Letters – Joseph Richmond to Walter Blackett – 22 Mar 1757

To Sr.Wr. Blackett Bt. London

Newcastle 22 March 1757

Hon Sir

	Mr Peareth says th[a]t as the Guild & Sessions will not be till the 18th & 20th April yo[u]r being here on the 15 or 16th will be in time sufficient; for the Comon Council may be properly held on fryday the 22nd. I presume you do not incline to have many Country Gents at this Guild so th[a]t the two long tables & the drawing room may take in all the C[ompan]y necessary to invite. I wrote sometime ago to Mr Street to send down some sweetmeats, but have rec[eiv]ed no answer.

	I was wth Mr Collingwood yesterday ab[ou]t Kirkheaton; & we find that Estate was formerly within the Manor of Hexham. That the first Sr.Jno.Fenwick sold it to one Heron f[ro]m whom it descended to Sr. Richd. Stote but as it does not appear Sr.Wm. Blackett ever had the Counterp[ar]t of that deed, we cannot discover how the estate was conveyd, any further than that the Coll[ie]ry was reservd. I have an Abstract of some papers in yo[u]r study, that there is a brief in a Cause tryed between Sr.Jno.Fenwick & Sr.Rd.Stote ab[ou]t the Royalties of Kirkheaton, wch may probably give some farther insight into the matter. I have wrote to Mr Ellis to make w[ha]t inquiry he can, & hope it will appear that this Estate escheats to you.  I have been with Mr Ellison on Mrs Gunter's Acco[un]t & he will let me know some day this week, w[ha]t he can discover wth regard to her claim  But Mr Collingwood who has made some inquiry in to it says it is without any foundation, For Sr.Fra.Liddel marryd a daughter of the Tong's family, he will write to you by this or the next post on the subject &c and to his Lre I refer.  As to an additional duty on all Coals exported to foreign parts. I do not think it will at all Lessen the demand & therefore be no hardsh[i]p on the Coal trade. The french pretend they have Coal. But if they had any fit for use, wo[ul]d never send here for them in foreign bottoms. When the duty shall be laid on, the export duty will only be 10s on a Newcastle Chald[ro]n in british bottoms; wch is greatly below the duties paid in London, & as low as what is p[ai]d in the Outports.  I am etc   JR