Letter – Isaac Hunter to John Erasmus Blackett – 8 Oct 1783

      Dukesf[iel]d 8th Octob[e]r 1783

J E Blackett Esq[ui]re N[ew]castle



Sir

      Mr Salkelds anxiety for his Miller causes me a second time to trouble you for your Orders in regard to the Corn Mill

      I was not a little surprized last night by Mr Emerson’s l[ette]r to find that you had given him ‘positive orders’ not to give me a particular acco[un]t of the recei[p]t of the Rookhope Lead, shall not presume to say any thing as to the propriety or impropriety of the Order no further then that it shows a mistrust & belief that I would make an improper use of such an acco[un]t, not doubting but you have some reason for forming these mistrusts, and as I am not conscious of having intentionally don[e] any thing to deserve them; for my sole Wish & study since in office has been to discharge it w[i]th fidelity and advantage to my Master; not withstanding I do not imagine but I have commited Errors, and when convinced of them would readily acknowlidge them, therefor[e] hope you’ll not impute to arrogance my requesting to know in what I have offended to cause the above that I may have it in my power to justify myself – shall not say any thing as to my feelings on the occasion, but if you would for a moment suppose yourself in my situation of being mistrusted & suspected by the Person that my greatest endeavours had been to merit his confidence will then be able to form some Idea of them – I am w[i]th due deference

      Y[ou]rs &c IH