Letter – Edward Blackett to James Mewburn – 2 Dec 1714

      the 2 10br 1714

James

      I am well satisfyd by yrs of the 27 tht you do not yet understand what the weight of my lead is, for you saY there are severall pigs wch are 2 or 3 stone over weight, wch I am very sure is not so, & to satisfy you, you shall see the lead weighed at the mill, before the pay, there will be above 300ps & not one of thm I am sure will not come nigh yr weight, my agreemt wth the workmen is tht the weight shall be 12 stone each piece at least, you write me tht some pieces is 3 stone over weight, in casse they were so no man could load thm, or the porters carry thm into the cellar, let me know what advice you make in the alloance to the tenants for the half tyth, & what you offer thm for each grain & what they stand upon, so make as good an end wth  thm as possibly you can tht you may adjust all the rents, & soonr tis done the better, then I doubt not but in a short time to have a decree in the mean time I wd have you discourse all the tennts severally & know what advance of rent, they will give, for a term of years, so set me done their names & their Farmes, & what advance of Rent, each of thm wd give so make it yr so onely business to set straight wth the tents, & I will make thm leases against May day, provided they will give me tht advance of Rent, as I am informed, Each Farme is worth 

      I hope yr acct is nigh as to the leading the lead to Newburn, as also the wherry hire &c, faile not to give me a line upon the receipt of this letter, take yr own time to discourse the tenants severally, I knew nothing of the inclosed letter you had sent had rather given a Sum of mony then it shd have been inclosed in my leter I am 

      yr friend



I will have no bills at any time but what are either drawn or indorsed, by mr fenwick, mr Ridley or mr Featherston & Comp for I have been too great a loosr already by bills of Exchange