Letter – Diana Beaumont to John Erasmus Blackett – 18 Aug 1803

								Worthing Sussex  Augt 18th 1803

Dear Sir

Colonel Beaumont will be obliged to you if you could inform us what time will be most <convenient> for you & Mr C Blackett to receive a <Buck> which we wish to send, there is a very fine one now ready, w[hic]h we will order to be killed when we receive your answer, you will give time sufficient to allow of our orders going to Bretton,  we hope you have recd some Moor game w[hic]h we desired might be sent – you will see by the Gazette that Col. Beaumont presented the Address sent him by Mr Craster from the County of Northumberland, a Box of Moorgame arrived last Night in such good order from Allenheads that we have sent a Servant with it this Morn[in]g to Brighton to the Prince of Wales, I don’t recollect if your Brother’s Moors are well supplied with Game, if any would be acceptable at Matfen from ours, we shall be very happy to send some to Mr & Mrs Blackett, I am afraid we have no fruits at the Abbey to offer them, - in regard to the leave to be given to Mr Richardson of Ninebanks, we shall be happy to do whatever you & Mr Williamson think it right for us to agree to, Mr Richardson has I believe in many instances not conducted himself properly to-wards us, but that is no reason why <!> we should refuse our consent to what is reasonable, Mr Bell’s Idea was I fancy, that when the Church once became possessed of Property, it could not be again Sold, & the Lord of the Manor could derive no further benefits from it, - the Colours w[hic]h I presented to the Hexham Infantry are now at the Abbey, should I not request Mr Thomas would call on Captn Carr (who is now their Commander) & ask when they would wish to have their Colours? & they should be delivered to them, - - we feel anxious to know what will be done in the Affairs of the Halls, at any rate I hope they will no longer have any concern with the Lead Trade, they have done it much mischief already, for they did not care what price they promised  <as> they were indifferent if they could pay or not, surely Surtees & Burdon must soon have their accounts ready for Public Inspection, their Conduct is highly reprehensible, it appears to me the Committee of Gentlemen fixed on are their near Relations & particular Friends, & not those most interested in the Affairs of the Bank being soon settled, -- we are indeed sorry there is such a stagnation in the Lead Trade, I hope it proceeds from the Idea that the Stocks of Lead the Halls have on hand must soon be Brought to Market at any price, it was only in April last Mr Burdon told us he knew it was the intention of the Halls to pay us the 5000£ they owed us from their last Bankruptcy, & on my express[in]g my doubts he asked if I would then take a Hundred Pounds for it from him, & he w[oul]d give it – Col. Beaumont unites with me in best regards to yourself & Mrs Collingwood – 

I am Dear Sir Sincerely Yours

D. Beaumont