Letter – Diana Beaumont to John Erasmus Blackett – 23 Nov 1798

Bretton  Nov 23d 1798

Dear Sir,

	I was favord with your letter by the last Post & am sorry to find there is no chance of our having the pleasure of seeing you at Bretton. Co. Beaumont is not gone to attend the Meeting of Parliament, as we propose setting out for London early in Decr he defer'd his Journey as he found his attendance was not necessary at the Opening of Parlia't . I am happy to hear that Lead is on the rise; & that on the whole our Mines are more promising. when we gain Stanhope Gill Mine much may be done. Mr Wood the Counsellor was with us a little time since on a Visit, he told us he was engaged against  us by Lord Burfords Party, also Serjeant <Cockell>  he said they informed him we had secured Mr Law on our side. - we very much approve of your Idea of a Stone Closet at the Abbey & shall certainly think of the best Method of having it done -- Col Beaumont desires I will mention the Collieries of St. John Lee & St. Oswald, he will be glad to know Sir Edward Blacketts determination as Mr Tulips Lease expires the 25th of December, & Mr Bell (in a Letter this morng recd) wishes for Col. Beaumonts answer respecting them. - we are sorry Mr Blackett is come so late into Yorkshire, as we were in hopes he would favor us with a visit at Bretton , & our stay here is now very uncertain for altho'  we talk of leavin g Bretton early in Decr. in case any thing in Parliat. was to be brought on before that time, of very particular consequence, we should set out instantly, after the accident in travelling up to Town last year  I am unwilling to perform the Journey with four Young Children with[ou]t Col Beaumonts being with us. I beg you will tell Mr Blackett with my Compts there will be a very good Ball at Ferrybridge on the 3d of December, wch I wish he would attend to see if he likes any of our Yorkshire Beauties if we are not gone to London before that Day Col Beaumont intends being there & will be very happy if he will meet him, if we are not in the Country, Mr & Mrs Lee will certainly be there & I am certain will be very glad of his company -- Col Beaumont wishes with me in best Compts to yourself, Mrs Blackett & Mrs Collingwood. I remain Dear Sir very sincerely yr Hble Servt

Diana Beaumont