Letters – Joseph Richmond to Walter Blackett – 21 Feb 1758

To Sr. Wr. Blackett MP London

Newcastle 21 Feb 1758

Hon Sir

	Mr Fenwicks writings are now before Mr Rudd. I find Mr Sparrow of Netherton has a Mortgage of Green Leighton for £1600, wch he thinks unreasonable to take in without 6 months notice, unless he can meet with a hand for the money before that time, but he will join in the Conveyance & take your bond if he does not take the money at Mayday. However to be prepared to pay the money I have sold 2000 pices of lead at £14.10.0 a f[othe]r. For there being great stocks in hand at all Markets, the price is fallen 7s 6d or 10s a f[othe]r & I doubt will still fall unless some brisk demand happen f[ro]m abroad.

	Mrs Robinson has ordered her tenants at Winlaton not to quit their farms at Mayday. for she tells them she has your & Sr.Edwds. consent to continue : I desire to know if you have promised any such indulgence for Sr. Edwd. says he neither has nor will do it.

	Mr Aynsley has taken a deal of pains last week to get hands to a petition ag[ain]st the register bill & has made what use he co[ul]d of your letters to him to prevail on people to sign it.

	I hope you have put in your Claim to Kirkheaton. The Stotes have been twice there since my last, but have not yet serv'd Ejectm[en]ts on the tenants, they offered them the Abatem[en]t of 1/2 a yrs rent if they wo[ul]d attorn, butit had no Effect. Mr Robson tells me th[a]t Nathl. Fenwick, who was wth the Stotes, advised the tenants to be careful not to attorn to you for you wo[ul]d break their leases & rack them to the utmost.  I am  etc   JR