colt, & the other Hunters must continue at Grass at Wallington or be sent into the Horse Close at Kinton. I am etc  J.R.